Lowndes/ Clay County

[duckkiller]

a mud motor is only as good as the person driving it. I talk to guys all the time who have mud motors but cant get them to go places they think they should so they start cussing the thing and claim them as a waist of $$$$$$. Bottom line is you better be in shape to drive them and you better know how to drive them

[everette crofford]

and technically you dont really need a boat with a mud motor to kill ducks. they are helpful though.

[duckkiller]

Very True, I hunted for years with out one but if I didnt have mine, then I wouldn't be able to get to several of my holes this year.

[Tedl10]

Very True, I hunted for years with out one but if I didnt have mine, then I wouldn't be able to get to several of my holes this year.

Especially with the water levels as low as they are

[go24]

Aaaah, internet wisdom.


Where would folks be without it?

[Anatidae]

I'm getting more interested in a mud rig.........but one question keeps coming-up........

So, you get through whatever it is, that is keeping you from getting to the ducks. Then once you're there, if you're in navigable (but shallow) waters in an area that's surrounded by private land - chances are, you can't get the rig close-enough to the bank to make it blend-in with the surroundings. All you can really do is pull it into some trees and put the blind up.....and hope for the best. A lot of times, ducks are interested in landing in the open, shallow areas. If you motor you rig into that spot, you've blowm mud everywhere, cut a ditch right up to your boat, and muddied the water to where any duck with less-than-average intelligence can plainly see, sumpin ain't right.

So (just as a matter of curiosity), what good is a mud rig, if you can't get it hidden well-enough for the ducks to land where they've been hanging-out?......and legall, you're not supposed to get out of the boat?

[duckkiller]

well think of it this way, if you were to try and get to the "X" with the outboard you would be cutting a trail and muddying the water also. I see your point but I will say this Austin and I spent about 2.5 or 3 hrs last weekend cutting and clearing the channel to one of our spots(1.7 miles per GPS) and there is no way you could travel it w/ an outboard with the water as low as it is right now. I will be home a week from tomorrow for Christmas break so if you would like to test drive one you are more than welcome to come pick mine up and take it where ever you feel like, just let me know.

[Anatidae]

I appreciate that. Isn't yours a long-tail?

[greenheadgrimreaper]

Anatidae are you going to be at the check station wed morning? The situations where I hunt I don't really have a problem with what you are talking about. I can see your point though. His is a go devil, mine is a scavenger. If a guy likes to look cool while hunting...the scavenger aint for you. It is ugly with that handle but I can tell you this, the steering problems you have with longtails is non existent. I have as much if not more turning capabilities than I did with my outboard. Plus I liked the torque from the gear reduction. Less speed(longtails aren't speedy anyways) but more torque to push loads. All in all it was a good purchase. If your at the check station wed. I will bring my boat in case I don't get drawn. You can have a look at it and drive it if you'd like.

[duckkiller]

yes mine is a longtail. and Austin is right about the scavenger the handle seems big and bulky at first but I like the way it works out for him in his boat. It is ugly though, about as ugly as the No duck killing MOFO that trys to drive it

[Anatidae]

Thanks for the info and the offers. As far as Wednesdays......I am stuck in Itta Bena every Monday through Friday for the next few months. I'm only home on the weekends.

We'll get together over the Holidays and compare notes.

[Wildfowler]

I m in my second year of duck hunt lookn for some tips on places to hunt other than Hwy 50 slu Is there any other places that aint hunted as hard as 50? any pointers also would be great

I learned how to do this a long time ago and it may prove helpful to you.

What you do is get to your local filling station at about 1 am the opening day of next duck season. This method of finding a duck hole works better on opening day because everyone hunts on opening day. Anyway, the gas station to scope out needs to be one of those kind that also serves those freshly cooked sausage biscuit heartburn bombs. You need to get to the gas station early because the good spots are going to be taken early. Once you get there, you need to be patient. At some point between 1 am and shooting time, you are likely to see a sure enough duck hunter show up for fuel and heartburn. This is what you're looking for.

You've got to be selective about which hunter you choose. What you're looking for is someone driving a truck that's also pulling a boat or even an atv. The dead giveaway to know for sure that they are going duck hunting is if they have decoys strapped to the atv instead of deer stands. You've got to take your selection very carefully, and need to take the process one step further. Look at the vehicle itself, and notice what sort and how many nascar style emblems from various waterfowl hunting sponsorships he's got adorned to his vehicle. I've found that the larger emblems are generally a better indicator than what looks like too many of the smaller sized emblems. Size really matters. I've never been able to figure out how to get these sponsors to pay me to put their stickers on my car, and I'm sure there are others like me who are not pro staffers, so you'll want to avoid picking a potential hunter who doesn't meet the description. Also notice if there are any non-duck related "phrases" attached to the truck. If you see any somewhat misspelled phrases like "git-R-dun" or the even more coveted, but slightly out dated "aint skeered", you'll know you've found who you're looking for.

While they're paying for their fuel and heartburn. Walk over to their truck and look on the dash board for any evidence of where they're going. Look for pre-filled out WMA user permits and WMA regulation forms. The really good hunters will take a extra permit home with them and fill out the paperwork prior to their next visit so not to be troubled with having to stop on their way in that morning.

Once you've identified your target, the rest is up to you. Assuming you know where the WMA that you saw on their dash board is located, you'll need to "git-R-done" before they are through paying for their fuel. You need to hurry and get to the main check in station and get your permit filled out and deposited as quickly as you can. You don't want any delays, because once the pro-staffers show up, they will race straight to their spot. If you're not fast, you could miss them at the last minute. (IF you don't know where the WMA listed on their dash is located, see alternate instructions listed below) Now that you've gotten here, the rest is easy. Wait for them at the check station and follow the pro-staffers right into the hole.


ALTERNATE INSTRUCTIONS:

In the event that you don't know the WMA listed on the pro-staffers dash board, you'll have to rely on your trailing ability. You'll need to let the pro-staffers pull out of the gas station, and follow them. You've got to take care when doing this. Sometimes the pro-staffers forget to secure their recent purchase properly and have been know to pull over abruptly to make emergency roadside adjustments. If you follow too closely, you may end up having to pass them if such an event comes up. Also, just like in the movies, you don't want them to think they are being tailed by someone like yourself. This is where your skill comes in very handy. You may need to keep a car of two between you and the pro-staffers so they won't notice you're behind them. If it's a clear night, you may even be able to drive with your headlights off.

Eventually, they will show you to the WMA, and from there straight to their spot. I've used this method for years now, and have only twice been lead out of state by the pro-staffers to where the ducks really were. Good luck to you and keep this tip in mind. If you show up early the next day, go on and get to the duck hole first. And do this again the next day. The pro-staffers aren't going to totally leave the area, but they will try to salvage a hunt somewhere else. If you do this enough times, you may be given the opportunity to learn where the duck holes are in completely different WMA. Eventually they will get tired of your beating them into what is now referred to as "your hole" and they may give up and go somewhere completely different. You'll know when this has happened when you no longer have to shine your light on them from your duck hole and cuss them away into another area. Once you've realized that the pro-staffers have moved on, go ahead shoot your duck hole totally out of ducks take comfort that you can start the whole process again the next morning at your local gas and gas.

[Wildfowler]

THis was intended for entertainment value only. You'll just have to put in your dues like everyone else did.

Good luck.

[pntailhntr]

THis was intended for entertainment value only. You'll just have to put in your dues like everyone else did.

Good luck.

LOVE IT!!! Now THAT"S dedication!!!

[jpws]

I m in my second year of duck hunt lookn for some tips on places to hunt other than Hwy 50 slu Is there any other places that aint hunted as hard as 50? any pointers also would be great

Call Anatidae.....he is always looking for a few good people hunt with him to teach them the spots