OTHER FEATURE STORIES

Local Chapters Starting! Form Your Own Waterfowl Chapter NCWA Chapter Local Volunteer Conservation & Educational Program Camp Woodie and NCWA Providing scholarships for North Carolina youth Statewide Banquet Raises Over $100,000 Sit, Sit, Sit Stuart's Hunting Lodge on the Currituck Sound

September holds many outdoor opportunities for sportsmen to enjoy. It is often a reminder that fall is just around the corner. The Swamp Black-gum begins to reflect a reddish tint on the leaves and those early mornings hold a constant talk of songbirds enjoying the beginning of those cool mornings. Farmers are in high gear winding up another season of Tobacco crops and combines are working every given minute to harvest corn yields-leaving a golden landscape in their wake.

For sportsman, the result of hunting season can also be seen at the local sporting goods shops. Everyone seems to be extremely busy buying hunting licenses, trying out new gear and preparing for the upcoming seasons. September offers the opening of Dove season, resident Goose Season and a last minute Teal Season east of Hwy. 17.

The Dove report seemed to be hit or miss, some areas reported plenty of doves and others reported things to be a little slower than the previous year. As a whole, the goose situation seems to report plenty of good hunting. With farmers harvesting grain the geese have plenty of different areas to explore. This allows the geese to change patterns and that is fun as well as a challenge to hunters. The approval of a teal season is often questionable from year to year being set by the Flyway Council, but the season is greatly appreciated by those who take advantage.

After viewing the reports of ducks populations on the prairie pot hole region numbers seem to be upward from last year’s reports. I hoped the opening of teal season in NC would reflect the increase in the hatch. It seems as if the teal arrive almost overnight when they begin to migrate. Usually the bright September moon will introduce a handful of teal on their annual journey south.
While Drum fishing the first couple of days in September, I try to keep an eye out for the Teal as they show up. This year I saw the first flock the last week in August trading the shoreline of Jones Bay. There was about 12 -14 teal buzzing the marsh as I watched them work there way directly in the sunset disappearing into the seemingly close orange ball. I paused for a minute reflecting on past hunting experiences, decoy presentations, calls, retrievers, hunting buddies, and the overall anticipation and preparation of the upcoming waterfowl season. As I refocused on fishing in the twilight I couldn’t help but start making mental notes of things I needed to do to prepare for the quickly approaching season.

The following week my work carried me to Currituck Co. to observe several projects which are participating in the Mallard Restoration and Research Program. While observing several projects the fowl seemed prominent in the area. It was an overcast evening with a slight drizzle and the wind was a constant 10-15. It seemed as if the ducks and geese were putting on a show trading to and from pond to marsh.

While I was working in Currituck, a gentleman named Frank Helms invited me to hunt with him opening morning. Without a hesitation I took him up on the invitation. I’ve never had the chance to hunt Currituck, but I have herd and read many stories about the plentiful waterfowl the area holds. Frank Helms makes his living off the crabbing industry and guides sportsman in the waterfowl season. I knew his previous experience on the sound would produce a knowledgeable and exciting hunt.

As always I was excited to hunt a new location and learn just how the locals do things. It seems that each county varies in their particular approach when it comes to hunting ducks. We loaded in a skiff with everyone wiggling into rain gear for the anticipated wet ride across the sound. I could see a flushed group of mallards far out off the bow-flying low across the sunrise. It hurt my eyes to watch them. I turned away and then could not find them again. Their was an occasional spray of water over the bow and visuals of duck blinds in the early morning. The waterscape made a visual alarm to me that this was the first of the duck season for NC.
We arrived at a point blind that looked like it could hunt 5 without a problem. Frank pulled the boat in behind the blind, which was completely covered and brushed to prevent flaring ducks. We all climbed up and began to get situated. I couldn’t help but think that it was time to store up the fishing poles for some long overdue duck hunting.

It wasn’t long before Frank had a flock of Blue-wings committed, which brought in the season with a bang. His chocolate lab “Cracker” was just as eager to fulfill her role as part of the team with a glance back for a hand signal to pick up the double. As the morning progressed the bag mixed from Blue-wings to Green-wings and the rusted casings beneath our feet had a new shine. Once again, a productive Currituck blind yield’s a morning of excellent hunting memories among family, friends and retrievers.

If the opening morning in Currituck is a reflection of the seasons to come, this year may be a productive year in the Atlantic Flyway. We harvested a mixed bag of Blue and Geen-winged Teal, watched several flocks of Mallards trading the open water and played with five flocks of Pintails with the calls. We even had a pair of Scoters bank in the decoys for camera shot.

Make room in your schedule to hunt Currituck this season and experience duck hunting at it’s best. Contact Frank’s Guide Service at 252-491-8310 and set up a hunt for either puddle ducks or divers today.