"WATERFOWL NOTES"

TEAL-ONLY SEASON

For quite a few states September starts the waterfowl hunting season with the Teal Only Season. This year the season is 16 days and baring another storm Texas will have an above average number of teal traveling through to Mexico. As the teal travel down the flyways all states with the teal only season should prepare for a season better than last year – which was very good.

Teal migrate south in three waves, first  flight in August, mostly  drakes, the second flight a few weeks later consisting of hens that did not raise a brood with a smattering of drakes, and a few weeks later the  third flight with hens with there brood. Hunting success is based on having teal, and like most ducks teal are attracted to water – ponds, streams, lakes, tidal flats, marsh and water pumped rice fields.

All three species of teal, bluewings, greenwings and cinnamon come south with the bluewings leading the way.  Teal fly in double digit flights with a few doubles and singles flying. Teal appear out of thin air and drop into the decoys – or maybe not; the best time to shot is as they buzz the decoys. After the first shot most teal go straight up, making an excellent second and third shot.

Teal hunting offers the most comfort of all waterfowl hunts, unless the bugs cause problems. The weather is warm to hot, the dress is light, the blinds are shabby to none and the hunting time can be less than a few minutes.

A few years ago eight of us walked up to a small farm pond, threw out a couple dozen mallard decoys. Within five minutes after shooting time a large flight of teal buzzed the decoys, once they got below the trees in the background they became just part of the black early morning sky. Each hunter shot 3 times at the dark spots against a gray sky. We picked up the four teal limit. One flight – one volley – limit. Back at the autos we had to wait 30 minutes for enough light to take pictures. Some times the hunt can be too quick.

Calling

A whistle or series of quacks from a mallard hen call is usually enough to get a flight of teal to inspect a decoy spread. Once the teal are turned stop calling – let your spread do the rest.

The first few days of teal-only season require no calling, just a good spread with movement and confidence decoys.

Decoys

Two dozen floaters- mallards, pintails, wigeons, teal or most any puddle duck decoy will do. Sporting goods stores would have you believe teal decoys are a must. Teal feel safe in numbers, extra decoys are insurance. Spread the decoys in groups of 9 to 12 with a hole “Landing Zone” in the front middle where the shooting takes place. Ducks prefer to land in unoccupied open water among other puddle ducks. in open water that is not occupied.

Confidence and motion decoys will pull most teal into shooting distance. In the middle of the Landing Zone place a spinning wing duck decoy – battery or air driven. I can not say without question large ducks are attracted to the spinning wing but I know Teal are. The big problem is not to shoot the decoy.

Place a couple of H2O Quiver magnets among the decoys to cause decoy movement and ripples on the water.  Place a Blue Heron decoy on a stake just off the bank between the closest decoy and the ground and to one side of the hunters.

Other motion decoys shaker, swimming and feeding work wonders but shouldn’t be necessary during the teal-only season.

Blinds

Hunt from makeshift blinds of natural cover, hunkering down in high vegetation on rice field levies, brush around ponds and streams. If a blind is necessary, use one of the screen blinds designed for dove and/or turkey hunting.

Set up with the wind to your back or blowing from either side; teal like most birds land into the wind.  Wind in your face will mean that the Teal will approach the spread from your back, and this makes a hard shot even more difficult.

Several years ago, mostly because of the mosquitoes a few of us set up in the water on the outside of the decoys. Placed a dove bucket in the water and sat on it with our waste under water, long sleeve camo T-shirt and olive drab bug net hat and hood. Luckily the hunt only lasted 30 minutes or one of us would have dunked our shotgun. The Teal never noticed us in the water. Almost perfect on a 90 degree day.

Shooting

Teal only season comes just after or at the same time as dove season. For most of us that planned to go to the range and get in a month of practice, the teal are our practice. Shooting a shotgun isn’t natural to most of us.

The English grow up shooting shotguns, Americans grow up shooting rifles. In the 1920s, gun maker and shooting instructor Robert Churchill put into print his system of shooting flying game. In Game Shooting, Churchill explains that no perceived lead is necessary at all. What is needed, Churchill states, (Swing Through Method) is to swing the gun along the flight path of the bird and as the muzzle passes the bird’s beak, fire the shot and continue the swing. The theory is that during the time the brain says, shoot, the finger must pull the trigger and the shot charge travel from the gun to the bird the pellets will be in front of the bird correctly. You remove shooting over or under; that is, half of the places you can miss. At approximately 30 yards, mount the shotgun and swing through the bird and concentrate on shooting a “cigarette” out of its bill. The fast constant swing will prevent shooting behind the bird that eliminates the third place to miss.

Forward Allowance (Lead) for Teal 40 yards out add a few “Teal” lengths before pulling the trigger.  Everyone perceives lead differently, but if you visualize the forward allowance in number of Teal lengths it makes lead easier to determine.

Point shotguns not aim them; never look back at the barrel to measure the lead. 100% of the concentration and eyes should be on the bird.

Pick one bird and shoot only at that bird until your gun is empty or the bird falls. If you have more shells then pick another bird and shoot only art it. Do not flock shoot. After a gun fires at Teal, the Teal will go straight up. Start the muzzle under the bird and raise up, fire just as the muzzle passes the head.

Shells & Choke

Teal are small birds that fly fast and low over decoys. One pellet in the head or a couple in the breast will drop the bird. A broken wing will bring the bird to the water. No 6 shot is both large enough to break a wing and small enough size to get the proper pattern. 2-3/4-inch length is enough shell. Improved Cylinder will give most shotguns a full pattern at 30 yards. 

Clothing

Temperature and mosquitoes will dictate the dress. Wear a drab hat with a bug mesh head cover, long sleeve camo T-shirt, lightweight camo pants, tennis shoes and bug or cotton gloves. Even light waders are overly hot and will be extremely uncomfortable.

Bug Spray

There are two types to carry with you on the hunt. Yard Guard and Off (the 40% Deet is the best mosquito spray). Before you sit down, look around on the ground – you are checking for ants and snakes. This time of year both are bad and around water on dry land. Spray the Yard Guard around the spot you are planning to sit – warn any hunters downwind. Spray the mosquito spray on your hands, neck and cap. Do Not wipe your face with bug spray on your arms or hands. A good idea is to bring a dark green, brown or camo mat about 3x3 feet to sit on.  

Temperature

It seems that the best hunting locations during Teal-only season hunting locations can be mosquitoes infested areas. When hot enough for mosquitoes it is hot enough for reptiles to take aggressive stance. Especially with retrievers. There are three “animals” that must be accounted for ants, so watch where you sit. Watermockisons and rattle snakes will be out, keep your eyes open for snakes. Parts of the country are also alligator country. If you are hunting with a dog be externally careful. Experience has shown that a lab will swim directly to a gator – for the last time. I’ve been told by a couple of coastal guides that a lab’s eyes are just above the water and the gators eyes are just above the water, the lab recognizes the gator as something to retrieve.

Water

Early Teal and dove hunting are done in hot humid weather. Drink water. Have water for your dog. Take a 12-can cooler into the field with 6 bottles of 8-ounce water and 2 bottles of sports type drink. Drink 8 to 16 ounces of sports drink at the auto before you walk into the field. Sweating caused by the heat and humidity increases the need for fluids. Drink one 8-ounce bottle of water before the shoot and after the decoys are set. Start the hunt hydrated. Check your dog; be sure it isn’t panting or overly hot.

Drink an 8-ounce bottle no less than every hour, thirsty or not. Replace the body fluids as they leave the body. It is far better to “over” drink than “under” drink water. If you are able, freeze 6 to 8 each 8-ounce bottles of water. Use the frozen water in lieu of ice. The frozen water will keep the other bottles of water cool and add “back-up” water.

Dogs

Teal only season is in the last days of summer. In most places the weather is hot, really hot.  It isn’t easy on dogs. Most teal hunters use labs. Labs, welcome cooling dip against late-summer heat, but take care and keep water on hand for your dog. Dogs can have heat stroke as well as humans. Watch your dog; see that the retriever is safe from snakes and alligators. Do not chance a major problem.

Sportsmanship

Teal hunting is a great time to take a young person waterfowl hunting. Teal hunts are “easy and short,” the perfect opportunity to “show” that young hunter sportsmanship.  Good sportsmanship is just as important as good shooting. Shooting during the proper hours, correct limit, plugged shotguns, steel shot or listed shells, proper dress, correct decoy placement and calling. Special attention to the young hunter’s shooting. Don’t just shoot, teach proper shooting technique. Spend the time answering questions, pointing out facts in the outdoors.

Pay close attention, other ducks pintails, mottled ducks, wigeons, shovelers, wood ducks and whistling ducks might drop in for a look-see. If in doubt DO NOT pull the trigger. Explain to the young hunter why there is a limit, that today’s hunters want waterfowl for future generations.

Teal hunting offers the best chance for success and satisfaction. Good shooting, generally good weather, excellent table fair.

RECIPE

TUG’S DOVES

24 ea dove breast, deboned, skinned
1 btl (16-oz) Italian Dressing
1 ctn (pint) Cream Cheese
1 jar (8-oz) Jalapeno Kiwi Jelly
12 strip bacon , cut in half
24 ea wooden toothpicks

Wash off breasts, tenderize with a Jacquard Meat Tenderizer, place in a gallon zip loc bag, and pour in dressing. Refrigerate overnight. Remove, to a flat working surface, spread a layer of cream cheese over one side, spread jelly over the cream cheese. Roll up breast jelly roll style. Wrap with bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place dove roils in the basket. Over a gray charcoal fire cook on one side about 5 minutes, flip basket and cook second side until bacon is cooked. Stand back you might get run over by hungry hunters.

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