Oconee WMA Help

[BigDogDaddy]

Got a few questions if someone is willing to help. Never hunted it before, got drawn for pond 1, 6th hunt. Not expecting much but would like to be prepared.

Do they draw more than 1 group per pond? Is there draw blinds on the pond or is it hide in the bushes? Is there a pre-hunt meeting, and where to sign in that morning? Any help is much appreciated!

 

[Sweet talker]

Text me and I can answer some questions for you. 770-584-5414

 

[fredw]

Three parties are drawn for each hunt on Pond 1. No blinds (other than a handicapped blind which is pretty much unhuntable. DNR will show up around 5 am for a quick meeting.....and its really quick. Hide in the bushes. Sign in at the Pond. Worth scouting before hand to see what area of the pond the ducks like.

 

[across the river]

Three parties are drawn for each hunt on Pond 1. No blinds (other than a handicapped blind which is pretty much unhuntable. DNR will show up around 5 am for a quick meeting.....and its really quick. Hide in the bushes. Sign in at the Pond. Worth scouting before hand to see what area of the pond the ducks like.

Good info. I would also try, if possible, (and they seem like decent guys or girls), to get the other people to just join you and all set up together. What happens is you scout early and find where the birds are sitting and get that spot. The other two groups will set up across the pond, off to the side , or even on top of you. If a wood duck dive bombs you at shooting time or a single just drops straight in you will be able to get a shot. What inevitably happens though is a group of ringers, redheads, or even a big duck or two comes in and they try to circle. As soon as they swing out to make a pass the other groups knows they are going to circle back to you and they are shooting at them. I don't care if they are sky high or 80 yards in the middle of the pond, they are pulling the trigger. The birds flare and fly off. Then when the next group comes in, you or the other group take marginal shots, because you know they aren't going to get to circle without being shot at by the other group. You end up with one big cluster of sky busting and 99% of the birds that do try to come in get sky busted and never have a feather cut. You are far better off, in my opinion, having 6, 7 or even 9 people all sitting together. At least that way you all can all wait on the birds to actually drop in before people shoot. Also if a group of 5 birds actually comes in, the chances of all 5 making it out with 6 plus people shooting at them is slim to none. You may have to draw straws for the redhead or widgeon if you kill one, but you will all kill far more ducks hunting together than you will just sky busting at birds to keep the other group from shooting them.

 

[BigDogDaddy]

Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated.