NE Fla Newbie

[guanavalleyguy]

Greetings all! This is my first post. Although I have never hunted ducks a day in my life, I am always glad to find a group of sportsmen who appreciate how special their sport is, who enjoy it ethically, and who truly care for the resources they use. I have been fishing in the inshore waters of the intracoastal for several years and I take great care in following the regulations set by the FWC and in making sure nothing I take out on the water gets left on the water. The same guys who some of you complain about at the STA's, continue that behavior on the water as well. I don't understand it. Heck, I even pick up all my hulls at the skeet range! Anyway, I have read many of your posts and see that you share the same beliefs. Glad I found this site.

As for duck hunting, I am really interested in joining this fascinating sport. I live just a few miles from the Guana WMA and can hear the guns going off early in the morning when I am fishing, and I know I am missing out on a good time. Are there any other UW members in the NE Fla. area? Is there anyone who might be able to give me some pointers on how to get started? I'd even be willing to pay someone for the opportunity to join them on a guided duck hunt. I know locations/spots are sacred, but I'm an honorable man and would never divulge info., or encroach on anyone's spot.

I would like to have a chance to hunt with a like-minded person who knows what he's doing so I can learn. Everyone learns from someone, and there is no better way to learn anything than to go actually do it.

I look forward to hearing from you all. Sorry so lengthy. Keep up the good work! :icon_salu

[D Duck]

Uncle D or Steve W both live up your way and would probably be happy to help a guy out. Try sending them a PM.

[Converted]

Welcome to the site. I'm sure we've got many members in your area. You've come to the right place. If you don't get an invite up your way, you are welcome to share a morning on my boat. :icon_salu

[northfla_hunter]

i live right down the road in fruit cove and hunt guana (almost exclusively this year since im not driving an hour and a half to gville or rodman for no birds!). too bad you didnt post this last week, i hunting it sat by myself in some GREAT duck weather (couldve settled for a little less than 35mph winds!). with only two weekends left this year (and unfortunately, you can only hunt guana sat and wed, so that limits the weekends to one hunt), not sure if i will have room to take ya. i know i have 3 people that want to go this weekend (and thats 1 too many). this is my first year hunting it so im not an expert but would be glad to share whatever knowledge and experience i have. maybe trade for a little fishing help! i love to fish, but my experience in that area (palm valley ramp launch) is very limited. shoot me and email and we can swap contact info. i think they open guana back up to anybody mid-feb (lake is closed except for hunting during the season) so we could take a ride around and check it out.

EDIT - guana is probably averaging < .5 birds per hunter this year. there are usually around 60 hunters and less than 30 birds taken every saturday (wed numbers are lower of course). i have limited a few times, picked up 2-4 several trips and only gotten skunked once (on a wed morning), so i think i know the better spots on the marsh!

[Wilbur]

Welcome! We are glad you're here. It's all about taking care of what we enjoy; hunting,fishing, or any outdoor activities. This is the top place to get help and info for getting started. If there is anything I can do to help out drop me an e-mail or P.M. A word of caution duck hunting is more addictive than heroine, once you start you'll never want to stop, and it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on! :wav:

[duckmanJR]

Welcome.....I'm a little out of your way but if you ver do decide to do a trip south and his some areas like Goodwin or the Sta's shoot me a PM and I'll give you a place to get started. :)

[Duckvader]

My first post also. I moved to Jacksonville from Georgia about 5 yrs ago where I hunted ducks mostly at Lake Seminole. I have begun to Hunt down at Merritt Island with 2 other guys and we've done fairly well. Shot 7 last weekend, 5 bwt and 2 widgeons. Have not hunted Guana yet but would like to go sometime just because it is so close. Glad I found this site. I may go back to Merritt on the 29th and will let you know if that happens. It is a pretty good trip, a little over 2 hours, but I will drive for ducks. I know how to Duck Hunt but need places to go. Merritt Island was the easiest place I could find that did not require much effort ( no check in, no motor, just me, a canoe and some dekes)

[Duckvader]

I just saw you're profile and saw that you are into clayshooting. We have been going to WW Sporting Clays which is a nice track. They have a 100 shot course. Let me know if you want to go sometime. We are thinking about going this Sunday.

[QuackR WhackR]

Welcome to the forum.. I don't live near you, but if you get down Bradenton way, give me a call and maybe we can get a cup of coffee..

Dave

[N. Cook]

Welcome.....all the nice folks above are members of UW-F.....click on the MEMBERSHIP side bar......dues are $25 a year and you become a supporter of the UW-F efforts to improve duck hunting for Florida duck hunters.

You will be able to access the MEMBERS ONLY page of this site.

Newton

[northfla_hunter]

welcome as well. ive been hunting for about 5 years but just this year started hunting guana. i normally drive down to rodman, orange, lochloosa, newnans, etc near gainesville. all my hunting buddies during college have moved away or are too whipped to hunt! so ive been looking for some local people to hunt with. i met one guy from over on the refuge and he was nice enough to show me some areas and get me started hunting out there and ive hunted with him a few times. as for clays, where is WW? one guy i work with is a member out at st aug rod & gun club and another is a member at a place up by the airport. i would love to come out and shoot a little sometime if you dont mind. how much is is for a round on that course?

[guanavalleyguy]

Thank you all for your replies! What a great welcome to this fine organization. I joined up as a member yesterday, and I'm already glad I did.


If I ever make it down south, I will be sure to contact you folks. I really do appreciate your hospitable offers.

Northfla_hunter and Duckvader: I shot both of you a line; let's meet up and do some shooting!

[Quackers]

I lived in Jax a number of years and hunted Guana exclusively back then. Try to get up there at least once a year. A couple of my hunting partners live in St. Augustine.

Was sorry to hear that the numbers in Guana are so low this year. Since you are new to the sport, spend some time on trying to identify some of the ducks while your fishing. It's not much fun throwing your gun up and wondering if what your aiming at is legal.............

[guanavalleyguy]

Great point Quackers! I will pay more attention when I am out there fishing. Of course they are usually pretty high when I am standing on a boat.

I have been trying to figure out how in the world I will be able to i.d. the right duck at the right time. I have been looking at various duck i.d. pictures, trying to memorize them, and trying to pick out the key features which would allow me to try and discern who is who when they are actually in flight or landing. That may be the hardest part of learning the sport of duck hunting!

If you are ever going to be in the area let me know. I live in Ponte Vedra, just up the road from St. Aug.

[guanavalleyguy]

Duckvader and NorthFla_hunter:

I sent you guys some private messages, shoot me a line back. I'd like to meet up at WW this weekend. Duckvader, the Private Message (e-mail) box is in the upper right when you sign on the forum.

Look forward to hearing from both of you guys.

Sean

[blueyed-goof]

Welcome. I live in Jax and have hunted Guana <not exclusively though> for the four seasons i've been duck hunting. Unfortunately this season has been a bust for me since I spent three weeks in Oregon and have been too sick to want to risk pnemonia or bronchitis since I got back. I've been feeling a lot better so I may be headed out to Guana on Saturday, but am not optimistic since there are so few birds. Some days I go out alone, and some days I don't. Since I only have a canoe there is only one spot left for another person, but you're welcome to join me when I have a spot. This is very short notice but I'm probably going this weekend by myself. My advice though would to be to wait until next season and just practice IDing while out fishing. Maybe we could swap a hunt and fish trip....I don't get to get out and do as much fishing as I would like. Welcome again

Dani

[northfla_hunter]

just a note for anybody hunting guana. this is something i was thinking about last weekend b/c there were so many people around the ramp after i pulled out and i was looking around wondering if anybody was on one of these online forums. i know steve was out there since he posted about it, but i wouldnt have known him if i was talking to him! it would be nice to match some faces to the personalities on here. i drive a blue chevy 2500hd crew cab with DU, Delta & NRA stickers on the back window (still havent gotten a new UW for my renewal) and it will be towing a 15' war eagle. if any of you see it, come introduce yourself.

[blueyed-goof]

I agree with nfla hunter on not knowing who is who out there. If I am alone, I am usually the one with the silver 4Runner and either a pirogue or aluminum canoe. This year I have mainly hunted the pirogue when alone. If people have seen me and/or introduced themselves, they would probably remember seeing me because I am one of the few women hunters out there and as far as I've seen, the only one that hunts alone out there <before I spent all season sick or out of town>. I've met quite a few guys out there and usually it takes me more than once to remember the face AND the name.

[guanavalleyguy]

Thanks for the note blue-eyed goof. As it looks like this season will pass without me even seeing a duck overhead I will have to remember to look for you out there next season. Sounds like I've got my work cut out for me on i.d.ing ducks between now and then.

[Randy Clark]

dang a girl that likes to duck hunt where were you when i was younger dont say it probably not born yet

[blueyed-goof]

<sigh> I hear that a lot :) but i'm okay with that. It's always fun when you're standing around waiting for the boat ramp to open and you're talking ducks with the guys and I have something to add. It's really funny to see some of the expressions I've gotten ...... "You're a girl!!" "Are you just a limit person?" etc. etc. Someday my husband <a long way down the road> may be one of those to join the Duck Hunters Support Group for Spouses :)

[Randy Clark]

thats pretty funny heck if i where to bet youd probably out shot most of the guys out there

[blueyed-goof]

Out shoot the guys......is that shoot more shells or come home with more ducks? hmmmmm my .20 and I have our days.....and then there are those days when we make the ammunition makers very happy and the ducks still get to live another day. :)

[Wilbur]

I'm always happy to see the ladies hunting. More times than not they have a lot more patience than us men. My wife and daughter both hunt and I enjoy having thier company. As far as shooting they are still a little new at it but I have seen some realy good shots made by both of them.
You go girls! :wav:

[N. Cook]

BLUE EYES....Welcome to the UW-F site and we hope you become a member......we also welcome spouses and significant others to join if they wish....hunt or not.....Look for the black and white UW-F decal on the back of any vehicle at the ramps and introduce yourself....you will find a great group who are dedicated to making duck hunting in Florida fun for all.
Newton

[Steve W]

Glad you came by the boat and said Hi!

Sorry for not offering to help out sooner, but I have my hands full with two kids that want to go all the time.

Keep an eye out for some N. FL get togethers.

Maybe a shoot, general get together or something like that.

[guanavalleyguy]

Thanks Steve. It was nice meeting you and your son. Thanks for the willingness to help get me started. I tried to get into the game late this year. However, I learned a lot while sitting on the sidelines, particularly from the UWF site. I'll be ready to get out there next year!