Foggy Honey Island Tree Rat Hunt 2 6 19

Had nice window of opportunity,seized it,chased some Honey Island tree rats today and it certainly was spooky early this am with dense fog(hit favorite slough but waited under huge oak til daylight plus slight lifting of fog).Could hear owls hooting up a storm and mimicked a few and had pair of owls respond to my mouth-calling(getting practice for turkey season-easy to imitate hoot of owls)and joked with a buddy via text that these owls getting ready to swoop down and attack me!!Finally got chance to stalk tree rats and only had great shot at one,on tree facing down,easy shot and one round of 2.75 #4 lead and this fine rat DOA!!!Did shoot at one other tree rat but was long-range shot and not best shot to take.Spooked at least two big hogs,saw tons of woodies,think I am gonna forego regular duck season next duck season in favor of targeting plentiful and delectable woodies.Heck,with the limit being three and the amount of woodies I saw today,why waste my time chasing non-existent grey ducks and even more non-existent mallards!!Instead,think I will target teal in teal season,then hit fine spots in Honey Island once Regular Duck Season rolls around.Did run into group of hog hunters who lost pit bull to big boar and they had pretty yellow lab that had gotten gored but looked to be ok,minus serious limp.Guess I will never get it,hog hunting with dogs,seems way too dangerous,especially for the dogs that get gored on regular basis,according to Chuck Strain,the LAWLF Agent I saw on my way out.He did a courtesy check of my Hunting License and I joked with him about the time he was sent out to lend a hand to me and two buddies who had gotten stranded in a fine trenasse,draining the Big Branch Marsh and that particular day he made the comment that he did not now that trenasse existed and I jokingly advised him to keep it that way!!Also joked with him bout me turning 60 and no longer needing all dem pricey licence$ and he reminded me that for the wonderful,low price of $5,I could get all my licenses,except the Federal Duck Stamp!!!Can't wait!!!Hope Wifey and I get selected for Sherburne WMA Wild Turkey Lottery!!

Mandevillian

Nice hunt, I hit the lease a week ago when it was cooler and picked up 7 snipe and two swampers, can't readily post the pic right now but the pooches did a good job. Always a bit worried about the canines making an unauthorized pig hunt but they listen just well enough that I have been able to call them off the pigs we jump bird hunting. Looks like we have some cool mornings coming Wednesday and Saturday so I will try and get back after them while the snakes nap, then we will get the beagle down for some serious rabbit action after that. As far as the hog dogs, I couldn't lose dogs that routinely so I don't do it.

Update-Me and Medicare Client hit same slough in Honey Island Swamp this am,saw tons of woodies,hint,hint for next Regular Duck Season,got drenched,not at all unexpectedly,and we ran into an ole-timer and I related story about big hog killing pit bull just last week.Did not see one doggone tree rat but we did see plenty of signs of where hogs had recently rooted up grubs,worms,acorns,etc and might head back tomorrow.

Mandevillian