A Word From Hunter @ OPENING WEEK

Finally had a moment to get in front of a computer after a very hectic opening week, but very thankful to be alive and well and with my family on this Thanksgiving Day.
I just want to say that I'm still shocked at the poor success we've been having for opening week. I talked with one of the old timers today and he is still waiting on shooting his first duck, ugh!! I've talked to folks all over the state and have heard very similar stories. One club harvested over 500 birds 08/09 opener harvested less than 75 for 09 opener. This is the worst opening week I can remember since the early 90s. I've heard from a lot of folks in the know that birds are North of us still, due to mild temps and plenty of food and water North of us. However, good news is they will migrate South eventually and we could still see the best hunting of our lives, just a little later than we are used to.
I've been impressed hearing of the great times folks have been having in the pits, but I look forward to hearing that folks are working on their shooting rather than their joke telling. Thanks for holding up everyone's chin as I know it's a bummer bringing the wife home 2 ducks rather than 15, b/c Momma's got to eat and I know that's the real reason we all spend so much time in the pit.
My concern is that the ducks will migrate hard and fast and we wont have folks in the pit to welcome them to AR. The only way to avoid this is good and QUICK communication. When you have a "smack em" hunt, please spread the good news and get another team in the pit asap so we can spread the wealth and rack up some numbers. At this rate, we'll have a 500 duck season rather than 2,500 from last year. It can be avoided if we get folks over when the ducks finally show up. Also, please keep logging your hunts asap and even if you have a 0 bird count, Moo would still like to capture the information as we track a lot of details behind the scenes.
If you feel like throwing the towel in out of frustration, please call me and I'll help in whatever way I can.

Happy Thanksgiving and hope to see you soon.

-HZ