BARREL BURNER Wood Duck Hunting | NORTH CAROLINA Opening Day 2020

Duck season is BACK!! I headed down to North Carolina for the first early season duck hunt of 2020! I took the kayak back to public land wood duck hole that had plenty of woodies earlier in the week and it turned out better than I have even hoped for. Hope y'all enjoy!
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[@Tyler.Johnson19]

Sounds about right in N.C. Get to a spot and then 20 minutes before shooting light some guys walk in and set up on top of you high ballin. Good hunt though.

[@shawn5141]

That happened to us on an impoundment 2 years ago. Some guys walked in and scattered all the birds floating on the water around us 10 minutes before shooting light

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha I definitely got lucky in that I already knew these guys. It's never a fun feeling to be finishing setting up decoys and see headlights coming through the woods though

[@jeremy28135]

Nice work man. Love the Channel. Love that you don't edit out winging a bird and losing it, yet you still tried for an hour to find it. Anyone that's ever winged a hen woody in a swamp understands. If you hunt wood ducks, you're gonna lose one here and there. In the Sportsmen's Spirit, you just gotta try your best to find it. 👍

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! Just like you said, it's all part of hunting, the good and the bad

[@BLASTER-vb5wu]

Great to see ya back at it!! Always enjoy your videos. Awesome addition with the shotkam!! Season is here!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Colby! Been loving the shotkam so far but still getting used to it. How has the season been treating you so far out there?

[@Drblood6721]

Heck yes! We open in VT Saturday and I can't even see straight I'm so excited. Good luck and stay safe

[@HokeOutdoors]

Good luck in the morning! Stay safe out there as well!

[@davidkilroy8057]

You're a riot opening day I used to go out 3 hours also early just to be on the water. LOL can't wait to watch this video Thomas.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks David! I love just being out there. Gotta plenty of other mornings to sleep in every year. Hope you enjoyed it!

[@myronhigh3527]

Congrats on the enjoyable meet and hunt with the others boys! And GREAT hunt! God Bless!🤗👍🙏

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thank you! It was a great way to kick off the season! God bless you as well

[@ksoutdoorsports]

Woodies are cool, love the spots they pick!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Agreed! Always a challenge to hit too but fun

[@caelanbrown2419]

Glad to see you in the home state

[@HokeOutdoors]

It was a lot of fun getting down there!

[@andrewledford50]

Glad to see you got on some, great video also💪🏽

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Andrew! Y'alls season open yet?

[@billashlynlander236]

Sweet hunt man! Looking forward to wood duck season open up in my state!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man!! When does it open up for y’all?

[@HighPrairieSportsmen]

Great video Yung Thomas! Those timber holes look sweet.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Matt! We don't have quite the timber like y'all got in NE but we make do..

[@slyflyby]

Nice video and hunt Thomas. Like your final call "shoot straight, shoot safe". Good to see a cooperate group hunt on public lands. Continued success this season.👍

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Sly! It was a big relief when I realized it was some guys I already knew. Definitely could've been a different morning if not. Have you been able to get out in SD yet for duck season?

[@slyflyby]

Just back from 8 days in Idaho upland hunting. Lost my older Lab to cancer this past December. Finally got a major issue fixed with my young female Lab...amen! Got in some great hunts and retrieves for her on roosters and quail. Goose has been open and resident Duck just opened on September 26th here in South Dakota. Looks great, need some cold fronts. Will be hard at it!

[@ryanpatton467]

Great vid! I’m so excited for this season

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Ryan! When do y'all open up?

[@ryanpatton467]

Nov. 14

[@firstflightoutdoors2076]

Amazing day today. We limited out in woodies. It was some great in your face action!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Congrats man! Love to hear it

[@matthewdillon9537]

We shot a 2 man limit of woodies in SE NC if you’re ever in the area I got plenty of great wood duck spots and divers

[@HokeOutdoors]

Congrats man! I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it all the way down to that part of the state this season but I won’t say it’s not possible

[@matthewdillon9537]

Virginia Outdoors Unlimited Thanks man! We also go out to Pamlico sound and do some big water and impoundment hunts just lmk if you’re ever in the area 🤙🏼

[@TheMattboi]

He probably can’t but me and the boys can👀

[@DuckalopeOutdoors]

Awesome hunt! That place is a honey hole for sure!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Chris! I knew it had some potential when I scouted it but the hunt definitely surpassed my expectations

[@stevenhart5968]

Got 2 yesterday for the opener here in NC. Always fun hunting woodies

[@HokeOutdoors]

Heck yeah man! That's awesome, I definitely enough the woodie hunts as well

[@tristancrowley910]

glad to see you had fun in nc!!!! our state may not be the best but we make fun of what we got. beaver swamps is just about all we got pretty much.

[@andrewledford50]

Never saw a swan or heard of a swan In western N.C. , but we really do have to make the best of what we got in my area🦆

[@tristancrowley910]

Robert Mingo yeah i’ve been to the coast once and saw all the birds i could ever ask to see just off of lake mattamuskeet. it was crazy watching the birds get up off the lake. but my point is anywhere other than the coast it’s mainly beaver swamps or small farm fields which you rarely find

[@andrewledford50]

State Line Outdoors yeah, or setting up on a river somewhere hoping for a group to come through

[@HokeOutdoors]

I definitely cannot complain about my first experiences in NC! All the buck brush made it a tough hunt but that action was well worth it. I'm hoping to check out the coast this year though for sure

[@kraigkaatz6858]

What a great hunt! We did day 1 of our 2 day youth season this morning with 3 mallards....

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Kraig! Glad to hear y’all are getting the youth out and having some luck out there! How did the second day go?

[@lewisboysoutdoors6793]

Nice hunt I’m going in the morning can’t wait🦆🦆

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! Good luck!

[@chucksmith5002]

Nice setup got to love them Woodies the lake I live on here in Florida it`s over 18,000 acre and that`s all it has is Woodies .

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Chuck! Agreed on the woodies. That much water would be a little daunting for me but sounds pretty awesome if there’s birds

[@medina_jesse94]

Those wood ducks are slick!! They can hide for sure! Cool hunt 🤙🏼

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! You are right about that

[@DaddyDuck365]

Those bushes are button bushes we call then Sparkelberry.....great source of duck food.......summerducks love them

[@HokeOutdoors]

I appreciate the ID! I don't think I've ever seen as many wood duck feathers as I saw in here so I definitely believe it

[@whackinstackin3149]

Awesome video Thomas!! Looked like fun👍🦆

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks John! Gotta appreciate good wood duck shoot over here!

[@whackinstackin3149]

Virginia Outdoors Unlimited ya for sure!!

[@sawyerwilliams6507]

Glad you came down to N.C.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks! Me too!

[@jimkinney5661]

always enjoy your hunts. keep up the good work/

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Jim! Hoping to have some more hunts coming soon

[@wisconsinwaterfowl8944]

Yes I already know it’s gonna be a banger 🤣

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha yeah I kinda gave that away. Hope you enjoyed!

[@Hydrangea1998]

Awesome hunt and video!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man!!

[@manbearpig6026]

I looked up harvest numbers a while back and was shocked to see NC as one of the top states in the country. I would have never known Great hunt and good shooting

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! NC puts up great numbers every year! The coastal region may have the best hunting of anywhere along the Atlantic Flyway. I'm looking forward to exploring the state some this season!

[@joshhayes6597]

That place is beautiful man.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I thought so too! These spots way in the middle of nowhere always seem to have something about them

[@bradleygooden]

My first ever duck was a blue wing teal and I got em opening day here in NC

[@HokeOutdoors]

Congrats man! That's awesome. I still haven't shot my first blue wing

[@jdffurr3237]

Glad to see you in my home state getting after some birds,I had some luck opening day with the woodies on a solo hunt. Good times my friend

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! I'm glad to hear you were able to get out for the opener! I've really enjoyed what I've seen in NC so far and the people I've met down there

[@thunderlewis9352]

Nice video love your channel

[@deerhunter1614]

When you’re shooting you just gotta relax and follow through, I know it was opener and you’re excited I did the same thing for Ohio’s youth. I pulled my shots high but I found my groove, just gotta aim on em hard and not anticipate the shot.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yeah I just typically get excited on the openers and rush a little. I've never been particularly good at pulling through on my lead but it's something I've been working on. How'd the Ohio youth hunt go?

[@deerhunter1614]

Virginia Outdoors Unlimited 2 man limit in an hour and a half, all public land. Worked geese like crazy but they all got sky busted at before they got to us. Today was Ohio opened and I shot 2 woodies and a goose, not near as good as youth. Saw one group of teal today compared to thousands for youth

[@scottsundean8945]

Awesome hunt man!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Scott!

[@TasEsNiks]

Keep up the good work!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@hillbillytv9321]

Awesome video! I am looking to by my first semi automatic shotgun, would you recommend the franchi affinity 3?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! I would. I've had an issue with it here and there but as long as I keep it clean it runs fine and fits me very well

[@kurtroberts2310]

2:41 . Those bird sounds remind me of spring turkey hunting

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha yep I was thinking the same thing that morning

[@ONTHEFLYTV]

Last weekend I went out hunting in my local marsh and I saw lots of ducks , but none will decoy. I was wondering how many duck decoys you use in your public marsh and what kind.

[@HokeOutdoors]

It varies a lot for me. I typically bring somewhere between 1-2 dozen though, typically mallards, black ducks, and wood ducks. If birds aren't decoying though a lot of times you don't have enough water motion or enough hide. Those are always the things I focus on before adjusting the decoys or bringing more

[@joshuaeck2712]

Awesome hunt

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Josh!!

[@aljohnson1191]

Il be out Saturday at our club in NC

[@HokeOutdoors]

Good luck!!

[@TheReefRobber]

Congrats man!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Earl!!

[@TheReefRobber]

Virginia Outdoors Unlimited you bet!

[@the_toxicbadger2547]

Ours don’t open up until nov 14th I’m so pumped and excited

[@HokeOutdoors]

What state are you in?

[@kmhokies35]

Great hunt

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother!!

[@josiahwise6160]

Opening day probably saw 50-60 woodies, only one that was interested in the decoys though, ended up being the only bird I shot that day. Didn’t see many Thursday and the ones I did see were just out of range.

[@HokeOutdoors]

One is better than none at least! What area of the state were you hunting out of?

[@josiahwise6160]

@@HokeOutdoors New Bern, kinda near the coast

[@trevorthompson6564]

Kinda random but how do you like the high and dry waders are they comfortable in the cold and are the as sturdy as they advertise

[@teekay1785]

The bushes are commonly known as Buck Brush by most duck hunters its real name is ceanothus "blue brush"

[@HokeOutdoors]

Ah gotcha. That's funny that I couldn't identify them as that. I've hunted buck brush slews/ponds for a while but always after the leaves drop off the bushes

[@williamchaussee5721]

Hey love the vids just after you shoot if you could try and follow the bird with your shotkam so we can get a better view?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Will do, still getting used to it and trying to break some habitats like pulling my gun up after I shoot

[@chasecrane2002]

yesirr in dat grind man

[@HokeOutdoors]

You know it! You been able to get out yet?

[@chasecrane2002]

Virginia Outdoors Unlimited naw I’m going out tomorrow to smack some woodies

[@cav4170]

I just watched your geese hunt from 2018 and I just realized you were the same guy

[@FireSideHunter]

what kind of shotguns are yall hunting with? i just got a winchester super x4. itching to try it out this upcoming teal season coming up.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I've been using a Franchi Affinity 3 the past few years. Hope you enjoy the SX4! I've heard lots of good things about them

[@joewhite1583]

Lots of action. They should've let You call the shots. What gun cam are you using and how do you like it?

[@HokeOutdoors]

I was calling some of them but I think the excitement just got to all of us a little bit. I’m using a Shotkam and like it a lot so far. You do have to tap your gun to turn it on which I’ve forgotten to do before a couple shots but overall it’s very easy to use

[@sidneylanier9070]

We hunt in eastern N.C. and killed 3 blue wings and a 3 man limit of woody’s

[@HokeOutdoors]

Congrats, sounds like a great way to kick off the season! It seemed like we got a push of blue wings late last week from what the pictures I saw but they never did show for me.

[@antoniomora4559]

Congrats guys got it done come ok Thomas quit school and go hunting anyways good hunt

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha I wish I could but for now getting to hunt 4-5 days a week if pretty nice

[@140PatrolWaterfowl]

Gotta love hot and heavy wood duck shoots

[@HokeOutdoors]

They’re always a lot of fun!

[@josephmoravec8146]

Nice piece at the end. I see too many bad shots from people. I hate leaving part of my limit in the swamp especially on a good day.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Joseph! It really annoys me more than anything else but it's a risk we take when hunting areas like this unfortunately

[@josephmoravec8146]

@@HokeOutdoors It is the nature of the hunt. Open water is just as bad if they aren't hit hard enough. I lost a spoonbill 2 weeks ago in open water. I watched it while my buddy took down the boat blind. Dove before we even started the motor. Never to be seen again. Appreciate your videos keep up the good work.

[@cryptotimmy1921]

Man I would love to get off there

[@HokeOutdoors]

NC certainly has some awesome areas!

[@cryptotimmy1921]

Are you hunting game lands

[@HokeOutdoors]

@@cryptotimmy1921 I don’t believe so on this hunt but I have explored some before

[@cryptotimmy1921]

Yeah Iam hooked and want to duck hunt now. Because of your videos. I hunt deer and turkey and fish as well. All around outdoors man. I just need for some one to show me the ropes

[@nasserkuzbari2205]

Nice action :)

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@Areynfsu1983]

What part of NC were you in? I have had that happen here too where right before shooting light other hunters come in. No big deal though, I am always down for hunting with other people anyways. Makes it more enjoyable to me.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I was up in NE NC. It definitely wasn't a bad deal this day but having guys show up right at shooting light can be a pain in some situations

[@Areynfsu1983]

@@HokeOutdoors I am in Hertford. Small town between Elizabeth City and Edenton. Love this place, definitely a good area for duck hunting. Especially wood ducks. Glad you had a good time.

[@charlesxavier6663]

Did you dynamite the beaver pond?

[@trentmckenzie343]

I really like the commitment to searching for the lost bird, but does NC not have a wanton waste law? Here in SC you have to make a reasonable effort to find your bird, but lost birds do not count toward your limit.

[@josuecarbajal3036]

What kinda choke is that? Love your vids by the way.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks! That's a Carlson's Light Modified

[@bruteforcefilms3299]

What kind of wood duck decoys are you using?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Avian-X

[@joshkendrick8682]

The dude that said did I finally hit a bird was mad cause you claimed all of them, he honestly couldn't hit shit 🤣

[@ddoutdoors7744]

I only shot one wood Duck but its a drake so I'm going to mounting it.

[@wisconsinwaterfowl8944]

My dog would’ve found it she dosent quit and found someone else’s mallard that they looked for with two guys and a dog ( it was banded) sadly didn’t win that but. We did a shell draw we were not hunting together

[@graysonsnyder5048]

What chocke size were you using?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Light Modified

[@austinshreve5677]

Where were you at in NC I’m near the Danville Virginia line

[@HokeOutdoors]

I'm not too far from there at all. A little ways east

[@austinshreve5677]

@@HokeOutdoors come down and let’s hunt sometime

[@teekay1785]

when you said kill that bird for a second there it looked like a Pheasant ! LOL

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha it definitely got up in a hurry!

[@121890zxcvbnm]

I’m in stokes county NC I have a private watershed I hunt and also lease land with a pretty good swamp. We killed 5 wood ducks yesterday. Hit me up next time you’re down and we’ll go.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Sweet man! If you could shoot me a message on my Instagram or Facebook we can try to get something lined up for November if you’d like

[@snoboardram95]

What camera are you using

[@HokeOutdoors]

I've got a gopro hero 8 and a panasonic g85

[@matthewdillon9537]

Where were you in NC. NE?

[@HokeOutdoors]

North central area

[@raulguzman5354]

Is this Jordan Lake?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Negative

[@sawyerwilliams6507]

Where in nc did you hunt

[@HokeOutdoors]

Northeastern part of the state

[@huntsoutdoors6642]

Hey man I do lot of duck hunting on high rock lake and the yakin river we should get together some time and and go got a few good spots

[@HokeOutdoors]

I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it that far south in NC this year but I'd definitely be interested. Looking for some guys to start hunting with in this area

[@olivermartinezaguilar5465]

Hi! I’m in the Salisbury area! Looking for some one to join! I don’t know anybody else that duck hunt

[@anthonyona8829]

What part of NC is this?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Northeast

[@wbsurfer123]

What county was this in?

[@HokeOutdoors]

I'm not up on my NC counties but this was the north central part of the state

[@teekay1785]

Y saw the duck you spent an hour looking for on your video while you were searching! Just kidding !!

[@noahfarr4969]

My friend lives up in North Carolina and he went out and shot a nine man limit of wood ducks

[@noahfarr4969]

All private land tho

[@HokeOutdoors]

Holy cow! I've never been on a wood duck hunt quite like that. Sounds awesome!

[@mattkruse1302]

Me and a friend killed 3 and one was banded hen woodie

[@HokeOutdoors]

Congrats man! I'm still waiting to go on a hunt where we get a banded woodie. I always miss out on those hunts when my friends get them

[@chasecrane2002]

on*

[@teekay1785]

Wood ducks are difficult to kill dead they are very likely to swim at least a little into cover etc.

[@HokeOutdoors]

It's always the shots when they're going away that I have trouble with. They are quick to slip in the brush for sure if they've got life in them though

[@chancescott348]

Wish I had a swamp to hunt

[@HokeOutdoors]

What state are you from?

[@chancescott348]

Virginia Outdoors Unlimited NC

[@jeff2speedy690]

Dude just walked up to him without saying a thing and grabbed his waders 🤣🤣

[@OutdoorOutlawsNC]

Hey man I know we dont know each other lol. But I know a few good NC public land spots as well as a few private lands spots we could hit up! If you're ever interested of course.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I appreciate it man! I’m gonna be out west for the rest of this season but I’d definitely be down to try and link up next season

[@colemarlowe1154]

4:42 better check that gun

[@HokeOutdoors]

I think it was just a delayed burn of the powder in that particular shell

[@colemarlowe1154]

@@HokeOutdoors yea reason i say check it is cause my gun done the same thing one time and then the trigger guard blew out from up under the gun and i shoot a stoger m2000

[@charlesxavier6663]

What if the ducks hunted you?

[@HokeOutdoors]

I'd be interesting to see what decoy spread they use

[@hasnainkhan-wp8dz]

Sub for ur nice behavior and grwat shots

[@curlhunts]

That one guy's got the worst balance I've ever seen lol. Opening day wader legs

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha yeah that swamp isn't easy going especially if you're just getting back in the swing of things

[@ulfbonas1]

You need a lab young man.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I do indeed! I am planning on getting one once this season ends

[@meadeevans9916]

those guys took terrible shots lmao i have a place up in bertie county that we hunt a lot

[@cadeandrews9086]

hey man just a tip. slow your shooting down a bit. get your head down and take your time and youll kill more birds!

[@kmc8781]

Killed some mallerd and black ducks and a pintail

[@sawyerwilliams6507]

How did you find this spot

[@HokeOutdoors]

I use OnX and BaseMap and just look for public land areas off the beaten path. If you follow creek drainages up you’ll often find beaver ponds

[@sawyerwilliams6507]

Virginia Outdoors Unlimited thanks man

[@archieconner920]

Yeah it’s a barrel burner when you shoot 3times at each single

[@HokeOutdoors]

Lol I never claimed to be a great shot 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@archieconner920]

Virginia Outdoors Unlimited yeah I’m worse than you every single is a barrel burner for me🤫

[@walkerdogman85]

Go pros and shot cams..... could be any worse footage

[@HokeOutdoors]

Then don’t watch.. I have always used GoPros

[@kevinjamieson7899]

How many wood ducks can u shoot? Not for nothing if u can't find them u don't keep shooting....... That's exactly what u guys did smh

[@HokeOutdoors]

No that’s not. You can shoot three wood ducks per person in North Carolina. If we had all just kept shooting we would’ve ended up with 15 birds instead of 10

[@ryleenettles5647]

Some of the worst hunters ever let the birds land and u will kill more y’all are some impatient duckers that don’t need to hunt