Duck Hunting 2018 - Layout Gunning For My First Sea Duck

This duck hunt checked a lot of boxes of my list of things I hadn't done before in terms of water fowling. I was lucky enough to be invited out to hunt some sea ducks over Popeye with a few fellow Virginia waterfowls on the Chesapeake bay, a body of water which I had never hunted over before. We hit the water pretty early and found our self a spot to set out the layout boat and long lines where we saw birds moving. Josh took the first turn in the layout boat and after missing his first opportunity he was able to knock down a drake surf scoter on his second. It turned out to be a stud of a bird when we came over to pick it up in the tender boat. Josh missed a couple more opportunities after that but then it was my turn to shoot. The camera was low on battery so I didn't get much footage of me shooting but I dropped 3 scoters, a drake and pair of hens, out of my 5 shooting opportunities. Unfortunately the chop picked up while I was in the layout and we were only able to recover the drake as both the hens dove on us and were lost. After I finished up my turn, Blaine, got a shot as well and while the action really slowed down for him he did get a couple opportunities and was able to knock down a drake surf scoter as well. Overall it was a awesome experience and something that I am very glad that I was able to experience.
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[@shawn5141]

Enjoyed the video Thomas. Don't know how the heck I missed it when you posted it but finally saw it today. I've been wanting to hunt the bay. We see long tails alot when we fish up there. What layout boat did y'all use and how much water does it take on in the chop? Also, did he anchor his longlines on both ends?

[@bradytyler1224]

I always love when people sea duck hunt for the first time lol, people always under estimate how hard the shooting is in the chop like that. Congrats on your first scoter

[@jacksonhunterandfarmer2673]

They look hard to hit on that choppy water

[@user-maxim_79]

Plastic in the water..real nice.

[@wbsurfer123]

Sounds crazy, but when I diver/sea duck hunt; I always use BB lol. Instant death

[@huntercarroll643]

Liam Diffee I do too lol

[@dicksonsyderbut8976]

I always use buckshot...clean hit or miss.

[@nepda7408]

i use BBs on ducks

[@HighPrairieSportsmen]

That looks like a blast. Those surf scoters are some crazy looking birds.

[@HokeOutdoors]

They sure are, it's a totally different experience than most other duck hunting, I'd highly recommend it if you get the chance.

[@brooksembry3130]

Really wanna go on a sea duck hunt. Looked like tons of fun dude

[@HokeOutdoors]

It was a blast, I'd highly recommend it if you get a chance to go after them!

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

looks like fun!

[@HokeOutdoors]

It was a blast, very cool area as well. It winters black ducks, divers, and sea ducks and not a whole lot else.

[@joshlutcher7916]

the FDH crew is welcome whenever. If you want to venture east we can make it happen

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

@@joshlutcher7916 Thank you Josh, i'll certainly keep that in mind.

[@joshlutcher7916]

@@FreelanceDuckHunting absolutely been a fan of yalls for a while would be cool to take you out of your element.

[@scottswingley3878]

First guy was having a lot of trouble shooting. Can’t blame him though that water is really choppy.

[@kraigkaatz6858]

That's very fun

[@basskillergaminghuntingand1181]

My uncle goes sea duck hunting all the time in Virginia he gets scoters,eiders and old squaw I am thinking about moving to Virginia soon it’s not official

[@dicksonsyderbut8976]

You should do a reaction video to you eating it.i feel if someone can eat scoter,its just like cooking a bird that you just stomped in mud and let it cook on the front of a boat.

[@joshlutcher7916]

The eat just fine if you prep them correctly.

[@Hockeyfan9884]

At 4:17 , shoulda waved the Stars and Stripes , then you get a fuc up shot at a good eatin duck ! Just wing it.

[@huntercarroll643]

Why didn’t you get to put popeye in the water instead of putting him by your feet where he couldn’t attract birds lol also should get one mounted for your first sea duck

[@caydenleone8770]

Get that bad boy down 🦆😁

[@HokeOutdoors]

They're some tough suckers for sure

[@duck_poppa]

This the same outfitter Midvalley mercenary used?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Nah, this wasn't with an outfitter, just a buddy who very generously invited me to come with him. MVM was also hunting sea ducks up on the great lakes in Wisconsin I think, these birds were killed on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. They get more old squaw up there while we get more scoters down here if my understanding is right.

[@robertwagner4375]

What kind of tender boat was that?

[@joshlutcher7916]

Custom built long beach

[@kimefraser5782]

I live in south africa and I cought two of the sea ducks with my hands.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Nice! Were they the species we were hunting in this video?

[@kimefraser5782]

Yes

[@cedarockgamefowlfarm7657]

How far from smith mt lake are you?

[@HokeOutdoors]

About 2-3 hours

[@cedarockgamefowlfarm7657]

@@HokeOutdoors how close are you to the nc state line?

[@HokeOutdoors]

1-2 hours

[@fowldownsouth5921]

Hey do you edit on a labtop or desktop?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Laptop, an old Macbook Pro

[@fowldownsouth5921]

Oh ok I’m getting one for Christmas so hopefully I can start making videos

[@Max-bj8pz]

What kinda boat was that???

[@HokeOutdoors]

Custom built long beach

[@joshlutcher7916]

Yup tender is a custom built long beach and layout is a waterfowl works UFO

[@bmaymt]

u guy need to shoot some skeet..u need 2 work on your shooting boys

[@joshlutcher7916]

Definitely an off day. I've seen many good shooters be humbled by sea ducks

[@DrakeValleyOutdoors]

I've never sea duck hunted, but I can guarantee you I'd be missing like crazy in water that choppy. I struggle enough shooting from a layout blind in a field.

[@tbach62]

trying to shoot divers is like shooting clays while jumping on a trampoline. it's a very humbling experience. worry about yourself and leave the kid alone.

[@kraigkaatz6858]

Looks choppy... lol

[@pawnansell]

Use BB’s. More kills dead

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks. I doubt I'll do much more sea ducking than once or twice a season but I'll keep it in mind.

[@cami7819]

for what? poor things

[@HokeOutdoors]

To eat them

[@studly7965]

rip birds

[@Hockeyfan9884]

Can you hunt little ducks with an A.R 15 Fully Automatic Rifle down or up where you live?

[@chase7106]

Yep, we sure can buddy! :o)

[@reedwacker2090]

Yes, BUT you have to use tracers

[@jmac5009]

AR 15s aren't automatic and can't be hunted with for waterfowl

[@doinitdirty6683]

I’m pretty sure you can’t use an ar15 on any waterfowl

[@jmac5009]

AR-15s aren't fully automatic either