DUCK HUNTING 2020 - North Carolina OPENING DAY (Public Land)

[@papabear1100]

It was a great hunt and a good time of fellowship and learning. True, there was sky busting, rushed shots, and not letting the birds work... but that’s what happens when you have beginner duck hunters. Yet, they learn and get better at what to do and not to do. I guess some of the commentators on here were pros on their first duck hunt. Regardless, thank you Thomas for your patience and teaching moments.... and that is the “true” duck hunter!!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Perfectly said Willie! No doubt there was a lot of learning done on this hunt and at the end of the day we all make mistakes no matter how many hunts we have under our belt. It was a pleasure hunting with y'all, hopefully next time we can get that first mallard drake for you!

[@BLASTER-vb5wu]

What a awesome mentor Thomas! So nice to see you introducing others to our passion. Duck hunting is not something you can learn from watching a video. You were part of lifetime memories. Great job! And congrats on that partial spoonie!🦆🦆

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Colby! I still have a long ways to go to on my mentorship abilities but I'm always happy to try and help others get out and have a good time

[@brandoncorley1514]

Friends dont let friends SKYBUST!!! LOL!!! Always enjoy ur vids man!! Love how u Always keep it real & show the good and the bad. Too many guys only show to good!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Brandon! I always try my best to show how the hunts really play out. I think we all like shooting birds but those aren't the truly memorable parts of a hunt in my experience. Making mistakes and learning from them is just as much a part of the game

[@Nomorehandlenames9230]

“That was my dad that got that one.” No, I don’t believe it was. Lol

[@HokeOutdoors]

Lol I'm always glad to claim split if someone thinks they got a piece of a bird

[@thecreekcrawler]

I also liked the "nice finisher"....you mean the beginner and ender lmao

[@myronhigh3527]

Great opening day hunt!!! Glad that all the hard work, paid off for getting your spot, Congrats and God Bless!!!👍🤗🙏🙏🙏

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! We were certainly blessed to have a safe and succesful hunt especially with all the pressure. God Bless!

[@140PatrolWaterfowl]

New guys can be frustrating, glad you still got a good shoot Thomas !

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! It was bit frustrating a couple times but they gotta learn somehow and if it's at the cost of missing out on a couple birds than I'm happy with that trade off

[@140PatrolWaterfowl]

@@HokeOutdoors exactly, grow the sport the right way 👍🏼

[@FowlAssassinsOutdoors]

That looked a lot like CA refuge hunting, haha. Sounded like a war. Great vid and nice birds!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Johnny! I thought the same thing while out there. Between the spoony, warm weather, and constant gunfire it wasn't like anything I'm used to over here.

[@jasonnunley9015]

Thomas you are a great shooter. You and Titus from Ca are the best I've seen!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Jason! Its was definitely a slow progression but I'm pretty happy with how I've shot the last couple seasons

[@antoniomora4559]

Nicely done guys great hunt nice mix bags that hole keep a A secret as long as you can, I went myself quail and dove hunting this past weekend did very well too. Ok be safe

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Antonio! I will definitely be trying to keep this spot/area from getting blown out due to my videos. Glad to hear you had a successful weekend as well! Had waterfowl season started for y'all out there yet?

[@antoniomora4559]

@@HokeOutdoors yes it has began but I near Los Angeles and there few areas to hunt Waterfowl in this neck of the woods you have to apply in the drawing every week I had applied twice haven’t get big yet hopefully soon but for now I will keep chasing dive on Quail

[@Drblood6721]

Great video Thomas, I was waiting for it! In those swamps how thick is the mud usually? I feel like we'd never be able to touch in a beaver pond up here!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Derek! This swamp is pretty bad overall but was pretty spotty. Some spots you would sink up to your thighs and others it would only be the ankle. There are definitely some ponds around here that you can easily sink to the point of getting stuck though, gotta be real careful

[@bb_austyn22yt79]

Hey man there’s a really nice duck hunting place on lake Marion South Carolina it’s called hickory top I would love to have you come out this next season and I can show u a whole it would be nice for a video just throwing it out there to see what ur thoughts were there at mainly wood ducks but it’s always fun down there

[@HokeOutdoors]

I've been trying to line up a trip down the way the last couple seasons but just haven't been able to make it happen. If I can get down there this year I'll give you a shout, would love to check out that area with you!

[@RB-gu4bp]

Definitely commend you for loving what you do. I don’t think I could ever hunt like that.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I certainly question myself from time to time when hunting some of these places but I always have fun in the end and that's what keeps me going

[@gordonbaldwin469]

Do you mind me asking what public land this was? Im used to traveling to Arkansas but I joined the military and im trying to learn how to hunt the atlantic flyway. Great Video!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! Nothing personal but I just don't name drop public land spots on social media, just makes it too easy for the internet scouters. If you shoot me a message on Instagram or Facebook or an email though I'd be happy to try and point you in the right direction of some public land in your area

[@davidkilroy8057]

Great hunt Thomas excellent footage congratulations nice little hunt nice and secluded.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks David! It was certainly a blessing to have a safe and successful hunt without too much competition

[@hunterleonard4827]

Glad you got on to them for skybusting, I saw a lot of that on opening day. Definitely gets annoying

[@HokeOutdoors]

I tried my best to be helpful while not coming off as a dick. Completely agreed though, skybusting and losing birds will get me wound up pretty quick

[@toxicpaintball03]

Just wondering if y’all are hunting near the coast because we don’t have swamps as pretty as that near us lol

[@HokeOutdoors]

We weren't too far from the coast but also not right on it

[@jameshoggard7471]

Glad you had a good hunt down in my home state. If you ever get a chance try to hunt the sounds for ducks and geese. The place I hunted as a child is now part of the Roanoke River Wildlife Refuge, lots of good memories of hunting down their. Waiting for our season to come now so I can put the smack down on some Woodies and then hit the salt marsh on the weekend.

[@sawyerwilliams6507]

Dude I live in Roanoke Rapids right on the river I don’t really do much duck hunting wish I could though. Where is the wildlife refuge at

[@jameshoggard7471]

It starts in Martin and Bertie County and runs all the way past Plymouth out to the sound.

[@bradleygooden]

I fish tournaments at Roanoke and chosen all the time. Lost of ducks and geese there for sure

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks James! I've really been enjoying my time down in NC this season. I'll have to look into that refuge, always looking for new areas to check out. What state are you located in now?

[@jameshoggard7471]

@@HokeOutdoors good ol'Virginia

[@gerarddresch712]

Good to see you agin and shared you to Twitter and Face Book. Good start to your season.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thank you! It was a great morning to be able to get back out in the field! Thanks for sharing as well

[@elijahsoutdoor]

Where u finding all theses great spots I don’t really get the chance to kill ducks that much Bc mostly one flys in and that’s it

[@tonyfaison7765]

Where was this at, I'm from North Carolina. The only public place we go to is croatan.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I don't name drop public places on social media, internet scouting is an big issue in the waterfowl community

[@joeybruski3798]

Was this in the Jordan lake area?

[@titdtv2400]

man the more I watch into the video the more pissed I get at them not lettin the ducks work hahahaha. Props to you for not yellin at them. christ tho u could have wiped multiple groups

[@shawnevans417]

Sorry we made mistakes that disappoint you but it my 2nd season duck hunting and I’m learning. First time hunting in the open like that. Use to hunting a tight swamp

[@chadjones5130]

They are pissing you off bad sky busting and not letting the birds work🤣

[@SomewhereInWisconsin]

Nice hunt Thomas! Good shot on that hen mallard. Looked like it came in in an awkward spot.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Chase! Yeah she wouldn't give us a good angle unfortunately. I was really hoping to have her finish which is why I didn't shoot her overhead, wanted to see my first backpedaling mallard of the season

[@fullstrapoutdoors9154]

Great video Thomas, you got some nice birds!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! It was really cool to get a nice mix this early in the season

[@Daronvines]

I feel like some people don’t understand that those birds are closer than they appear. But shots were taken early when the birds are workin. It’s all learning experience for the new ones. You have patience I’ll give you that, I was irritated pretty quick just by how they called they hit that. Clearly missed all three. Better than I would be boss! Good job

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! I was definitely pretty frustrated in the moment but I know I have made those same mistakes before when I started out. Like you said it’s all about helping the new guys learn from those experiences so they don’t make the same mistakes again. Hope your season is going well!

[@Daronvines]

@@HokeOutdoors I’ve went 3 times this year. 1 in Arkansas and 2 in Louisiana. This weekend I’m headed to Texas to hopefully get on them. I’ll be there for a week trying my luck

[@chucksmith5002]

Better shoot before Thomas does because he doesn`t play around . Glad to see you back out there . My Regular season starts on the 21 this month can`t wait .

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Chuck! Some days it seems like I'm just locked in, guess this was one of them. Good luck on the 21st! Let me know how y'alls season pans out

[@whackinstackin3149]

Awesome video Thomas!! Congrats on your spoonie!!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks John! It must be funny for y'all CA boys to see someone get so excited about spoonies but we just don't get them much out here

[@whackinstackin3149]

@@HokeOutdoors haha ya it is!! I don’t know why everyone hates on those birds there awesome!! Lol

[@phillipleonard2678]

What game land is this? I live in nc and I’m try to find some new spots?

[@HokeOutdoors]

I promised the guys who invited me to this spot that I wouldn’t share the location so I have to keep that to myself

[@craigcaulder8849]

Always a great hunt

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Craig!

[@DuckalopeOutdoors]

That was an awesome hunt! Congrats on the spoony! Sounded like WW3 for sure 😂

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Chris! Certainly wasn't expecting any bootlip action but not complaining about it

[@AnthonyJones-th3nr]

Meet you at the ramp. Thanks for keeping it quiet. I was one of the guys “sleeping” out there. Got there at 9 the night before. I wasn’t me when I met you.

[@wardylan13]

Where at in nc

[@AnthonyJones-th3nr]

Dylan Heath can’t tell you that buddy, already to much pressure.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Y'all definitely earned them getting out there that early! I couldn't believe it when we pulled up at 12 and the lot was already half full. I think we were all a little tired at the ramp after spending all that time on the water

[@AnthonyJones-th3nr]

Virginia Outdoors Unlimited yea I definitely was

[@shawnevans417]

Yea Anthony definitely keep that a secret lol. It’s already enough folks. I was amazed there were 5 boats in the water at 12

[@jaredsmith8108]

I know I’m a year late. But what’s the best state to duck hunt in your opinion?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Of the ones I've hunted so far I think Texas has the most birds and opportunity

[@johnbelusko6347]

Man that looked like an awesome hunt. I would love to hunt a spot like that. And im damn sure going to give it to u there bud......ur a hell of a good shot. Nice job man

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! Hope your season is going well!

[@billashlynlander236]

Sweet hunt man, thx for sharing!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed!

[@jake.h3274]

I love the videos you put out!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Jake!

[@wilplank3166]

Do you use a franchi

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yeah Affinity 3

[@robbyjopp7487]

What camera are you using for your head?

[@HokeOutdoors]

A GoPro Hero 8

[@nagazinafireworks7594]

what shot cam is on your gun? and do you like it?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Shotkam

[@HokeOutdoors]

I love it

[@nagazinafireworks7594]

@@HokeOutdoors Thanks Tom I just bought it today.

[@curlhunts]

Awesome hunt man! Y’all smacked em!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! We certainly tried!

[@geezdude9876]

7:50 “woody green head”

[@ThorinOakenshieldGSD2023]

Dropping off of twitter and Facebook, any chance we will see you on Parler and WeMe anytime soon? Maybe Rumble?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yes I will create a Parler here before long. I'll make a post about it when I do

[@slyflyby]

Thanks for the video Thomas. Early it did sound like WW3.Public duck hunting ain't my cup of tea. Not going to sleep out many hours to hopefully keep a spot.

[@samwilkes5427]

Some people are just really mad at the, ducks. I am not that mad at them either. But do do get out the about 230-3 a,

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks for watching Sly! High pressure public land like this isn't something that I would do very often but I do enjoy a new experience when I get the chance

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha I wouldn't say I'm too mad at them but when it's opening day it doesn't seem like theres much sleep happening whether we get on the water at midnight or 6am

[@slyflyby]

I understand completely Thomas. When I was your age

[@slyflyby]

Come hell or high water I was going duck hunting.

[@iZodPvP]

id hate to hunt with those guys you where with jeez they are uncoordinated as hell

[@jeremy28135]

Good stuff. Pretty hole

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thank you! One of my favorite spots that I've hunted so far this season

[@jexenstietzoutdoors524]

Where did you get the camera you mount on your gun

[@HokeOutdoors]

That’s a shotkam

[@rileyrogers3317]

You should come hunt the Brunswick county area sometime💪🏽💪🏽

[@colemarlowe1154]

dang man i’m in columbus county

[@rileyrogers3317]

@@colemarlowe1154 I think I have heard of you before

[@bradleygooden]

I’m in robeson county near fort bragg

[@HokeOutdoors]

That'd be a long trek down there but if I get the opportunity to hunt NC some more in the future I'll definitely be trying to explore some different parts of the state

[@colemarlowe1154]

@@rileyrogers3317 where you from in brunswick county, i got some people down there

[@laytoncobb9235]

Hey man not trying to bother you but where is that public land I live in North Carolina and I don’t know any public land near me

[@HokeOutdoors]

Nothing personal but I just don't share the name of public spots that I hunt on social media. The NC wildlife department posts all the public land opportunities in the state on their website. That's what I've been using to find new spots

[@treyself1757]

@@HokeOutdoors lol he was just asking for the name of the game lands you hunted.. no secret there

[@slugoo6474]

He’s doing people who hunt that game land a favor. Seeing him not give it up has earned a sub from me. Idk what I’d do if some youtuber leaked my spot.

[@laytoncobb9235]

@@slugoo6474 yea I know but what I’m saying if he knows any other not what he hunts stupid I just don’t know of any public lands around here okay so don’t jump in the koolaid and don’t know what flavor it is okay bud

[@BadAssBassFishermen]

What's yalls mallard limit over there, here in WA and OR is 7

[@stevenhart5968]

2 no more than 1 hen

[@BadAssBassFishermen]

@@stevenhart5968 damn that's unfortunate

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yeah I'm definitely jealous of y'alls limit over there in the pacific flyway

[@TilValhallaOutDoorsEST19]

do you have a list of all your gear that you use?

[@HokeOutdoors]

I don't but I'm happy to answer any questions you have

[@briannaharrelson9218]

this Saturday the Catawba river is going to be a blood bath.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Hell yeah, good luck!

[@korrupted_chubby8422]

So they finally made their way down there

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yep, they were gone pretty quick though with the pressure

[@kraigkaatz6858]

Good deal on the call

[@jxkz9980]

where in nc is this I'm down in eastern nc

[@nobodiesthetiger785]

what was the piece of public land called in nc im trying to find some good public land in nc

[@slugoo6474]

He’d be a fool to tell you.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I don't name drop public places on social media. Nothing personal but internet scouting is a big problem in the waterfowl community. The NC wildlife website has all the public land posted on there. Find somewhere close to you and get out and spend a few hours or a day exploring. That's how you find public places to hunt

[@HokeOutdoors]

www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/Where-To-Hunt-Shoot/Public-Places

[@sawyerwilliams6507]

What county was this in?

[@HokeOutdoors]

I don’t know the NC counties but this was in the northeast part of the state

[@travislester5170]

I dig the video. But how did you not flip out on them shooting at birds way out there that probably would have decoyed.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Because the guy that was doing it didn’t know any better. I don’t see any point in getting mad at someone when what they really need is to be steered in the right direction

[@bradyaustin9244]

5:33 will piss any true duck hunter off. Especially on a mossy back greenhead.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yeah it was annoying in the moment but the only thing to do is use that as a teaching moment so that hopefully it doesn't happen again

[@Tyler.Johnson19]

Yeah I’m not driving 2 hr and 38 min again to hunt there again. Decent birds but way to much pressure. Birds are going to educated there by the end of the week to where they see a deke and go the other way.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yeah the pressure will have them skittish there pretty quickly. Not too bad of a drive for me at 1.5 hrs but not a place I'll frequent on weekends much

[@Tyler.Johnson19]

@@HokeOutdoors I’ve been there quite often the past 5 years and each year more and more people find out about it. Went the other day, got there at 2:45 and there were 11 trucks already in the parking lot and no one in their trucks. They had already went past the gate and set up shop. Every 200 yards there was a group.

[@abdullahshabbir2175]

Excellent hunt.. ❤️

[@DaddyDuck365]

Good job Thomas

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Matt

[@jackgraff3219]

Cool hunt!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Jack!

[@kshunt3399]

What’s the mallard limit their?

[@loganswindell3321]

Two and only one can be a hen

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yep, it dropped down from 4 to 2 before last season. We don't know if it'll go back up anytime soon

[@austinshreve5677]

How far from Danville Virginia were you?

[@HokeOutdoors]

I think between an hour and two. Do you typically get a NC license?

[@austinshreve5677]

@@HokeOutdoors yes I hunt in NC but only about 15 minutes from Danville Virginia

[@austinshreve5677]

@@HokeOutdoors also are you hunting game lands? Or public land? And how do you go about finding it

[@jamipizzichino2998]

I almost killed my limit of teal on Saturday

[@HokeOutdoors]

Congrats man! All green wings or any blues still around for y'all? We didn't see many teal but the ones we saw came right in

[@tristontipton1953]

Great hunt as always. Seems like you always get screwed by the guys you hunt with 😂 Need to communicate more with the guys you hunt with but it’s always a challenge when hunting apart like that and with more than a couple people.

[@samwilkes5427]

A lil trigger happy aren’t they.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Triston! You are certainly right about needing better communication. I need to be more clear and help explain things when shots are being taken too far instead of just making a comment and then not following up when it happens again. We were all new to the sport at some point and just needed a little guidance

[@shawnevans417]

Yea my 2nd year hunting and first hunt this season so I admit I made mistakes. I’m glad y’all started as the greatest hunters alive

[@outdoorswithdaole5984]

Just moved to NC from AZ, love watching some of your videos. Would you be interested in putting a hunt here fir a few of us active duty serviceman and retired vet?? I am located near near Fort Bragg, NC.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I would certainly be interested in doing something like that. Can you shoot me an email at [e-mail] so we can discuss some more details

[@kraigkaatz6858]

Excellent

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Kraig! Used your single reed mallard call on this hunt, I really like the sound it produces for these swamp

[@717waterfowl7]

Somebody's been watching bobbygay lol

[@tyronehoustonson2944]

I feel like the guys you were hunting with were too trigger happy and rushing shots

[@googleaccount281]

I feel the same, also the guy shouting “(someone’s name) got that one!” Got on my nerves

[@tyronehoustonson2944]

@@googleaccount281 same

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yeah that's probably true and fair criticism but many new hunters make these mistakes. Hopefully this hunt served as a good learning experience when it comes to those issues

[@kernmw10]

Good shootin'

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Whit! Seeing many birds showing up around Richmond yet?

[@kernmw10]

@@HokeOutdoors I'll find out in the morning actually! Getting up early to scout and setup a few different trail cameras in different spots to see whats flying in and out of different holes. Going to scout a different spot in a few days at a lease I've got on the Northern Neck - most likely a diver duck spot.

[@braxtonalbritton3762]

Who else is watching this before going duck hunting?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Good luck!

[@braxtonalbritton3762]

@@HokeOutdoors killed a 8 man limit of nice green heads

[@nasserkuzbari2205]

awesome

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Nasser!

[@austinbritt513]

Killed banded wood duck drake opening day North Carolina

[@HokeOutdoors]

Congrats brother that's awesome! Where was it banded at?

[@austinbritt513]

@@HokeOutdoors Price Hill Virginia

[@HokeOutdoors]

@@austinbritt513 Nice

[@wyatth9555]

You can’t kill spoonies in nc

[@HokeOutdoors]

good one bro 😂

[@wyatth9555]

@@HokeOutdoors no dude you can’t

[@HokeOutdoors]

@@wyatth9555 you can shoot 6 spooners a day in NC...

[@titdtv2400]

Great shooting but your buddies must not have duck hunted a ton cause that was some skyyyy-bustin lmao. One time they will break a wing and watch a duck sail 350 yards, wont do it again lolll.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks John, there were a few shots taken that shouldn't have been but we just gotta use those as learning experiences. I think most of us had a lot to learn when we were getting into the sport. I know I still make plenty of mistakes and learn plenty on every outing

[@shawnevans417]

Yea sorry to disappoint but the other three of us are new to waterfowl and learned a lot from Thomas.

[@adamreathaford9508]

I would not be hunting with that group again sky busting and shooting WAY to close to you

[@HokeOutdoors]

There were definitely some mistakes and poor decisions made but I know I made these same mistakes when I was getting into waterfowling. I'd rather try and teach someone and help create an ethical waterfowler than just give up on them

[@shawnevans417]

And for that Bailey and my self appreciate you Thomas.

[@Batman-ix7xg]

Nothing wrong with shooting coots. I make dog jerky out of mine.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I will have to shoot one and try it when I get the chance. I've just heard a lot of bad things about them so haven't had much drive to yet

[@jdkOutdoors]

They are also duck egg destroyers. I never used to shoot, then learned they can dent the duck hatch. My lab gets the coot meat. He’s okay with their flavor. He also likes cat poop. 🤣🤣

[@hunterpeeler3342]

He needs to shut up you killed that last bird he said nice clean up shot I can’t hunt with boys like that