I Found the Mother Load of Mallards On the River! Such a Unique Hunt! (MUST SEE)

[@4589scott]

Awww, poor Georgie was just so excited cause she was having so much fun, lol.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

haha....she gets pretty hyped!

[@simon-gaul]

This video is why you are my #1 waterfowl KZbin channel. Been subscribed since the beginning, and hunts like this keep my holding my breath the entire time like I am in the blind with you all the way from TX. Just seeing in the comments that you had a heart attack. The world would not be the same place without you and I hope you have a speedy recovery. I am in my last year of medical school and will be starting residency in emergency medicine this summer. I know what a scary time this can be for you and your family, but I have faith that nothing will stop you from doing what you love.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate your watching and your kind words.

[@Swoopdaddyy]

I mean i totally understand the frustration with G jumping. A dog jumping can be very dangerous. But for the most part from what I've seen thats a damn good dog. Give her a break Aint nothing wrong with being excited to hunt

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Agree, I wasn't too hard on her. There were so many mallards all over the place. She's a high energy dog. It's tough to expect her to be perfect. She'll be fine

[@YeaYupBoyz]

@@FreelanceDuckHunting Idk if it’s maryland or what but this years been terrible for killing any ducks. A few divers but that’s all that’s been here all season. How do i talk to people to find more land to hunt/ scout. Good video but i wish i could see this many ducks

[@MOBryan5]

" Guess i didn't bring your shock collar. You got lucky. " lmao 🤣 every hunting dog owner can relate with that quote.

[@JAnderson-j7g]

That’s what I say to my wife every time we go to the airport with my 5 kids

[@MOBryan5]

@user-qy1mo6mq2t lmfao 🤣. Dude, I have 5 kids as well. 4 of which are girls. I'm right there with ya, brother. Lol.

[@richiedd4119]

nope, never used one.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

I used to do the same thing on the Rio Grande in New Mexico. Sit in the middle on an island with 12 decoys I packed in. Sometimes limit out 5 birds with one flock. Sometimes you gotta hike to get to a good spot, but then it's worth it!

[@thatguy5586]

What part of the Rio? I hunt it also

[@ServeNProtect]

You are an incredible marksman and conservationist. Thank you for looking after your piece of the world, and for such incredible footage of you and your mates doing what needs to be done. Inspirational mate. p.s. watching your channel is like Xmas everyday.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Wow, thank you

[@Mugiwara10Z]

Watching this video is such a relief for me. I did my best to self train my dog Addie. And sometimes she gets jumpy/whiny. Thank you much for posting this video!!

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Glad it helped! There’s a saying, I’ve heard professional trainers use. It’s not a matter of if the dogs going to break. It’s a matter of when. All dogs have their moments. Glad this was helpful for you.

[@kurtroberts2310]

My hunting friend would have been freaking out about leaving that blue barrel in the blind! Glad you left it proving once again that not everything has to be perfect to kill ducks.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thanks for the comment. Birds see trash around all the time. Not every non-natural color is worth worrying about.

[@RobertCauthen-u9o]

Great job hope to see more

[@AlexBrown-jj7jm]

Awesome spot! Great video Elliott! Hard work pays off! I love the solo hunts, it’s how I normally always hunt

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

It was a great hunt !

[@ServeNProtect]

You are an incredible marksman and conservationist. Thank you for looking after your piece of the world, and for such incredible footage of you and your mates doing what needs to be done. Inspirational mate. p.s. watching your channel is like Xmas everyday.

[@cynthiapratt5122]

Great hunt Elliott! Congrats, your hard scouting paid off, Barry

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thanks 🙏

[@willgivens2072]

my Dog ( Trigger ) does the same thing , she whines when I miss or when ducks are flying over ! she loves to retrieve so much . sometimes I have to put a short lease on her to keep her from breaking ! that was an awesome hunt with 5 green heads ! nice shooting !

[@graydoncarruth5044]

Dang Goeigie’s drive is awesome. She will learn patience with time but it’s definitely easier to teach one to slow down rather than get them to speed up. You have a winner man.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thank you! She is an absolute beast! Those Flatlander Kennel dogs are the best of the best.

[@larryrohatsch4892]

My absolute favorite way to hunt, a river and a log jam for cover. Great hunt

[@linger2001]

Honestly one of the sweetest hunts yet

[@kevintimson6591]

We had some really good mallard action on the river the past two days as well!

[@twaynerobert8944]

Great mallard bag ..congratulations Elliott

[@southernrootsalaskanbranches7]

Man there's birds EVERYWHERE! Great hunt! Great video sir!

[@tonyrudolph6908]

Been a subscriber for years love the work you put in alone. It's how I hunt some times the best, lucky for you though you got that companion too hunt with wear some don't always get that benefit. Goergie She's just as excited if not more too hunt because the reward she brings back for you 👍 she darn right nows she was doing wrong 😄

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

yeah, and i was so amped up and she was getting that vibe from me. I wasn't too mad at her honestly. She'll be fine

[@calebhutcherson6611]

You’ve got a dog with a lot of drive. She’s definitely the real deal! Nice hunt man!

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thanks 👍

[@SomewhereInWisconsin]

Awesome hunt Elliot! Good find!

[@shadrowe6636]

I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who struggles with a good dog 😅

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

It happens. High powered dogs are going to have their moments

[@SyndicateSuply]

You never seem to disappoint! Always love your content ! Everyone’s talking about not bagging any ducks, but you my friend are always putting in the time! Keep it up 🤝

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate the kind words!

[@rickabreu246]

​@@FreelanceDuckHuntingessas caçadas, seriam um sonho pra mim. Moro no Brasil e crio estás espécies de marreco. Não há marreco destas espécies selvagens aqui no Brasil. Um forte abraço

[@kennykeleher4128]

Man that was cool! Love your dog. Thanks man. Kenny

[@ripphunter8657]

Great video Elliot! I really enjoy your videos and your podcast keep up the good work. God Bless! -Hunter from MO

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thank you so much!

[@joshuawhitmire1026]

I appreciate what you do and love your videos. And I honestly enjoy seeing guys like you that are pros have the same issues I have with my dog. Makes me feel like im not an idiot and neither is my dog, just mistakes are gonna happen. Thank you for sharing this hunt and not editing out the minor mishaps.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thanks so much!! I’ll keep it real!

[@jdiggedy1]

I would have left the spinner at home. We had ducks flaring on our duck butts on grey days this year. Good spot. Fun hunt to watch.

[@Thenarrowpathoutdoorsmen]

Is this your Dec 16 hunt just before your heart attack? Love your podcast. Glad you keep your faith and knew God had a plan. Love you positivity in the podcast afterwards.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Yes, this was Saturday evening and my heart attack was Monday morning. Thank God it didnt happen during this hunt. I might be dead.

[@delli6059]

quality over quantity 👍,great filming,thanks

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Many thanks!

[@aardhond]

Your dog is hilarious mate

[@woodduck635]

Beautiful spot!!!

[@brimcmike]

Mother Lode Mother lode is a principal vein or zone of gold or silver ore. The term is also used colloquially to refer to the real or imaginary origin of something valuable or in great abundance.

[@ChasingGreen]

Amazing spot! Very unique

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Yes it was!

[@turkeyhunter7617]

Man awesome hunt. I appreciate your public land hunts because that’s the kind of hunting I do. 👍👍🦆🦆

[@TsHeEjBoI4eVa]

Sweet spot!! Tons of mallards holyy! I only got 2 mallards at the beginning of the season then they're pretty much non existent now lol. Mostly getting pintails, teals and widgeons.

[@jonathanplays1596]

I'm glad you found the birds! I got skunked today. Them birds wanted nothing to do with me haha

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

I hunted this same place yesterday and we only shot 2. Birds just weren't there. I'm off to different places now.

[@swingkid1771]

100 yrd off the X. Gotta move as soon as you see the 2nd group land there. Nice hunt!

[@smileysadventures3776]

I’m guessing she is a younger dog, they get the itch the same way we do, just imaging being a teenager again and bear that in mind. Looks like a solid time though!

[@philmccumbee6938]

Great Mallard hunt. Looks like the Platt.

[@HuntAndFishExchange]

Great Hunt - sweet little spot

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thanks 👍

[@Tapyok480]

Nice decoy bro!

[@Huntingboy0912]

That is sweet! Truly living my dream. I shot my first drake mallard this year but sadly it wasn’t too plumed out. I still have never shot a diver of any sort, a gadwall, widgeon, pintail, or full plume mallard. Hoping to get one of those next season if I can.

[@thomasjohnson3793]

From the great Northwest public duck blind, Very nice hunt Elliot. Now Georgie. She's always been on the mark. I guess every hunter can get excited with that many birds. She is a good girl I would have to give her a Mulligan for that. OK, God bless from the great Northwest. We're still seeing some Good birds.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

yeah, she's fine. We were both just soooo excited!

[@davidanderson1916]

A limit is a limit - long live the water swat

[@idoscoveredbass9729]

Georgie's just happy to be there

[@mikeconnolly8396]

Another great video. Awesome number of mallards, wish we saw that kind of flights here in the NE. Heard your podcast, hope you're feeling ok!

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thanks Mike. This hunt was two days before my heart attack. Crazy how things work sometimes.

[@coopernickerson7470]

Great spot, great retrieving, great shooting. Sxs or over/under best suited for sands as no mechanical jams.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

agree! Sand is a killer for semi automatics

[@jeetercarr3032]

You could see the birds were not liking the spinners, good decision in pulling them. Georgie has in the past been very steady. It happens more than you think. Especially in the hunting season.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

yeah, she was over due for a break. She's good girl!

[@bobgiles2971]

Awesome video great hunt congrats on the limit greenheads 👍

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thanks 👍

[@calebmeininger]

What state is this!?

[@DeeDee-vu5mi]

I believe your spread was the bigger problem on why they would not decoy early. A lot of birds not committing. I would have taken the closest decoys near the bank and moved them further out to help create a landing zone. All in all a limit and a sweet spot. TO keep your dog from breaking I would put her on a leash and secure her to a tree or something. That is a very good way to self correct the issue. Then she starts to understand that you have control and keeps your frustration levels down. Speaking from experience. 🙂

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thank you for the input. It’s the first time she has broke in the last 3 years. She’s fine

[@ronfeyo493]

Awesomest decoys ever. The ducks flew by them constantly!

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Haha,,, funny comment

[@bobgalbraith994]

Lol, very true. Right on by.

[@SteveandSusiesHomestead]

Wow . what a great spot

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Yes indeed!

[@TritonFrontier17]

I played the video back full volume several times on the last retrieve. I heard you yell "Back"....or something close to that. Might be why pup broke. Great spot! Great hunt! 🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

I think your right. I said “get back” back is go for blinds. My fault not Georgies. Lets face it. She’s a better dog than I am dog handler. Lol .

[@TritonFrontier17]

@@FreelanceDuckHunting I trained labs and ran field trials for 10 years. The situation in your video is probably the most difficult for steady she will see while hunting. You were alone and you had live loud mallards flying close all around her. So I've seen rock steady dogs but they usually are very low energy and not fun to watch work. Many didn't have the exuberance to get through tough situations and gave up the hunt. On the other hand ......I've seen dogs that creeped bounced and whined half way to the bird in field trials. Very high energy!!! You can't hunt those dogs safely. You have a dog that is working with you and has an energy level that you can work with. She has alot of power and is fun to watch. Off season stay calm during training. Try steady platforms or mats. You can try a "place" command. Live birds gunners and calling farther away. Then move the situation closer as she steadies. If she gets over excited with that stop. Go run blind retrieves and take the energy out of her. Take a few days off and take her on walks and practice heeling then hunt em up..... heel hunt em up. Sit to the toss of a bumper. A few ideas off the top of my head. Goodluck!

[@MacTurvy]

Awesome man

[@southcentralfishing5257]

You were definitely on the x brother!👍🏼

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

I’ve been waiting for that mallard x all season!

[@southcentralfishing5257]

@@FreelanceDuckHunting You found it brother! God bless you!

[@michaelmadsen4711]

Dog just needs a little good training. Not her fault.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

She’s had plenty of good training. All dogs have their moments. Here is her title run. HRC Finished Hunt Test: South Dakota: Georgie Goes for the Title! kzbin.info/www/bejne/npy2gmOaYt2lpMU

[@DarkGoblin28]

@@FreelanceDuckHuntinggood dogs don’t have moments

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Dogs don’t have good and bad days? Really?

[@BrettJohnson-k3d]

@@DarkGoblin28yes they do

[@DarkGoblin28]

@@BrettJohnson-k3d your average dog will not a good dog they will never break like that, that was multiple times

[@Daniel-vu4ft]

50% of the hunting pleasure is definitly taking Georgie and let her retrieve the ducks I m sure 😁. She is an amazing good dog.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Totally agree! It isn’t the same without a dog!!

[@Fungunsandstuff]

Good hunting

[@ZAKOutdoors]

What an awesome looking spot! Is the water low on that river or is that just how the banks are?

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Both, it's low right now but those banks are always tall.

[@connerayotte1277]

What kind of camera are you using on your barrel? Looks very good

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Shotkam

[@tomkat_Kansas]

Georgie is a great dog...but they all want to break. I had a good one I finally just tied up and only let go when the ducks were gone.

[@Relowder33]

Moved the decoys out a little as a blocker they started decoying.

[@rdmck857]

Great channel

[@MartellOutdoors]

What shotgun are you shooting? And how do you like it? Great video by the way!

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Weatherby 18i. I love it! it’s a great gun.

[@MartellOutdoors]

@@FreelanceDuckHunting thanks!

[@jordanspencer33]

Was this the hunt just before your heart attack? Hope you had a great Christmas, and are still doing well

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Yes, this was two days before my heart attack. On the walk out I got so exhausted I laid on my cart for awhile. I was suprised at how difficult the walk out was. Now I guess I know why.

[@ungulate101]

Great hunt and awesome job capturing it. Your dog loves hunting more than you. She is very birdie. Control will come with time. Keep it positive and have fun.

[@pikehunter1991]

Very beautiful duck hunt 🤩what kind of cartridges did you shoot?

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Federal Steel 3's

[@pikehunter1991]

@@FreelanceDuckHunting Which one then choke?

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Modified choke

[@billynorris8967]

Wished my 2 labs would work like that ,i worked hard to get them to do good duckin, but they still act like they dont know what to do, they love to play frizzbee all day. I just skip the dogs and retrieve by myself using a river tube.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

What’s the problem? They don’t have a desire to retrieve birds?

[@weswalker5string]

Great hunt! I have a spot just like that, except no ducks :) Could you just tie Georgie with a slip loop rope? She breaks and comes up against that a few times, she won't do it any more. I wonder if a layout blind right at the spot the ducks wanted to be would work? BTW it's mother lode, not load.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Lode... looked it up and your correct. I have never heard of that lode = the original source of something. That's the first time Georgie has all out broken in a number of years. She'll be fine.

[@Bojipes]

Grea.t video and enjoyed the watch. Were those other birds not in range? Hard to tell distance from camera angles

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

A lot of them were just barely out of range.

[@ryanguidry7072]

What was on the other side of the levee creek bank where the ducks kept lighting in

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Just more of the same bank/river

[@K-top13]

What state is that? It looks like a lot of sand bottom rivers that we have in Nebraska.

[@EntryLvloutdoors]

What ammo and choke are you shooting?

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Federal 3's - Modified

[@nicktoofar3514]

Were they landing long on the high bank side or just long and on the sand bar side?

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

They were landing on the sand bar on my side of the river. I think I probably could have sat on the opposite bank and had better shots.

[@nicktoofar3514]

@FreelanceDuckHunting The reason I ask is. I have a hunch that ducks when they're nervous will land on a steep bank more than a flat bank. But it's just a theises right meow... You probably think I watch just to pick at you. But I truly enjoy your videos. I have since you, your dad and Golden boy religiously would start a fire and warm up soup every hunt. It was your guys thing. The prayer has disappeared same as chasing green and the boys kinda stopped. Either way prayer or no prayer, soup no soup. You have taught me a lot and I enjoy the videos.

[@Cgoody95]

Nice hunt! This in central Oklahoma by any chance?

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thanks 🙏

[@danpreville2726]

That was a great hunt. Can't beat hunts that go like that. Sorry about Georgie but if anybody can fix it you can

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thanks Dan! She'll be fine. I just need to control my emotions. I was so amped up and there were so many mallards flying everywhere she just couldn't handle it. I'm not too worried about it.

[@fowlplayoutdoors68]

Great video and I’ve been enjoying the podcast as well. I think the e collar may need to become a part of Georgie’s regular routine. I’m sure understand breaking can be dangerous as well as just plain ole annoying. My Rosie broke today as well. :(. ’d consider giving her a nic on the whining as well. I think the breaking probably stems from over excitement so address that by not allowing the whining may help with a permanent resolution. The goal being to get her to an overall more calm state. I don’t think you’ll damage he desire at all. Also, with some dogs excessive whining can develop in to barking at ducks which I understand can be very difficult to stop. Some guys have had to retire dogs because of it. Anyway, keep it up and enjoy the rest of your season. -Bruce

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thank you so much for the input Bruce. I'll probably talk about this on the next podcast. I have tried "nicing" Georige many many many times. It only makes the whining worse. On the Flatlander Kennel podcast I talked to both Chris Jobman and Chris Akin about the whinning issue. They both agreed there isn't really any fix for this issue and as you said they told me I can get worse and develop into a bark. With Georgie I don't think it will get worse than it is now. As you heard in the video it's not a loud whine. It's a whiny/whimper. I hate it but at this point trying to keep my emotions calm and say "quite, quite" is the only thing that helps at all.

[@e.j.thorne3349]

@@FreelanceDuckHunting I had a rock star lab that was vocal he was a retrieving machine, steady, smart, but I had to retire him from the blind and then the line. You cant fix it, most trainers agree the dog doesnt even realize its doing it. I could tolerate Georgie's whine, but it sucks when your on a solo hunt and your dog breaks that is so hard to make a correction and its usually too late. Great spot and great hunt. Enjoyed it.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

@@e.j.thorne3349 thanks man! I would be devastated if I had to retire G

[@markmorgan3091]

Don't think they like the spinner, other side of river looks like a better hide,im assuming theres a deep channel there to deep to cross,damn the luck😊

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

I think your right!

[@davlterr]

why were they landing long? and is there anything you can do other than move?

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

I'm not really sure. Only thing I can think is there were getting some invertebrates off the mud flat point they were wanting to be at. I thought about trying to move but it was obvious with patience I could get it done and that was the best hide option.

[@tylercarter9675]

What shotgun are you using?

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Weatherby 18i

[@zviadishanidze5564]

Hello veri nice hunting video! Please tell me with kind of duck call do you use?

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Ducklander Calls

[@Lilriggs2007]

Just curious, why do you not call at them?

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Oh I do, Just didn't call that much in this situation. It didnt seem to be helping. Alot of it also got edited out of the video.

[@richiedd4119]

That dog stopped you losing that duck. I shoot saltmarsh and it makes a difference that a dog gets to the bird quick.

[@SlungArrowsTV]

What shotgun are you using

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

weatherby 18i

[@ScottDunn-x9i]

Elliot, not being critical at all, so take this the way it’s meant. You said “No, BACK” and also “GEORGIE NO” when she broke. Not sure what commands you send your dog on, but I send mine on “Back” and their name. Clean that up and Georgie should be better. Nice Mallard hunt.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

You are 100% correct. Here’s tomorrow’s video release. I talk about this during the video. It was my fault. Late Season Mallard Flocks Decoy Perfectly! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bp-nXmampb-boqs

[@FinsNFeathersOutfitters]

Always always always leave the shock collar on. Especially on a young dog

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Agree 💯

[@FinsNFeathersOutfitters]

@@FreelanceDuckHunting now for us it’s a lot more important bc of the gators in south Florida but man I made that mistake one time and she acted like a absolute fool off her ecollar😂

[@garys1403]

Not sure if it was the cause or not but, the one time she broke you said”get back”. Could she have been going on the word “back”?

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Yep, on both of them I said “back” my fault 100%

[@DuckSeason12]

Skeet station 4 on the river.

[@Flatlander94]

That first bird you shot definitely went down .? Or am I hallucinating

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

If you watch closely, right before it hits the water it recovers and flies off. I couldn't believe it didnt go down.

[@АзатИсхаков-й7и]

Great

[@ryanwiggins8643]

What camera is the one on the gun (with the red dot)

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Shotkam

[@ryanwiggins8643]

@@FreelanceDuckHunting awesome thanks. First time on the channel. Love the content

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

@@ryanwiggins8643 thanks so much for watching!

[@Rylan_lambert11]

That’s sweat but one question What river is that

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

lol, it’s the @;&;@(&;;@ river

[@kevinlyon7303]

Is this on the James River?

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

No it is not

[@khange4390]

You need to make hide out on the other side

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Yes, that would have been better. I got there fairly late and by the time I realized that I was better off just staying put

[@Woodcockkhunter]

It's a great hunt, I'll wait for you on my page as well.

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

whatever that means

[@BigPawPaws]

New to get a remote to turn the Mojo's on and off

[@garybloom3304]

When you know the ducks are there u don't need the spinner.

[@ae92corolla-e1w]

Hello hangi ülkede avlanıyorsun acaba merak ettim güzel bir av olmuş video çekimlerinde çok başarılı

[@harrycrow]

your on the wrong side of a bend, i hunt creek rivers for last 30yrs you should try position on inside of a river bend ducks will cut often cut corners

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Thanks for the tip!

[@brycegeiger2337]

You be nice to Georgie!!!!