Most hunters left the impoundments after the sun had been up an hour. But we stayed until 11 a.m. and got in some extra shooting, since our decoys stood out as the only game in town for ducks that knew there was a feast of natural duck food for the nibbling.

The return trip was tougher on hunters because the sun was up. Waders transformed into brown-and-serve bags as we portaged the boat and gear with the bonus weight of ducks.

At the parking area, Benjy Strope, a commission wildlife technician, checked our bag of ducks. He decapitated a few and took intestinal samples as part of an avian influenza study.

"Looks like you guys had a good morning," Strope said. "These are some of our best impoundments. A duck or two per hunter is a typical bag."

Strope and other NCWRC technicians collect information on ducks bagged at commission impoundments and Goose Creek usually shows top results. To keep them productive, the commission asks that hunters and birdwatchers stay out of the impoundments on non-hunting days and that they use binoculars instead to spot ducks from the new observation towers at Pamlico Point and Campbell's Creek from a distance. Observation towers will also be erected at the other impoundments.

With what's now seven impoundments covering over 9,400 acres, it's no wonder waterfowl hunters flock to Goose Creek. Mention it to a dedicated Tar Heel duck hunter and he'll say he's heard of it, he's going there again, or he's returning from a great hunt. He might volunteer to guide you. But if he doesn't, you now have the scouting report to try the excellent impoundment hunting on your own.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
For more information, check the NCWRC's regulations digest, special hunt opportunities booklet, or visit www.ncwildlife.org online.

Matt Millard at Millard's Unlimited Taxidermy at (919) 920-4888 in Goldsboro usually has the scouting report for waterfowl hunting at Goose Creek Game Land.