Won't be long....

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

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Until these two 14 year old serious waterfowlers will be 16 and able to hunt on there own. Thomas and his friend Patrick have both hunted since a young age so it was no surprise that on yesterday's hunt they made it easier on me by helping with the usual tasks of preparation, getting our gear to the hunting location, set-up, pick-up and take-out.

We hunted this location on last Friday and were covered up with woodies and gadwall. Eight days later with no pressure on this spot the woodies are almost all gone. Luckily some mallards found the pond to their liking and came in like they had never seen decoys, one pass and wings cupped. The night before the boys, without me prompting, replaced the chokes in our shotguns with IC and were dead on with their assessment. I don't think any of the 6 birds we took were over 25 yards, some less than 10. The boys came prepared and had big smiles on their faces. The only downside to the hunt was I gashed my waders and we had to leave a bit early as water flooded in the 1" tear. I was ready for a new pair anyway.














 
Note the cast on Thomas's left arm. He broke his hand playing baseball diving for a grounder at third. First thing he did when we got back from the doctor was to get his gun and make sure he could still shoot. A little cumbersome but doable. Hopefully the cast comes off tomorrow.
 
Left arm may be broken but he looks like he is getting his right arm ready for SEC football. Great fun to watch these young men grow up.
 
Looks like those two have a lot of adventures ahead of them. You can feel safe in the knowledge that Thomas is going to be well prepared when the time comes to head out on his own from time to time.
 
Thanks guys. Hard to believe 9 years has past since his first hunt (see picture below). I don't know how many places I've taken him to over the years but of all the areas I've hunted the past 30+ seasons he's seen most of them. When I started duck hunting at 16 I had zero knowledge of the sport. At 14 he has already mastered numerous skills and has a large working knowledge. Showing him has been enriching. I'd like to do it all over again.



 
Wow, That's awesome. It a great bonus in life to have your children enjoy something you do. What a great Legacy you are handing down to Thomas and his friend. One day when he is older he will remember these times with his Dad fondly.

This is what its all about!
 
Eric
Great pictures---playing with a cast--Thomas has to be a chip off the old block. I have to add when that cast comes off get some good Physical Therapy--he will need it.
wis boz
 
That is one fantastic hunt!
Cant believe how big your boy is now!
We didn't get out this weekend, between the high winds, thunderstorms and fog, we stayed home.
 
Boz

He broke his 5th metacarpal, knows as a boxer's break. They heal quick, so hopefully three weeks in the cast won't set him back too much. I'll ask the doctor about PT.

Carl

Good call on staying home. I've seen the delta get mean real fast. Thomas hit a growth spurt and grew almost 6" in the last 12 months. His voice got deep and his face broke out overnight. I'm wondering how much more he is going to grow. Hopefully he will take after Michelle's side and end up over 6' but I kind of suspect he will be around 5'9" o 10" like my side of the family.

Eric
 
Mark

One of the best things I've bought for duck hunting. We use it nearly everytime we hunt a swamp or walk-in spot. It holds all the gear and transports our stuff more easily than hand carrying. Sometimes it is just for carrying our gear, sometimes it's for us. After three(?) seasons I have no complaints and would buy another in a heartbeat, especially if one showed up as cheap as I got this one, $225 and it was the best duck hunting $225 investment I've made.
 
Eric
I thought it was still the elbow the hand should heal a bit faster than the elbow so that should rehab okay.
wis boz
 
Given that, I would say its time to change your avatar pic!

My boy still hasn't hit his major growth spurt, but he turns 14 in February.
Given the height of his uncles and bio-father, I think he will be about my height (5'9"), which will be great since he can wear all my old stuff.
I have my Dad's old Woolrich 4-in-1hunting coat waiting for him to grow into.
 
As someone who learned from his father and continues to do so I love seeing your posts about Thomas.
 
Its kinda funny seeing all his friends together at this age: 1 kids is even shorter than him and the rest range from a little taller to 6" taller.
 
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