A Memorable Moment in Time---

[Al Hansen]

Why is it that one duck hunt can have more memories than another? One day in November three years ago, I was sitting in my blind at the "honey hole". This one being about 50 miles south of the house. It was a typical severe clear day like most of our duck hunting days are here in New Mexico.
I had Chili at my side in the early morning darkness when I heard the feeding chuckle of a hen mallard flying overhead. I grabbed my call and answered even though I couldn't see her. It wasn't long and I could hear the back peddling of wings as the whole flock came into my honey hole, splashing, wings slapping, and making my heart jump up a gear.
The subtle grays turned to more intense light and I took a peek out between the cattails. There were ducks all over the place. As the time got closer to shooting hours, I sent Chili out to scare them away so that perhaps later on they might come back---maybe in two's or three's!
That is exactly what happened when the season opened that morning. In no time I had three nice looking greenheads piled in my small plastic boat, the one I carry my decoys in.
The sun was just beginning to peek over the eastern horizon when I saw a small group of mallards make a swing towards my spread. I then pulled a "Norwegian" first that year and set my shotgun down and pulled out my camera. What makes one hunt more memorable than another------well, maybe just this. Yes, I probably could have filled out on my limit of mallards right then and there but this was much more fun.
As the small flock came in, I took a shot with my little Olympus digital, then grabbed my duck call and coaxed them back for another swing. It was fun to take more shots with my camera.
Finally they couldn't take it any more and the small flock plopped down right in the middle of my honey hole. Once again I sent Chili out to chase them away. My thinking being---how many times in a duck's life has it been chased or stalked by a hungry coyote or fox? LOTS!
The morning went quickly and before I knew it, Chili was bringing me my fifth greenhead. I sat down on my folding chair and poured a cup of coffee to enjoy the moment. It was right then that I heard that distinctive "dweeeb" of a drake mallard calling. I quickly set my coffee cup down and grabbed my camera just in time to snap a shot of a drake Mexican duck coming in for a landing.
It was fun to pack up and head back to the truck. Little did I know that when I was almost home, I would take my "other" duck in my neighbor's low flow channel.
It was a fantastic day and one that has been saved in the memory bank because I did something different.
Al

Have you done anything different on a hunt so that it is permanently etched and you'll never forget it?

 

[D Behrendt]

Nice post and a good question. I don't have a story as clear as yours but some things do stand out over the years. There are some hunts with the boys, and a few times when I tried a new spot and scratched out a duck or two. I will relate one quick story, the first year that both of my sons were old enough to hunt my wife also agreed to join us and make it a family outing. I scouted for an early season spot for wood ducks and I found a nice spot with acorns falling in the water. As the sun crept over the horizon opening morning the birds came into that pond with reckless abandon. Everyone got plenty of shooting and the boys both managed at least one bird. We still talk about the birds landing next to our lab while she was out retrieving downed birds. It was quite a morning, thanks for giving me a reason to reflect.

 

[Anthony A]

Hrmm... good question! I have thought the same thing over the years, and not just with regards to hunting.

For me, it seems like time stands still, and everything happens in slow motion. I can recall all the minute details like the droplets of water hanging in mid air and that kinda thing.

I think it has to do with being intensely focused on what is going on right in front of you, to the exclusion of all other things. Some chemical is released in our brains that remembers that moment in greater detail.

I heard on the radio that our brain can produce all drugs that we can ever need. Perhaps it was a addictive drug that was released, making us try to do things over and over again to try to repeat the same sensation hence our addiction to hunting!

A particular frozen moment in time for me was the first time I ever shot anything; a snowshoe hare at the age of 14 (22 years ago now) on my second ever hunt. I don't know who was more surprised, the rabbit or me. Everything happened on auto pilot, perfectly, without thought. The rabbit jumped out from under a small spruce tree, took two running hops/jumps, I crumpled him in the middle of his third jump. I did everything instinctually, perfectly - keeping my eyes on the target, raising the gun, perfect swing, trigger pull and follow through (nobody every showed me how to do it, and I have been forever trying to recapture the naturalness of that first ever shot).

Here's to more memories frozen in time.

Anthony

 

[Al Hansen]

Don, that particular moment for you and your family had to make you ecstatic. Congratulations on the great scouting plan but more importantly giving your wife and boys the time of their lives.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

I sure liked that story you had to tell, Anthony. I read with magnified interest two particular paragraphs that you wrote. They are:
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]"For me, it seems like time stands still, and everything happens in slow motion. I can recall all the minute details like the droplets of water hanging in mid air and that kinda thing.

I think it has to do with being intensely focused on what is going on right in front of you, to the exclusion of all other things. Some chemical is released in our brains that remembers that moment in greater detail."

Maybe all of the above that you wrote has to do with the "Intense Love of Life". I pondered on what you said and found that I, too, do those same things. For me sitting in a duck blind in the early morning hours, grasping onto minute details such as hearing wings and wondering what they are, listening to the distinctive calls of coyotes, seeing a spider's intricate web, having other visitors come by whether it be song birds, turtles, snakes, or maybe a coot. All of this is extremely addictive for me. Now this makes me think of another of your paragraphs! Cool reply, Anthony.
Al

On this shot, I can recall leaving my blind and shotgun, grabbing my camera and walking to another spot for a better shot of the sunrise. Yes, I have seen ducks fly by and flare because they saw me but I would do it again without a moments hesitation.

[/font]

 

[John Augustine]

Al,
That picture of the spider web reminded me of one of the most vivid pictures I've ever seen.
I was laying out in a large marsh in early november. The frost was very heavy and just as the sun
came up the frost on hundreds of webs lit up with the orange and blues. It was amazing!!
I've never seen anything like it since and it only lasted a few seconds. Isn't it great to be out
in His creation!! John

 

[Al Hansen]

John,
You couldn't have said it any better than this------"[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Isn't it great to be out
in His creation!!"
Every day I marvel at His wondrous world that we get to enjoy. I sometimes think that this is the reason that I get up so early in the morning on a daily basis, just so I won't miss something. We are blessed---no doubt about that.
Al

On November 3rd, of 2009, I was doing a little scouting. I sat up on this mesa trying to absorb all that I was trying to look at. It was beauty beyond imagination.

Five days before our duck season closed I sat in my blind and watched it get lighter and lighter. It was breath taking.

One week in February, of this year, Bev and I drove to Bosque del Apache. Whenever I look at this shot it makes me think of serenity in its purist form!

[/font]

 

[Gary March]

Loved the story and pics Al. Thanks for helping us all get through the off season.

Gary March

 

[Al Hansen]

Thanks, Gary. I am really looking forward to another season and find myself looking at pictures from the past years to keep me going. Guess that duck hunting addiction of mine is "worst case scenario"!
Al