Am I too old?

Hi Ed,
The thoughts of everyone are terrific. The length of responses also shows many guy's season is over and they have time to write!!

I am 65, slender, in good shape but not a particularly strong dude. Here are some of my thoughts.

I had a Hoefgen Duck Boat, like Mark W. on the forum. Once you get it in the water it is a dream to paddle, solo, only. It has probably the best lines of any small duck boat made. But I found it difficult to throw it up on the truck because of the open cockpit.

The Fiberdome Widgeon looks about like the Hoefgen Duck Boat. I suspect there would be the same difficulty throwing it up on your vehicle because there is nothing to grab on to.

I had a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 kayak and loved it. But I had the same issues of grabbing to throw it up on a vehicle, in this case a Tacoma.

Both boats could be handled easily if you had a small trailer that you pulled, but that?s another piece of equipment you have to deal with.

I have gone back, like Steve Sanford said, to canoes. They aren?t light either, but you have thwarts to grab onto. I am very happy with a Mad River 16? Explorer for myself and another person. Extremely stable and huge carrying capacity. I don?t carry it anywhere but use my two wheeled cart if I have a distance between vehicle and water or storage area.

When I go out by myself I use an Old Town 119, that has developed a huge following in guys who have given up kayaks for the carrying capacity and ease of use of this boat. It is light and a fun boat to use. Not as stable as the Mad River due to the shorter length, but keep the primary weight low and it is fine.

The simplicity of paddling streams and marshes is surefire attraction to this style of hunting or simply paddling for the hell of it.

Too old? Absolutely not. Use common sense, plan ahead, keep a regular schedule of exercise and get out there!

Larry
 
Larry Eckart said:
Hi Ed,
The thoughts of everyone are terrific. The length of responses also shows many guy's season is over and they have time to write!!

I am 65, slender, in good shape but not a particularly strong dude. Here are some of my thoughts.

I had a Hoefgen Duck Boat, like Mark W. on the forum. Once you get it in the water it is a dream to paddle, solo, only. It has probably the best lines of any small duck boat made. But I found it difficult to throw it up on the truck because of the open cockpit.

The Fiberdome Widgeon looks about like the Hoefgen Duck Boat. I suspect there would be the same difficulty throwing it up on your vehicle because there is nothing to grab on to.

I had a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 kayak and loved it. But I had the same issues of grabbing to throw it up on a vehicle, in this case a Tacoma.

Both boats could be handled easily if you had a small trailer that you pulled, but that?s another piece of equipment you have to deal with.

I have gone back, like Steve Sanford said, to canoes. They aren?t light either, but you have thwarts to grab onto. I am very happy with a Mad River 16? Explorer for myself and another person. Extremely stable and huge carrying capacity. I don?t carry it anywhere but use my two wheeled cart if I have a distance between vehicle and water or storage area.

When I go out by myself I use an Old Town 119, that has developed a huge following in guys who have given up kayaks for the carrying capacity and ease of use of this boat. It is light and a fun boat to use. Not as stable as the Mad River due to the shorter length, but keep the primary weight low and it is fine.

The simplicity of paddling streams and marshes is surefire attraction to this style of hunting or simply paddling for the hell of it.

Too old? Absolutely not. Use common sense, plan ahead, keep a regular schedule of exercise and get out there!

Larry
Click to expand...

Hi Larry, thanks for writing. The things I like about the Widgeon is no deck hardware to get caught on things while paddling in the marsh or flooded timber areas, spud holes for stability while shooting from the boat, the length should help with tracking in a straight line and it's 36" wide which makes it, I hope will be more stable than a kayak. As you can imagine I'm not as agile as I once was.

Since I've changed from having a Jeep to driving a pickup I did invest in a bed extender. The marshes I have in mind have boat ramps and my hopes are I'll be able to back the boat close to the waterline as my truck bed is short. We'll see.

I've had several boats over the years including a Bobcat double ender that didn't paddle worth a darn. a Carstens Mallard which was right at 100lbs and 44" wide. It didn't paddle well and was to awkward and heavy to deal with. I had a couple of 10' Aquapods but I was always in a hurry and tried motorizing them. Plus they were like hunting out of an egg! That didn't work so they got sold. I've had Momarsh boats and a Four Rivers Refuge Runner with small mud motors. Now that I'm retired and can hunt through the week in a leisurely fashion I won't be fighting for spots with guys with jon boats and mud motors for the most part. I believe I'm ready to enjoy the solitude and slower pace. When it's time to go to the river I still have my 16' Lund.
 
I sold my Kevlar Hoefgen because I picked up
an old Browning Aerocraft Pawnee 13? Canoe.
Most marshes where I hunt have cattails that you
Pull the boat into. That little Pawnee is more comfortable
Than the Hoefgen was and moves along just as easy.
The Hoefgen is a neat boat however the long kayak
type ends do not make it easy for getting in and out of with
deeper water locations. If you can find one or a Michi-Craft
13?, you might just find you like it. I paddle it from the front seat
instead of the back seat. That keeps you more towards mid-ship
and keeps more level in the water. But those that know me, know one boat does
not work for all hunts. Sometimes you need seven or so options.:)
 
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Good Sunday morning to you, Ed. I have really enjoyed this thread because I think I qualify for wondering about if I am too old or not. I still love to duck hunt and of course do a myriad of other things just because it is fun. Those that come to mind would be blazing a trail with a chainsaw and a darn good pair of loppers to a spot on the Rio Grande so I can drive my Mule down there, photography in the Land of Enchantment, taking my dogs for long rides in my Kawasaki Mule, then finding the right spot on the Rio Grande or possible pond if we have more water than usual. Then give them a great workout and try to also take pictures of their retrieves, keeping our home environment clean and looking well kept, still climbing up the ladder to walk on the roof of Bev's art studio to fix a shingle or two that a strong wind might have blown away or broken and I just thought of this, I was 72 or 73 when I cut 46 cords of wood one year. Are you too old to hunt ducks for 89 days, get up at 3AM so you can drive the truck 50 miles, then park it, unload the 4 wheeler, get your gear on it besides your dog who sits behind you and drive it 12 miles to your blind? I distinctly remember the month of November when I hunted it for 28 days. I normally don't hunt weekends but that year I did. That was 12 years ago, so that made me 66. You are only as old as you feel. Life is full of curve balls as you get older, but continue on, the options aren't so great as you get older.

Ed, the best to you and make sure that you keep those whitetail bucks wary just because you still love to hunt them and if I remember correctly some of those successful hunts were on islands along the Mississippi R.
Al

To this day, my hero is still Jim Bosanny Sr. and the life he led. If I remember correctly he still hunted ducks when he was 90 or older. (Jim Jr. if you are reading this can you clarify that for me, please?)
 
Hi Guys . Speaking of old & the Rigors Of The Sport
I am sorry to admit but I had to give up the Sport At 80, But the Memories I have After all These Yrs SINE I STARTED AT AGE 15 I could write a best selling book on all the good & Bad Experiences i have had ,The Title Would be 65 years of Duck Hunting with MURPHY following me,67\
Because because of all the unexpected things that has happen over those yrs , example getting shot, almost drowning , smashing up a boat, loosing an outboard overboard , I could go on and on. But the enjoyable days of the Challenges Were well worth it Just Be careful out there & dont take Rough conditions for granted .
 
Paul, Worth, and anyone else who seldom or cannot get out anymore,

Please continue to share your experiences here. I think one of the things that makes this community unique is the participation from the elder statesman and their contributions to the myriad of topics that come up. Even moreso the stories from decades past are enjoyed by many. So even if you can't get out like you once did, your contributions are valued and significant.

Eric
 
Good thoughts all. As I find myself just south of the big six-oh-my-god, I too have been trying to get creative in my approach to the solo hunt for the long run. Despite adding a Yakima Showboat 66 roller to the rear of my truck to aid in roof-topping my Alumacraft Ducker or canoe, a few nearly airborne moments on windy days suggested I should convert to a lower profile option like the trailers others have suggested to protect both craft and my spine. Consequently, a small gear trailer with a chest-high boat rack is this winter?s project.

I know others here also utilize bike travel as a means of shortening the paddle distance. Loading a canoe or a large Otter sled full of decoys (for wadeable depths) on the bike trailer saves me a lot of time on what would otherwise be a long hike or paddle. I?ve really enjoyed adding this tactic to the playbook particularly for those days when the wind howls.
View attachment A2D9C339-CBD8-48D1-BBE5-EB6CEAB0E117.jpeg
 
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Ed,
You mentioned that you once had a Carsten Mallard. I did too. You mentioned your unhappiness with it. Same here.

That was the only boat I ever had that I felt the old saw, "the best day is when you buy a boat and when you get rid of it," was true.

The first time I had that boat out with my buddy in Michigan we thought we were going to die of a heart attack paddling it. "Larry, either get rid of this boat or you will get rid of me," was my buddies statement. I agreed heartily. That boat was like paddling a tug. Simply awful.

It was a happy day when I sold it.

Best of luck in finding the boat that works for you.

Larry
 
Eric Patterson said:
Paul, Worth, and anyone else who seldom or cannot get out anymore,

Please continue to share your experiences here. I think one of the things that makes this community unique is the participation from the elder statesman and their contributions to the myriad of topics that come up. Even moreso the stories from decades past are enjoyed by many. So even if you can't get out like you once did, your contributions are valued and significant.

Eric
Click to expand...

Like Eric, I'm loving reading all your thoughts and experiences. Adds lots of food for thought. Like Carl I've looked into the Creek Boats and for him the electric motor option would be great around Tampa Bay for getting back into the Mangroves for both hunting and fishing. Just have to watch the tide. Of course Carl knows far more about tides than I ever learned. The option just won't work here. We have to much vegetation to deal with.

Kevin K, sounds like your dad is way better shape than I am. I tried Tae Kwon Do with my brother-in-law. He's a 7th degree master and owns Spellious Martial arts. Seemed like I was his heavy bag when he wanted to demonstrate..LOL

I have tried a pirogue while if Florida. Like Rick L. said don't shift you gum!

I think Vince's list has helped me with my decision to buy the Fiberdome Widgeon. He outlines a lot of things in using a small boat. Many of the things in the list have been brought out over the years here in other posts but this is a well thought out detailed list.

Any more thoughts and stories, keep them coming.


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Larry Eckart said:
Ed,
You mentioned that you once had a Carsten Mallard. I did too. You mentioned your unhappiness with it. Same here.

That was the only boat I ever had that I felt the old saw, "the best day is when you buy a boat and when you get rid of it," was true.

The first time I had that boat out with my buddy in Michigan we thought we were going to die of a heart attack paddling it. "Larry, either get rid of this boat or you will get rid of me," was my buddies statement. I agreed heartily. That boat was like paddling a tug. Simply awful.

It was a happy day when I sold it.

Best of luck in finding the boat that works for you.

Larry
Click to expand...

I'm glad to read I'm not the only one that felt that way about the Mallard. Like you the best day of owning that boat was when I sold it!
 
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Al Hansen said:
Good Sunday morning to you, Ed. I have really enjoyed this thread because I think I qualify for wondering about if I am too old or not. I still love to duck hunt and of course do a myriad of other things just because it is fun. Those that come to mind would be blazing a trail with a chainsaw and a darn good pair of loppers to a spot on the Rio Grande so I can drive my Mule down there, photography in the Land of Enchantment, taking my dogs for long rides in my Kawasaki Mule, then finding the right spot on the Rio Grande or possible pond if we have more water than usual. Then give them a great workout and try to also take pictures of their retrieves, keeping our home environment clean and looking well kept, still climbing up the ladder to walk on the roof of Bev's art studio to fix a shingle or two that a strong wind might have blown away or broken and I just thought of this, I was 72 or 73 when I cut 46 cords of wood one year. Are you too old to hunt ducks for 89 days, get up at 3AM so you can drive the truck 50 miles, then park it, unload the 4 wheeler, get your gear on it besides your dog who sits behind you and drive it 12 miles to your blind? I distinctly remember the month of November when I hunted it for 28 days. I normally don't hunt weekends but that year I did. That was 12 years ago, so that made me 66. You are only as old as you feel. Life is full of curve balls as you get older, but continue on, the options aren't so great as you get older.

Ed, the best to you and make sure that you keep those whitetail bucks wary just because you still love to hunt them and if I remember correctly some of those successful hunts were on islands along the Mississippi R.
Al

To this day, my hero is still Jim Bosanny Sr. and the life he led. If I remember correctly he still hunted ducks when he was 90 or older. (Jim Jr. if you are reading this can you clarify that for me, please?)
Click to expand...

Al, you put me to shame! 44 years of sitting at a drafting table or a computer screen has made me a puss...well not worthy. My wife yelled at me this year for getting up on our roof the clean the gutters. She says I'm to old. Jeesh, I didn't fall off. I always love reading your stories and seeing the photos of your pups at work and play.

I had the privilege to meet Jim Bosanny Sr. and Jim Jr. at a couple of the Midwest Duckboat get togethers many years ago now. Both gentlemen through and through. The highlight was sitting around the campfire as Jim Sr. retold the story of he and his dad living through the night of the Armistice snow storm. What a storyteller he was.

No deer this year. Yep the islands were under water most of the year as the Mississippi like the other major rivers in the Midwest were out of their banks for most of the year. Local breeding ducks and geese never had a chance. Then when the waters finally receded the islands were sweep clean of deadfall and any kind of food sources. The normal river food sources for waterfowl never took root. The farm fields were harvested very late if at all and we had a major freeze in November when we usually see our migrating flights so any migrating birds pasted us up. Sure hunters reported some great days but those were far and few apart. So hoping for a normal weather pattern year for 2020 and looking forward to next hunting season.

Happy holidays to you.
 
D.J. Hagen said:
Good thoughts all. As I find myself just south of the big six-oh-my-god,
I know others here also utilize bike travel as a means of shortening the paddle distance. Loading a canoe or a large Otter sled full of decoys (for wadeable depths) on the bike trailer saves me a lot of time on what would otherwise be a long hike or paddle. I?ve really enjoyed adding this tactic to the playbook particularly for those days when the wind howls.
Click to expand...

LOL..."The big six-oh-my-god!" It just doesn't seem like it's been all that long ago. We have a marsh a couple of hours away that is back water of the Mississippi river that has a dike around it. This one your allowed to walk the dike but your not allowed to hunt from the dike you have to be in the water in order to hunt. The marsh gets deeper than my waders pretty quick as I'm pretty short so a boat is required. Your utilizing a bike gives me another idea to think about. When I lived in Florida I had a sling hand pull cart for my kayak. I have a mountain bike in the basement that hasn't been used in awhile but I'll bet I can come up with something to pull a boat with the bike. I'll have to give that some thought.
 
So much great content in these posts! I definitely hope to be at it when much older and these posts are encouraging. That sled on the bike trailer trick is AWESOME! I have two great big boys to bring in the majority of the gear right now. There is a fast approaching time where I'll be hunting with substantially fewer decoys.

This post reminds me of a fishing and camping trip with my family where we saw an elderly gentleman come down to the stream in a walker on the Oconaluftee river, wade into the stream with the walker, and start fly fishing. I pointed him out to my wife and said that I hope I continue to have that kind of determination as I age.
 
ERIC,
In answer to your request.I will give you a story of an exceptional hunt in the birds we harvested as well as my most expensive one in what it cost me . THE DAY I LOST A CAR. it WAS A COLD DAY AROUND 28 DEGREES WITH A HARD NORTH WEST WIND BLOWING AN IDEAL DAY FOR SOUTH JERSEY HUNTING WITH THE MANY SPECIE AVAILABLE GEESE, BRANT, & DUCKS FOR GOOD OVERALL HUNTING . JOHN & I MY HUNTING PARTNER MET AT ARE USUAL TIME KNOWING WE WERE HEADED SOUTH ABOUT 75 MILES WE LEFT AT 3;30 AM. WITH OUR TWO SNEAK BOXES LOADED ON ONE TRAILER .WE WOULD LAUNCH FROM A PRIVATE CLAM SHELL BEACH WITH LOCKED FENCE IN AREA.
THAT WE WERE ABLE TO RENT FOR THE SEASON AS WELL AS KEEP OUR BOATS THERE &A SHEAD FOR OUR DECOYS WHEN WE DID NOT BRING OUR GEAR HOME THAT NIGHT. WELL WE PRECEDED TO LAUNCH WITH THE TIDE STILL COMING IN.WE NORMALLY HAVE DEEP WATER THERE MAYBE 200 YARDS BEFORE WE REACH THE INLAND WATERWAY CHANEL WITH NO PROBLEMS.WE ROAD UP TO AN AREA WHERE WE HAD HUNTED BEFORE WITH A LOT OF BIRDS TRADING .WE SET UP A COMBINATION RIG SNOW GEESE, BRANT, & SOME PUDDLE DUCKS ,ABOUT 40 DECOYS IN TOTAL.WE STARTED TO SHOOT WELL ONCE THE TIDE TURNED ABOUT 11AM. WE HAD ALL THREE SPECIE DECOY WELL TO US, WE COULD SEE THIS WAS GOING TO BE ONE OF OUR BANNER DAYS & AS WE ALL KNOW THERE ARE NOT MANY YOU GET DURING THE HUNTING SEASON. WE LIMITED OUT ON ALL THREE SPECIE BY 3;0 CLOCK & STARTED TO PICK UP & HEAD IN. WELL MUCH TO OUR SURPRISE WHEN WE GOT CLOSE TO THE BEACH WHERE WE LAUNCHED WE COULD ONLY REACH TO WITHIN 40 YARDS OF HARD GROUND, WITH THE TIDE NOW JUST STARTING TO COME BACK IN WE KNEW WE WOULD BE THERE AT LEAST ANOTHER 4 HRS OR MORE BEFORE WE COULD LOAD THE BOATS SAFELY IT WAS ALREADY 4;0 CLOCK
AND STARTING TO GET DARK.SO RATHER THEN WAIT JOHN & I DECIDED LETS JUST SEE HOW FAR WE CAN BACK UP THE CAR & TRAILER WITHOUT SINKING IN THE QUICK SAND MUD & LOAD THE BOATS.
JOHN SAID KEEP COMING BACK EVERYTHING WAS LOOKING GOOD, PRECEDED TO LOAD THE TWO BOATS.PUT THE CAR IN GEAR & WENT 4 FEET & THE CAR WENT DOWN TO THE FRAME ALL 4 WHEELS IN THE MUD,WE SHOOK OUR HEADS IN DISBELIEVE & SAID WHAT THE HELL DO WE DO NOW .
KEEP IN MINE GUYS THIS WAS A BRAND NEW CHEVY STATION WAGON JUST 2 WEEK OLD.WITH A 1,000 MILES ON IT .WE KNEW WE NEEDED HELP BUT THIS WAS NOT THE AGE OF CELL PHONES BACK IN THE EIGHTY'S.I TOLD JOHN YOU STAY WITH THE RIG & I WILL TRY & GET TO A PHONE & GET HELP, WENT TO THE CAR FOR MY STREET SHOES & STARTED TO WALK UP THIS DESERTED ROAD WAY TO SEE IF I COULD FIND SOME ONE HOME & USE THEIR PHONE, AFTER ABOUT1 MILE, I FINIALY FOUND SOME ONE HOME THAT WOULD LET ME USE THEIR PHONE TO CALL FOR HELP , TRY & GET A WRECKER ON A SATURDAY NIGHT IN AN EMPTY SUMMER TOWN. NOW AT ALREADY 6;0 CLOCK THAT WAS A CHALLENGE IN IT SELF
I ASKED THE WRECKER TO COME PICK ME UP AT THE HOUSE I WAS CALLING FROM , IT TOOK HIM AN HR TO GET THERE.GOT BACK TO THE CAR & GUESS WHAT THE TIDE HAD COME IN THAT IT WAS ALREADY UP TO MY DASH BOARD,NOW WHAT YOU DO,. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID WHAT DO I EXPECT HIM TO DO, HE WAS NOT GOING TO PLAY THE ROLE OF SKIN DIVER TO HOOK UP A CABLE. WELL KNOWING I HAD A SPARE CHANGE OF CLOTHES IN MY CAR.i DECIDED TO PLAY SKIN DIVER i DIDENT WANT THE CAR TO GET ANY WORSE SO I DECIDED TO GET A WET ASS TRYING TO HOOK A CABLE UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR, LET ME TELL YOU IT WAS ONE COLD SOB . I HAD TO UNHOOK THE BOAT TRAILER FROM THE CAR.WITH A LOT OF STRAIN ON THE TOW TRUCK HARDWARE HE WAS ABLE TO PULL BOTH CAR & TRAILER TO SAFE & HARD GROUND, NOW IT BECAME A QUESTION WHERE DOES HE TOW THE CAR TOO. I TOLD HIM TO THE NEAREST CHEVY DEALER .WE WOULD TOUCH BASE ON MONDAY & SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE WITH THE CAR. & WOULD HE GIVE US A RIDE TO A DINER WERE I COULD GET SOME FOOD & MAKE SOME OTHER GET A RIDE HOME PHONE CALLS . WELL WE GOT TO A DINER I CALLED HOME & TOLD THE WIFE WE WERE RUNNING A LITTLE LATE & THE CAR BROKE DOW N. I WAS TO AFRAID TO TELL HER THE TRUTH AT THAT TIME FOR I RATHER WAIT TILL I GOT HOME FOR HERE TO SHOOT ME... I THEN CALLED ONE OF MY CLOSE FRIENDS TO COME & PICK US UP.WE FINALLY GOT HOME AROUND 11;30. I WOULD GET ALL THE BAD NEWS ON MONDAY FROM THE CAR DEALER AS WHAT I COULD DO TO FIX IT.HE TRIED WITH A BIG BILL $$$$ THE CAR KEPT BREAKING DOWN FROM ALL THE SALT WATER INTAKE, IT WAS BEST TO TRADE IT IN & GET A NEW ONE WE DID BUT TOOK A HELL OF A LOSS$$$ ON THE CAR.
ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT AT WE LEAST HAD A GOOD HUNTING DAY, BUT A VERY EXPENSIVE ONE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN YOU START OUT. THATS DUCK HUNTING.!!!!!!!!
!!!!!
 
Paul

Ouch! That hurt my wallet just to read. I'm glad you can make light of it now because I bet at the time it wasn't the least bit funny, except to the wrecker :)

Eric
 
[size 4] Enjoying reading the responses to Ed's post .

In my case, I can't see trying to horse a smaller boat off a vehicle, drag it to & from the water, and then flirt with its stability when loaded - regardless of how small the water. That was something I did when I was a lot younger & stronger.... and sometimes willing to take chances I wouldn't dream of taking now.

I have decided that hunting the TDB 14 is by far the easiest option for me. Everything I need (+the dog) is easily loaded and transported; and if the ramp conditions are good, it's an easy launch to start the hunt, and an easy load up at the end of it. I turned 70 this past October; and, like it or not, there are adaptations one has to make in order to continue doing the things that are part of who you are.

- Might mean no longer leaving the house at " '0-dark-thirty", dodging towboats in the fog, or being set up at first light.
- Might mean passing on tackling the roads and the marsh on a particularly "snotty" day, being content to wait 'til conditions are safer.
- Might mean eliminating certain spots I used to hunt from consideration, just because the River miles I have to run to get to them is not a wise thing at my age. The closer the ramp to where I'm going, the better!
- Definitely means tapping into and paying close attention to all the wind, weather, and river stage conditions that one has studied over the years in order to calculate what they will mean when evaluating where and if I will go.
- Might mean that when I get to where I'm going and see that I've miscalculated what the day will throw at me, I turn around, go get a second breakfast, and head home.... living to fight another day. All I'm out is some gas money.
- Might mean that if I'm fortunate enough to kill one or two birds quickly, that I pick up the decoys and decide to be content with that.

Of course, being retired and the season length afforded me here in the Tri-State River corner (OH/KY/IN) provides me the luxury of being patient when it comes to picking days.

Gone are the days of stringing together those 'Bataan Death March,' days-in-a-row hunts when the birds seem to be "in." That rest between hunting days is not only a good thing to keep hunting equipment in good shape, but also a means to keep "the old equipment" functioning.

I now set a realistic schedule for when I need to leave, when I should be set up, how long I'll hunt, and when I need to start picking up and heading home. It may mean resisting that temptation to tell myself : "Just another hour," but in the long run it is giving me an appreciation for the blessing of still being able to get out on a regular basis while staying healthy.

Last Thursday when I left the house it was 15 degrees. But the River stage reports told me I'd need to stay off the main stem, but that I'd find some sloughs with open water. First location I wanted to hunt, ramp was a mess - so I headed downriver where plan B was a ramp just off the River that stays clear and a slough with lots of open water. Wasn't set 'til 9 a.m.. Killed a lone black duck at 11:30 and called it a day. Back home by 1:30 p.m.

Figure if I get out just once a week for the entire season, I'll have had more days on the River than most.



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Ed, We are all getting too old, but don't let that affect your decision to buy another duck boat. I have gone to boats I haul on a trailer that I launch at a ramp with a motor and boats I haul in the back of a truck that I paddle and launch wherever I want. For long paddles I like a 14' Old Town Predator kayak. For hauling gear and paddling, I want a canoe. Even my 10' Golden Hawk will haul more goose decoys than my kayak. I can hunt out of these boats but usually just use them to get to my spots. For spots I need to hunt out of a marsh boat I am taking an Aqua Pod or a Marsh Rat. I just scale my decoy spread to the boat. Some days a good location with a good hide and 3 decoys is more important than lots of decoys. This past year I learned one man can slide a plastic Aqua Pod on edge a long ways through a standing cornfield to get to a wet spot. Aqua Pods make a great wading staff, dog platform, and decoy sled. They don't paddle to bad either especially with a drop in seat across the cockpit.

Buy the boat and see how it works. Just remember that sometimes the advertised weight and the actual are not the same.

Everyone should have a collection of boats to select from. I would have responded sooner but season is still open and there are still plenty of geese around.
 
Hi Mike,

Some of the reason I'm buying this boat is also because my wife took a job in the west suburbs and Ill be spending more time that direction. Just starting the research on do's and dont's on the waterways over there. So far there's more dont's...lol. Anyway sounds like your season has you still hunting. I started to look into a guide over by Sycamore but then the more I read I find the locals having issues with the service. Need any help dealing with those pesky geese, give me call!
 
Ed

You do what you think is right ! Your only as old as you feel. Maybe you go that root and you carry a small electric motor with you just in case. Also if you love the sport better to go out doing what you love then in front of the tv. I'm sixty and have some major health stuff. But I do what I can. Only you know you. Don't worry be happy. And see your doctor first. God Bless
 
Lou Tisch said:
Ed, what a way to go though...doing what you love.
I?m 72 and still actively sculling. It?s why I bought the Company.
I recently hosted and sculled a fella in 20 mph winds in Muscamoot Bay.
I stuck with wind shadows & marsh grass but had a ball.
The fella I hosted, Jeff, is 80 years old and still active...working on his 2nd bucket list.
Coming us in January, I will be down at his place in Arkansas, hunting flooded timber.
Embrace life and give it all you?ve got.
Lou
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Lou I absolutely love you !!!! I am turning 56 in 4 days.. Been feeling sorry for myself...
 
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