Blake's NJ hunting trip

jode hillman

jode hillman

Well-known member
For those of you who remember Lee Harker, you will also remember his grandson Blake. After Lee's passing many of the guys from this site made a concerted effort to make sure Blake was able to still go waterfowling.

Blakes father Budd is originally from NJ ( who isn't ) LOL, and the family was coming to town to visit for the Holidays.

I was fortunate enough to get Budd and Blake out for a day of NJ duck Hunting. Unfortunatley we have been in a warm spell and though there are alot of ducks around, they do not need to fly much.

The day started off slow, getting on he water after noon ( as we hunted a tidal dependent mud flat) Some of the rig below,

looking left......




Looking right




As the afternoon wore on a few ducks began to move. Pintails, Green-wings, Blacks ducks, Merganser's and bufflehead all passed just out of range. Finally we had a flock of 20 green-wings commit and one nice drake was splashed.



Blake was a good sport even though we did not get a ton of shooting and he and his dad seemed to have fun............




We had some good laughs and I especially chuckled when he told me He liked my accent........(never new I had one, everyone knows there's nothing like a cold glass o' wooder on a hot day........)

After last light we picked up the decoys and headed for the ramp................Where I talked to Kevin Stupp's uncle for a while who had killed a nice black duck............





Last but not least Blake checked out the shop for awhile before heading to a family dinner. I think he ws happy to take a 40+ year old Delaware River bufflehead back home with him...................




All in all it was a great day, and I told Blake and Budd they have an open invite to hunt with me anytime they are in the Garden state.
 
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Jode, that is awesome you guys managed to hook up. Glad to see Blake and Bud had a good time. You are the man!
 
Way cool. Glad to see Blake is still getting out and shooting waterfowl. U guys are great to make sure he is getting out in the marsh.

Tight Lines .... Fred
 
Jode,
that is Awesome! If a person put a wish list together for great hunts a trip to Jersey would have to be on it and high up, but it would push a lot of others out of the way if it included hunting over your rig.
I am sure Blake had a great time and I am sure his grandpa was watching over the marsh.
Going home with a piece of local history makes it even more special.

Great Job to the folks that made this hunt happen.

Bob
 
Neat to see guys still taking care of Blake. Lee is smiling. Thanks for making the effort to set that up, Jode.

I think the lad needs a "Harkerwood" call of his own.
 
Sounds like he went away with a great experience that he will always remember, and that buffy is pretty cool too!!! Thanks for posting that Jode!
 
Very cool Jode...I am sure Lee is smiling.

...and Blake does look like he has grown a bit since the last pic I saw
 
Jode,What a great way to spend a day out on the water waterfowl hunting
with Lee's grandson and his dad. Very nice of you Jode to take them out.


Tom
 
Awsome job Jode, keep up the good work. My uncle said he ran into you at the ramp. There's plenty of ducks out there, but they just aren't playing fair with this warm weather. They're calling for a Canadian Blast the beginning of the week, so maybe will get some new birds. Atleast the ones we have may cooperate.
 
Nice job Jode! I have repeatedly told those within earshot about this site and the people who go out of their way to help ea other and their families. I expect this of family members and co-workers but I am continually impressed by you guys that live 1000 miles from one another, who extend themselves and their homes, and whose actions speak volumes of your character.
Happy New Year and good health to all of you.
Best - Paul
 
Thanks Guys, We had a great time yesterday. Blake and his Dad are top notch. Also thanks to Paul for getting us together and filling in the details.




I went out again today with my new neighbor. Saw more birds than anytime this year(particulary Pintail), and they wanted to decoy.

Kevin, saw your uncle Steve again but didn't get a chance to talk as the ramp was crowded.


hen Pinnie from today............


 
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Good job Jode!
I had offered to get them out on Lee's boat but never heard back from them. Let me know if they head your way again and I'll see if I can drag Lee's boat out that way to get him on it to hunt.
 
We'll have moat of the crew out there tomorrow. My Uncle Steve and Big Gary are going in the morning. My dad and Steve are going in the afternoon. Chris Sharp and I, and possibly a 3rd are also going in the afternoon.
 
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