Colby's southernmost adventure

Ron Smith

Ron Smith

Active member

On Wednesday a massive box was delivered to my office. Colby's southernmost adventure had begun. It was not until today that I could introduce this decoy to the Florida Everglades. We stopped on the way to the ramp to pick up Austin's good friend Daniel. They are both 14 years old and were excited about the afternoon's possibilities. Austin has been going duck hunting since he was 3 years old. Daniel is a veteran of only 2 previous hunts.
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We pulled into the slough we were going to hunt and jumped grackles, wood storks, tricolor herons, great white herons, coots and ...ducks. Lots of bluewinged teal and mottled ducks. I really wanted to drop a mottled drake over Colby and the spot we were hunting you have about a 100% chance of decoying them this time of year. We quickly deployed Colby and 18 other decoys and began the short process of setting up the boat to hunt from. A flock of teal went for the spread before we could load up. We spotted a pair of mottled ducks a couple hundred yards out and I gave them a few quacks to turn them our way. They almost made it then turned up the slough and landed around a point to our right. More teal and then more teal and then 2 in the deeks. I splashed the first one. Next a flock of teal that had pellet repellent . Nothing hit the water but I am sure we scared them real good. Mottled ducks in our area respond real well to a call and shortly I see 6 flying about 300 yards out. I call loudly and they bank towards us. They set their wings about 75 yards out then bank left and away. I sweet talk them once more and they turn back and head straight in. When Austin swings the A5 into action there is a pair fluttering right over Colby. What a picture that would have been. At the Browning's report there is a drake face down near the decoy. Colby did his job and Austin did his part.
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The 2 boys had a great time and will talk about this hunt for a long time. With shooting time left and birds in the air we pull the plug on the day and plan to try another hunt after church on Sunday.
 
That decoy is racking up the Mottled Ducks...not sure if John or Jeff killed any over it but it accounted for a half dozen between Dani and I while we had it......mine were shot with an A5 just like Austin's......I like that part alot.....

When I saw the box an the decoy I told Dani that I was sure glad that I didn't have to pay the postage to ship it to the next person.....she was grateful that all she had to do was pay for the axle, wheels, tires, trailer tongue and lights that we installed on it so she could drag it behind her Tonak truck to the Goodwin hunt for the handoff to John......

I'm seeing lots of your Mottled Duck decoys on the net....how typical that the guy who carves them never has them in his own rig.....still if you don't have your own the old Herters birds do have an almost perfect Mottled Duck "look".......

Steve
 
I can't afford to hunt with my own mottled ducks. Every time I finish one ...somebody wants to buy it. I have 6 on the bench right now an 8 on order. The only water I'll ever have them in is the sink to balance them.
 
John hunted plastic till we started ragging him on that....now I have to race him for a bird that I might want...and he infected Pat..and they infected Jeff....and they invited Joe...and all of the sudden you're using 20 year old foam decoys while the World says "wow those are great decoys" to the guys that bought em......

And the wheels on the bus go round and round........

So...when does the prototype BBWD or Fulvous make its debut?.....put me down for the first pair of each unless someone has already beaten me to that......

Steve
 
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I spent time photographing some BBWD's last April and have been looking for a reason to carve a pair. I guess you just gave me a reason. I made some fulvous y-boards for someone that wanted a set. I have looked at the pattern and thought I might wack out a few full boidies. By the way...the ringneck by Austin's foot is my carving...black cork no less!
 
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heck I'll even extend an invite to shoot over them at either a STA or Goodwin if Dani or I drw a permit at either one next season......

Steve
 
Great story but the pics of the young hunters is the real prize. Nicely done. Love that drake bluewing.
Al
 
Glad to hear my dainty lil packing box is still working, at least I hope it still is. If you notice it is fairly form fitting to the lil cocktail decoy that Colby is. He didn't ask about Suzie did he? He seemed kinda broken hearted when I handed him off to Mark. Thanks for the pics. What a great hunt you guys had, wonderful to see the youngsters out there. Good Luck.
 
Neat story and pictures. That right there is the kind of hunt Lee loved to see on here.

Tim
 
Tom,

It is a huge box ... and a huge decoy. My son commented that if the boat sunk, we could all ride back on Colby. It is truly a magnum decoy. Maybe my call did not turn the birds. Maybe they just caught sight of Colby. I forgot to post this photo.
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hunted that decoy will have to contirbute their...that decoy was SOOOOO BIG.....comments.....Chuck can enter them into the journal as the final pages.......

Like Lee.....that decoy is a BIG MAN......

Steve
 
cause thats a NORTHERN if I ever saw it......undoubtedly the cold pushed it down from North Dade County to South Dade county but I can tell from the legs, and the size and the leg color that its not a local.....
 
When the season is over all of the people that.............hunted that decoy will have to contirbute their...that decoy was SOOOOO BIG.....comments.....Chuck can enter them into the journal as the final pages.......

Like Lee.....that decoy is a BIG MAN......

Steve
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We'll start another thread for this after the Jersey stop, but I think I'll start with Austin's comment:

...if the boat sunk, we could all ride back on Colby
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In the meantime I'll try and round up any peanut gallery comments that have been made so far.

Tom, what the heck is up using PINK FOAM...I thought I told you to only use the manly blue stuff, or in the absence of that white... ;)

Great stuff Ron, be sure to have the boys sign the decoy and if they'd like fill in anything to the journal as well.

Chuck

PS recieved word that Mr Lee arrived in California yesterday, and should be enjoying his first hunt there with Kevin Layne this morning
 
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Chuck,
I guess I am just confident enough to use whatever color happens to be left over from insulating my man cave garage from the cold that would kill normal people.hahahahah;;<))))
 
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Chuck,
I guess I am just confident enough to use whatever color happens to be left over from insulating my man cave garage from the cold that would kill normal people.hahahahah;;<))))
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Your "man cave" has pink insulation???
 
Yup and it is just as warm and cozy as the blue or white ??? Does insulation color matter? The sheetrock covers my lil dirty secret. I supose if the packing box is a problem just send it back and I'll get it fixed in 4 or 5 years;-) Good luck
 
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