Andrew L.
Well-known member
Hello all,
I haven't been much of a poster since I have been a member but have learned a great amount from all of you and have enjoyed your stories and pictures and I finally have had the time to sit down and go through my photos of this year and share my favorite hunt of 2010.
I was lucky enough to win a 3 day trip to Maine with Ernie Spaulding at Rising Sun Outfitters at my local Ducks Unlimited banquet here in Milwaukee. I scheduled my 3 day hunt for the second week in December and it could not have worked out better. I'll admit I was nervous heading out to Maine as my only other experience with a guide was a complete disaster. However, Ernie and his staff have changed my mind about guided hunts. The housing and meals provided were absolutely fantastic and I felt like I never left home. The real treat of the trip was being out on the water and simply taking in the surroundings, the birds were simply the cherry on top.
I could not have asked for better weather while I was there. Maine got a foot of snow 2 days before I arrived and was hit hard again a day after I left. Day 1 was clear and temps in the high 20's. In all the excitement for the first hunt I conveniently forgot my camera at the lodge. And of course Day 1 was the best conditions for photoshooting. I was able to harvest my 4 Eiders and a bonus Bufflehead by 8 am and we headed back to the lodge for some much needed rest as I had a late flight in the night before.
Day 2 I was met with temps near near 0 and a little sea smoke. Birds seemed to not be flying as much and those that did were not seeing the rig. However, I did scrape 3 Eiders out of day 2, including my biggest suprise of the trip. If someone would have told me when I started waterfowling 6 years ago that my first duck band would be an Eider I would have asked what an Eider was. Amazing what a guy can learn 6 years. After officially being froze at 10:30 we packed up to get in a rest before we headed out in the afternoon in pursue of my first black duck. The afternoon hunt did not quite work out in the plan of getting a Black but I did have an enjoyable hunt with Rod's son and we were able to take a few Buffleheads.
Hen in the decoys
Although I have harvested a few banded geese this was my first duck band. She was a 3 year old bird from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Like I said the scenery was a treat in itself
Although I have some experience with big water here in WI I have never dealt with tides. They have some of the largest tides in the world here, amazing to start the hunt in 4' of water and end half way at 17'!
We launched at lowtide, picture taken from high tide ramp
Day 3 was just a great end to the trip. Comfortable temps again in the high 20's but overcast and little misty at times. I had harvested my 4 Eiders in quick fashion again, completing a few pairs for mounting, and this time the scoters were hitting the rig as well. I was able to harvest 3 White Wings to end my 7 duck limit. After I finished with my limit Ernie allowed me to just sit for an extra 2 hours and snap pics. Although, cloudy and misty conditions didn't make for great pics it was a blast seeing wave after wave after wave of Eiders dump in. Unfortunately my rookie camera set up and small lens doesn't do justice for how close these birds were. Memories for a lifetime though.
Always fun watching dogs work in big water
Some hens
Whities
Right on top of me
Mounters from Day 3
I hope everyone has the chance to make it to East Coast for waterfowling. What a great experience and I will be back every year that I can afford to do it. Ernie runs a great operation that I would recommend to anyone.
Thanks for looking,
Andrew
I haven't been much of a poster since I have been a member but have learned a great amount from all of you and have enjoyed your stories and pictures and I finally have had the time to sit down and go through my photos of this year and share my favorite hunt of 2010.
I was lucky enough to win a 3 day trip to Maine with Ernie Spaulding at Rising Sun Outfitters at my local Ducks Unlimited banquet here in Milwaukee. I scheduled my 3 day hunt for the second week in December and it could not have worked out better. I'll admit I was nervous heading out to Maine as my only other experience with a guide was a complete disaster. However, Ernie and his staff have changed my mind about guided hunts. The housing and meals provided were absolutely fantastic and I felt like I never left home. The real treat of the trip was being out on the water and simply taking in the surroundings, the birds were simply the cherry on top.
I could not have asked for better weather while I was there. Maine got a foot of snow 2 days before I arrived and was hit hard again a day after I left. Day 1 was clear and temps in the high 20's. In all the excitement for the first hunt I conveniently forgot my camera at the lodge. And of course Day 1 was the best conditions for photoshooting. I was able to harvest my 4 Eiders and a bonus Bufflehead by 8 am and we headed back to the lodge for some much needed rest as I had a late flight in the night before.
Day 2 I was met with temps near near 0 and a little sea smoke. Birds seemed to not be flying as much and those that did were not seeing the rig. However, I did scrape 3 Eiders out of day 2, including my biggest suprise of the trip. If someone would have told me when I started waterfowling 6 years ago that my first duck band would be an Eider I would have asked what an Eider was. Amazing what a guy can learn 6 years. After officially being froze at 10:30 we packed up to get in a rest before we headed out in the afternoon in pursue of my first black duck. The afternoon hunt did not quite work out in the plan of getting a Black but I did have an enjoyable hunt with Rod's son and we were able to take a few Buffleheads.
Hen in the decoys
Although I have harvested a few banded geese this was my first duck band. She was a 3 year old bird from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Like I said the scenery was a treat in itself
Although I have some experience with big water here in WI I have never dealt with tides. They have some of the largest tides in the world here, amazing to start the hunt in 4' of water and end half way at 17'!
We launched at lowtide, picture taken from high tide ramp
Day 3 was just a great end to the trip. Comfortable temps again in the high 20's but overcast and little misty at times. I had harvested my 4 Eiders in quick fashion again, completing a few pairs for mounting, and this time the scoters were hitting the rig as well. I was able to harvest 3 White Wings to end my 7 duck limit. After I finished with my limit Ernie allowed me to just sit for an extra 2 hours and snap pics. Although, cloudy and misty conditions didn't make for great pics it was a blast seeing wave after wave after wave of Eiders dump in. Unfortunately my rookie camera set up and small lens doesn't do justice for how close these birds were. Memories for a lifetime though.
Always fun watching dogs work in big water
Some hens
Whities
Right on top of me
Mounters from Day 3
I hope everyone has the chance to make it to East Coast for waterfowling. What a great experience and I will be back every year that I can afford to do it. Ernie runs a great operation that I would recommend to anyone.
Thanks for looking,
Andrew
