Gary Lee
Active member
After a big mess (much of what I may have caused), and much help from a member of this site. I'm finally a member of this great site. I have been a lurker since my younger brother brought this fine sight to my attention. I must say that the photos, as well as the carvings I have seen on here amaze me! VERY talented people on here to say the least. I've also enjoyed the stories that many of you have shared, and I'm looking forward to many more in the future. This said I'd like to introduce myself and tell you a little bit on how I got started to this great and exciting sport.
I'm a newcomer when it comes to waterfowling, my first hunts were during the 98/99 season. A friend talked me into going out on the first hunt after a long debate on if I would enjoy the sport or if it would be a waste of my time. The next morning there we sat on a shallow water slough. There wasn't a shot fired that morning, and although my friend swore two wood ducks had done a flyby, I had seen nothing. At the end of the hunt my friend told me that he was unable to hunt for the next week or so and offered to loan me some of his decoys and I accepted the offer. After a quick stop at a local sporting goods store I had purchased my first duck calls. The next morning found me sitting along a backwater area with high hopes. As the sun broke the horizon the sounds of wings cut the air, and to my amazement a group of Mallards banked and lit right in the decoys. I sat watching in amazement as the birds preened their feathers and made themselves at home. It wasn't long and others started their descent. I harvested my first ducks that morning and even got to use my newly purchased calls a time or two. Days passed and I learned as I went from watching the birds reactions as well as picking up books to help my new addiction. Then one afternoon I sat along a muddy bank hidden behind an old blowdown. The skies turned grey and a cold wind blew in from the north. What I saw that day amazed me. Hundreds of ducks came pouring in, riding the wind in front of the storm. The sight and sounds of the birds making their southern migration had my jaw agape and eyes wide, and I had forgotten all about my cold fingers, and toes. I can't remember the amount of birds I shot that day, but I can still picture the awesome site that unfolded in front of me, and i doubt I will ever forget.
Since then I have hunted with many people, in many locations, and have had great shooting on many occasions. But the things that are so vivid in my memory is the time spent with family and friends, and the sights that were seen. Being swarmed by GreenWingedTeal, having Pintails spiral down from high above, Canvasbacks stretching the width of the river and passing the blind with a roaring sound of wings, waves of Snow Geese stretching as far as the eye can see.
So in short ....... I'm a Waterfowl Junkie !!!!
I'm a newcomer when it comes to waterfowling, my first hunts were during the 98/99 season. A friend talked me into going out on the first hunt after a long debate on if I would enjoy the sport or if it would be a waste of my time. The next morning there we sat on a shallow water slough. There wasn't a shot fired that morning, and although my friend swore two wood ducks had done a flyby, I had seen nothing. At the end of the hunt my friend told me that he was unable to hunt for the next week or so and offered to loan me some of his decoys and I accepted the offer. After a quick stop at a local sporting goods store I had purchased my first duck calls. The next morning found me sitting along a backwater area with high hopes. As the sun broke the horizon the sounds of wings cut the air, and to my amazement a group of Mallards banked and lit right in the decoys. I sat watching in amazement as the birds preened their feathers and made themselves at home. It wasn't long and others started their descent. I harvested my first ducks that morning and even got to use my newly purchased calls a time or two. Days passed and I learned as I went from watching the birds reactions as well as picking up books to help my new addiction. Then one afternoon I sat along a muddy bank hidden behind an old blowdown. The skies turned grey and a cold wind blew in from the north. What I saw that day amazed me. Hundreds of ducks came pouring in, riding the wind in front of the storm. The sight and sounds of the birds making their southern migration had my jaw agape and eyes wide, and I had forgotten all about my cold fingers, and toes. I can't remember the amount of birds I shot that day, but I can still picture the awesome site that unfolded in front of me, and i doubt I will ever forget.
Since then I have hunted with many people, in many locations, and have had great shooting on many occasions. But the things that are so vivid in my memory is the time spent with family and friends, and the sights that were seen. Being swarmed by GreenWingedTeal, having Pintails spiral down from high above, Canvasbacks stretching the width of the river and passing the blind with a roaring sound of wings, waves of Snow Geese stretching as far as the eye can see.
So in short ....... I'm a Waterfowl Junkie !!!!
