If you are a duck hunter---

Al Hansen

Well-known member
I smiled when Bev and I took the Mule down to get the mail and found 3 large manila envelopes there from Laurel, Maryland. Talk about being lucky. It was just a couple of years ago when I finished my first 3 year stint sending in wings and now I get to do it once again.


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I'll never forget the first year. I am one of those procrastinators who will always get it done "tomorrow". Well, I won't do that any more when it comes to participating in this great program for the US Fish and Wildlife biologists.

Since Bev and I are both Cheeseheads, we were enjoying watching the Packers play the Seahawks on Friday night.

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While we were engrossed in the game, I began stuffing the Inner Envelope into the Mailing Envelope whenever there was some advertising going on. I had ample time to do that because there were only 30 envelopes on this first mailing.

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By the time the second half started I then began to fill out some of the blanks that one must do, like State, County, City, and Name. That was easily done and when the game was over, I had completed quite a bit of what is necessary to do.

Yesterday when I had a spare moment, I strung a clothesline in the shop where each wing can dry properly prior to putting it in the inner envelope. To not make it confusing, after each day's hunt that was successful, I will hang the wings in the order that they were taken. I will also take with me my "Waterfowl Hunting Journal", a small 3"by 5" spiral notebook that I can write in when hunting, or maybe right after the hunt while I am just soaking in the sights, sounds and smells of the Rio Grande, and I can complete the day's activities.

All said and done---I'm still smiling. My good friend, Tim, sent me an email yesterday telling me that he spotted his first bluewing. Just think, most likely it had to be an adult male and this guy will be somewhere in Mexico, Central America, or maybe even South America by the time our season begins on September 21st. To me that is amazing. Now all I have to hope for is some water to be available for the bluewings to land in.
Al

Chip continues to grow. I can hardly wait until next year at this time. Maybe he will join Habi and me---


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dang i knew i forgot sumthin ill have to find that reply card to send in i had checked the box yes but i dont think it got mailed ill have to ask missus if it got mailed i hope it did....Chip is a real keeper Al....
 
dang i knew i forgot sumthin ill have to find that reply card to send in i had checked the box yes but i dont think it got mailed ill have to ask missus if it got mailed i hope it did....Chip is a real keeper Al....

Well, Shermie, I hope you find that card, also. Good luck. As for Chip, he keeps on doing the right things!
Al
 
Chip will bring you much more than stuffed toy ducks Al.

It is great to see these posts from you.

Hi Todd,
I love to dream about him and what he just might end up being like. Time will tell. Since he was born on June 21st that means he will be old enough to take along on a hunt or two this coming January. We'll see what it is like then. In the meantime, I have plans that involve Habi and Chip. I want her to help teach Chip what to do.
With each upcoming season, I am finding myself taking them on with a touch of urgency. I can't help think back upon the year, 1954, when I had all those great men who were so willing to help me get started. One of them was carrying a shotgun in the late 1890s. This all seems to have a touch of fantasy in it but not so because it is very true. For some reason, each season takes on an almost sacred involvement because it means so much to me now just to participate.
With all that said, Todd, I do know that I have at least two days of cutting or trying to cut a trail for my Kawasaki Mule to get through the river bottoms so that I can get to the beaver pond this year. It has been two years ago that I hunted it, so much has to get done. This all equals a "chainsaw" and "crawly critters".
Al
 
The mailman brings you lots of nice things Al.
All he brings me is bills. LOL

Your new boy is a nice looking pup.
 
The mailman brings you lots of nice things Al.
All he brings me is bills. LOL

Your new boy is a nice looking pup.

Hey Doug, in the course of our lifetimes we have received our fair share of bills from that postal service employee, also! However, I sure agree with you on this last batch that we found in our mailbox. Total excitement! Just think, Doug, someday that same thing might happen to you---
Al
 
Great looking pup! Very intelligent looking. Looks like she could talk to you. I've got a new Wirehair pup and man is she a handful! But I think she's going to be a good one.
 
Nice Al! Way to get everything squared away ahead of time to increase proficiency. Ya can't have mundane paperwork, filling out address' and such, cutting into duck hunting time. I've always wanted to do this wing survey, never been lucky enough to get in on it though. Is that just a random thing that USFWS does? Or do you have to send your name in?

Steve
 
Al,
Chip is a good looking pup. I'm sure he is going to be a good one for you.

Tom,
WHAT?!?!?! You have a new Wirehair pup and NOT A SINGLE PHOTO YET! Come on you can't leave us with just a quick comment like that. I am having so much trouble peacefully waiting for my Wirehair next spring. Not easy waiting for a future breeding.

Tim
 
Great looking pup! Very intelligent looking. Looks like she could talk to you. I've got a new Wirehair pup and man is she a handful! But I think she's going to be a good one.


Thanks, Tom. I think this pup is doing well for as young as he is. His house training is going much better than I ever expected. Crate training was a non-issue.

By the way, I agree with Tim and think you should post some pics---soon. I would love to see that pup of yours. What is her name?
Al

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Nice Al! Way to get everything squared away ahead of time to increase proficiency. Ya can't have mundane paperwork, filling out address' and such, cutting into duck hunting time. I've always wanted to do this wing survey, never been lucky enough to get in on it though. Is that just a random thing that USFWS does? Or do you have to send your name in?

Steve

It took a while, Steve, but I have a handle on it now. From what I have been told it is a random thing.
Al
 
Al,
Chip is a good looking pup. I'm sure he is going to be a good one for you.

Tom,
WHAT?!?!?! You have a new Wirehair pup and NOT A SINGLE PHOTO YET! Come on you can't leave us with just a quick comment like that. I am having so much trouble peacefully waiting for my Wirehair next spring. Not easy waiting for a future breeding.

Tim

Thanks, Tim. I want you to know that I put in my .02 worth trying to get Tom to post some pictures.
By the way, any word about "when"that might be taking place--the future breeding?
Al
 
Al,
Chip is a good looking pup. I'm sure he is going to be a good one for you.

Tom,
WHAT?!?!?! You have a new Wirehair pup and NOT A SINGLE PHOTO YET! Come on you can't leave us with just a quick comment like that. I am having so much trouble peacefully waiting for my Wirehair next spring. Not easy waiting for a future breeding.

Tim

Thanks, Tim. I want you to know that I put in my .02 worth trying to get Tom to post some pictures.
By the way, any word about "when"that might be taking place--the future breeding?
Al

Al the last time I talked to him he was fairly sure the pups would be ready about late march or april if she stays on her past schedule. I could count back for a breeding time but math hurts my head. :)
That should be good timing but to be honest I still check out every good breeding I hear about. I wouldn't mind having a year old pup by next fall but so far nothing has jumped out. It also gives me a chance to see what the guys who got pups from the first breeding think of their pups.

I may check with him again soon as he has some homers.
Tim
 
Good Morning Al,

Great looking pup, he will do well. Bella II and I are getting ready for the trip to the promise land (Sask. Canada) leaving on September 19th for the first trip and I will try to send some of those Teal down to you. Next time I am in your area I will stop by to say hello and check out the pup.

Dennis S.
 
Good Morning Al,

Great looking pup, he will do well. Bella II and I are getting ready for the trip to the promise land (Sask. Canada) leaving on September 19th for the first trip and I will try to send some of those Teal down to you. Next time I am in your area I will stop by to say hello and check out the pup.

Dennis S.

I wish you all the luck while you are in Canada, Dennis. Sure hope you take a few pictures, also. Would love to see some of Bella in action. By all means, send as many teal this way as you can. Drive carefully!
I will look forward to seeing you the next time you come down this way.
Al
 
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