John L
Well-known member
"Jersey Boy" hit the salt marsh of Long Island under partly cloudy to clear skys, winds NNW at 6 mph gust to 20 mph and temp 41 degrees. The morning came after a night of pouring rain. I was hopeful that the weather would still be overcast but that was not to be. I arrived at the launch around 5:15am boat loaded and ready to go. I was meeting up with a gentleman name Leonard. This was going to be his first waterfowl hunt.
After giving the usual briefing at the dock I told him it would be a short ride to out to our first hunting spot that is very productive at first light. We pulled away from the dock and were underway. Looking up we could see the sky clearing and stars above. I told Leanord it was going to be a beautiful day. He said he was going to call me to cancel because of the hard rain that night before. I explained about weather being a very important factor in waterfowling and the worse the weather usually the better the gunning.
Anyway, on the ride out I mentioned we had a special guest on board. He kind of looked at me strange because it was only himself, Mocha and myself on board our BBIII. I went on to tell him about "Jersey Boy" and the traveling decoys past and present.
We arrived at our spot and I started to put out the spread. Not wanting to see any harm come to "Jersey Boy" I deployed him close to our boat. We coud hear the beating of wings going overhead in the dark and could also hear some Black or Mallards behind us being a little vocal. It sounds like it going to be a good day.
As we sat waiting for legal shooting time we started to hear a few blasts coming from a small island a little over 300 yards to our south. Leanord says to me " it's not light enough to even see what your shooting at". I explaind that you will hear early shots all the time. There always seem to be someone who can't play by the rules.
After legal shooting time arived we had a few birds come in for a close look but with several shots fired no birds were hit. I was not gunning today as my attention was set on Leanord getting his first bird.
Leonard found the experience of shooting from a sneak boat to be somewhat challenging to say the least but a great experience none the less. After a few more missed shots and things quieting down I decided to pick up and go to another spot. We picked up "Jersey Boy and the other blocks and headed to our next sopt.
This spot is not accessible when the tide is out so we were in luck as the incoming tide brough just enough water for me to pole in quietly. I told Leanord to get ready to shoot over the top of the dodger and to be ready when we reach the bank of the creek. This area is surrounded by tall reeds and as soon as the first reed snapped on our approach the birds erupted and we put up over two dozen Black ducks. It was so funny to see a new gunner swing his 12 gauge back and forth not being able to decide which oone to shoot untill they were all out of range. It caught him so off guard that we both just laughed.
We set "Jersey Boy" out again and had some more action but again, no birds in the boat.
Well, we sat there and waited, and waited and waited some more. It was painfully slow. Even our trusty retriever was getting bored.
There were plenty of Brant all day but that was not what we were after.
We had a few more visitors but none stayed. The rest of the day was very slow. Not much flying, just blue skys. I was so slow that even Mocha looked like she was nodding off again.
So we decided to take a ride and get set for our late afternoon spot. We arrived to another nice little cove a little closer to the main land where we set up on a point that always has good action and plenty of pass shooting. We were not there 20 minutes and another boat pulls up slow gives us a look and sets up less than 40 yards away. Mocha hopps up out of the boat to gives the guy a WTF look. You know its bad when the dog has to come over to you to talk.
After that we called it a day and packed up. "Jersey Boy" took his spot under the dodger up on the dash and was safely transported back to the dock where he was washed and put back in his bag to go out another day.
After giving the usual briefing at the dock I told him it would be a short ride to out to our first hunting spot that is very productive at first light. We pulled away from the dock and were underway. Looking up we could see the sky clearing and stars above. I told Leanord it was going to be a beautiful day. He said he was going to call me to cancel because of the hard rain that night before. I explained about weather being a very important factor in waterfowling and the worse the weather usually the better the gunning.
Anyway, on the ride out I mentioned we had a special guest on board. He kind of looked at me strange because it was only himself, Mocha and myself on board our BBIII. I went on to tell him about "Jersey Boy" and the traveling decoys past and present.
We arrived at our spot and I started to put out the spread. Not wanting to see any harm come to "Jersey Boy" I deployed him close to our boat. We coud hear the beating of wings going overhead in the dark and could also hear some Black or Mallards behind us being a little vocal. It sounds like it going to be a good day.
As we sat waiting for legal shooting time we started to hear a few blasts coming from a small island a little over 300 yards to our south. Leanord says to me " it's not light enough to even see what your shooting at". I explaind that you will hear early shots all the time. There always seem to be someone who can't play by the rules.
After legal shooting time arived we had a few birds come in for a close look but with several shots fired no birds were hit. I was not gunning today as my attention was set on Leanord getting his first bird.
Leonard found the experience of shooting from a sneak boat to be somewhat challenging to say the least but a great experience none the less. After a few more missed shots and things quieting down I decided to pick up and go to another spot. We picked up "Jersey Boy and the other blocks and headed to our next sopt.
This spot is not accessible when the tide is out so we were in luck as the incoming tide brough just enough water for me to pole in quietly. I told Leanord to get ready to shoot over the top of the dodger and to be ready when we reach the bank of the creek. This area is surrounded by tall reeds and as soon as the first reed snapped on our approach the birds erupted and we put up over two dozen Black ducks. It was so funny to see a new gunner swing his 12 gauge back and forth not being able to decide which oone to shoot untill they were all out of range. It caught him so off guard that we both just laughed.
We set "Jersey Boy" out again and had some more action but again, no birds in the boat.
Well, we sat there and waited, and waited and waited some more. It was painfully slow. Even our trusty retriever was getting bored.
There were plenty of Brant all day but that was not what we were after.
We had a few more visitors but none stayed. The rest of the day was very slow. Not much flying, just blue skys. I was so slow that even Mocha looked like she was nodding off again.
So we decided to take a ride and get set for our late afternoon spot. We arrived to another nice little cove a little closer to the main land where we set up on a point that always has good action and plenty of pass shooting. We were not there 20 minutes and another boat pulls up slow gives us a look and sets up less than 40 yards away. Mocha hopps up out of the boat to gives the guy a WTF look. You know its bad when the dog has to come over to you to talk.
After that we called it a day and packed up. "Jersey Boy" took his spot under the dodger up on the dash and was safely transported back to the dock where he was washed and put back in his bag to go out another day.
great looking dog! 
