David Robinson
Well-known member
December 6, 2013 saw one of the biggest cold fronts move across the country in a hurry. On Wednesday we had rain and thunderstorms here in Michigan and by Thursday we were freezing up. Andrew Menz and I were headed to Pat Gregory's club with Lord Yooper on Thursday night for one more hunt before our season closed.
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Waking up at 4 am with hunting on our minds, we stepped outside and were quickly reminded that the air was only 17F and ice would be a major concern. But we hit the water with Dave Ludington on the tiller and Pat running decoys. It was a perfect crew for hunting in the most extreme conditions I've ever been in. To say it was cold was and understatement! Any water quickly froze our gear solid in a matter of minutes. Dave estimated that the boat gained about 700 pounds of ice by the end of the hunt.
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Lord Yooper made some amazing birds decoy but the north winds made it almost impossible to shoot the birds. Well, that's my excuse
Our crew was able to bag 2 and miss a lot. When it was time to pick up, Dave and Pat knew that we had pushed our luck far enough for the half day hunt. Pat had to "feather stamp" every ice encrusted decoy on the gunwales so as to save them from doubling in weight. Most of the decoys were completely covered in 2 inches of slush ice. This is LY after just one hour in the water. The windchill was around zero so ice was building fast and we had to go.
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Steve, Lord Yooper was made for the ice! In the 2 weeks he has been in my care, I've hunted in the coldest conditions I've ever encountered in 18 years of duck hunting. Let's hope Rhode Island is warmer! Pat, thanks for the stories
I had the best time ever.
God bless!
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View attachment Pat.JPG
[inline clubsign.jpg]
Waking up at 4 am with hunting on our minds, we stepped outside and were quickly reminded that the air was only 17F and ice would be a major concern. But we hit the water with Dave Ludington on the tiller and Pat running decoys. It was a perfect crew for hunting in the most extreme conditions I've ever been in. To say it was cold was and understatement! Any water quickly froze our gear solid in a matter of minutes. Dave estimated that the boat gained about 700 pounds of ice by the end of the hunt.
[inline gloves.jpg]
Lord Yooper made some amazing birds decoy but the north winds made it almost impossible to shoot the birds. Well, that's my excuse
Our crew was able to bag 2 and miss a lot. When it was time to pick up, Dave and Pat knew that we had pushed our luck far enough for the half day hunt. Pat had to "feather stamp" every ice encrusted decoy on the gunwales so as to save them from doubling in weight. Most of the decoys were completely covered in 2 inches of slush ice. This is LY after just one hour in the water. The windchill was around zero so ice was building fast and we had to go.[inline Pat.jpg]
Steve, Lord Yooper was made for the ice! In the 2 weeks he has been in my care, I've hunted in the coldest conditions I've ever encountered in 18 years of duck hunting. Let's hope Rhode Island is warmer! Pat, thanks for the stories
I had the best time ever. God bless!
View attachment clubsign.JPG
View attachment gloves.JPG
View attachment Pat.JPG
