Guys (and Dani),
Whilst you northern boys are already cutting your teeth on the waterfowl migration 2018, down here in the Low Country we must bide our time with the marsh hen season. It is a good way to bide your time and it is high on the exertion/exercise scale. For that reason not many people still partake in this sport, once a favorite on the east coast.
I have several pictures from two trips I made in my canoe into the marsh this weekend. On neither day was the tide as high as you like: just floating the tops of the spartina grass. In the pics you will see the tide at a height that causes hard work on the paddler.
The first trip was just with my camera. I found out that dropping the paddle, grabbing the camera and hitting a marsh hen with the lens was harder with the camera than with the gun. So my pics of the birds in flight are not much to write home about.
The first shot shows a green heron surveying his home and a wayward paddler:
View attachment DSC_0235.jpeg
These two shots show the marsh where I hunt:
View attachment DSC_0252.jpeg
View attachment IMG_1845.jpeg
These two shots are close ups of the spartina grass:
View attachment DSC_0245.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0246.jpeg
You have to look closely at these two pics. See the small brown area in the reeds? That?s a shy marsh hen playing hide and seek:
View attachment DSC_0241.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0242.jpeg
Here are three photos of marsh hens/clapper rails in flight:
View attachment DSC_0239.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0243.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0244.jpeg
It was hard hunting today. I did manage five birds along with my usual poor shooting. It?s a different sport when you have to drop your paddle, grab your gun, bring it to your shoulder, swing and fire than what the old timer?s used to do: the gunner would sit in his chair in the front of the boat while his partner or hired hand did all the poling!
Larry
Whilst you northern boys are already cutting your teeth on the waterfowl migration 2018, down here in the Low Country we must bide our time with the marsh hen season. It is a good way to bide your time and it is high on the exertion/exercise scale. For that reason not many people still partake in this sport, once a favorite on the east coast.
I have several pictures from two trips I made in my canoe into the marsh this weekend. On neither day was the tide as high as you like: just floating the tops of the spartina grass. In the pics you will see the tide at a height that causes hard work on the paddler.
The first trip was just with my camera. I found out that dropping the paddle, grabbing the camera and hitting a marsh hen with the lens was harder with the camera than with the gun. So my pics of the birds in flight are not much to write home about.
The first shot shows a green heron surveying his home and a wayward paddler:
View attachment DSC_0235.jpeg
These two shots show the marsh where I hunt:
View attachment DSC_0252.jpeg
View attachment IMG_1845.jpeg
These two shots are close ups of the spartina grass:
View attachment DSC_0245.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0246.jpeg
You have to look closely at these two pics. See the small brown area in the reeds? That?s a shy marsh hen playing hide and seek:
View attachment DSC_0241.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0242.jpeg
Here are three photos of marsh hens/clapper rails in flight:
View attachment DSC_0239.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0243.jpeg
View attachment DSC_0244.jpeg
It was hard hunting today. I did manage five birds along with my usual poor shooting. It?s a different sport when you have to drop your paddle, grab your gun, bring it to your shoulder, swing and fire than what the old timer?s used to do: the gunner would sit in his chair in the front of the boat while his partner or hired hand did all the poling!
Larry
