Not what I expected for my last day of duck season

benp

benp

Well-known member
since I have had a stellar season with three new species of birds, so I wasn’t to worried about the last day of season since I couldn’t find any birds when scouting. So I went late in the morning to try and sneak some wood ducks but ended up busting them and couldn’t get a shot off. So I spent the rest of the day with the wife and son. Got home around 1515 and saw some snow geese a few fields behind my house.

Scouted then out to see which way they were leap frogging and then proceeded to crawl down a ditch in that direction. By the time I got down there they were leap frogging the other way so I had to back track 200 yards. At this poin I was about to start towards them in a smaller ditch when swan started coming and and circling the geese which spooked them. They took off low in the opposite direction of me and I’m thinking well I at least got close and just then I heard a truck. My brother just happened to drive by and see my truck and geese flying so he sped up to turn them.

He successfully got the geese to come back my direction and I was laying low in the ditch. They swung wide to my right and the edge turned my way and I stood out of the ditch. I took aim at the closest bird and shot. Feathers flew off but she didn’t fall. I took the next shot and she fell then I tried for another and missed. By now they are too far to get another reload shot. I walk up to my goose and see something black and shiny next to it. I pick it up and it’s a neck band broke in half and I see a leg band on the leg. I realized I have shot my first neck collared goose, upset it was broke from ground impact but it’ll glue back together.

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Put the info in computer and it’s the oldest bird I’ve killed with a band.

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I’m located in pasqotank county N.C. just above the albemarle sound.
This is my third snow good that has been banded. All three were shot off the same road within a tenth of a mile.
First band was my 3rd snow goose I’d ever shot in 2011 I believe witrout looking at the certificate. 2nd band was in 2013 in the snow storm we had then and it had two bands, one with a $50 reward on it. And then this one with my first neck collar.
 
Congrats !! That's why you have to get out there as much as you can. I once shot a banded black-duck on the last day of the Long Island season about 5 years ago. It was the last time I pulled the trigger that season. You're very fortunate. Good Luck !!
 
Ben,
I like your style. Crawling up ditches. Trying to outsmart snows.

You would fit right in with that other North Carolina boy Robert Ruark whose stories include escapes like yours.

If you haven't read The Old Man and the Boy, you need to.

You will recognize yourself.

Larry
 
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