Sometimes you get a bird......

[Cody Williams]

....that makes you stop and wonder at how beautiful they can be, but also about the bigger picture. I mean life, death, and what it means to hunt and kill. I managed to get this wigeon yesterday that had the longest pin that I've ever seen on a wigeon, he was a beautiful fully colored drake. It's always a bittersweet thing for me to shoot such beautiful birds. It was a good morning yesterday, managed a good shoot around the ice and left the marsh with a great feeling of satisfaction and contentment, and 4 fat northern birds for future dinners. Turned on the radio on the drive home and all the news was about the shootings back east, children killed and a community destroyed. Since I've become a dad news like that hits me really hard. It was a confusing day. I'm always grateful that I've managed to find such solace and contentment in the marsh, I can only hope that the families of those kids can eventually find something similar.

 

[scott kittredge]

i too have a hard time with the shooting in Conn. and i too think they way you do while i am hunting and yes a beautiful bird,thanks for a nice post, scott

 

[John Lane]

Absolutely beautiful bird. I just can never decide which is my most favorite waterfowl species. It is usually the one that is in myhand at the time. I too wrestle with the taking of such magnificent animals, but I am not usre I would continue to pursue this great past time without that part of it. It is just the end game of a long enjoyable process - and not one that is always necessary for me to achieve satisfaction.

 

[Al Hansen]

I understand what you are saying, Cody. There is so much that needs to be addressed. That, sir, is one dandy drake baldpate. Glad you have been so successful.
Al