Scott Farris
Well-known member
Dave Morton invited me out yesterday for my 2nd ever RI hunt with the hope of finally shooting some Buffies over my buffy rig. Into the dark cold morning we headed out onto Narragansett Bay, in Dave's Devlin Cackler, to one of his secret spots. I supplied the duck decoys, the 12 puddlers are like hunting with old friends, as most were made by carvers who post or did post on the DHBP including black ducks by Bill Wasson, Bill E. and Pete Revicky. Mallards by Duane G., Perry, Mike Smyser, Ian Feir, and a pair of wigeon by Mr. Williams. The B&W rig was (with a single Bomber exception) carved by me. We kept it small to try not to overload the 14-ft boat, 2 lines of 5 GEs and 1 line of 5 Buffies. Dave threw in 6 foamer brant to make sure we got some action.
We did get some action, lots of hen buffies sat in the rig checking out the big silent buffy boys. They all got a pass. I missed the only GE (a hen) that came by. While Dave was out running down my winged brant I popped my black duck. Not sure why, wind, location or too many decoys, but that was the only flight of BDs that committed (sorry Dave). Eventually 3 buffies came in including a pair of drakes. I took the first drake just before he reached the decoys, then waited for the second drake to clear so I didn't shoot the dekes. Over the course of the morning we each added our pair of brant to the pile. Good company (at least for me :^), nice sunny day, and cooperative birds made it a great day in my book.
A comment on the boat. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice Dave’s Cackler is. I thought it would be close to overloaded with the two of us and the heavy decoys but it took the load and was surprisingly seaworthy. We ran back in a good chop which had me sitting under the dodger to keep dry but she didn’t pound, shake, or spear waves. Truly, for a 14’-4” boat I was impressed. Devlin has a nice design there.
Thanks Dave!!!
We did get some action, lots of hen buffies sat in the rig checking out the big silent buffy boys. They all got a pass. I missed the only GE (a hen) that came by. While Dave was out running down my winged brant I popped my black duck. Not sure why, wind, location or too many decoys, but that was the only flight of BDs that committed (sorry Dave). Eventually 3 buffies came in including a pair of drakes. I took the first drake just before he reached the decoys, then waited for the second drake to clear so I didn't shoot the dekes. Over the course of the morning we each added our pair of brant to the pile. Good company (at least for me :^), nice sunny day, and cooperative birds made it a great day in my book.
A comment on the boat. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice Dave’s Cackler is. I thought it would be close to overloaded with the two of us and the heavy decoys but it took the load and was surprisingly seaworthy. We ran back in a good chop which had me sitting under the dodger to keep dry but she didn’t pound, shake, or spear waves. Truly, for a 14’-4” boat I was impressed. Devlin has a nice design there.
Thanks Dave!!!
