sxs pulls in some ducks

Huntindave McCann

Huntindave McCann

Well-known member
Well Pat Gregory's Teal pair decoy, Side by Side arrived the other day and I enjoyed reading the journal thus far. Side by Side was then slipped into a cloth bag and set on the kitchen table in preparation for today's hunt.

Three thirty AM rolled around and we were out the door just before 4:00am. A twenty minute ride in the truck and we were at the boat ramp. First one there, that's good, I get first choice for hunting spot in the back bay. I place Side by Side up under the dodger for the four minute boat ride. The sky is dark and overcast with scant light from an almost full moon. No problem as I know the way well. We arrive at the chosen spot and the decoys are set out with care. I place Side by Side next to a group of Green Wing Teal that I carved for myself a few years ago. Still plenty of time before legal, time for a nap.

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Things start out slow and no one is shooting in the immediate area. I see a group three ducks winging their way from downstream coming my direction. Soon they are cupping their wings but are swinging wide to my right. If I am going to shoot, I need to shoot now! I pick a drake and drop him to the water but he is only wounded and starts to swim away. I shoot twice more and neither shot slows him down, rats, the chase is on.

He makes it to the far shore before Ginger and I are out of the boat. I wade and ginger swims to the shoreline. After a short search we are rewarded with a lively drake Mallard. Ginger holds the drake well, until I give her the release command. This is only the third duck she has retrieved. We make our way back to the boat to continue our hunt.

Soon four ducks swing by the decoys. I'm not certain what they were but I thought they looked like Cans. They swing back again now coming from the opposite direction. Yep, they are indeed Can's, three hens and a lone drake. I shoot the drake and send Ginger out for her second duck of the morning. She comes back to the boat and receives bunches of praise for a good job well done.

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We stick it out for a couple more hours but no more shooting opportunities today. We go home happy with our mixed bag of a puddler and a diver, over Side by Side.

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Tomorrow we will try an different spot on the same river.
 
Way to go Dave ! Ginger has grown to a great looking dog and you have to be pleased with her work today.
wis boz
 
Good girl, Ginger. I sure enjoyed the pics and the story, Dave. Sounds like your pup is coming along just the way you want her to. Good luck during the rest of the season. What a great way to add to that Side by Side Journal.
Al
 
Dave,

What a great looking pup! Won't take many more mornings like that for her to figure it out. Looks like you've done a fine job in bringing her along.

Always good when you can take a nap and have the dog do the watching ;-)
 
Dave, Nice to see that I didn't hex the side by side completly. Good dog Ginger! If I had to choose the dog or gun, I wouldn't shoot.
 
Boz,
Thanks, it was a good hunt and did ok. She is still learning the drill but shows improvement each time we go out.


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Paul,

I usually hunt solo, I have to share reports so I too can relive the hunt. :>)


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Charles,
Ginger is a chocolate lab. 22 months old and on the small side at 46 lbs., perfect for my sneakbox.


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Carl,

Two more drakes today (Sunday) look for a report soon.

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John,

Thanks, Ginger is learning as fast as I can spend the time teaching her. My fault for not spending more time sooner. She is getting the hang of it tho.


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Paul,

I've enjoyed your postings also, thanks.

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Al,

This year has been a bit below par so far, but things can always get better. Good luck on your season, 'course you have it easy, ducks always show up for you, all you do is just add water!


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Bob,

Every time out she picks up something new about my/our routine. I'm not sure about the napping bit. She likes to snooze with her nose on my shoulder. (She sits on the deck behind me and under the dodger when we hunt.)


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Bob,

I hope and expect it to be a journey of many years. So much more fun with a dog by your side.


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Tom,

Got a couple more today and I hope to get out once again before sending Side by Side over to Illinois where Brian can show him/her a few places.


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Bill,

Thanks, always nice to get out especially when one is successful.


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Joel,

Young dogs are fun but I wish I could get out more and expose her to more birds.


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I enjoy participating in this event (the traveling decoy adventure) and hope everyone else enjoys following along. I need to post a report from today but that will have to wait a day or two. I have been working work twelve hour shifts and will be working twelve hour shifts for the foreseeable future so it is off to bed I go.
 
Dave, looks like you had fun out there. Can't wait til sxs gets down here. Still a couple of weeks away though.

Trip.
 
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