The first adventures of the Robber in Florida

[Hitch]

First day was Dani, Steve and I in the open marsh. There's a pile of snipe this year, because Fay flooded things so bad and for so long; when the water finally went down the mud flats were cleaned off and new vegitation is growing making for some perfect snipe habitat. And the ducks were flying pretty well, and pretty regular, even had several nice flocks decoy, making for three limits of Teal, Steve took a nice Mottled Drake.

Too late to check for a plug in that old gun Steve!!

Bill Lowrey come up to check on us just as we were fixin' to leave. Bill is one of our best officers down here, keepin' the googans in line, writing them tickets for being stupid.

He wrote the robber up for lead.

 

[Hitch]

Yesterday we decided to try the refuge again for Pins and Wigeon, but to no avail.

Out with us from southern Florida was Ron Smith, bringing along one of his nice new wigeon decoys.

Pat hosted us again.

One small flock of Pintails flew over while Dani and I were watering the mangroves...Ron missed.

Team wigeon on the water.

Tomorrow, it'll be me and the grandson Lucas. I'll make sure he doesn't shoot the Robber.

Hitch

 

[Capt Jeff Kraynik]

Going to hate to see "Wild Bill" go next month.

He's leaving to work for the BP in ND.

At least I've got somewhere else to travel to!!!

 

[Ron Smith]

Hitch ... you failed to mention WHY I did not kill the pintail. I was using high speed loads which at that close range passes right through the bird without them absorbing the shock. Also the high speed generates enough heat that the wounds ...which I am sure were mutiple... were cauterized by the heated steel pellets. Or ... maybe I missed.

 

[fred slyfield]

Where did I go wrong???, you guys basking in the sun and I'm up here in below zero temps chipping ice off my decoys.

Looks like alot of fun.

 

[Bob B]

Hitch,
I much prefer the first shot where you managed to get Steve's best camera angle.
Will you please practice your portrait work a little more, it just is not up to your "duck in motion shots" high quality in the other ones.

Looks like everyone had a good time and it sure is good to see the local green team keeping an eye on the swamp water with a bunch like that assembled. I bet they got word from the Dept of Homeland Security when they read about this whole robber decoy on the move thing.

 

[Jay Anglin]

Seeing as I've been dropping geese on a ground coating of solid ice...so hard it's splits their breasts open, that setting is mighty inviting! Nicely done as always boys and girls!

Happy Holidays!!

 

[Nate Grace]

Geez Hitch,

You actually let that transplanted Yankee/Southerner from the PCNW hunt over that fine decoy?! Did he give a rebel yell every time a flock of birds swung over? I would have asked if the EPO could have roughed him up a little. Got any shots of Steve wearing camo Crocs?

Looks like Dani is having fun. Nice photos.


Best,
Nate

 

[pat stone]

Really nice to have you guys out with me the couple times. Ron it was great finally meeting you and seeing your decoys as well. Better luck next time, between us not shooting when we should and missing when we did we let a few nice pins get away. Ron I hate to see the size of the tail feathers next year on the one you blew the shot thru. Good times.

 

[harry whitley]

Yeah Ron,
Lot's of hunters have that happen when using hot loads. Try keeping your cheek on the stock and shoot where the bird is going, not where he is and I bet the fast loads will start doing a better job.

Just kidding,
Harry