MLBob Furia
Well-known member
Well, almost....
'Twas the night before Christmas......
- Thread starter MLBob Furia
- Start date
jim bosanny
Active member
Looks like a great day Bob. Congrats. And the pup is still scanning for birds. She's a keeper. Jim
MLBob Furia
Well-known member
Haven't seen may over the years, but they were the first birds that stooled. Looked like first year drakes. Always nice to have some birds that can count toward the six bird limit come in first, knowing you still can have 4 mallards left.
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MLBob Furia
Well-known member
Jim,
She is definitely that. Hate to admit it, but while I was "resting my eyes" after finishing my lunch sandwich, I felt a nudge at my elbow and awoke to a group of 15 mallards circling the decoys.
Good to know someone is always watching ;-) ;-)
She also impressed me by moving from side to side in the front of the TDB so she could peek out the back when birds circled behind the wooded point we had set up in front of.
She is definitely that. Hate to admit it, but while I was "resting my eyes" after finishing my lunch sandwich, I felt a nudge at my elbow and awoke to a group of 15 mallards circling the decoys.
Good to know someone is always watching ;-) ;-)
She also impressed me by moving from side to side in the front of the TDB so she could peek out the back when birds circled behind the wooded point we had set up in front of.
MLBob Furia
Well-known member
Well, Al,
I had been watching the River stage reports for a while after some disappointing early outings where water levels were low, weather very mild, and no birds to speak of.
Then we hit a stretch of rain which turned to snow, followed by a deep freeze. But as things started to thaw last weekend (still pretty cold at night), it seemed to me that Friday might be a good bet to get into my favorite slough under favorable water conditions.
When we arrived there was still lots of ice covering most of the slough, but most of it skim. I considered driving further down-river and hunting a place I like on the main stem, but I've always had good luck there when clearing a hole in some skim ice as a thaw begins. So I decided against that and figured I would run up in the slough as far as I could. Also had to spend some time clearing ice & debris from the ramp as a falling River level had left a good ice coating in stages down the ramp along with any debris that had been pushed onto it. Glad I made the last minute decision to toss a shovel I carry during icy weather into the back of the truck. Because of a few days of moderating temperatures, it didn't take long to clear a path for my trailer.
Found an open pocket just before the bulk of the remaining ice in the slough. The hole was on one side of a wooded point I often hunt. Actually, a place where I've often caught geese and ducks keeping open when things freeze. Visibility wasn't the greatest as far as being able to look out toward the main stem of the river, but I figured if there were birds looking for open water in the sloughs, they would find me..... turned out I guessed right.
Within 15 minutes of setting up, I had a pair of Gadwall swing around the point, hook around, and tower right above a bunch of black duck decoys I had set out as part of the "rig-du jour." Two dead on two shots, and nothing could have been better for a young pup than hearing the shots and seeing two ducks drop straight down into the water with a big splash! Scooter took it all in, and when I knew she had seen them fall, I sent her for bird I could see she was looking at - the last bird down. She went right back for the second after delivering the first. I was very relieved that there was no hesitation about picking up a duck, as any feathers she had encountered in training were when I was using pigeons or chuckars.
Next little group looking at our open water was a trio composed of two teal and a fat mallard drake. I shot twice at the drake when he put on the brakes. Another easy mark and pick up for Scooter.
Somewhere around 10:30 I stood up and looked behind the boat just in time to see a group of about 15 geese coming in off the River, tree -top high and looking, but not making a sound. Had no goose decoys out, but got down & called a bit. They swung around and went behind me again, then came back at tree-top-height right from behind and over my boat. Decided I would try a 'tail-to', but hadn't pushed my safety off. By the time I got it off, picked out a bird, and fired , I knew it was too late. Spent the next half-hour kicking myself for getting the "greedy gut" and not staying put to see if they would've come in after they made that second pass
Ate half my sandwich around 1:00 and shortly after a nice group of mallards hooked around the point, made three passes, and locked up over the hole between the black duck & wigeon decoys I had set out (also had 3 ringbill decoys "swimming" in the hole). Managed a drake & a hen that fell by the wigeon dekes. Again, easy marks for Scooter, who - as the birds worked - alternated looking out the flap in the TDB's blind in front and then in back whenever they swung behind us. Whatever allowed her to figure that out, the lesson for her that birds come from the sky and sometimes circle was invaluable.
When I saw this picture, I thought the circle of spray off Scooter's tail that framed the downed hen was pretty cool!!:
Final bird of the day came when I was nudged by a small muzzle while "resting my eyes."........OK, I fell asleep after eating the rest of my lunch. Fortunately Scooter was on duty.
Looked up to see another bunch of mallards looking us over. Two passes, and then a hen broke away from the group and flew right out in front of us right to left. Decided to forget the rest of the group and took the surer thing right out front. The hen put us at 4 -mallards, 2-gaddies, and done for the day. Took some photos of the bag & scooter, pulled the rig, and headed home after doing some more cleanup of debris on the ramp.
All in all, a day that came together perfectly and gave a nine-month old pup an amazing foundation to build on. I was lucky indeed!
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Bob,
You just got an extra Christmas present this year. Fantastic hunt for both you and Scooter. That one will be etched into the memory bank for sure.
Thanks for sharing.
You just got an extra Christmas present this year. Fantastic hunt for both you and Scooter. That one will be etched into the memory bank for sure.
Thanks for sharing.
Bill Clark
Well-known member
Bob,Great story and pics. Very impressive retrieving by Scooter,it couldn't be any better. Congratulations on an unforgetable hunt.
Still too much current to hunt the main stem upriver from you,maybe next week.
Glad to see someone is doing well.
Still too much current to hunt the main stem upriver from you,maybe next week.
Glad to see someone is doing well.
Al Hansen
Well-known member
Thanks so much, Bob. I loved the story and the pictures to go with it. Scooter looks to be one of those who is a quick learner. She is doing fantastic for that age, Bob.
That was a great looking spread you had set out. With those decoys, a new pup into retrieving ducks and having some ducks that cooperated, all of that sounds about perfect. Speaking of that it sure seems like you haven't lost your touch in putting the ducks down.
Your honey hole is a dandy. Thanks again, Bob. That was a great Christmas time story to tell. I think I will make some hot chocolate and read it over again.
Al
That was a great looking spread you had set out. With those decoys, a new pup into retrieving ducks and having some ducks that cooperated, all of that sounds about perfect. Speaking of that it sure seems like you haven't lost your touch in putting the ducks down.
Your honey hole is a dandy. Thanks again, Bob. That was a great Christmas time story to tell. I think I will make some hot chocolate and read it over again.
Al