What a way to start the day

Bill Savoie

Bill Savoie

Active member
So I was to start the 2nd half of the season today...

I woke up, went downstairs to find that my automatic coffee pot had a catastrophic failure and poured coffee over the entire (brand new) counter top. That took 20 minutes to clean up so...

Now I'm running late. Why didn't I hook up the boat last night? Where's my gear? Crap, one of the running lights on the trailer is out. When did that happen? Off I go...

Meet my partner, usually he's the one who is late. He laughs at me. Get to the ramp. It's a lousy ramp. High and low tide it's close to worthless. It's high tide. Partner can't push the boat off the trailer, don't want my rear axle in the salt water. I hop out to put on my waders. Where are my wading shoes? I had them in my hand before I left the house. Crap. Can't wait for the new boot foot waders to come in. Go park the truck, hobble back to the ramp. Halfway to the boat, oh crap, where's my lanyard with the calls? Still hanging from the rearview mirror. Too late now.

Get in the boat, get set up, buddy gives me his calls since I'm the better caller. A few birds up and moving, 7 birds swing by the dekes, start to flare, we salute and they keep going. Sigh.

Busy day at work today, so can't stay out too long. We head back in, only to watch birds pitching into the cove we just left. Sigh. Get back to the ramp, hobble back to the truck, load up the boat and try to give my buddy his calls back. He's busy fussing with something, so I hang them on the bow cleat. I drive him back to the parking lot about a mile away, we grab a cup of coffee, come out, and thankfully notice that his calls are still hanging on the bow cleat.

All I can say is, I love duck hunting!
 
Love it!

Now I know there is someone else out there that lives the same experience that I do.

I feel a hell of a lot better knowing that I am not alone in my "stumblitude."

Ha, You made my day.
 
Bill,

I have no clue what you are talking about. Things here always go just like clockwork. I had no idea a simple local trip could go so wrong.
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AND,,,,,, If you believe that, then I got a bridge to sell you. :>) :>)
 
ah, yes, the plug. I leave the plug in the boat at all times unless I am draining it after washing (which is supposed to happen after every use, but then freezing does seem to happen here in New Hampshire). It is chained to the boat. I keep another in my boat box on the boat. I keep another in my truck.

I choose NOT to go into why I now have such an interest in that plug...
 
Nothing better than sitting in front of the ramp and using half of your thermos of hot coffee to melt an inch of ice so you can get the plug in.

i'm so glad i'm not the only one doing this stuff...for years i blamed everything on the "ski" at the end of my name!
 
Bill .

It happens that is what makes it more appealing to go again to see if you can get it right the second time !! HAHAHa , heres one for you , few years back headed to a local goose spot drove about 45 minutes setup dekes and get in the pit blind 15 minutes before legal decide to get the guns ready and no keys for the gun locks !!! Now that stinks neither my partner ( who was my brother ) or i ever forgot that day watching geese pour in and land and then take off without so much as a shot ! Get out there and try again !!!



Dave M
 
Gun locks on cased shotguns?????? Is that a RI law, or a personal choice?


There is a reason that none of my boats have a drain plug... ;)
 
We've all been there, Bill. Reminds me of the morning I got to the ramp on the last day of goose season and realized that the bag with all the heads for my goose floater decoy bodies was still on the shelf in the garage... or what about the fuel line for that nice full tank of gas....or the shell carrier.....or my shotgun.......or....

Is it any wonder that I now have a "Ready List" on the computer in the "My Documents" file that I print off and check the night before - and once again as I go out the door. Saves me almost every time.

Hey Al,
As a side note. Old habits die slowly: Now that I'm retired and usually hunting on days and in situations that don't require that frantic rush to the ramp at 0:dark:30, I still find myself hurrying sometimes. My resolution to myself this season is not to hurry, but just enjoy every minute at a leisurely pace. I keep reminding myself that the birds will be there on the days when they'll be there and that there's always another hunt tomorrow if that's what we so choose. Your Dad was right.
 
Yeah your not the only one. I had a day just like that last Friday. Started with the check engine light coming on in my truck at 5:30 as I was pulling out of the driveway.(shift seliniod, trucks going in the shop). Then I forgot to put the drain plug in and had to pull the boat back out to drain and put the plug in. Then I finally get set up and commence missing every bird that comes in. Then hop out of the boat to take a leak and drop my cell phone in the water.(it's dead had to reactivate an old one) Then get soaked by pooring rain while retrieving a run away decoy.(of coarse after not seing any birds for hours I have black ducks trying to land on my head while I'm standing in the decoys with no gun). Then finally give up and I have to row back to the ramp because the engine some how floods and will not start.(ordered a carb rebuild kit hopefully it helps). I never can explain to non duck hunters why I put myself through this stuff but I do and I'll do it again every chance I get. Luke
 
Phil it is just personal preference but it will not happen again !! I just traevel with the guns in the bag now no locks on them .


Have a great season


Dave M
 
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