Kevin Puls
Well-known member
Everyone's idea of a good hunt is a little different. In fact, if anyone has been doing it long enough, they might find that their interpretation of a good hunt has changed over time. In my 30 years as a novice waterfowler it has changed a great deal. Regardless of the yardstick you use, you have undoubtedly felt varying levels of satisfaction at the end.
I recently had a good hunt. And as I am a couple of drams of whiskey into a roaring fire, I feel as the time to share it is ripe. As usual, stories are best told in pictures.
I spent a week on the Eastern shore of Virginia recently with my good friend Jon Yenni. It was my third trip in as many years, and perhaps my most satisfying. It is odd, given the success I had on those first two trips, that I would feel so fondly of this one. My first trip introduced me to Brant, a new species for me, and a double banded bird at that as well as a new style of hunting on new marshes and waters. My second trip netted a spectacular day of seaducks and Buffleheads that I doubt I will reproduce in any capacity again. This year was good for other reasons.
I have a new puppy. And she made her first retrieve. My Lucy, at 9 months continues to win my heart. Though her first experience with a down bird in the water was less than stellar, she figured it out and began picking them up, blind retrieves and high winds not affecting her spirit. After losing my first Lab I thought I could never connect with one again. An though no dog can fill Josie's shoes, Lucy wins hearts and minds wherever she goes...
Lucy! Dead Bird!-
Her first duck-
On the job-
I took some time to make up some decoys this year. I had 22 very early model Herters 72 decoys, left to me by my grandfather, a true waterfowler, that were in varying states of disrepair having spent many years on Chautauqua lake getting shot up, stepped on in the boat and chewed on by dogs. I can only imagine how many birds had floating belly up in their midst over the years!
After some burlap and mastic, and some 2x6 pine heads and some quick paint, a mostly hand made rig of Scoters were ready to ride. I have repainted decoys and gunned over them before, but these were special because of their origin, and the fact that my kids helped me paint them. They aren't Steve Sandford quality, but they are mine. As you can see, the kids were just as proud of their handiwork as I was...
That makes the scoters we harvested extra special to me.
I was fortunate to harvest a Hen Greater Scaup over Louise the traveling decoy as well. You can see her picture on a recent post by Jon Yenni. She was perfect in about every way, and I do believe she will look very nice on the mantle. Having a hen stuffed may seem strange, but it is a promise to find her mate in quality and rich experience to share a bit of driftwood someday.
The food was great, the accommodations were perfect, and all involved on our end had a great time.
Finally, the trip was topped off by harvesting a specimen Bufflehead with my kids looking on that will make it on the wall. A nice trip to the salt marsh with the babies to see what it is all about!
In short, there were few birds, but I did get to make the gun go bang, and the puppy got to swim a few times. I may not have come back with a big bag of birds, but I definitely brought back my possession limit of good memories. There are many words that could be said about a week with good friends, families, and puppies. I suppose I could write and reminisce for days. But I suspect you all know where I am coming from....So for now...
I recently had a good hunt. And as I am a couple of drams of whiskey into a roaring fire, I feel as the time to share it is ripe. As usual, stories are best told in pictures.
I spent a week on the Eastern shore of Virginia recently with my good friend Jon Yenni. It was my third trip in as many years, and perhaps my most satisfying. It is odd, given the success I had on those first two trips, that I would feel so fondly of this one. My first trip introduced me to Brant, a new species for me, and a double banded bird at that as well as a new style of hunting on new marshes and waters. My second trip netted a spectacular day of seaducks and Buffleheads that I doubt I will reproduce in any capacity again. This year was good for other reasons.
I have a new puppy. And she made her first retrieve. My Lucy, at 9 months continues to win my heart. Though her first experience with a down bird in the water was less than stellar, she figured it out and began picking them up, blind retrieves and high winds not affecting her spirit. After losing my first Lab I thought I could never connect with one again. An though no dog can fill Josie's shoes, Lucy wins hearts and minds wherever she goes...
Lucy! Dead Bird!-
Her first duck-
On the job-
I took some time to make up some decoys this year. I had 22 very early model Herters 72 decoys, left to me by my grandfather, a true waterfowler, that were in varying states of disrepair having spent many years on Chautauqua lake getting shot up, stepped on in the boat and chewed on by dogs. I can only imagine how many birds had floating belly up in their midst over the years!
After some burlap and mastic, and some 2x6 pine heads and some quick paint, a mostly hand made rig of Scoters were ready to ride. I have repainted decoys and gunned over them before, but these were special because of their origin, and the fact that my kids helped me paint them. They aren't Steve Sandford quality, but they are mine. As you can see, the kids were just as proud of their handiwork as I was...
That makes the scoters we harvested extra special to me.
I was fortunate to harvest a Hen Greater Scaup over Louise the traveling decoy as well. You can see her picture on a recent post by Jon Yenni. She was perfect in about every way, and I do believe she will look very nice on the mantle. Having a hen stuffed may seem strange, but it is a promise to find her mate in quality and rich experience to share a bit of driftwood someday.
The food was great, the accommodations were perfect, and all involved on our end had a great time.
Finally, the trip was topped off by harvesting a specimen Bufflehead with my kids looking on that will make it on the wall. A nice trip to the salt marsh with the babies to see what it is all about!
In short, there were few birds, but I did get to make the gun go bang, and the puppy got to swim a few times. I may not have come back with a big bag of birds, but I definitely brought back my possession limit of good memories. There are many words that could be said about a week with good friends, families, and puppies. I suppose I could write and reminisce for days. But I suspect you all know where I am coming from....So for now...
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