Had some fellows, that wanted to hunt, so we ventured to the pits for another day of studying the skies. See, we were out yesterday and the only thing we seen flying, was one Big Pretty Bald Eagle and one private airplane. Don’t think either would cook up to well so was not to optimistic, about today’s hunt. Well, very early before we had even got the call around out neck we had a pair of Mallards swinging our water hole. So at least we had something to talk about, and then we started seeing more ducks. I am sure you realize, the season is closed on ducks, but it sure was nice to be seeing some. They give us some real good plays as we talked to them with our calls. Boy, did they ever respond to the call. This one flock, I guess there was about 40 in it, was about the only flock that didn’t give us some action, and this was without any duck decoys. Sure made the trip worth while.

At about 11:00 the boss said something about there is some geese, “get down” so as usual every body stood up. There was 3 big boys, all locked and just sailing right for our open water and decoys. We were expecting at least one swing around, of the decoys. But with out a call or anything, they sat right down, in the open water. Now that is not the closes shot. At least 65 and maybe 70 yards, but we went into action anyway. They put one down in the water, the other two were very lucky. We should of had all three of them, but that is life and par, for my shooting this fall. So anyway, there is one more goose logged in the book. Don’t have anyone for tomorrow, but I am sure we will be hunting over the weekend.

Say a little prayer for all the troops tonight and keep checking back, until I post a note saying, we have give it up completely

See Ya Carl

I keep getting E-Mails, asking what is going on at the pits. Well we haven’t hunted for a while, and I don’t think we are going to before Christmas. Ralph has Daughter, Kay, and Grandson, Scott, here for Christmas, and is wanting, some time, with them. Daughter Kay had surgery, just before the Nashville trip, and her Dad’s induction into the Hall of Fame, and could not make the trip, so she has some catching up to do.

But, there is many Reports, of a big numbers of Canada’s north of us yet. If there, would be, is a big storm that pushes down from the north through that area. We could have a couple of great days of hunting yet, this season. What I am saying if you see such situation forming, better be making some calls, and he and we will be there. I know the Boss would love to harvest a few more Big Boys yet this season. I know, also, he doesn’t want to go out there and just set and watch the skies, empty of birds. After Christmas, and you are wanting to go hunting, and it looks like there is a possibility, that something would decoy, Please give a call, and we will head that way.

I have been catching a little flack about my shooting ability this fall, and right fully so. I haven’t been the deadliest this fall.

I need to set this up just a little.

Back in the late 70’s I wrote a poem about one of our hunters and friend. Jerry is a real guy, and could make a shot every now and them, but was no crack shot, but wanted everyone to believe he was. This was also when we were killed big numbers, 600 to 900 Mallards, every fall. Jerry would claim 3, on each and every flock.

One morning I woke up with the beginning of this poem in my head, and put it down on paper. Ralph read it on the intercom almost everyday for the rest of the season. Well the other day one of my readers asked if I still had a copy of it and I had to E-Mail a copy of it to him, so I thought maybe a few other would enjoy reading it again. This is also where my pen name as Killer Karl come from, just because there was no other way to sign this poem.


The Claimer

Burt county hunters, will always remember
From opening day to late in December
How Jerry would try to kill a duck
No matter how he tried he had no luck
So in discuss, the new game plan became
Not to kill, just shoot three times, and claim

So on each go-a-round, he would give them a lick
Then survey the pond, to find where they lay thick
Then he would point, laugh and exclaim
Right over there, lies my pile of game

But all the old timers knew very well
Jerry kill a duck, no way in hell
After his chucking and acting all done
He would place three more rounds, in his harmless old gun

All the old hunters, knew he was as windy as a gale
And spread more bull, than you could haul in a pale
We would plead and suggest that he once go solo
Jerry would turn pale, and say oh! No no

Then he would holler, snort and jeer
Let that man shoot, I’ve shot my share this year

So the old pro would feel sorry and let him off the hook
Because he knew very well he would log a zero in the book
So jerry just set there, boast and claim
I’ll do my best to kill you some game

Killer Karl

I guess the next Business, is to wish you and your family all a very Merry Christmas. Also a very healthy and HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Thanks for your support, E-Mails, and interest over this hunting season. If there is anything to report, I will do it. If not, and God Willing, I will be back for the spring season.

If you are planning on hunting this spring, and have a group of friends you want to bring, better get your reservations in to Ralph quick. His book has some days already maxed out.

I will start Posting Reports when it looks we will be opening in the spring. That should be around the first of March. I know the Season open in February, but if we have old snow on the ground they will not be here. If the snow line has moved North of us and then it snows, we could have birds in the area, so keep touching base, and come enjoy one of natures, greatest sights and fun shoot that, you will ever have an opportunity to enjoy.

As always, Please, include the troops, and their families, in your bed time prayer, tonight and always.

See Ya Killer Karl

Today, the skies did hold a few birds. Never had any wind until around 9:00 this morning. It only took only a few short minutes once the wind got to blowing, before we had birds on the horizon. First flock spotted was about 40 big boys coming right down the avenue. We offered them a greeting, and they accepted. Put two down and had one sailor that made it to the river trees, North East of the lake. Never had a chance to retrieve him, but he got logged into the book as harvested.

Along with this bunch of Geese was a small flock of Mallards. They were flying right with the geese. Did see 3 to 5 other flocks of Mallards through out the day, but only had one flock to work. They ended up going over to the west lake, and then on up river. Was not the most productive day but it was better than a few we have had of late. You know the type of day when you don’t even see some tweedy bird flying.

The most positive thing today was: I did regain some confidence in my shooting today, and it did feel good. But the Boss called the shot where I am the most confidante, in my ability. Right out in front. They were coming down wind, and there was a nice 15 MPH wind pushing them, so they were moving.

Nothing else to report, but please check back.

Remember all the troops, in you evening prayers, and include their families

See Ya Carl

To be retired is one great experience. Take today for example. Went to bed rather late last evening, because I had nothing planed for me today, and it looked like an afternoon nap would be easy to pull off. So rising at 6:00 this morning, which is about 1 ½ hours later than I get up while hunting. Sat down at my Computer and got my E-Mail and read all of it, then give a call to Ralph to see if there were any hunter, in the near future. Well he was on his way to the pits because there were hunters for today, and he was expecting me to get them to the lake. So out the door I went and got the hunters in the pits, then come back to town and downed my breakfast, pills, caffeine, packed my lunch and returned to the pits. The big secret is,--------I got a short nap. With one in a pit that is possible. Of course they are very suspicious, when ever I am quiet, but who cares. I love the nap, they love the peace. It all balances out.

This was all for nothing, because the birds were not as plentiful as one would expect, for the middle of December, with no snow.

However, we have hunter from now through the week end, so here is hoping there will be better news to report before, between now and Sunday evening. So If you take a notion to come hunting, please do, because we are there, and the more the merrier

Remember the troops tonight and every night, with a little prayer.

See Ya Carl

Our master painted another great picture for us to watch unfold at the pits this morning. I know this is a hunting sight, but my love for pretty sunrises, sometime puts the hunting on the back burner. So just maybe soon, there will be a picture worthy of posting, that will not be a sunrise.

Next on the agenda, is for you members. If you want to go hunting, this coming week, please let either Ralph or me know that you are coming. We will be there if some one is coming. We will be there through this week end, so showing up unannounced is just fine. But this coming week please touch base with one of us and we will be there. There is still a large number of Canada’s at blue lake just north of us and there is still plenty of birds in So. Dakota, but who knows when they will start to move. There is a great forecast of weather coming our way, this next week, so as far as weather shutting us down, that is not going to happen.

With nothing else to report, except the Cubs landed a pitcher, and are still shopping. In my opinion they should be looking for a pitching coach, and get rid of Ol’ Sore Arm Rothschild.

Until we touch base with some hunting news again, Always include our Military personnel in your prayers. Ask our maker to bless their families, this holiday season, too.

See Ya Carl

About the only reason you are getting an update today is because of the sunrise. It was gorgeous this morning. It was there for just a very few minutes, but it was worth getting up and venturing out in the cold this morning.
The second picture is our ice hole, with the new decoys, ready to fool some thing. I was going to try to fool you and say this flock come in and landed, but figured that some one would squeel on me.
The temp was up this morning, enough wind to keep the ice hole was open, so things were looking great for a good shooting day. We thought since we had a southern wind that maybe all the big boy that are setting up at Blue Lake just north of us, would feed south out in the wind today. Well they surprised us again and went some other direction or they feed through the night with this big full moon.

We had one hen Mallard swimming around in the ice hole that I talked to for just a few minutes, then I let her swim in peace. There was just one old Canada flying up north of us for just a few minutes, and then he got himself lost also. That was all the bird action, for the day.

I need to say that yesterday was not much better. I had to come to town, because there was a little problem with the pickup and while I was in town they took a Blue Goose. He tried to get into the Ice hole undetected, but the boss seen him in time and there was one fast gunner in the pits and he got him before it turned into an Aqua Shot. So add another Sky Carp to the season’s total.

Have a few hunters, for tomorrow so I hope we have a little action, just for there benefit. Much easier to shake their hands at quitting time if there is a couple of birds in the bag.

Be sure to include all the troops in your evening pray this evening.

Check back and we will see ya

Carl

After a night watching the Huskers get beat, missing sleep, couple that with a slow day, cold, winds all day, and a bad head ache, all are ingredents, for a long day.

We spotted three Snow’s and Blue’s in the decoys, when it turned legal this morning. We had a couple of young boys so they were selected to accompany some one out and see if they could harvest them. They did pretty good and brought back two of the three. I am sure that will be pleasant memories for then for many years, to come.

Later on in the early morning we had a couple of Canada’s come in from the West and we took them, with a short volley. That took care of the action, except for the cooking of our meals, and BS time.

Mother has my supper ready to eat, and as you most all know I never miss a meal, so better get this posted.

Say a prayer for all the young guys and gals that a protecting our country, tonight

See Ya Carl

Was another cold day in the pits and it sounds like it is going to be colder tomorrow. The only good thing to say, about this weather, it is making the Canada’s move. We seen plenty of them both flying low and high.

We had a sports writer, and filming crew hunting with us today, so we were wanting some action. Well we had some while they were there, but the best action was after they left.

At around 3:30 to 3:45, we had a nice flock come in from the North a put on a nice show before they got down in range of our smoke poles, and we went into action. I logged another zero in the books. This brought the total bag up to 10 for the day. They were all very big birds, so my feelings, this was one great day.

There is two reasons I have to make this short tonight. No. one: is this is mother’s night out. No. two: is the Huskers are playing tonight and I have to have Mother off the tables and home before the game gets started. So please excuse me for tonight.

Better get cleaned up, so say a little prayer for all of our hero’s tonight, at bed time.

See Ya Carl

Well everything has slowed down, again at the pits. The wind has went down, the Temp has went up, and the birds have slowed down.

Took only 2 Canada’s today. We did have some heart pumping excitement one time. Our "Eagle Eyes" spotted a big long line of Canada’s coming way up, North West. Well they passed the west lake we fired up the orchestra, and they done everything except give us a shot. We are not for sure, but there may have been a flock come off the river and meet up with this flock. Anyway some how we had geese going in every direction for a while. Most were not low enough to harvest, but there was a few, but how do you call a shot on three to five when you may have a flock of 100 to 200, may be ready to come in and land. Did have 5, that landed and that was about 90 yd’s out, they may have been as close as 65 yd’s on there final approach, but that is to far too.

Well tomorrow is another day, so let’s see if we can start another string of good days.

Say a prayer for the troops and check back

See Ya Carl