A very good day

I have been under the weather for about 3 days, but there was not much action I have not reported except for, I think it was Friday.  We had got into Canada's.  I was coming down with this flu and crashed in my chair.  The next day I was planning on making a two day report, and again I was suffering and nothing in the bag so it didn't get reported that day either.  So that brings us to today.  A much better day to report on.

After seeing flock after flock fly over and not even notice our spread or the songs we were singing.  All the while the boss was saying "if they keep that up we will shoot a mess of them dudes yet".  Well finely they started to at least give us a little look, and again the boss said "we are going to get into them pretty soon" then it happened.  There was this flock of 16, and they was loving our music and on the first turned around, they give us that courtesy swing.  Then changing their minds, and deciding it was an awesome place and setting their minds on a peaceful visit.  We talked them down to about 12-15 yards high and right over the pits, when the boss gave the command, "take em".  When the smoke cleared we had 13 DIP.  This has to be one of the top three shots I have ever been in on.  Birds were falling all around my pit.  I had a young lady in my pit, and I was telling her to "look out" I was thinking she was going to get hit by a falling goose.  Lucky missing her by a few feet.  The next flock we talked in, we took 5 or 6 out of.  It was not as good of shot but one I will always be happy with.  Third flock in, we shocked them pretty good again, but most importantly.  All three go-a-rounds was a story book quality shot.  Never had three shots of that quality, back to back to back, in all the years I have set in the binds.  Of course shot number one will be a hard one for this old man to forget.  I felt as if was almost looking down on the when they out in front, they were so low 

I must report that we seen several flocks of Mallards, today also..  One flock was a big flock, migrating, the other flocks come up from the south.  Have been getting reports that we have tons of ducks to come, but we have not bought into that rumor, as of yet.  Did have a couple birds well within gun range, but we was greedy and wanted the whole flock.  No shot was called.

As always please take a few seconds to say a little prayer for the troops tonight. And please check back, and lets see if I can’t report another exciting day here again the next couple days

See Ya   Carl

 

Thanksgiving hunt

Again it has been awhile.  But this is one very unusual year.  Thanksgiving and we just come off a week of warm days and south winds. 

This morning the wind was so calm and we were seeing birds.  Well decoying birds with no wind, is not possible.  We were having a mini push of Cacklers.  After a bunch of frustrations, we got some wind.  When we got some wind and as expected, we got some birds, the migration, had just about run it’s course.  But there was a surprise, in store.  Had some Canada’s, that lifted off the river, and with some pleading we talked them over us.  The boss called a down wind shot, because he was sure that may be our only chance, we would have.  We were armed with just 4 guns, but we did ourselves proud.  A bird for every gun.  It was some fast action, but the crew was up for the task.  Two adults and two grandkids. 

The picture above, is destine, for the youngsters scrapbook, I am sure. 

Best get ready for our Thanksgiving feast.  But remember the troops tonight in your prayers.  Also please check back.  We are in for a weather change and some weather that is more favorable to hunting.  Expecting the hunting to pick up.  The goose gods, owe us a favor, so hoping to cash in on it. 

See ya.   Carl 

PLAN B

Redemption day.  Our bad shooting was just a minor virus.  We shook it off and, thing are looking much more rosie .   

We started off with three Cans coming into our steel curtain and finding themselves feet up in the pond.   Us regulars, had help so we were not sure if the customers that was doing the damage.  This after noon the crowd was leaving and us helpers, talked the boss into leaving, too.  After three to four flock giving us a look, then flying off, we devised a new plan.  At about 3:00 a flock was just about of range of our calls moving south.  So plan B was put into action, and in short order we had a pair pull out, then another pair, then the whole flock decided to come with them.   Now remember the crew in the pits, is the same crew that could not sink a wash tub in a swimming pool, on Tuesday.  With this quad, bearing down on us, with the first two out in front of the other two and the big flock, by many yard, it was apparent that we had to act on just the two..  These two, was coming in many yards out with their feet down, which by the way just tears me up.  Well they made it just a few feet out over blinds and the water, before they were DIP.  Yep they were Dead In Pond.  Kicking at the stars, grave yard dead!!  Never got the old smoke pole empty on them.  Boss! we did good.   Can you forgive us for Tuesday???  Please.   

That was the frosting on today's cake.

Let ya go, but please say a little prayer for the troops tonight, and also check back.

See ya.   Carl

Great action BUT

Sorry about the fact, there was no report for Tuesday.  When I got home I had a couple details I had to handle around the house and then sat down for a short minute. The next thing I know the wife wakes me to eat.   I was so tired, I just could not get busy and finish up the report, using the notes I had made, during the day.

Then there was another issue, that was bothering me, I was wondering if I should report it or forget it.  First off, I have to report the crew was not shooting the best, and as we walked out carrying two sacks of garbage that was about a quarter of the way full of empties, and 4 Canada's and a hand full of ducks.  Our local warden met up with us as we left, yesterday.  He stopped us and questioned us, as to if we had shot all them shells today or not, and we assured him we had.  Then he wrote all of us up for "impersonating a hunter and harassing wild life" and confiscated our garbage, as evidence.  The boss told him he was wrong, Ralph, was claiming that we were all great shots.  Ralph, said "they have to be good shots to throw that much steel in the air filled that many birds, and not hurt any, it takes tons skill, to do that".  But the Warden just kept writing.  I guess they will send us a letter when our court date is.

It was really embarrassing how bad we shot.  Hope them lapse of skills are short term.

Now to today, things are so slow.  Had a pair of Cacklers give is a look then had an idea we were to deadly so flew off.  Boy, were they mistaken.

Well this is enough nonsense for one report.  Going to include a picture taken by Garry Mason, out at the lake, earlier this fall.  He titled it "this is how everyday should start".  I will vote for that.  A beautiful sunrise, always gets my day off to a good start.

Please say a prayer, for all the men and women that are watching over our country tonight and every night.

Check back again for better news from the hunting front.

See Ya    Carl    

A Hard Day

I have tried to wright this in the blind several times today.  Every try my trend of thought was interrupted, either by conversation or birds.  But never the less this was a trying day.  Not because of conversation but on the account of the birds.  We blew our guts out, throughout the day.   I really think they are suffering from one of the problem I have.  THEY CAN'T HEAR.  But we had Canada's in the sky most of the day today.  And to rub some salt into the wound, we give up and headed to the house.  Before we were off the grounds there was about thirty big Canada's come circle, split into two flocks first half landed on the east shore and the other half made one more circle and land in the lake in front of the pits.  Could not get one in front of the pit all day, then we leave they pass over the pits, lower that we would have asked, to have a great shot, landing in the runway in the lake.  Sometime I feel the goose god, hates us. 

One highlight of the day.  We spot three birds coming our way and as always we get hid under the broomcorn.  But these three, didn't  required any calling.  Well we could not have called if we wanted to, because we have no call for swans.  One adult and two juvies.  What big and majestic birds.   They landed just a few yards in front of the blinds and of course everyone wanted a look and the commotion on the shore line was more than could tolerate, and with just a couple minutes rest, they lifted off and continued their Southerly  journey. 

Another highlight, was one beautiful flock and shot on ducks.  They was about 30-40 mallards that decoyed in, with a over 50% were green head today.  With a sharp turn, and coming down wind, the boss could not pass on such a shot.  Well the DIP count was low but it was so pretty.  It was not a long shot and patterns were still pretty small so that explains the low kill numbers, but it was a fun site.  However on another flock, if you go with a percent survival ratio, we made up for it.  We let only one escape, out of a flock of 6. 

Well I am sorry but this still sounds like I am complaining, but it is the best I can make out of a day like today

Please remember the troops, in your prayers, tonight and check back to see if I can get a better sounding report tomorrow

See ya.  Carl     

Vetrans day shoot

Veteran day.  First off thank you, to all of our present and past vets.  You all are the best and may god bless each and everyone of you.

We had a boat load of customers this morning.  Need some serious action to make it a good day.  As legal come and went it was to dark for the boss, to want to call the shot.  We had very heavy clouds and he wants to know. what we are shooting.  So we passed on about 10 good go-a-rounds. 

 As it turned it was nothing to be upset about.  When the boss, turned us loose and we opened up, the action was nonstop.  Guys were getting nervous about their shell  consumption.   Guessing we have had to many days where 3 shells was all you need.  We forgot about all of those days in just minutes. Flock were falling in so fast. you hardly had time to reload.  Smiles all over the place, and happy hunters. 

Before the clouds moved out, the sky was full of Sky Carp, mixing in a few flocks of heart breakers.  Yes, we still have flocks of Specks, north of us, and they were flying  the valley again today .  This morning they all acted like they wanted to decoy, but their M-O is to break your heart, and not allowing you a shot, and they were, doing a great job of this, today. 

Clearing skies did bring some lower flying geese.  Of course the clear skies, also exposed  S&B's that were cursing the lower level of outer space, out of harms way,  as they rode, today's  wind south, 

This has to be one of the better morning shoot, this old man has ever experienced.  After the years I have sat in blinds at Kohler’s.  For me, to make that statement should explain to even a novice hunter, that this morning has to be logged in, as a great shoot.

The afternoon was more geese, and a few ducks.  We bagged a couple Ross geese, and a Canada.  The Canada's are on the, tomorrow list.  We are eager to welcome a few of them to lake.  The season has been so slow getting underway, but a day like today has dimmed those memories.

Be sure to say a prayer for all the troops, on this day, their day, Veterans Day

Please check back

And we will see ya.   Carl

windy but fun shots

The day got off to a very early start.  When they come down and opened the blinds, there were about a hundred sky carp on the east side of the blinds.  As the morning progress, and before legal we were hearing big flocks of ducks lifting off the lake.  Then soon after it was legal, we had a small flocks of duck swing just a little to close to the blinds and we went into action.  We scored but nothing to great.  Then about sun up we had 4 big Canada's float in from the north.  The boss is still talking about the shooting on that flock and it is not bragging, talk.  We didn't do to well.  All should have been down, but you have to remember, we have not had any shots at Canada's and our mind were in need of a "Canada adjustment", in order to shoot good.  I can only report, my feelings, but I was nervous.  We have not had many chances, on them yet, this season.

At least this morning we were seeing birds, more in line what you are to expect for this time of year. 

We had three go a rounds on Canada's by 11:30.  We got some of the jitters out of our minds, and wiped out one whole flock, of one.

Also today we seen, heard, flocks a moving south.  All kinds of geese was on the move.  We also seen the big sea gull, pelicans, as well as the cormorant, making their south.

As you know we listen to the weather stations real good.  So the boss tells me I should inform everyone, that the time and the weather, has got itself lined up for a few great shooting days.  Now this is not my predictions, because when I predict everything goes in the tank, but Ralph says Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, are all powder burning days.

Summery of the day is, we are seeing a few birds that have moved into the area.  With the wind today it was sporting shooting.  When there is a wind they do find, a fast escape route. 

Will let ya go, but please check back.  Also say a prayer for our troops.  It is getting close to Veterans Day, so if possible say a prayer for them too.

See ya.   Carl

INFO AND PICTURE

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Yesterday I neglected two things.  First off I was wanting to say that we will be leaving the cafe a 5:45 with the time change.  We have been getting to the pits a little early, but have held off until daylight saving time ended, to make the adjustment.  Again we will leave the café at 5:45

 The second thing I did not post a picture of Remmy, but have had so many comments, phone calls, and E Mails, on last evening report, that I feel I should have posted the picture I took for Kyle’s scrapbook.   So the picture, is Remmy and the bird he brought back to the blind, plus the other two that Robert and Kyle had harvested.

No action today as far as shooting. But we were seeing late in the day a good movement of snow and blues and specks.  I am guessing at least 10 flocks total.  

I guess this all I can report today, but remember say a little prayer for our hero’s.  who are serving us and please check back.

See Ya    Carl

A Boy and His Dog

Been awhile since I updated you.  But there has only been a duck or two to talk about.  Today's story is more personal than informative. 

I had grandson Kyle with me today.  And what made it special, Kyle has a pup, that has had a rough life.  See first off this pup only a few day old was found in the middle of a busy road.  A young lady found him, and nursed him back to life and raised him to the age where he was off the bottle.  My son in law was looking for a pup for my grandson, and soon the two, pup and Dad met up.  Well Kyle was the one place in charged of the new addition to the family.  They named him Remington, but shortened it to Remmy.  The two of them,  become a team.  They done everything together, and went everywhere together.

Late last winter, while playing out in the country, there was a very serious accident.  The pup was not used to playing out side and to fear thing much larger than he.  Anyway this pup got run over by a pickup with a snow plow on the front of it.  He was rushed to the vet, clinging to life only by the help of his master.  See Kyle was assisting him, in his breathing, but he was still was breathing when they got to the vet.  They were giving the news they didn't want to hear, but they already knew.  It would be a miracle, if he was to survived.  The miracle, was granted and Remmy pulled through.

Well today was Remmy's first day in the duck blind.  Just over a year old, so we were not expecting to much.  Of course we had to put him into the blind, but once in the pit he made him self at home.  I really expected him to be all over the  pit, but he settled down like an experienced hunting dog.  Soon after legal shooting the guys in my pit said we have some geese in the decoys.  Of course plans were being made on the, sneak of these birds.  Both Kyle and Robert had waders, and was eager for attempt to harvest these bird, as the rest of us watched.  This was also, Kyle's first day of ever having waders, on a duck hunt.  And this task of getting geese out of the decoys was as new to him as being in a blind was to his dog.  But with orders being shouted to him as he and Robert made their way out to the decoys in the lake.  When they got close and the geese got a little nervous, we started encouraging them to shoot.  But these two sportsman waited until they were off the earths surface, then opened up.  Four shots rang out and three geese lay feet up in the pond.  I helped Remmy out of the blind and Kyle called him, and Remmy charged out to Kyle like he was a pro retriever.  With a little encouragement Remmy picked one of them up and proudly brought it back to the blinds.  It was nice the birds were little Cacklers, and not a ten pound Canada, but never the less Remmy, proudly handled this job. 

Before the day ended Remmy had mastered entering and exiting the blinds, by him self.  He ages several weeks today.  But grandpa thinks the boy did too.

That is all we harvested and almost all we saw, but will be a memorable day to some of us.

As always, remember the troops in your bed time prayers, tonight.

Also remember to check back

See ya.  Carl