The Clock is Ticking

The moment is getting closer. The lake is ready, the blinds, are ready, the decoys are set, and the place looks great. Again I am forced to say that if we don’t have some great action this spring, we best leave the decoys in the shed next spring. The boss has the place looking as pretty, as a June bride. I would like to describe it to you just how he has it set up but, there is no words this guy knows, that can describe, it except "pretty."

The reports are that there is over 600,000 at Squaw Creek area, That is a historic number for this early in the spring. The long range (15 days) weather forecast, is calling for some snow at the end of that period, so hoping there is a few that make it North before they, get sent back South. They, decoy so good, on the return trip. God could smile on us again, with some action like that. We are in the last week of February and that is when, we usually start to occupy the blinds. Have some hunters that are on standby with lunches packed, guns oiled and ready to roll, as soon as the birds arrive.

Spoke with a hunter, that hunts east of the Rain Water Basin (center of the state) and he seen a few flocks Sunday, and he has always started to hunt and shoot a few days before we do. So things are so close.

Spoke to the boss again this morning and he said he still has a few Memberships to fill, so if interested, please contact him.

Best to keep checking back, cause one of these days we will be hammering and filing reports, daily.

So say a prayer for the troops, daily and please check back

See Ya Carl

Spring Update

Spring is getting closer so think I should up date this. Even though, I have not talked to the Boss for over a week, I know he is busy getting the blinds an surrounding area ready for the spring hunt. When I did talk to him the other day he ask me to tell you that he has a few memberships open, if some of you guy’s are interested. There has been a couple of the older members, that are not going to take their membership and RK would like to fill these. I think it figures out that if you hunt 10 days in the fall, you are money ahead. Really a bargain, and it is even a bigger bargain, if you hunt the spring hunt. So if interested, please contact Ralph

Has been a pretty cold winter so far, and we have had snow on the ground for so long. I know that our big, snow month, February and March are still in front of us, but it is getting the time of year when we do get snow, it is gone in a couple of days.

As for a prediction on our up coming harvest/season, I am refusing to shoot off my mouth. Last year if you remember, I SWAG-ed it at some dumb number that we didn’t get closed to. Been trying to live that number down every since. I was going to tell you I was predicting just 2 birds, but was sure that, some smart A-- would remind me that I was not going to be the only shooter.

The above was written a couple of weeks ago, and for some reason I didn’t post, so will continue with an update on the update.

We have been getting several reports, of birds building up in the Squaw Creek area, so the day is not far away when we will be again burning some powder. I was out this morning and got the blaster almost installed. The Boss has been work almost every day for the last month so he says "as soon as they get here, we are ready". There has been some reports of some birds, in our area, before this cold blast that is here today. So they are eager to move and will as soon as we get some favorable weather for them. While working out there this morning, I did see a couple flocks of dark birds, but no Carp.

Think I will close and post before I forget to post again. Soon we will again be making daily reports, but until then, please remember the troops in your daily prayers.

See Ya Carl

The last Fall update

Above picture is from a few days ago, one of my favorite subject, the other I best not say, but we all see then daily, in both small and large towns.

Well the word is that the fat lady has been singing for several days now. What I am saying it is "over" and I should have gotten this posted before the end of the week, but I don’t always get thing done when I should. We had our family Christmas, this week end so my thoughts went there.

The boss has picked up all the decoys and has got his blind cleaned out. I am planning on making that move sometime when it warms up a little later this week. I have some cans of soup that may be frozen and broke open so need to get there before it warms enough to melt.

Back to the season, it was not the productive season I was thinking we were going to have when all the rain was falling in October. For years I have said that when it gets muddy, and there are deep tracks with water standing in them you shoot ducks. We had that for a while, and we never did see, a great number of ducks. I hear that just a few miles north and west of our pits on some of the, wetlands restorations projects, that there were good numbers of ducks staying, and hunters in those areas had good hunting, but they didn’t move, or feed in our area. We had several good days on Canada’s, and some of those days, there was some top 10 shots. Not top ten for the year but for ever. Last year on Dec. 2nd, there was a shot, that I thought would never be equaled, but the Shot on Dec 14th, may have equaled it. Dec 2 there were 300 birds, and Dec 14th there were only 30 birds, but both, the anticipation of the shot, and feeling, your old heart pounding in your chest, waiting for the command, was about the same. The birds, gave us such a show, on both flocks, that will keep memories in my mind for as long as "our maker" will allow.

And as always there were the people, that graced my pit, that also help make it a great year. And I want, to say thanks to all of them too, so Thank You guys, you made it fun. And a big thank you to all of you readers, for your E-Mail comments, you make it so much easier, to type, even if you are tired. Had a short visit with the "Sand Bar hunters" of Muck Bottoms, and we shared some stories about the season and the fun in keeping you posted and his feeling are the same, that you guys make it so much fun to do this. I know that is not, a sand bar they hunt, but muck does not describe it, either. That stuff is boot glue, and makes long leg hunters out of short leg hunters, by the way it hanging on.

Now keep checking because there should be some up dates as we get ready for the Spring shoot.
So to all of you: MERRY CHRISTMAS and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR. Also please remember say a prayer for all the Military personnel that give us this freedom, to enjoy our hunting, and Merry Christmas to all your guys too. You’re the best.

As I said please keep checking back.
See ya Carl

As we drove to the pits we had the warmest part of the day, and I am not for sure, but the wind was already blowing. It may have got higher ,but not much . The thermometer kept dropping throughout the day and it was brutal. Had hunter’s that reported it was around 45 degrees when they started their travels to Tekamah and it was 19 when got here. Had these reports from hunters, both from Omaha as well as Lincoln. Was able to keep the blinds reasonably comfortably.

We didn’t even put out the duck decoys, because it was apparent they would be covered with ice, and look worst than nothing at all. Was into the day maybe 15 minutes when in come about 15 mallards, and not many were ready for a shot, so only harvested, one bird. With in about another 45 minutes or so here come a flock of about 30 big boys. We sent them a welcoming song and they responded like it was 4:00 in the afternoon. Didn’t take them long to get down to landing level, but it seem like it took 10 minutes for them to pull up to the water hole, and for the shot. Now this sight has to rank "high" as one of the most beautiful sights of the year. They were about 10-20 yards out in the lake and only about 6-12 feet high, when the boss turned us loose. We did ourselves proud. He was wanting another 10 birds to get the count up to over 200 geese for the year. When we got them picked up we had eleven. Later on in the day we added another Canada and also took a snow goose. This brought our total up to 13 geese for the day, and about par for the dark geese. I am sure you are aware that a few years back, several hundred Snow and Blues, were par, but that has changed and this season, we have to be happy with around a dozen of those dudes.

I can not give you any info on the rest of the season, but tomorrow the 15th we are not going to hunt. It is just to cold for the boss. Most likely it is not wise for him to breath that super cold air, and he just has to watch the whole time he is out there. So if wishing to hunt, it is best to talk to him, for such info. His number if 402-374-2747. There should be some stuff moving, yet, but it sure makes for a long day, when you go into action only a time or two a day.

I will make a posting whenever I have some info, that you may find interesting.
So in the mean time, remember the troops in all your prayers and check back

See Ya Carl

Bazing away in a Blizzard

Doing this by phone. When we met at the shed, this morning. Reports were placing the snow fall between 2 to 3.5 inches and the wind was making it look and feel like a good old Nebraska blizzard. The boss taking pity on me, because of this cold or flu that I have been fighting for a week now, sent me home. I did not argue, and wished 5 hardy soles off, they went for the pits. I back the red van out and headed back to town, through almost whiteout, at times, and found my warm, cozy, recliner, and soon was off into dream land and working on getting better.

When I awoke around noon, I had to check up on them, if for no other reason, to see if they were in need of a rescue unit. To my surprise, They were hammering in a blizzard. The boss told me that they took two of the closes shots of the season. They had been into two different flocks and if it wasn’t for picking up their birds they may have been into another flock. If I understand it right the birds got down wind from the blinds and got down about 20 feet off the lake’s surface and pumped right up over the pits, heading right for the water hole, out in front of the pits. They had taken 9 birds out of the two flocks. Ralph also reported that they were seeing numerous, flocks, some low and some very high. He also added that these were the biggest geese he has ever seen. There is a scales in my pit but didn’t get it out, but he was sure there were two that was over 14 pounds. He also stated that their breast was a different color than usual, if I understood they were much lighter that most.

Believe me when I say they earned them birds, because it just has to be miserable out there. Temps in the low teens and wind chill below zero.

To bring you up to date on the activity, since my last posting. Was not to much action. I was running on one cylinder so I was taking it easy when I got home, but we took one goose on Saturday, and I think that about covers the kill.

Again , please remember the troops in your bedtime prayers and check back

See Ya Carl

Three in one today

This is going to be a three day report, to get you up to speed.

Sunday. I had a social engagement, with a meal attached so you know I am going to that. It was past my bedtime when I got home, so plans were made for a two report on Monday. Sunday was not the most productive day, and we totaled out with just a pair of Canada’s.

Then on Monday Dec 1 2008, we had some shooters, and I do not mean in numbers, they were dead eyes. Now remember the weather. Was a wind chill of about 10-12, and the lake was forming little pads of ice and the wind was blowing them down, till something stopped then like older ice. We had a great water hole out around the decoys, but the lake was slowly filling with ice. On the first go-a-round there were 6 birds and they took 4 of them. And the ice was not to much of a problem on that group of birds. The first flight was about 11:05 and at 1:05 the exciting bunch come into play. They were going down just to the west of us, but we got on the horns and convinced about 35 of the flock of about 125-150 to come along. This group were out in front and lead the way all the way. The first pass they gave us a borderline shot, but our crafty boss, passed on them even though they were looking like they were going to land. A few well timed blast on the horn and they pulled out and circled back, and come right over the pits at about 25-yard shot. When the smoke cleared we had, 8 in the pond, and three sailors. Now this is where the "report" of this report comes into play. Since this ice was not very thick, and Dutch ( Lyle’s dog) could not walk on it, and it is so much work to break on each and every step. Some of the birds were near the east side, and after a couple of trips through this he started thinking just how to make this easier for him. He went across and picked up a dead one, and on the way back started herding one that had a broken wind and was hurting in that leg, but could still walk. If the goose turned to the left Dutch would turn that way and kept herding this bird from about center of the lake to just a few yards from the shore when he got to closeer and the ice broke under the goose and he caught up to it. First he tried to bring them both in, but soon figured he could do that and brought in the live bird and then returned for the dead one. Lyle’s dog has come so far this year, he is turning into a real asset.

Monday Dec 2 2008 The first anniversary of the big day last year when we took 79, and this old boy was sick. Was coming down with what ever it was before we shut down last night and was sick all night so stayed home today. So this part will be done by phone. R K tells me that they have only taken 2 so far today. If that changes will include it in the next report.

Say a prayer for the troops and please check back

See Ya Carl

Todays HIGHLIGHTS

Everyday there are highlights ,and on some days there are HIGHLIGHTS. Today we had HIGHLIGHTS. It all started early with 6 ducks decoying in so fast, they landed in the decoys just off the end blind. Ralph said over the speaker "you guys, in end blind, take them ducks". Well they did not get up fast enough and did not shoot fast, and all ducks escaped. The Boss gave lessons, When you get up on birds go fast and shoot fast because that may scare them so bad that they don’t get organized and we may all get a shot. Later in the day the same thing happened with a goose. So the command was given, and the end pit sprang to life. Steel, wads, water spraying high, and plenty of smoke. When the smoke cleared, there it lay D I P------a decoy, but some one noticed, there was a band on this decoy, and depression quickly changed to glee, we got a banded decoy, in the bag.

They tried to explain it is tough to figure out, just how much shot drift and lead, you have to figure in, with a sitting goose, with a tough wind we had today of about .003 MPH, at your back. They are supposed to send pictures of shooters and battered decoys, but have not arrived at time of this posting. Maybe tomorrow!!!!

Later today we had another single duck, Boss called shot long, so no chance of bird landing in decoys. Was total of warm bodes, in game bag for the day.

Would not miss tomorrow for nuttin. Should have some good wind.

Remember the men and women tonight in your prayers.

Please check back and See Ya Carl

Slow hunt, But a great game

The first thing, I need to do is correct yesterdays report. I made a mistake on the number of birds taken. I have corrected it but if you arte not going to read it again you will never know. We took 6 ducks not 7 and we had 7 Canada’s not 4. For the life of me I have no idea just what I was thinking, when I put down them numbers.

Now for today’s action. No wind what so ever, for as long as we were out there. The worst thing, we had very little water and if you try to open it up with no wind, there is all the little chips of ice that the boss does not like. We had one flocks of Canada’s, that could see that the ice was thin and would not hold them, and we just could not get them down. That hurt because, there was not many birds flying around, so to miss out on this flock, really hurt. Earlier, we did get into a pair that was flying up the river and we got them to come look at us, and we took both of them. The ducks were not to be found today.

Give up the hunt and come to the house to watch Bo’s Boys, bump heads with the Colorado Buff. Had to wait till this thriller was over to complete and post this. What a KICK. Bo’s Boys are on the way

Say a prayer for the troops and maybe say a little thanks for the great kick.
See ya Carl

The Nontraditional Traditional Thanksgiving Hunt

The traditional Thanksgiving hunt, was not the traditional hunt, as in the past, 6 to 8 years. Usually it is me, my grandson’s and a few close friends. My oldest Grandson has advanced on to collage in South Dakota, and I was sure he was not planning on purchasing a license for a one day hunt, so had spaced it off. Well late in the day yesterday RK thought I was hunting and told a couple of other members that if they wanted to show up he would just join the group. So I made a phone call to the collage kid and he said he was planning on the hunt, but would not shoot. With that info, I knew his, not so little brother, would join us too. Made another call to another grandson’s house and He and his Dad would join us. A couple more friends and we had the group together. So we all met at the shed at the proper time and made our venture to the pits. Eleven warm bodies snuggled into the pits. We made our breakfast of Hashbrown’s, Sausage, and eggs. And figured we were in for the traditional hunt for Thanksgiving. Just a few ducks, teasing us and some excitement over some geese, that refused to decoy. (One year we had a big flock that come into the lake and was landing, without calling, and that was the only shot ever on geese). Well today we had the Boss I his seat, so things went just a little different. We got into ducks two times and geese two times. Every other year we have had ice covering the lake so, retriving was a job that could be done in tennie waders.

We seen several bunches of geese and I want to say, not to many ducks, fewer than in the past. But we put more in the bag this year than ever before. We ended up with 6 nice Mallards and 7 Big Canada’s. Now before you take the shoes off and start to count, 11 hunters, 4 go-a-rounds 11 birds??????? The Boss don’t take a gun, just 2 kids shooting, I was not shooting, one Dad that don’t hunt Waterfowl, And on a couple of go-a-rounds we had lost ½ of the total crew. We did good.

Was a fun day, SureShot had got all the pictures he wanted, therefore no planes, bird that decoyed, no IDIOT shooting to scare birds, just a fun day.

Have to cleanup for Thanksgiving supper, so remember all the members of the milatary, that are off protecting us, in your prayers tonight, and please check back

See Ya Carl

A total Disaster

Today was a total disaster, from daylight on. Just before it was legal we had 3 geese that come in, in total silence and settle into the decoys. They escaped unharmed, next was a flock of 15-20 that decoyed in behind the pits and we thought they were going to make another round. The boss called the shot unexpectedly we took 2. Then it got really ugly. Had four nice flocks, ranging from 10 to about 50, all decoying in just great, only to be driven out by an airplane. We thought it was some Peta group. This plane we first spotted south about over Olson’s spread. It was circling and diving all the way up the valley, had reports, as far north as Decatur. Was in our area almost for an hour. We would have a flock coming in and here would come that plane a drive them out. It got so close to us that we got the ID numbers off the side and off the wing. So we called the Law and launched a complaint. We gave then the ID numbers and we also had someone to contact the G&P. We watched as it kept up the same pattern over all the spreads up through the bottom. The Sheriff even brought out the paper work so all could make statements and sign. The Sheriff as well as the Game and Parks were both investigating, and found out it was a plane doing some picture taking for some atlas or something like that, hired by the county. Well we had 14 customers, and that was not to pleasing to them to have their day of hunting destroyed. We should of put a minimum 15 more birds in the bag, and just maybe limited out on big Canada’s today. If that was not enough, we had another 75 right down in there with just seconds to go before shooting and the Idiot, that hunts Pettit’s Shot one shot, and spooked them out of there. We just may have to Call the law on him too. He is out of the City and thinks he owns 2/3 of Burt county, and is always doing something to upset some hunters in the area. We had been turning the other cheek for a couple of years and just maybe forced to take other action.

Well most of the guys got depressed and headed home, so we closed up shop and come to the house.

Well all of you have a great Thanksgiving and please say a prayer for all the hero’s that are not going to share a meal, with there love one, while protecting us, and our rights.

Check back and See ya Carl

Oh Can-a-da Oh Can-a-da

Have you ever wondered just why we hit the pits so early in the morning. It is always very dark and we just set there for 20-30 minutes. Well it was all explained this morning. We had got our butts and gear into the pits, lit the burners, poured the coffee, but all the time we had some geese circling the spread. Several times offering great shots, if only it was legal times. With about 20 minutes to go till legal this group started to settle into our spread. It was so neat (cool, as the kids would say) to hear the ones on the pond to talk to the one in air. There was a single that was, way out East of the blinds, that was what I would define as coo-ing and there was one on the pond calling back with the traditional honk, while all the rest were just chattering. We got them up but they turned the wrong way, and we managed to harvest only two of them. On another flock of about 75, that must have had us located and just managed to stay out of range, they got into the pond too. This flock got out of there unharmed. However we did have several go-a-round on them. I did not asked just how many times we went into action before we pulled up and come to the house, about a half hour early. We were a few birds short of a limit for all the hunters. We had 13 guns and we ended up with 27 Canada’s, we were so sure we could limit out, but they just quit flying to quick. I guess there is also a chance that we didn’t kill enough when we had the birds too.

The ducks is another story. We made the most of all the opportunities, on them. I think there was two singles and then a nice flock that we took a total of 11 mallards.

So there is no way other than to say that it was a top ten day, any way you cut it. The Canada's were all the big birds and they were all above average for size, too. We did not weigh all of them but they all were over 10 lbs, and some hitting near 13 lbs.

Best get posted. So remember all the troops, in your prayers tonight.

Check back and we will see ya Carl

It is beginning to look better for hunting

Had what was a great big push of Snows and Blues. We just had to see over a 100,000 birds ourselves, and there had to be some both east and west of us, that we didn’t see.. It was almost a steady stream from early morning to about 3:00, when we got a wind change. RK received, a call from someone that, made a phone call to Sand Lake, and they confirmed the Snows and Blues were moving out of there, and we have the feeling that everyone of them moved out today. Makes you wonder if there isn’t some weather change coming soon. We will have to wait and see on that point.

There was also some ducks on the move to. Seen many large flock bucking the wind. We heard, all the hunting spreads north of us, was filling their limits early this morning. We did not see many decoy-able ducks in our area.

The Canada’s, was another story. First off this morning we had a flock of 50 Cacklers give us a great look. We thought that this was going to be the day on them, but that was the last flock of just Cacklers we seen. When the wind changed, (3:00) we started to see the big old boys. After a minor adjustment on the decoys we got them to respond. But still had hard luck on them. You know when you plan on wiping out a flock, most of the time over half fly out. Well it happened here today. We had lost most of the guns, and were down to just 3 guns. Each gun holds 3 shells. Each hunter can take three birds, right??? So 3X3 equals 9, and that was exactly the number of birds that was in this flock. Now they were coming in low and slow, kinda quartering with the wind. At extreme range, 25 yards, but turning right in front of the pits. The boss call the shot, shots flew, and so did 7 of them damn birds. I know there was one hurt, but I guess not to bad. There is still a big argument as which birds fell. I was not in any one’s lane, cause I took the left birds and I was the left gun. The biggest problem is with the Right hand gunner. See, Post-mortem on one he is claiming, proved he died from an red shell and not a gray shell. You don’t find gray shell in ol’War Eagle. That guy is a problem, at times like this. We did see several flocks after that, but again had some decoy problem. We moved them to another place on the lake and closed up shop. But before we left the area we had some settle into the pond, and we are hoping they freeze in tonight and maybe we can put a few in the bag in the morning.
Remember the young men and women that are serving this great country, with a prayer tonight

Check back and we’ll see ya Carl

Was a good push of birds but not much looked

T’was slow again today, even though, it was a fun day. As you can see from the picture above, there were strange things going on at Kohler’s Pond today. The young lady (Mindy Olson, for those of you that don’t know her) baked this cake for me. You can’t read the writing on top, but it was because, I turned another year older today. Also had a young hunter that was hunting with us today, that turned another year old also, (think he turned 13) I am slightly older than that. We have celebrated, our B’Days the past four years together in the blind. So the crew pigged out on B’Cake. Thanks Mindy for your thoughtfulness, you are a jewel in my eyes.

As for the hunting, Had just one flock of ducks and one flock of four geese in on us today. They cleaned out the ducks, the geese, we placed two D I P.

Had a major movement of Sky Carp today. Not a one even as much give us a good look. Also seen pretty good movement on ducks and they were almost as stuck up as the S&B’s were. As for the Canada’s, we did see several flocks, some did give us a look, but not a good look. I guess you have to say that the group of 4 did give us a fair look, or we would not of had a shot at them.
As you know this is Saturday night and I have to take my bride out for a meal, and a Toddy, so best get this posted and go treat, Mommy.

As always say a prayer for all the troops tonight.

Please check back
See Ya Carl .

Shot like pro's today

Things went just a little better, today. First off the harvesting was so good that not one bird flew out on us today, that got in gun range, and that was legal. Early early this morning we had 3 loons, three ducks and one Canada all in the decoys. All left before it was legal to shoot.
We had a hard freeze as well and a heavy frost and geese don’t get up that early so the Boss had not cleaned the frost off. With the weather forecast, why would you?? Suppose to have some winds and clear skies, dark birds and sun and it should be done my Mamma Nature, and geese don’t move much before 9:00AM.

About an hour into the day we had a nice flock of Big Canada’s come from the Northwest and low. And I mean low. Well they didn’t like frosty decoys and got higher when they got to them and just out of range when they went over, the pits. Also didn’t have the best water hole for them either. So we talk this all over, and say it was a complete fluke that they showed up at that hour, and guess what?? Here comes 4 more. Same song, same verse, and they flew out. Then a little later we had 2 big Canada’s drop in and they stayed. A little latter we had a young Blue drop in and we took care of him too.

The picture was this morning sunrise. Have to confess it was better than the picture

Around noon with the wind and the warm weather the ice got to moving in the lake a was causing all kinds of decoy problem so Rob-Bob and Ralph, pulled all the decoys and they all are on the bank, now. Pulled the plug, and come to the house.
This about all the news from the pits today, so remember the troops tonight, and please check back.

See Ya Carl

Short but deadly crew

Well, today there is an amazing story to be told, about this hunt. The setting is of course the Kohlers Pits, loaded with just five experienced but deadly hunters. The bird activity was pretty slow but as we sat there with great confidence, that any thing that would come along, was in a world of hurt. This crew, will be given alias to protect the innocent. There was Stretch, Chief Sharp-Eye, Sugar Maker, killer karl, and Crusty ol’ Dude with a clicky clack. Now I have covered for Crusty ol’ Dude for years. The first activity was there were four Mallards Drakes that buzzed the decoys, so the boss got on the horn and made them circle for another chance at them. He called the shot and we jumped and there was about 5 shot and there were four green heads DIP, For you that don’t remember that means Dead In Pond. Needles to say everyone’s shirt shrunk a couple of sizes. I am sure you know it is tough to shoot with a tight shirt and all were to proud to loosen their shirt by unbuttoning. As luck would have it along came a small flock (7) geese. Decoyed in beautiful, I could hear Ralph telling Crusty ol’ Dude to be ready, because they were coming right over the top of the pit. Well, I just had to peek and looked for them so I could inform my crew, of their where about . I got out a little to far and could not move back. As six of these birds passed right over my head, but off to the side there was a straggler, that was a real long shot(60 yards) for me, but very close to Crusty ‘ol Dude. Since I have help him out most of the time, my plan was to knock this one down and, then turn and dump a couple more into the pond. Now remember, my shirt was so tight, I just plain missed on the first shot and took another shot, and then another, and he flew off. I must say, he was severely injured, and to the point that, him seeing Kansas is doubtful. I was very upset and hurt because, I am sure they are the first shots I have missed all fall, and all because I was to proud to unbutton a shirt. With the earlier history of this wrecking crew, and the number of shot that I had heard behind me, I was scared to turn and see all the feathers floating down. Then I heard some grumbling so I checked, and could not believe what I was seeing. I could not find one bird in the pond. This added to the depression I was feeling, and was really hurting, when Crusty ‘ol Dude, with the clicky clack, has the audacity, to claim that I scared that bird so bad, that it made it impossible for him or any hunter to hit it. He also was upset because I was shooting his lane. I was guilty of this, but I was doing my best to do a good deed, with him in mind, and here, he was cursing me. Well I asked where were the dead birds. Sugar Maker, said he just plain missed, but Chief Sharp-Eye, claimed that the blind was so warm and the barrel of his smoke pole warped. But the best excuse was, Stretch, said he was taking a nap and didn’t get a shot.

That was the total for the day, Should have had 7 Geese and 4 ducks but just got the mallards.

Say a prayer for the troops and please check back
See Ya Carl

A day to Watch the birds.

Not to many birds on the move today, however the ones that were give us a better look than the birds we seen yesterday. The shot in the wind was more than sporting. Had two go-a-rounds on geese, and faired good only once. The ones we got down were trophy birds. The biggest one pushed my scales to just over 13 lbs. and the others were between the 10. and 11 lbs. With the wind we took only four. They escape so fast, and they are a tough bird too.

Again I just have to say, that God has blessed me, several times by providing the sight we had today on both bunches of geese. The first was ten big ones and the other was five small (Cacklers). With the wind in the northwest like it was today they decoyed in, in full view of us in the pits. What a sight it is to see those birds, with wings lock, feet down, and a squawk ever once in a while and settling into the spread. If that don’t get the old heart pumping, just as well tell them, to start shoveling the dirt.

On the Cacklers, we just missed. Seams like I am getting good at that any more. I was not ready to jump when the command was given, and if you don’t get a quick shot you don’t have much of a shot. We had another flock of seven Cacklers that was coming in and a plane took care of them. Almost got them back but didn’t.

May have been a short bag day but was a very good watching day, so have to say it was fun just the same.

Please remember the troops tonight, and please check back
See Ya Carl

They were tough today

We had some sunshine today. Wasn’t for all day but at least there was some for a period of time. If nothing else it lifted our spirits some.

As for the bird action, our harvesting was slow again today. But the birds were not cooperating to good. They just did not let down today. From the phone calls, sounded as if everyone was having the same problem. This is so hard on the Boss. He just don’t like a goose to pass us by. He, thinks the customers are upset with him, because they got away and they didn’t get a shot. There is very few that ever complain. And it is not hard to see he works hard for a shot, regardless of the out come. Today was just a tough day for him.

I had to come in early, we have a family get together tonight, so if I make the appointment, I had to vacate early. When I left there was only two geese and two ducks in the bag.

Please remember to say a prayer for all the young hero who are fighting for us, in your bedtime prayer, tonight.

See Ya Carl

Wet but Fruitful

We had about a full gamut, of weather today. When I left the house this morning, at about 5:00 it look like a wonderful day of weather. The moon was out in all it’s splendor, almost overpowering the street lights, here on my street. There were a few clouds, but not looking to threatening. Hit the café for my morning coffee and to meet the hunters, before we got out to the farm, to begin our mud trip to the pits, it had clouded over. After we settled into the pits, poured the first cup, waiting for it to get legal, we were scrambling for the fiberglass panels, to cover up with to hold off the rain drops. During the not so brief rain, guess at least ½ inch, there was duck everywhere. Not many really wanted to settle into the decoys, but they were there. When the rain quit, and the panels were back in storage there was, few ducks, and the ones left would not cooperate, with the calls or the decoys.

Also during morning the Sky Carp, were on the move. We had received report that there was 300,000, of them in the Sand lake area in South Dakota. We know we never seen every bird but we seen huge flock after huge flock below the clouds and are sure there had to be that many in and above. Later on in the day when there were a few holes in the clouds, you could see flock that must have been at least 40,000 feet up. If it had not been for the sun shining on their white bellies, you would have know they were there. So I am guessing that most of the 300,00 moved south today.

The picture was taken late in the afternoon when the sun found a hole in the clouds and lit up the river tree line as well as our decoys. I don’t think that at the pits we ever cast a shadow.

What action we got today, was all small flocks of geese. The way we shot, it was best, that way too. I am not for sure but I think we had 5 go-a-rounds and ended up with a whapping 14 Canada’s. It was just plain fun, even if we didn’t shoot good. Now I am not saying we never wiped out a small flock, because we did, but it took time and shells.

Best get this posted so remember the troops in your bedtime prayers, and please check back.
See Ya Carl

We escaped before the moisture settled in.

Had plenty of open water this morning and early we were seeing enough bird to give us hope of, a shooting day was in store for us, today. Got a shot before sunrise in a small flock of ducks. Also had a big Can, floating over head, along with a few we could see navigating the river. Well as the day progressed, fewer and fewer birds were seen. After noon we did drop a teal in the pond, out of a pair, and that was the total action for the day. We escaped, the pits, before the rain and sleet arrived.

Sounds like we have some weather coming in, for the next couple days, so we will see what that brings, us for birds.

Please check back and until then be sure to say a prayer for the troops and we will see ya
Carl

Big Birds again

Well this is a little late, tonight but I had a meeting I had to attend before I could write.

We had ice this morning. It was about ½ inch thick. So the crew had to open a spot for the decoys. With the wind there was plenty of ice on the decoys too, that need cleaning off too. I am going to include a picture of big geese that we took, in the early morning shot. The boss going out to help bring in some of our trophy's. The third day in a row with Canada’s taken.

As to the happening today. We got into a few ducks, and one flock of Canada’s. The Canada shot was just exactly what the boss thought was a chocolate shot., but a our staff of gunners made the best of it and we downed 7, out of about 15 birds. Now I do not feel that is not to bad of shooting, because they were on the turn, but were just right out in front of us. They were some big birds. However we did not weight any of them. Again I have to comment about the number of Mallards we are seeing this fall. Almost like past season of yesteryear. They are not giving us all the shot we are wanting but we are seeing them, just the same. Also the percentage of drakes has backed off just a little of what it was a couple a weeks ago. But with a little slower day, than the past couple have been we still took around 10 today.

I was hurried last evening, and didn’t get to think of just what I wrote, and what I left out. I had completely forgot to say that the Snows and Blues were on the move yesterday. We also, seen a few flocks of them today but nothing like yesterday. One other thing about today’s birds, they were much lower than they were yesterday. Most of our birds were in the clouds when we seen them and today we had birds that were out looking for food, over finding a place to stop at, for a rest. I still get almost breathless to see then big boys, turn back into the wind and never move a wing as they descend into the spread. Sometimes talking all the way and the next time a little less vocal.

Well I best get my night time prep, for tomorrow. So till the next report keep the troops in your prayers

See Ya Carl