Annual Spring Appreation Kohler Dinner

Just open an E-Mail saying, that they had not seen anything on my blog about the Kohler Dinner. Our Server has been up dating their equipment and there has been some problems, and I had not checked after I posted, so it has not got there.

So there is a Kohler Dinner this coming May 5^th a Thursday evening at Antony’s again this year.

Cocktails are at 6:00 Dinner 6:45.

Menu:

Anthony’s Top Sirloin

Anthony’s Prime Rib

Salmon Chicken Cordon Bleu

Prices are about the same as in the past

Sorry this is so late, and I have no excuse as to why I didn’t check to see if it posted.

Hope if you didn’t get an invitation I got this to you in time.

Hope to see ya there, and again I am sorry this is so late

Was fast, early but ended early

We have got through the big crews and today we had just 4 guns. All the action was early and they were not what I would call a “chocolate shot”. But we made the best of it and took 6 out of one flock and 5 out of the next two flocks. We had a flock of 7 I think. There was 2 low birds and the rest was high, and they stayed that way. The boss called the shot on the two but they were on the way out but we downed them. I think is was pretty much “good luck” that we got those two down. Then the heavy clouds moved in and the birds were scarce and high from then on. Most were young birds today again. We wanted some little Ross geese today, but could not get any of them to get into range. Had a hunter that wanted to stuff some of them, so you would bet we would see but not shoot a one. That was the case to.

Going to see if I can get my home work done and get a little extra rest. Sure don’t know just how the boss handles, these hours, like he does.

Say a prayer for the troops tonight and please check back too.

See Ya Carl

A Good Morning slow afternoon

You get a two in one today. I had a busy day after hunting planed, so skipped out early yesterday. They got into a flock after I had left the pits. There had been a flock of 8 (7 blues and a snow) that had got down low enough for us to shoot but was wide at least 6 times. They would leave then come back and decoy in and just miss us every time. Well after I left they tried that stuff again. I understand it was not the best shot, but the boss called the shot and they took 5 of the 8. We had 4 in the bag before so that brought the daily total to 9, for yesterday.

Now to today. Had 3 go-a-rounds and had 22 in the bag. The highlight of the day was. A flock of about 40 come right in on the first circle, right up over the pits and we took 15 out of it. Put a little fear in me, I though some was going to fall into my blinds. I left a shell in my smoke pole and took cover under the blind top. We had one sailor that made the west side of the lake, the rest was very close to retrieve.

Sure would love to have one great day this spring. There was no memorable days last fall and so far not much to log into the ol memory bank, for the spring. Maybe we are just a little greedy but feel we have one day like that coming. One a year is not to much to ask, is it.

Forgot to say that every bird we took today was a JUVIE. Not one adult bird. I say that cause you guys that live close should plan to hit the pits here in the next few days, for a bunch of fun

Say a little prayer for the troops tonight, and please check back

See Ya Carl

To many clouds and to little wind till late morning

Going to try tonight, Today’s action was slow but with some success. With the heavy clouds, but really no rain, there was no morning bird movement. For a while it looked like we was never going to turn off the callers, and hunt with our eyes. Then the wind come up just a little and moved the clouds out, and a ray of sunlight soon followed. When the clouds are heavy we still have very small flock moving and we can decoy them, if they are not to much of a surprise. Think we got 2 maybe 3 before the skies cleared some, and we had some sunshine. Never did have a push over us, but we could see plenty of them moving west of us, between us and town. Had reports from all over that they were on the move. When we pulled up stakes, we had 10 in the bag. Not the greatest day but what we had for weather, it could have been worst.

It looks like we are seeing the tail end of the breeders and starting to see more juvies, Ross’s and the real old birds. Now this has always been our bread and butter, of the harvest so I think the best times are in front of us yet.

Remember the troops tonight and every night, in your prayers.

See Ya Carl

Some great sights and sounds today

No wind and light fog, early. I say light, there had to be about a ¼-1/2 mile visibility but that is not much when you are looking for birds in the clouds. The wind got up, in the NNW just a little, about 11:00 and blew the fog out and some of the clouds. Especially the low hanging clouds, and then we started seeing some birds. First off the only thing we could decoy was singles and small flock of 2 or 3. The crew was making short work of them too. Later the sun pop out some and brightened up and another big adjustment of the decoys and then we were attracting larger number of birds. I think the highlight of the day for me was, a flock around 40 birds that we called in and they were settling into the pond off the end of No. 1 pit. The boss will never call a shot where you are shooting over other blinds. There were already some birds on the water and then there was a group of about 7 snows was dropping straight down to join them with their feet down. I don’t know just why, when a goose drops his feet it gets to me but it is something I know I will see in my dreams tonight. We got them up but they were to wide for us to call a shot on, but the sight will be with us for some time. I almost forgot to say that before good light, and after legal time, we had birds all over us, but we were not sure there was no specks, so could not call those shots. And believe me when I say there was a couple of great shot we missed out on there. Another sight in my dreams tonight

Since my last report there has been some shooting so I will try to catch you up on the harvest. Tuesday we took 5, yesterday there was only one harvested. Today it was around 25. Not for sure of total because there is still a blind full hunting and we had some traveling hunters, that left about noon and they took birds with them.

Mother is wanting to kick up her heels tonight since is St. Pat’s day and we also have a couple of Grandkids that have birthdays on this day. Rare thing for us to have two grandkids with a birthday, on St Pat’s day and they do not have the same parents. Anyway we best make a call to both of then and wish them a happy B’day.

As always say a bed time prayer for the troops tonight and please check back

See Ya Carl

A great day

It was a fun day. Started out with all the fog and heavy clouds and us cussing. We were seeing a few flocks and got a shot or two but nothing big, you know pair or maybe 3, but no flocks. Finely the sun broke through and we started seen more migrating birds. But to get them to decoy was another thing. So the boss and most of the hunters, got out and done a revamp of the decoys, and things changed quick. The flocks just could not pass us up. The most memorable, flock, had about 250 to 300 birds in it and all were locked up and coming in fast. I have to insert with a south breeze the decoy action was all in full view, for all to watch. As I was saying all were locked and dropping like a rock, but there was a small flock 7 that was ahead of the main body. They come over the pits at about 30 yards high, and the boss let them pass, because there was over 250 geese coming in and why shoot at just 7. Well the next round they were going to land, and he just had to call the shot. They were about 20 yards in front and maybe 15 yards high. Needless to say there were 7 DIP. There was no “watch that one” as he sailed out, only cheers, as the main body of geese faded away into the clear blue sky.

There was plenty of geese that has moved into our area too, over the past day or two. We can see three huge flocks get up off a puddle or out of a field, and fly around for a couple of minutes then set back down, right back, where they got up. Have not got any reports from the south as to what the bird count was on those reserves, but I am guessing they will report they have lost birds.

Best get this posted and get my evening work done in prep of tomorrow. Cause I would miss tomorrow for nuttin.

Remember all the young men and women that are serving us ,both over seas and here on out main land, in your bed time prayers.

See Ya and check back

Carl

Not one of the best days

Was a slow day today. There were only a few flocks and they just did not like our frozen lake and everything else we had to offer. We thought our music was OK, but it was obvious, they we not interested. However we did get a handful in the bag.

The Ducks were not as active either. We still seen them but they did not buzz our pits, today, like they had for the past 3 days. I don’t think they liked our frozen lake either.

I am suffering from DST syndrome. I have a smart clock that adjust the time for you. Well I have had it, for 3 years and it had adjusted on the right day only 2 of the 3 days. I worried about if it would wake me when it should. See if I would have just gone to sleep like I should I would have woke up before the alarm goes off . Well it set the right time last night there fore the alarm goes off and hour before it should, and that is after not sleeping the early part of the night I am tired, so I am going to make this very short , and hit the hay early.

Remember the prayer for the troops tonight and please check back.

See Ya Carl

Just a little slower today

The day was a little slower today, than what we thought, it would be. Had the wind we wanted, but the birds today was of a mixed bag type. Almost every flock we had decoy was loaded with Whitefronts, making it to dangerous to shoot. So the shooting was mainly singles and pairs today. However we had a bag of around 10 today. Never lost a bird today tho.

Still was seeing plenty of birds and all reports from the south are saying there is plenty left, to come through.

The ducks number are still amazing us. Today there was more pintails with-in gun range today than we seen total, all of last fall. There was ducks in the air all day long. I know we had to see the same duck more than once, but never the less when they all got up there was one big black cloud, of ducks.

This Saturday, so I have to make this short, cause this is mothers evening, to kick up her heals.

Please say a little prayer for the troops, who serve our country. Also please check back

See Ya Carl

Was a fun day

Ok so I have not posted in several days. Some for good reason and some no reason. We had had some luck the past couple days. Yesterday I tried to write some thing, but when I read it is sounded like I was complaining.

We killed a couple yesterday and seen thousands but could not get them to decoy. That is not unusual for us, because we have never been able to decoy the breeders, that come through first. The juvies and the non breeders, we usually have pretty good luck with. So if what we seen today were all breeders, we are in trouble, because they are out producing our shooting. I can not guess the number of geese, S&B’s Canada’s And White front’s, if it is a wild goose that flies our flyway, we seen it today and a bunch of his brothers and sisters.

Not sure of the total kill today, but it was about 20, had 15 in the sack tonight. Lost some sailors. We hate that, but it happens.

Tomorrow we will have a wind they have to buck, and that usually means they are easier to decoy.

More, on today’s bird activity. The ducks were there showing off today. They were playing DARE DOUBLE DARE. They did there best to get us to violate the spring hunting rules, and jump up on a flock. They were in on us all day and the same goes for the Canada’s. It is so much fun just setting out there and enjoying the birds.

A fun and successful first day

First day of the spring hunt is in the books. I was very sure that, we would not see any Geese today, when we went to the blinds. But it took only a few minutes for the action to start, after we got set up, to go. After a couple of near misses we hit pay dirt. Had a small flock of 10-12 birds, drop into range. We had only 4 shooters but we still averaged one bird per gun. It is rare when that is done. Then when you factor in that only one gunner, fired 3 shots. I shot only one, off. My first shell was a dud, and didn’t jack the action, so I had only one shot. Now I know that one or two more shots, may not have upped the kill, but it killed my fun of pulling the trigger., a few more times

Yes, we seen plenty of flocks today and should have been into 3 or 4 more flocks than we did. All in all it was a very enjoyable day hunting today. We always love to have wind and there was not much of that today, but it was a very comfortable day. Yesterday we had wind chills of below zero, and we hunted the afternoon with the heat off, in the blind. The lake is still covered with ice, but it is very rotten and almost black by the time we left. Most of the birds were coming back from the north, again today. Not sure the reason of this but, it made for a fun day. Plenty of Canada’s and at time the skies were full of ducks. We had one flock of S&B’s that we missed out on because ducks and geese was in different direction and spooked each other, wiping out our shot.

Have to change the times for leaving the Café. We will be leaving at 5:30 for a while. I messed up on my own formula. Hope we can just stick to that time until we change the time for DST. Another note, Flo will not be open this Sunday, so we will meeting at The South Mini Mart. They are serving breakfast in there so if you are wanting to eat, it is still possible.

Have to close this so please remember to say a little bed time prayer, for all the young people that are serving out country. Also please check back and we’ll see ya

Carl

WE ARE READY

The weather has not made getting ready for this spring conversation hunt and easy job. First there was to much winter and then it was to much spring, and then it turned around to be to much winter again. But we have finely made it, and I think we are ready. The decoys are set, the blaster is working and the blinds have been cleaned for the hunters. Most of this work was finished this week, before this latest winter blast move in. We lucked out here in Tekamah, we did not get as much snow as either south or north of us. Omaha and Lincoln both got several inches and we maybe got an inch.

While we were setting the decoys we were seeing all species of geese including the beloved Sky Carp. Most of the S&B’s were moving south it appeared to me, so my thinking they were escaping this blast of snow we received . Was out there doing some touch up work this morning and we seen about 8 bunches of Canada’s all coming up the river from the south

Before I forget, You out of state hunters be sure to go on line and get your Nebraska License, and HIP number before you mosey our way. I will post the address at the bottom of this post. Everyone has to get there license this way. There is just a few places you can pick them up in stores and they go on line to do it too. So you just as well do it in the comfort of you home as come out here and try to find a place that will do it for you.

Now for the time we are leaving the Café. As you know we gain about a minute and a half each day so the departure time is going to change pretty fast. For now lets say 6:00. DST begins on March 13^th so everything is going to change again. But for now we will leave at 6:00.

The address to the NGPC is : Remember to get your HIP number too. https://ngpc-permits.ne.gov/NGPC-PS/faces/public/welcome

Remember to say a little prayer for all the young Men and Women that are serving our country, tonight and every night

See Ya and please check back

Carl

There is a spring hunt planned

Happy New Year, to EVERYBODY.

Received a couple of E-Mail in regards to, if we were planning on a spring Snow and Blue hunt. Yes we are. The reports I posted this past fall were all so gloomy, some felt, we may not setup for a spring hunt. That is not the case at all. I talked to the boss this morning, wishing him and Dorothy a happy New Year, he commented, that he was getting some reservations. I know that there was much planning for a spring Snow and Blue hunt this past spring, when the pits were moved. So if you are planning for a hunt give R K a call. Sure you all know the Number but I will give that again. His house number is 402-374-2747.

Dorothy is still improving quite well, and getting stronger, as time passes. They are getting out and I understand she is handling the trips, well. I am sure she is enjoying these outing. Especially, since she was confined to one room for most of the fall. Before we quit hunting she has started to making her way to the kitchen and doing some cooking. Knowing just how much she enjoyed cooking, that had to be one great, sprit lifting event, when she done that for the first time, in weeks.

For you that are interested, on the 6^th of January, will be Ralph’s 93^rd birthday. So regardless when you call to make reservations, remember to wish him a Happy Birthday.

Keep the troops in your daily prayers and check back for spring hunt, updates.

See Ya Carl

THE FAT LADY HAS SUNG

Well we closed up shop on Monday and I have no excuse for no posting before today. There is no shortage of geese in Burt County but there is a shortage of them, out around our blinds. For some reason it was a vacuum in the skies for the whole season out there this fall. Just a few miles north, those spreads were having one of the best season ever. A couple years ago, we had one single day when we harvested as many Canada’s, as we totaled for the whole season this fall. The ducks were not much better. Was a long hard year for Ralph, this fall.

There were 3 Canada’s that we took between this report and the last report I posted. Don’t remember just why but for some reason I could not get a report written so I just kept putting it off in hope there would be a day I could incorporate it into, but it just didn’t happen.

Was some memorable things that happened through the fall other than a bad season. Did have some interesting new hunters and had some hunter that have graced our pits, in the past, come back and set with us again. That is the fun side of my job out there. For two days I had a combat Vet, who was injured quite severely in Iraq, that sat beside me. It was an honor to talk with him. He is one of the reasons I can ask for a bed time prayer, at the end of these post.

Well thanks for all of you that checked us out this fall and please check back for the spring hunt. It just has to be a more successful hunt.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you, and please keep all our hero’s in your prayer

See Ya Carl

The ducks were moving today

Today was a day of watching again. When I say watching , I mean we were watching a fly over today. The Mallards flew over us almost all day. They were up in the MUCK, Low hanging clouds, all day long. These Mallards we have been saying for the past 3-5 years did not exists. They have not migrated this far south, or did not come this early, but we are seeing them this year. They flew today on large flocks of several hundred. What a great sight, truly did not think I would ever see it again. We did not decoy any but at least we got to see there is ducks.

As for today’s action; I think we had about 4 go-a-rounds on Canada’s. They were all in little flocks. Don’t think there was over 4 that escaped our iron curtain, we threw up. But totaled only 10 Can’s and a hand full of ducks. All the action was in the morning, but have the feeling it was the weather doings. Was one raw day, once the wind got up. Know my face is chapped. Also made the blinds a little cool, too.

Got an E-mail asking me to point out a party coming up this Fri night here in T-town. I am going to paste the info from his note to me

Burt/Washington County DU Chairman, and we are having a Waterfowler Hunter Party this Friday at the Tekamah Auditorium, Could you put a tidbit in your next blog and pass the word on to your members. It starts at 5:30 dinner at 7. $25.00 gets you a membership, BBQ Dinner and free beer. Register on the DU web page or call me 402-968-8932.

Sounds like some fun to me. Will see if I can make it.

Please say a prayer for all the guys and gals, that are protecting us, tonight in your bed time prayers

Also please check back

See Ya
Carl

Was a strange day

Yes it was a strange day. We got into the Sky Carp two times. Now days, that makes it a strange day. We never had the best shot on either flock, but when you have a shot at them in the fall you best take it. Took a total of 11 of them. Was a sight to behold too. The thing I found interesting, was we shot only a couple juveniles, and rest of them were adult birds.

The rest of the day was not the worst either, was into Mallards one time and
Canada’s once too. The bag had 22 birds tonight. Was not the top day, but was a good day for as few hunter we had. Also had a couple of High School freshmen, shooting, and they are wanting, to have a return trip.

The Mallards was another big flock, boy is that exciting to see that too. Had a dozen or so, drop in quick, so that was our shot. Have not seen big flock of Mallards for a long time and do they ever respond to the call good too. Had the feeling last fall I would never see that again. You just don’t know how great it is to be wrong.

See a fair number of Canada flock today, all were low so sure they are some birds that are staying in the area.

Remember the troops, with a prayer tonight.

Check back and we’ll See Ya Carl

Just Ducks

I have to finish with yesterdays report before I go to today’s.

How could I forget to say something about the Visitors we had yesterday in the lake. As I had pointed out I had my one grandson with me, and he is quite the spotter. Well he said there was a bunch of Snows coming at us from the southeast very low. Well we found them and soon realized there were not Snows at all. It was a family of Swans. Two adult birds and 6 juvies. What a magnificent bird!! On their final swing before landing they passed over the pits not over 15 yards high. I could even hear the wind passing through their winds. Ralph estimated that the biggest bird was 3 ft tall or taller, my guess it was nearer to 4 ft. His head was had to be about 24 inches above the Big Foot Canada’s decoys. They have to stand over 20 inches high. They got a drink and rested for about a half an hour, then took off on their journey. How could I forget such a story. I took some pictures but with out a telephoto lens, what I got, is not much of a picture.

Now to today. No geese, just a limit or two of ducks. They are still raking them over the coals north of us a few miles, but not many getting down in our area. We did have a big flock decoy in on us today. There was 100 plus birds in this flock. Have not had a flock like that come in to our spread in a couple years. Also seen a couple flocks today that were feeding in the area, with big numbers like 1-200 birds per flock. We have not seen that for over 2 years either. Give you the feeling that there may be a few ducks left after all.

Getting late so must hit the hay. So remember the troops again tonight and please check back

See ya Carl

Finely had a somewhat good day

The day got it start with one great sunrise, which I am planning to share with you. Shortly there after we got into the first birds, of the day. Had a small flock of Mallards come in on us and the crew made short work of them placing them all into the pond.

Had a grandson in the pits with me today and his gun was not functioning right, so I told him I had an extra with me today and if he would just go back to the van and get it, it should work. Well, before he got back we got a nice flock of Canada’s in and he missed out on the shot. That is the last thing a Grandpa ever wants. About a couple hours latter I was not feeling the best so went home for a couple of hours and while I was gone they got into 2 more flocks of Canada’s. The highlight of the day was there was one flock of 13 Canada’s and the crew took 12 of the 13. Way to go guys, some good shooting. Three go-a-rounds on Canada’s and flock of Mallards. The best day of the season.

We are hearing that all the setups up north thinning out the Duck population and getting there share of Can’s too. So we have some birds in the area, so maybe we can get this season into the harvest mode. Sure hope so because it has been so boring, so far.

Have some work to do before morning, so best get with it and get this posted.

So say a prayer for the troops and please check back.

See Ya Carl

Another day with spookie birds

Was not an event full day, unless you were Mindy Thomas. The lake had some geese when they went down and open the blinds this morning. Most left when they seen people working on the blinds. Had three that decided they could hang around with our decoys. We all got into the pits and they stayed. After it was legal an extermination crew was formed to go get them up and hopefully get them in the bag. Well Mindy, was on this wrecking crew, She had never been on one before today. She has been hanging around out there for a couple of years but the opportunity, has never arisen before, where she could go. This job has it draw backs, because it you are not successful, there is some razzing directed your way. Of course there are several sets of eye watching as you make every step. It was obvious they were with in range of these birds before the birds got nervous, and started walking out of the decoys. Well the bird Mindy was stalking took off and with a couple of flaps of his wings was above her head, with lighting speed she took careful aim and pulled the trigger, and the goose come crashing down!! D.I.P. (That means Dead In Pond) Robert, her husband , is going to have it mounted for her. I think she had to pose at all pits for a picture. I wanted to post a picture, of the proud lady and her prey, but the quality of my picture, would not allow me to do that.

I did not say before, but they got all three birds. We had a couple more come in, and brought home a bag of 5 for the day.

Had quite a few bird still on the move today, but there are still to smart to decoy. There was not to much activity on the duck front today. Beginning to wonder if there will be a day that is close to what we feel is a normal day.

Well keep checking back and always remember the troop in your bed time prayers.

Thanks for all you who sent B’Day greetings, was not necessary, but I did appreciate your kindness.

See Ya Carl

BIRDS EVERYWHERE

Well the migration is underway, or may even be over. There was more than an abundance of waterfowl today. They flew most of the day. When I say THEY, I mean the ducks, the snows and blues, and the Canada’s. There was even plenty of Gulls, Eagles, and Hawks. Was not much of the day, when you would look up and not see a flock of something in the air. But to get them to decoy was another story. I don’t think, I would be lying if I said we had 35 flock of Canada give us better than a good look. To get them to finish was another story. Ralph has never in his life called such, borderline shots, long shots, but if you was going to get a shot he had to call such shots. Not the most productive shots. We did end us with 6 big Canada’s and one go-a-round on ducks. One of the Canada’s was a huge bird. If I remember right it was over 13 lbs.

Ralph said today that today is a day that just has to be in his next book. At least it was a day, he will never forget. As most of you know I am trying to put a book together too, on my experiences of hunting with Ralph. One of my chapters is titled “Birthday Hunts”. Well today was my B’Day and this day is going to be remembered, in that chapter.

That is the reason this report is so late, we had to eat out and then met with some of the kids and grandkids, for some ice cream.

Hope that one of these days I can post a report that is all positive, about the days hunt. Sure hope that there is one day where some of the younger ones burn up a couple boxes of shells. Would be fun to carry a sack to the burn barrel that was loaded with empties and had some shell boxes in it. More aluminum, pans, cans, and foil making the barrel than plastic and brass. And that is just not right to have that happen.

Best get this posted so please say a prayer for the young men and ladies, that serve our country, to night and every night.

See Ya and please check back Carl

Plenty of sky action

Well we shot a Canada, today. It has to be close to 3 week since the last time I could report this. WE KILLED A CANADA TODAY!! However, we did have some great movement on Canada’s today. Just could not get them to decoy. Had many groups check in today and it was about the same on all reports, THEY JUST WILL NOT DECOY. Did hear that one spread Northwest of us, did get into a big flock and got 6 to 8 out of it.

We did have a couple go-a-rounds on ducks and took a few. We passed on one flock of Long Bills. Sure glad of that cause the die easy, and I get credit for all that die.

Need to get in tub and get ready to go feed and water, mother. Have to be home, before the game comes on. Sure hope I can keep her off the tables tonight, and get in early. GO HUSKERS

Say a little prayer for the troops tonight and I hope I have a good report tomorrow

See Ya Carl