Youth Waterfowl day today

Mark W

Mark W

Well-known member
This weekend it is youth waterfowl weekend. I took my son and one of his best buds (both named Christian - what's the chances of that) hunting this morning. I decided to hit a good, but a spot that tends to be popular. I know this area well and knew that if it was crowded, I could go into one of the back channels where no one goes but the wood ducks tend to fly to. If nothing elses, the boys would get some passing shots at woodies.

Got to the landing and there was no one there. Good sign. Started boating to the spot thinking the whole time we would see spot lights soon enough. Nothing. Changed our plans and set up in a good overall duck spot with every intention to move if we see the flocks of woodies winging their way over to the woodie spot.

Got the dekes out and watched the morning come alive.

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Five minutes before legal time a small flock of ducks landed in the decoys. Should have seen the boys shaking with excitement. "Is it time yet Dad"? - "Nope". "Is it time yet Dad"?. "Nope" "Is it time YET Dad"? "Nope". And so this went every 30 seconds for 5 minutes. By the time the legal hunting time began the ducks had swam out of range. Didn't stop the boys from taking a couple of shots. Nothing dropped.

5 minutes later here comes a pair of ducks. Boys have got the guns over the blind and are intently watching the ducks circle and circle. "Can we take em yet Dad"?. "Not yet boys". Ducks come into the dekes with their wings cupped and I say "Now". My son gets the first duck and his friend Christian gets the other duck - first time he had ever fired a shotgun in his life. I told him it was going to be his lucky day and that the duck he shot was probably banded. No band.

The morning went by with many opportunities for the boys to get shots at ducks and geese. Highlight of my day was when my son shot a double on a couple of greenheads. It was his first ever. I think he is still smiling.

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Great day all in all. Lots of shooting, lots of good discussion and memories that will last quite a while. Only bad thing is that since my son was shooting my gun, and shooting it well, I can't blame the gun when I get out next week. Now he wants a 12 gauge semi auto.

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Mark W
 
Mark:

A very special day - three people will always remember it! When the time is right, hand your shotgun down to your son. Every time he picks it up he'll think of you.

Kevin
 
Wow Mark,
home run on the spot and the boys having a great hunt. Looks like a sure fire thing that you will have company on your hunts in the future for sure.
Just pass that shotgun on down. I still use my grandfathers and my son is breaking targets with it too.
Nothing like a shooting iron with family history attached to it. You have the best excuse in the world to get a replacement that matches.
 
Great story and a pair of smiles to match.
Thanks for sharing.
With your son doing so well with 'your gun' it might be time to pass it on along with the tradition.
Now you have an excuse to give the misses why you are buying another 'must have' shotgun. lol
 
Wow---what a great story and pics. Sure enjoyed seeing those smiles on the lad's faces. Thanks for taking the time to do what you did, Mark.
Al
 
Glad to hear you and the boys had a great weekend. Like your post mentioned, I didn't see nearly as many hunters out as in past Youth hunts. Don't know if the weather held them back, or what. I'll post some pics in the next day or two. Tell your son congrats on the double!
Rick
 
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