John L
Well-known member
I had taken Mike and his 13 year old son Marco out last year for there first waterfowl hunt. There were plenty of shots fired but only a small Hooded Merg taken. With some shooting instruction and practice shooting clays they were ready to try it again.
Last year I took them out using the tender and brought them to a stationary blind so it would be easier for them to shoot.
This year Mike called me and said they were ready to give it another try and wanted to go out in the sneak boats. So, I meet them at the ramp and begin unloading their car. Boy-o-boy did they have a lot of gear. I explained that we would not be using the tender and they should only bring essentials. They replied everything is essential. We did get the gear down to a managable load and then head out.
We arrive at our first stop and set up well before first light. We hear a bunch of other boats in the dark, very few with lights. (go figure) A few very early shots are heard and we realize we have some close company. The guys I flashed my light to earlier and flashed back must have thought I was sending out a welcome signal. Oh well, we are set up and I'm not moving for another 2 hours.
Mike and his some are getting some shots in but not having much luck dropping a bird. After a while Mike hits a bird and it sails and goes down about a half mile away in some tall reeds on another island. I took a ride over to find the bird. I tried and tried to find this bird but with out my trusty retiever Mocha, I just could not do it. Mocha is still taking it easy to let her front paw pad heal from a cut last week. It's just not the same hunting with out a dog...
After a few more shots and a few more misses. It time to move on to our next spot.
We arrive at our next spot and get set up. We are there for less than 5 minutes and the Bay Constable is heading right for us in their new 30' Pilot House cruiser. After the usual check they depart and we are talking about what the good job they do and what they are looking for.
Then I notice a Canada goose passing us on our port side us but it to far to shoot. I quickly grab my call and get him turned around. I tell Mike and Marco not to shoot till he is on top of us. The goose does two full circles and cup his wings to drop in. He is about 20 yards out when Mike and Marco enpty their guns. The goose goes down anout 100 yards out. I head out in the other boat to pick him us and I can hear the yelling back on shore. When I get back there are smiles ear to ear.
We stayed there for a little while longer waiting for the tide to drop. Then we moved to a nice mud flat and waited for the Brant to arrive. The Brant started to gather in the sky by the hundrends dropping in all around us but not on us. Then as the tide dropped a bit more we were in good good position. Mike and Marco began shooting and within a short time had their limit of Brant. More ear to ear smiles and it was time to head back in.
It was a lot of fun teaching these guys and watching as they got their birds.
Mike and Marco headed home with dinner for their family and some memories that will last a lifetime.
Not to mention I had a great hunt also and didn't even fire a shot.
Last year I took them out using the tender and brought them to a stationary blind so it would be easier for them to shoot.
This year Mike called me and said they were ready to give it another try and wanted to go out in the sneak boats. So, I meet them at the ramp and begin unloading their car. Boy-o-boy did they have a lot of gear. I explained that we would not be using the tender and they should only bring essentials. They replied everything is essential. We did get the gear down to a managable load and then head out.
We arrive at our first stop and set up well before first light. We hear a bunch of other boats in the dark, very few with lights. (go figure) A few very early shots are heard and we realize we have some close company. The guys I flashed my light to earlier and flashed back must have thought I was sending out a welcome signal. Oh well, we are set up and I'm not moving for another 2 hours.
Mike and his some are getting some shots in but not having much luck dropping a bird. After a while Mike hits a bird and it sails and goes down about a half mile away in some tall reeds on another island. I took a ride over to find the bird. I tried and tried to find this bird but with out my trusty retiever Mocha, I just could not do it. Mocha is still taking it easy to let her front paw pad heal from a cut last week. It's just not the same hunting with out a dog...
After a few more shots and a few more misses. It time to move on to our next spot.
We arrive at our next spot and get set up. We are there for less than 5 minutes and the Bay Constable is heading right for us in their new 30' Pilot House cruiser. After the usual check they depart and we are talking about what the good job they do and what they are looking for.
Then I notice a Canada goose passing us on our port side us but it to far to shoot. I quickly grab my call and get him turned around. I tell Mike and Marco not to shoot till he is on top of us. The goose does two full circles and cup his wings to drop in. He is about 20 yards out when Mike and Marco enpty their guns. The goose goes down anout 100 yards out. I head out in the other boat to pick him us and I can hear the yelling back on shore. When I get back there are smiles ear to ear.
We stayed there for a little while longer waiting for the tide to drop. Then we moved to a nice mud flat and waited for the Brant to arrive. The Brant started to gather in the sky by the hundrends dropping in all around us but not on us. Then as the tide dropped a bit more we were in good good position. Mike and Marco began shooting and within a short time had their limit of Brant. More ear to ear smiles and it was time to head back in.
It was a lot of fun teaching these guys and watching as they got their birds.
Mike and Marco headed home with dinner for their family and some memories that will last a lifetime.
Not to mention I had a great hunt also and didn't even fire a shot.
