Does she know---

[Al Hansen]

That in 51 hours and 50 minutes from now we will be sitting in a blind officially opening the duck season in the south zone of New Mexico? We will have to set up on some low flow ditch just because the Rio Grande is still dry. Once again New Mexico's duck season will be different. As my friend, Tim, has told me in the past, every year has many stark contrasts with no two duck seasons ever being the same. This for sure will be an interesting one.
Al

I try and take her out every day for some training just to keep her sharp. Habi doesn't disappoint me at all, it seems. We'll see how she does very soon.

In the background you can see that our trees are just beginning to turn color. Those yellows are in the cottonwoods that follow the course of the Rio Grande which is about 2 miles from where we live.

 

[Charles Hunsdorfer]

What a gorgeous girl! I bet she just loves daddy.

I hope you don't mind; I've made that last picture my screen wallpaper.

 

[Troy Fields]

Very nice Al. I'm sure Habi will rise to the challenge.

Safe hunting, Troy

 

[Tom Scholberg]

Al, I spent a beautiful day yesterday cleaning gear and getting ready for deer season that hasn't happened most years. I may sneek out again for a day or two but the big duck trips are pretty much over for me this year. Am filling out the journal for the traveling decoy to send off down south to Dave McCann for his leg of the tour. Came home from North Dakota a day early due to the 50+ MPH winds but did well when the wind didn't blow so hard. Habi sure looks like a sweetheart and I'm sure she will do well, Good luck and keep her safe.

 

[John Klingenstein]

She knows.

She reads your mind.

Good luck....I'm excited for you.

 

[MLBob Furia]

If she doesn't, she'll know soon. And believe me, she'll know all the "signs" that you're getting ready to go from that day on. ;-)

God help you on the days you leave the house without her.

 

[wis boz]

Al
Hope you can knock one down for Habi even if it isn't on the Rio Grande. We are in the midst of a thunderstorm here with heavy rain all too late to do us any good. We'll try to push it down your way. Look forward to your pictures on your opening.
wis boz

 

[Shermie]

good luck you two,,ill check back to see all the pics and burds and feathers are everywhere

shermie...

 

[Al Hansen]

What a gorgeous girl! I bet she just loves daddy.

I hope you don't mind; I've made that last picture my screen wallpaper.

Thanks for those comments, Charles. No, I do not mind at all. Glad you found a picture that you would like looking at.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Very nice Al. I'm sure Habi will rise to the challenge.

Safe hunting, Troy

Thanks, Troy. This morning we are heading for a particular low flow channel to do some scouting. I want to see how she does in the sitting department. Chili is coming along to help teach.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Al, I spent a beautiful day yesterday cleaning gear and getting ready for deer season that hasn't happened most years. I may sneek out again for a day or two but the big duck trips are pretty much over for me this year. Am filling out the journal for the traveling decoy to send off down south to Dave McCann for his leg of the tour. Came home from North Dakota a day early due to the 50+ MPH winds but did well when the wind didn't blow so hard. Habi sure looks like a sweetheart and I'm sure she will do well, Good luck and keep her safe.

Tom, sounds to me like you have done a darn good job acclimating yourself this fall. Glad you can do all of those things. By the way, don't ever stop just continue to get more involved. Now you have me curious---did you take pictures of the ND hunt?
I'll do my best to keep her safe.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

She knows.

She reads your mind.

Good luck....I'm excited for you.

Hi John. I will do my best to keep you updated with how things go in this neck of the woods during duck season. I think you are dead on when it comes to reading minds because they can tell.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

If she doesn't, she'll know soon. And believe me, she'll know all the "signs" that you're getting ready to go from that day on. ;-)

God help you on the days you leave the house without her.

That last sentence is so true. Yesterday I had to do something and left her in the house with Bev. My wife said that she cried when I shut the door and walked out. I will not do that again.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Al
Hope you can knock one down for Habi even if it isn't on the Rio Grande. We are in the midst of a thunderstorm here with heavy rain all too late to do us any good. We'll try to push it down your way. Look forward to your pictures on your opening.
wis boz

Hey Jim. Thanks for the thoughts of pushing that rain our way. Lord knows that we need it desperately. I'll do my best to put one down for her to retrieve. We'll see. I have made up my mind that things just won't be the same until the Rio Grande has some water flowing in it once again and that will take place at midnight on October 31st. You can't imagine how much I am looking forward to next Thursday morning. To be out in the Rio setting out my decoys in a small stream of water---what could be better? Well a little more water in the river.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

good luck you two,,ill check back to see all the pics and burds and feathers are everywhere

shermie...

Thanks, Shermie. Hopefully I'll have a few pics for you to look at.
Al

 

[Tom Scholberg]

Al, I did get some pics in ND but I have been so busy with gear I haven't had time to get them on here. A full report of that trip will follow. I still haven't fully figured out getting my pics to the right size to post with Photobucket but will work it out. Right now am too busy to be teaching myself a new trick. Some year I hope to migrate with the ducks too. BTW I just read Mark W.'s post on SD and ND was pretty much the same except we had 50 + winds.