"Jersey Boy" has been here in Iowa this past week. I was able to get him out on a few hunts but unfortunately those hunts saw little action. That is until yesterday.
The morning is clear and the stars overhead light my way as I motor up river. I go further up river than my usual spot. The migration has not arrived yet and the still remaining local ducks know where they have been harassed and are avoiding those spots. I was hoping to find a spot along the river which might attract some of the few ducks still around. Arriving at a bend in the river which offered a backwater cut and some slack water adjacent to the main flow, I decide it would be a perfect spot to set up. The spot was protected from the predicted wind yet was open enough to give a good view of the decoys to any ducks passing by. I set about tossing out decoys and tucking the boat up against the shoreline. Ahh, it is 5:30 am. just enough time for a short snooze before shooting time arrives.
The darkness gives way to the early morning light and I snap a picture.
In the predawn darkness I had heard a lone Mallard quack a few times and I was ever hopeful that this would be a fruitful hunt. The sun arose shining brightly but it was not to last. One could visibly see the advancement of the leading edge of the cloud cover as it quickly enveloped the sun. I snapped a couple more photos of "Jersey Boy" dancing in the river's current.
The leaves are falling like rain in the wind and the tress will be bare in no time.
I hear a noise from behind and swiveled around to look. Instinctively I raise my gun and pull the trigger. One shot and a clean kill as Ginger hopped out of the boat racing over to the prize. Nice and plump, a fitting start for the day.
Soon I am entertained by the antics and high flying maneuvers of five Eagles soaring overhead. I watch them for some time before their aerial displays carry them out of sight. It is not uncommon for me to see at least one or two eagles every time that I hunt this section of the river.
A flicker of movement catches my eye and once again I look over my right shoulder. Thru the tree branches I see it again, up comes my gun, boom, another one to add to the bag. The pot will not be empty tonight!
Oh, maybe I should show you the picture.......................................
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Yes, These two squirrels were shot, from my boat, with my shotgun, using steel shot. And yes, my family loves squirrel pot pie. No, the ducks did not fly today, but when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. In this case, you make squirrel pot pie.
Life is good and Jode makes a heck of a nice decoy.
The morning is clear and the stars overhead light my way as I motor up river. I go further up river than my usual spot. The migration has not arrived yet and the still remaining local ducks know where they have been harassed and are avoiding those spots. I was hoping to find a spot along the river which might attract some of the few ducks still around. Arriving at a bend in the river which offered a backwater cut and some slack water adjacent to the main flow, I decide it would be a perfect spot to set up. The spot was protected from the predicted wind yet was open enough to give a good view of the decoys to any ducks passing by. I set about tossing out decoys and tucking the boat up against the shoreline. Ahh, it is 5:30 am. just enough time for a short snooze before shooting time arrives.
The darkness gives way to the early morning light and I snap a picture.
In the predawn darkness I had heard a lone Mallard quack a few times and I was ever hopeful that this would be a fruitful hunt. The sun arose shining brightly but it was not to last. One could visibly see the advancement of the leading edge of the cloud cover as it quickly enveloped the sun. I snapped a couple more photos of "Jersey Boy" dancing in the river's current.
The leaves are falling like rain in the wind and the tress will be bare in no time.
I hear a noise from behind and swiveled around to look. Instinctively I raise my gun and pull the trigger. One shot and a clean kill as Ginger hopped out of the boat racing over to the prize. Nice and plump, a fitting start for the day.
Soon I am entertained by the antics and high flying maneuvers of five Eagles soaring overhead. I watch them for some time before their aerial displays carry them out of sight. It is not uncommon for me to see at least one or two eagles every time that I hunt this section of the river.
A flicker of movement catches my eye and once again I look over my right shoulder. Thru the tree branches I see it again, up comes my gun, boom, another one to add to the bag. The pot will not be empty tonight!
Oh, maybe I should show you the picture.......................................
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Yes, These two squirrels were shot, from my boat, with my shotgun, using steel shot. And yes, my family loves squirrel pot pie. No, the ducks did not fly today, but when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. In this case, you make squirrel pot pie.
Life is good and Jode makes a heck of a nice decoy.
