Can shooting just one duck make your day? Of course!

Al Hansen

Al Hansen

Well-known member
I found yesterday most interesting when it came to duck hunting. The action was sparse however I'm glad I could put the drake mallard down just to watch the pups do their thing.

Once again at first light, a big duck, I'm thinking mallard, landed in the pond. It was still 12 minutes before season but Habi already had her radar working. I just had to follow her gaze, then I spotted it swimming from what little light hit the surface of the water. It flew away a few minutes later.

When the season opened nothing happened for at least an hour and a half. I even had put in a jerk string set up so that I could have some action on the water hoping this would help. However, when there are no ducks in the area, all the wave action in the world won't help.

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Then, like in some video, out of no where came a pair of mallards heading straight for the pond. The drake is out front and I'm already thinking about where both will end up dead. As the big boy cups his wings and begins to flare, I fired the first shot, instantly knowing that I shot to his right, totally missing the bird. Now he is climbing out of there and the second shot misses. Finally as he heads for the channel. which is behind me I put him down just on the other side. Nothing like a good case of being over-confident and being subjected to much humility! I never did spot where that hen went because I was so intent upon getting the drake.

As you can see, Chip is now into swimming and doing it like he was born in the water.

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Habi brought the bird back and then always seems to be confronted with cockleburs no matter where she is.

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I spent from 6AM until 11:30AM there and that was my only chance to shoot a duck so I am thankful I finally did connect with that third shell. The thing that really impressed me for this long period of time was to see my two dogs stay on task. Of course I had to talk to Chip because he is only 6 months old but that was just a couple of times. With Habi holding her position in the blind so well, Chip only has to watch and learn, which he is doing admirably. As one of those "really old" duck hunters once said, "A day in the field hunting is much better than being home." Well, since Bev is in Wisconsin for the holidays, I have to agree with that statement.

Time to go home. Habi and Chip are ready.
Al

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Great story Al,
Some of my most memorable hunts only involved one duck. In some no ducks were harmed.
My wife wants me to tell the story of my $1000 duck but I'll save that for another time. John
 
Al, Deb says that last pic is "Christmas card ready". Thanks for sharing
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Tom, make sure to thank Deb, for that nice comment. You guys have fun back home at Christmas.
Al
 
Great story Al,
Some of my most memorable hunts only involved one duck. In some no ducks were harmed.
My wife wants me to tell the story of my $1000 duck but I'll save that for another time. John
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Thanks so much, John. Now you have me just waiting for the day you post that story that your wife wants you to write.
Al
 
Al, good to see your posts here. I have missed them in my hiatus! Hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas!

Brad
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Sure glad to see you back on this site, Brad. Here is hoping you and your family enjoy this holiday season.
Al
 
Al I always enjoy your stories...and you're so right about a single duck making a day...or even no ducks, sometimes.
Of course the dogs probably prefer at least one! I envy your being able to go hunting on your little ATV; my son has one in his garage for me but the locals won't permit their use.
Merry Christmas and thanks for keeping the stories and pictures coming
Bill
 
Al I always enjoy your stories...and you're so right about a single duck making a day...or even no ducks, sometimes.
Of course the dogs probably prefer at least one! I envy your being able to go hunting on your little ATV; my son has one in his garage for me but the locals won't permit their use.
Merry Christmas and thanks for keeping the stories and pictures coming
Bill
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Sure glad the weekend is over so I can go duck hunting. I have one hour to mess around on this computer and then I need to go feed the dogs at the kennel before I leave for my hunt.
Bill, Merry Christmas to you and your family. I don't understand about you not being able to take a 4 wheeler hunting---There have been many times when I leave the house on the 4 wheeler and or Mule and go hunting. It seems to be a way of life where we live. All the ranchers use them. When I first retired I had a spot I went to 75 days during duck season where I normally was on my 4 wheeler for at least 10 miles to get to the "X".
Thank you for the comments on the story. By the way, what you said about the pups is so true. I feel almost guilty when they don't get a chance to retrieve.
Al
 
Al~

I loved this part:

[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]I fired the first shot, instantly knowing that I shot to his right, totally missing the bird. Now he is climbing out of there and the second shot misses. Finally as he heads for the channel. which is behind me I put him down just on the other side. Nothing like a good case of being over-confident and being subjected to much humility!
__________________________________________________
[/font]I have been pondering this all-too-common behavior I suspect we all "practice" - pulling the trigger even though we know - from long experience - that we are not "on" the bird and it will not fall. I have always explained/excused such blundering: "It was too late, too many switches (in our neurocircuitry) have already been thrown" - and there is no fail-safe that empirical observation or reasoning can activate. Now, after too many seasons of watching Giants QB Manning throw into heavy coverage, I now regard such mis-shooting as "pulling an Eli"......my only solace is they my paychecks are much smaller than his.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

SJS
 
Al~

I loved this part:

[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]I fired the first shot, instantly knowing that I shot to his right, totally missing the bird. Now he is climbing out of there and the second shot misses. Finally as he heads for the channel. which is behind me I put him down just on the other side. Nothing like a good case of being over-confident and being subjected to much humility!
__________________________________________________
[/font]I have been pondering this all-too-common behavior I suspect we all "practice" - pulling the trigger even though we know - from long experience - that we are not "on" the bird and it will not fall. I have always explained/excused such blundering: "It was too late, too many switches (in our neurocircuitry) have already been thrown" - and there is no fail-safe that empirical observation or reasoning can activate. Now, after too many seasons of watching Giants QB Manning throw into heavy coverage, I now regard such mis-shooting as "pulling an Eli"......my only solace is they my paychecks are much smaller than his.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

SJS
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I'm still chuckling about that, Steve. As far as pay checks, I'm happy for you that you are still getting one besides SS. The last check I got was for selling a cord of firewood! By the way, Steve, I like calling those errant passes of his---Eli-isms!
I'll bet that you could go outside today and take a beautiful Christmas picture of "your neck of the woods". I would like seeing that. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Enjoy these gifts He has given us.
Al
 
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