Travelling Decoys: MIA???

Well, my time with Robert was a real bust. Brian Garman and I hunted Thanksgiving morning in VA. Nice weather, but no birds. I did not miss a bird!

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I then drove to Vermont on the following Sunday. I stopped along the way visit with Steve and his wife and son. Had a nice lunch and chat, and then got a very helpful painting tutorial. You likely saw his post on that visit.

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Monday the 26th I was at the Champlain Bridge boat launch, in pea soup fog, and water so flat, I was wishing for water skis. We waited until daylight before motoring away due to the obstacles and ice we knew was prevalent.

Once set up we watched and waited, and waited and watched, as the few birds that were flying were passing overhead and then going back into the bay behind us. We knew there had to be ice in the bay, and there was, but there was enough open water in there that a few thousand Whistlers and a few hundred Black ducks were content to just hang out. We could not compete with that group, that was for sure.

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We moved twice, but each time, any birds bothered by our intrusion, only got up and move a couple hundred yards and settled right back in. There was no reason for them to move, and they did not! Just as we got off the water is started a light rain. A very filling lunch at the Bridge Restaurant put us in a content and tired mood for the drive back up the mountain. When we got the boat tucked back into the garage, the winds were building and the snow was flying. Still no misses!

The wind blew most of the night and by morning we had a good 6 inches on the ground and falling fast. This was not in the forecast, and I was not prepared for this weather. Towing a boat on unplowed roads down the mountain, and the unknown of the drive back up the mountain with the boat, left us enjoying the indoor warmth, and the beautiful views out the window!


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The snow continued all day and night. By Wednesday morning, there was at least 18" on us.


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Wednesday was my relocation day, so after breakfast we ventured out to clean up the drive and clear the trucks. On the very first snow shovel, I tweeked my back really badly. I don't usually have back pain, this sucks! I am still not 100%, more than a week later, though I am much better that I was last week. The later half of the week was spent with John Bourbon.

Thursday morning we headed to a spot that was very productive on Thanksgiving... a shore hunt for Whistlers. The spot was great, the hunting not so great. Never pulled the trigger.


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The next day we headed to Salvage Island, a spot I have not hunted before. We saw a few birds, but most would not play. We did manage a pr of Mergs (John eats them!), so I got to shoot, and still have not missed this season!

So I have 4 days afield, and shot once! Our season here in VA will open next weekend, and am hoping the weather brings some birds in. Better luck to those with Robert the rest of the season...
 
Well, Dave, the scenery looked beautiful and I am sure the company was great but I sure hate your didn't have much luck and that you hurt your back. Hope you feel better soon and have some better luck back home in VA.
Thanks for posting the update!
 
What's that old saying, "the hunting was good, but the killing was poor." It was a nice visit, but this early for us snow has done nothing for my hunting....

John
 
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