Sad news from Oregon.....

Steve Sutton

Well-known member
David Boys, owner of Mallard Marine and the maker of the MARSH RAT marsh boat, died yesterday in a hunting related accident while hunting Brant near Tillamook, Oregon...

Reports at this time are sketchy, and some are conflicting, but it appears that David was hunting with Worth Matthewson for Brant. They had used a large boat for main access but were hunting out of Marsh Rats. Boys and Matthewson were seperated in the gale force winds when Boys set out after a crippled Brant. Boys was wearing a life jacket.

Matthewson swamped his Marsh Rat twice on the way back to the big boat and then grounded the boat on the falling tide. As I read the reports Worth then paddled to the local Coast Guard Station, (no small feat in the small boat and the high winds), to report David missing.

Seachers found David's body at approx. 8 p.m. His body temperature was 80 degrees and he could not be resucitated. No additional reports were made as to Worth's condition so I am assuming that other than be heartbroken at the loss of a good friend that he is o.k.

For those that did not know David he was one of the best known of the NW Waterfowlers. A near permenant fixture on the marshes and rivers of NW Oregon and likely to show up just about anywere else in the area as well. While I didn't know him that well I do know that the man was a WATERFOWLER in the truest sense of the word and his loss to our small community is a tragic one.

Having lost a best friend to a drowning I know its a natural tendancy to state, or think, "what were they doing there", or "why did they go given the weather"? We've all done things we later would say that we shouldn't have, and we have all laughed nervously at our narrow escapes, saying to ourselves that "the next time I'll sit by the fire when the weather is that bad". Inevitably we find ourselves on the water again, facing into that freshening wind, smiling, and thanking whoever we credit for our ability to accept that opportunity to be there. To do anything less would be foriegn to us.

Sadly, at some point, members of our community don't return from those forays to the marshes that we love so much. Its hurts the worse when we know those people and even more deeply to those who were close friends of the ones that don't come back.

To Dave's family, and close friends, my heart is with you tonight, and it will be a long time before I can stand facing into a wind without thinking of the stories that I have heard Dave's friends tell about him.

You'll be missed Dave.

Steve
 
Steve I'm very sorry to hear about David. I have talked to him on the phone in the past and your right he was an avid waterfowler. I hope that Worth is ok and please keep us up to date on him. God Speed to David and his family. HHG
 
Wow

On this Thanksgiving day and eve of our opener it makes you pause after reading that. So much to be thankful for, so much to be careful of.

Please let us know if there is anything this little waterfowling community can do for the Boys family. I am thankful Worth is safe.

Truly a sad day.

Eric Patterson
 
Our condolences to Dave's family and please let Worth know we are thinking about him as well.

I was hunting on the same day 2 veteran Mobile hunters drowned about 6 years ago. It was Dec. 22 or 23. To this day, their families come out & put wreaths on the dock where they launched. All of us who see the wreaths and know why there are there take pause when we see those wreaths.
 
News like this is always like a kick to the stomach. Every year we hear and read about hunters that dont make it back some by carelessness and some by plane bad luck.

My prayers are with David`s family and with Worth.

Mike
 
Wow....I think I'm in a bit of shock at hearing this news...sad news indeed. My thoughts are with his family and Worth as well.

Gregg
 
I agree with you Steve; we that chase the birds have all had days that we knew could have gone very wrong. I know Worth must be very heartbroken now as you say, and I will be thinking about him and David tonight as I fall asleep. They and their families will be in my prayers.

Hitch
 
Such news is indeed saddening. Gives us all pause and a reason to say an extra prayer, both for ourselves as well as the families involved. Thanks are given that Worth made it back. At least he can provide some closure for Dave's family.

Have fun and hunt safe.
 
Dang, Steve- that is a nightmare. I will keep you, Worth and everyone who knew Dave in my thoughts. I did not know him personally but still feel a significant sense of loss.
 
Thanks for the update Steve..

Indeed My heart goes out to His family and Worth. Very tragic turn of events.

Definately a reminder on just how quickly our passion can turn on Us. Let's all be safe out there!!

Gar
 
I've never spoken to him but I have heard the name here and there. My condolences to the family and GODSPEED to David. My heart goes out to Worth as well and I'm thankful that he was able to make it.
 
Man, that just takes your breath away. Most of us have been in some situation that providence may have protected us and afterward, we breathe a sigh of relief that we were given another chance. I am glad to hear that Worth was spared and very saddened to hear of David's passing. This serves to remind us that the lifestyle that we have chosen can easily sweep any one of us away. Let us all be conscious of our safety and grateful that we have been given another day to pursue our greatest passion. Godspeed, Dave and bless you, Worth.
 
As I read this I thought of the first article I ever read of Worth's in Wildfowl. He and Dave were hunting Baldpate's in some gem of a spot on the Oregon coast. That was a more than just a great read. It was two men doing something they loved. He will be missed, even by those of us that have never met him in person.

Lance "Ray" Raymore
 
That's an amazingly awful story. I just returned from duck hunting and read your post Steve, which was appreciated. It's a huge reminder that Mother Nature doesn't discriminate no matter how skilled or seasoned.
 
Steve:
Just having a close call myself even after taking all the proper proceedures, I can identify and sympathize with all concerned. Nature has a way of humbling all of us but it always is a challenge and we go back.
wis boz
 
Mississippi season opens tommorrow , Makes you stop and think , I don't think you would have found much more outdoor experience than you could in these two. If it can happen to him............

prayers go to the families and friends.
 
My prayers are with their families. And that was a heroic attempt on Worths part for his friend.

Even when we are careful (and I thank God that I survived the stupidity of my youth) we must remember that we partake in a raw, untamed sport. Thats what makes it worthwhile, I suppose - we need the wildness.

Still, news like that is a kick to the gut. Does he have any children?

James
 
I guess that these things can happen to even the most experienced of waterfowlers. I sure this will effect Worth for some time. My hays off to Worth for what he did to try and help rescue Dave. Worth put his life on the line to try and save his hunting partner and nothing more could be asked of Worth.

It's amazing just how fast the conditions can change even on waters that you are used to hunting in a small boat. It only takes five minutes for the wind to turn a flat water into bad seas.

Dave will be missed by many of his friends. I hope Worth is doing o.k.

Dave
 
Back
Top