big nor'easter here for early season opener

[Bull Island]

I was driving through about a foot of water and ducks were flying everywhere in the marsh in the 40+ mph winds this morning. I live in a small town in SE Virginia right on the Chesapeake Bay. A town built and inhabited by watermen for years. Would have went hunting but the water was about 2 1/2 ft. deep in the marsh. Not very good for the hunter. Unfortunately A couple of guys I know (one of which I have duck hunted around and discussed duck hunting with many times with for the last 3 years was killed yesterday in the river when his boat capsized.) He and one of his family members were both found today. So a sad note to start our season here in Poquoson. But I'll think of him when we are hunting this year. They weren't hunting when they fell victim to this storm but all the same it is still a reminder to everyone about knowing when it is safe to go out in a boat and when not to go out in a boat. Thought I'd share some thoughts about here with a few of you. Good luck and good hunting this season everyone, Be safe. Shayne.

[jimmyt]

Sorry to hear about your friend. I know how easy it is to not put the pfd on. Most of the times it's the last piece of gear I think of, and it should be the first. Quite a few years ago, my friend and I almost lost it on Pymatuning. We had no problem going out; coming back, against the wind and freezing spray, everything iced up. It didn't take much ice to cause the boat to ride different. We made it, but lost a bunch of decoys we gave up on retrieving. Took us almost 45 minutes sitting in the car before we could even unzip our jackets. Never again. While we are on the subject, there as been some criticism posted on another forum about one of Avery's wallpaper pictures. The one where 5 or more guys are in a boat, looks overloaded, and doesn't appear as if any of them are wearing PFD's....maybe, in an effort to promote safe waterfowling, that picture could be removed.

[Joe Fladeland]

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend.

[oscar]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Well said about keeping things in mind and in perspective.