A Weekend of First's!

[Ellis Poling]

We just got back from our 2nd weekend in SD. From the get go this trip was gonna be more about hanging out with the family than killing birds. At first it was just gonna be me my brothers and my dad. We decided to invite our mom along, since it was going to be a relaxed weekend and she and never come hunting with us before. She said yes, and it was on. Saturday we spent driving around trying to find some ducks. We set up in the afternoon on a little pond and ended up with 4 ducks. It was slow, but fun none the less. This morning we headed out to a medium sized slough to see if we couldn't get a couple more. It was a slow morning, ending up with 3 ducks. Towards the end of the hunt me and my bro' heard some honks. We turned around to see a flock of geese heading towards us. We got down and watched as they headed our way. As they got closer they remained pretty high up there. Now, I am not proud of this, but we cut loose on them when they were above our heads. They were probably 60 yards high. It was slow so we figured what the heck. We missed on all our shots, exept the last one. I downed one of them with a shot that was way to long. It folded hard, but when it hit the water it started swimming. I was joking around with my brother and said that if it was banded it was mine. After a wild goose chase, which lead us around the entire lake, we finally got it. My brother pick it up to wring it's neck and I noticed something shiny on it's leg. He dropped it, but I told him to pick it up again. Sure enough, it was rocking Jewelry. I was siked! This was my first ever band. And I turned what was a slow morning into one of the best mornings I've ever had. Called in the info this afternoon and can't wait to hear back. So that concludes our SD adventure this year. It was fantastic, and a great way to start of the season. Now it's on to ND for a 4 day weekend!
Here are some random pics from the weekend.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l232/ellispoling/DSCN1125.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l232/ellispoling/DSCN1146.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l232/ellispoling/DSCN1156.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l232/ellispoling/DSCN1158.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l232/ellispoling/DSCN1163.jpg

[Mark Brendemuehl]

Congrats on the band! That is awesome.
Mark

[Zach Byron]

congrats on the band, looks like a great weekend with the family

[Little Man]

What part of South Dakota were you hunting because the slough in the picture of you holding the banded goose looks familiar.

[Jeremy Kriese]

nice work and congrats on the band!

[Migrator83]

great job on the band!!!!!! I havnt got my first yet, so youre one up on me.

[Ron Zega]

Nice job......always happens when you least expect it.

[Parker Sharpe]

congrats! i'm still looking for my first goose band....

[Bull boy]

SWeet . ihave yet to shot a banded bird other than a pigeon!