KwickLabs
10-14-2009, 12:55 PM
We did well on early Illinois teal. Now a 24 day stretch begins where things get more serious. Part A this past weekend was five days at "duck camp".....scouting and hunting the 2nd Iowa opener.
Saturday Gunny had his initiation to "real" ducks. I mangaged to put three green wing teal and two mallards in the "dekes". Each time the light was burning brighter. The last mallard was a cripple off into a large and deep marsh grass area. He marked it, fired when sent and after way too long a time out of sight, Gunny came back with a lively cripple. In the heat of the moment for me, there was a lot of joy in that retrieve, and I still smile inside when I think about it.
Took too much gear in and walked....a lot through muck, lily pads and muskrat runs. Had to haul it all about 100 yards to where the layout blind was to be setup, but it was worth the extra effort.
The next day was Daisy's turn. I took much less "stuff" along this time. She had her first set of four mallards, and I shot a double. Still way too much work hauling in even less gear. Duck hunting is "soooooo" easy. :eek:
Meanwhile Gunny was having a serious issue with his left eye, and there were no emergency vets around. So Monday morning, Gunny and I took the two hour ride to my vet. His eye had already started to form an ulcer because there was a weed seed under the third eyelid. After anethesizing the eye, Dan pulled back the imflammed tissue with some forceps and plucked out the weed seed. It was not a pretty sight, but Gunny didn't complain. He'll be good to go in a few days.
Hunted in a different spot with Taffey Monday evening......zero birds. Taffey is the mother of Gunny and Daisy. She is totally into believing anything we do is wonderful. Tuesday morning we went back to the "hot spot" and this time used a sled....one trip in and one out. We came up empty in the bird department (again for Taffey), but it was another great day in the marsh......that's all good. :cool:
I just have to mention that a good friend has given me some excellent advice about hunting the Mississippi......thanks Brian. I'm old, but not so far gone that I can't learn something new.....especially when I don't know all that much to begin with. ;)
Heading for South Dakota Friday.......part B :D
"Gunny's first real ducks (and way too much gear)"
http://www.kwicklabs.com/images/Oct09/Gunnysfirst.jpg
"Daisy's mallards (and less gear)"
http://www.kwicklabs.com/images/Oct09/DaisysMallardsb.jpg
"Taffey's wonderful day (and a sled full)"
http://www.kwicklabs.com/images/Oct09/TaffeysMorning.jpg
Saturday Gunny had his initiation to "real" ducks. I mangaged to put three green wing teal and two mallards in the "dekes". Each time the light was burning brighter. The last mallard was a cripple off into a large and deep marsh grass area. He marked it, fired when sent and after way too long a time out of sight, Gunny came back with a lively cripple. In the heat of the moment for me, there was a lot of joy in that retrieve, and I still smile inside when I think about it.
Took too much gear in and walked....a lot through muck, lily pads and muskrat runs. Had to haul it all about 100 yards to where the layout blind was to be setup, but it was worth the extra effort.
The next day was Daisy's turn. I took much less "stuff" along this time. She had her first set of four mallards, and I shot a double. Still way too much work hauling in even less gear. Duck hunting is "soooooo" easy. :eek:
Meanwhile Gunny was having a serious issue with his left eye, and there were no emergency vets around. So Monday morning, Gunny and I took the two hour ride to my vet. His eye had already started to form an ulcer because there was a weed seed under the third eyelid. After anethesizing the eye, Dan pulled back the imflammed tissue with some forceps and plucked out the weed seed. It was not a pretty sight, but Gunny didn't complain. He'll be good to go in a few days.
Hunted in a different spot with Taffey Monday evening......zero birds. Taffey is the mother of Gunny and Daisy. She is totally into believing anything we do is wonderful. Tuesday morning we went back to the "hot spot" and this time used a sled....one trip in and one out. We came up empty in the bird department (again for Taffey), but it was another great day in the marsh......that's all good. :cool:
I just have to mention that a good friend has given me some excellent advice about hunting the Mississippi......thanks Brian. I'm old, but not so far gone that I can't learn something new.....especially when I don't know all that much to begin with. ;)
Heading for South Dakota Friday.......part B :D
"Gunny's first real ducks (and way too much gear)"
http://www.kwicklabs.com/images/Oct09/Gunnysfirst.jpg
"Daisy's mallards (and less gear)"
http://www.kwicklabs.com/images/Oct09/DaisysMallardsb.jpg
"Taffey's wonderful day (and a sled full)"
http://www.kwicklabs.com/images/Oct09/TaffeysMorning.jpg