Fred Zink, Mossy Oak cameras out of their element...

[RWP]

Hi all,

I just had the pleasure in hosting my old friend Fred Zink, and new friends Troy Ruiz, 'Turbo' Mike, of Mossy Oak Hunting the Country TV, and Dave Carsen, of Primos game calls for a filming of a show on seaduck and brant hunting. I have to say, these fellas braved some harsh conditions during the three day visit here. All to get a terrific show for the next Whistling Wings video, and a possible 'Hunting the Country' TV show that will air on ESPN next season. If any of you ever wonder if the folks producing such shows are true hunters... let me tell you-- THEY ARE!!

The producer Troy Ruiz is a fantastic guy, very knowledgeable regarding hunting, and a heck of a video photographer. I have to say, with the harsh conditions reaping havoc on their equipment-- there was not one time they let this bring them down. Their enthusiasm for sharing the wealth in waterfowling possibilities this country offers was a great pick me up.

I was happy to introduce and guide Freddy to his first Atlantic Brant. That day the birds came in a classic east coast fashion. I had them gunning over hand carved decoys, and sent my 10 1/2 year-old chocolate lab, Winchester MH, to make the retrieves. Gunning out of Freddy's blind-- the birds had no clue we were there. Average shot range-- 20 yards!! Nice Blind Fred!! ( BTW, Winchester loved the dog blind, nice and warm for the poor old dog.)

You should have seen the reaction of David when he shot his first Brant, black duck, along with the eiders!! I love introducing folks to this style of hunting. The day of the Brant we shot greater canadas, black ducks, brant, mallards, gadwall, and if it was not for holding up till the cameras were ready-- we could have taken golden eyes and buffies as well!

Some of the highlights were when a Walmart parking lot size chunk of ice started to come down on the layout boats that held Freddy, my friend Jack, and the cameraman 'Turbo'. I found it funny that both those boys were frantically waving at me in the tender boat, as I picked up a downed bird, to come and pick them up. Watching the video of the ice flow, creeping up on the boat, sounding like a freight train, latter that day. Made me understand why they wanted me there, and NOW!

The Mossy Oak TV crew spent three hard days filming... so next time you wonder how it is to get such footage, or wish they would have done it differently. Keep in mind that the elements, or other outside problems, make it difficult to do it diferently.

All I know is that Mossy Oak, Avery Outdoors (freddy), and Primos are true hunters... and they are not just looking out for their interest, but OURS.

best,

Capt. Ruben Perez

East Coast Guide Service

http://www.seaduckhunt.com