Hunting Snows New York Style....

[David Rearick]

2007 Hunting Journal Entries



DATE: 03-03/04-2007

LOCATION: New York

SUNRISE/SUNSET: 6:41

WEATHER: Snow and Sun

TEMPERATURE: 30’s-20’s

WIND: Moderate w/ Gusts

EQUIPMENT USED: Avery® Finishers Blinds, Avery® Power Hunter blinds, Avery® Finisher Blind Bag, Avery® Skull Cap, Avery® Fleece Calling Gloves, Avery® Snow Power Flag, Avery® Real Snow Spray, Avery® Fleece Neck Gaiter, GHG® Fullbody Snows and Blues, GHG® Pro Grade Canada Decoys

HUNTERS: Arliss, Ron, Murphy, Karl, Dan, Chris, Mike, and Avery® Pro-Staffer Mike Bard and David Rearick

JOURNAL NOTES:

Day 1:

After a long day at work and a 5 hour drive I arrived in Jordan NY to meet up with Mike Bard at his house. Needless to say I was pumped about the next few days and ready to start setting decoys. We chatted for a bit and then headed to bed as 3:30 was going to come wicked quick. I don’t remember much over the next few hours, but I can recall that it didn’t seem all that long after I feel asleep, that Mike was waking me up to get on the road.

After a short drive we met up with Dan, Arliss, and Ron at a local convenience store and Murphy and Karl quickly followed. We said our hellos and headed off to the field. When we arrived, we met up with Chris and another Mike and quickly started to unload the trucks and head to the field. Hiding the blinds was going to be the tough part of the day, so we had Murphy work on getting them ready and the rest of started to layout the spread. Just as we finished setting the decoys, re-mudding and snow spraying the blinds the first set of Canadas was on the move. We all got into out blinds and played with the incoming flocks of honkers and ducks, just to keep ourselves busy while we waited for the white birds.

The snows started flying shortly after, then flock after flock took a hard look at the spread. With 500+ in many of the flocks, they picked us apart. These weren’t new birds and they had seen this deal before. We were also waiting for birds to be feet down in the hole, so we passed up on many shooting situations that were borderline. When we did cut into the first flock our shooting seemed to be a little (well maybe a lot) off and after our first volley 3 adults lay on the ground. We were happy just to have killed three the right way and numbers really weren’t the name of our game this morning. We just wanted to get out and give it a go. The first flocks ventured a mile or so behind us and quickly began to pull all of the remaining flocks over our heads to them. A moving, calling, white blob in the background appeared to be a huge distraction for the incoming flocks. An unfortunate happening for us, but nothing we were concerned about. We were having a blast working hundred of Canadas and puddle ducks into the decoys. Countless migrating flocks of mallards, pintails, blacks, and widgeon were bowed up from the heavens dropping into our spread. It made for great camera shooting and I obliged by giving my new camera a workout. I took well into 300 shots of incoming and passing birds, which made the day, go by very quickly. It was truly a one in a thousand day. Not only was the company a top notch bunch of hardcore fowlers, but the waterfowl spectacle was utterly fantastic.

Ok, back to the hunt…As the morning progressed, we had lots of snows work the decoys, but peel off and head to the building flock behind us or in the field next to us. At one point with a flock of 100 plus, mixed puddle ducks circling overhead, a nice size flock of snows bowed up above us. They seemed to be following the puddle ducks into the decoys and the flock appears to intermix, just as they got well within range. It was just too risky to take a shot, but the call was made that if a very clear shot could be had to take it. It just so happened, that on the far left side of the spread the ducks were less intermixed and the shot was taken. Lucky for us, the ducks bugged out faster than the snow geese and we all got some shooting at the snows, well at least all of us that were still in the field. A few of the group had gone on the lookout to find the birds for the next day, so they missed out on this volley. After some more very interesting shooting, only two more birds were in the bag and one bird had sailed. Two members of the group went to find it and we all just kind of sat in awe over what we had seen. I think everyone was over thinking their shots, making 300% sure there were no ducks in the way, hence causing them to miss more than they hit. Definitely a case when I would rather be safe than sorry. We really didn’t care nonetheless because the show was well worth the price of admission.

It wasn’t long after new birds appeared to be hitting the area. They would circle and tornado the spread, but calling a shot for nine guys is a little hard to do and we let them leave many times with no shots rather than bust out one or two. We did make quick work of a single and a little later the cripple we couldn’t previously find mustered enough strength and headed to the spread as its final destination. At the conclusion of the day, we had seven birds in the bag, tons of memories and pictures, and overall just a great way to spend part of a Saturday in March. We may not have hit big numbers, but we passed on many occasions where the birds were almost there or just not centered. I think we all felt that we wanted to shoot them at 20 yards versus 40+, so no one was disappointed at the day’s toll. It isn’t always about what you kill, but what you see can make the day just as good. Tired, we left the field and planned to head back tomorrow morning for another go at it.

Day 2:

After missing an exit and driving 12 miles past and 12 miles back, I arrived at the field 30 minutes late. Mike couldn’t make it today (previous family obligations), so I opted to remember the drive myself and made one small blunder trying to pass a semi at the exit. I drove the extra mile rather than have a Mack truck imbedded in my tailgate. I really do not like being late, but the guys understood and we had left our gear half way across the field in the hedge row to save on the carry. When I arrived, we made quick work of setting up a smaller spread of all GHG® full bodies to give it a different more realistic look and covered the blinds with snow covers and snow spray. We once again had hoped to see the big numbers of snows and felt much better knowing we were better camouflaged than the day previous; something we all agreed may have been our biggest problem.

The ducks and geese once again started flying at a little after first light and I got some more photo opportunities for the day. It was once again, a great day to take PICS of incoming pintails, mallards, blacks and Canadas. We saw very few snows this day, but Murphy, Ron, Karl, Arliss, and I had a great time “BSing,” talking about the past year, and anything else of interest. All four of them work for USDA or the DEC, so all of them had great stories about projects they had worked on during their schooling or on the job. They have all done work to support the sport they love through conservation programs, something far too often that is overlooked. From the snow goose breeding grounds to the pothole region, they have all spent days in the field studying the birds to make sure the populations will exist for years to come. It made for very interesting conversation and made the day even more enjoyable even with a lack of snow geese in the area.

After waiting for the snows well past there scheduled flying time, we picked up the spread and decided to do the farmer a favor. Pigeons are great for dog work and dog training, and the farmer just happened to have a few hundred in his barn that he wanted rid of. We spent the next 1-2 hours chasing the pigeons back and forth and ended the day with 19. It was really a blast trying to shoot them with 3” BB’s and made for some good laughter to end the day.

All in all the weekend was a success. Doing it on your own with a great group of guys is always a ton of fun, and this time was no different. Hunting snows on the east coast is far different than hunting them in the Midwest as the numbers are in the low thousands vs. 10’s to 100’s of thousands. After a few shoots with very few new birds in the area, they become very tough to hunt. In this same field the week before using five dozen decoys, five of the guys of Back Water Duck Club, had killed 19 snows in the decoys, a great number for this side of the country over a small spread. Next year we are already planning to hook back up and chase them again, possibly from PA to NY, so I guess I will have to work on building my snow spread over the summer, just don’t tell me wife……LOL

The Birds....


Karl on the Chase...


Incoming Canadas....


A Friendly Honker....


Da Bard.....


Arliss Himself....


Murphy...


Juvie Blue....


Mixed Puddle Ducks.....

[Joe Fladeland]

Great shots David. Looks like you guys had a fun time. It also looks like it was a bit muddy.

[Jason Mears]

Sounds like a great few days. Nice JE.

[Hardcorecaller12]

Nice!

[Mike Bard]

Nice JE! I'm glad you made it up, it was fun hunting with you, Arliss, Ron, Murphy and the rest of the crew.

[Aaron Hitchins]

Definetly sounds memorable, having the ducks and te honkers landing around you must have been a slice of perfection, with the white coming as icing on the cake! Great hunt and I love the pictures, especially that one of the Canadas!

Aaron

[Andrew O'Neill]

Nice hunt and excellent photos!

[CurrituckBoy]

very nice

great photos

Michael

[Josh Brugmans]

OH GOD that looks messy!!!

[Kevin Addy]

Nice read Dave and cool pics. That sprig on the pintail is a trophy and the goose pic is awesome.