St. Lawrence Mixed Bag..

**David Rearick** · #1 11-07-2007, 11:13 AM

DATE: November 3rd, 2007

LOCATION: Upstate New York

WEATHER: Crisp and Cold

TEMPERATURE: 20’s-40’s

WIND: Mild

EQUIPMENT USED: Avery® DIY Lanyards, Avery® Skull Caps, Avery® Finisher Blind Bag, Avery® Floating Pit Bag, Avery® Sportsman’s Camera Bag, Avery® Quick Cutters, GHG® OS Mallard and Blacks, GHG® LS Pintails, Widgeon, and Ring Necks, GHG® LS Canada Goose Floaters

HUNTERS: Frank Clifton, Kenneth Ash, Avery® Pro-Staffers Mike Bard & David Rearick

Journal Notes:

After a week in ND Mike, Frank, and I had plans to head back to the North to hunt on the St. Lawrence River, in a spot we had hunted and scouted in late September and throughout early October. With cold weather and new birds moving in, we hoped for a good mixed bag day and set out up river with three dogs, four guys, and a boat full of goose and duck floaters.

After looking at our spot we decided to head a little farther down river to a spot better suited for the wind being forecasted. Once we arrived, we began the task of setting out 72 goose and 60 duck floaters and hiding the boat around the point. It wasn’t long until the sky came to life with ducks and we worked small flocks into the decoys. Being spread out a little, made shooting difficult, but we did our best to center birds and call the shot for everyone. Not wanting to chase down long cripples, we let the birds get in tight and let the dogs do their magic. Drake ring necks and mallards made up most of the morning’s duck bag along with a pair of widgeon that worked the spread right.

After a pair of mallards worked the hole, I noted one hen sail off across the river sum 300 yards and land just on the opposite shore. With Monte needing to run-off some of his ever present energy, I manned the boat and headed across the river. Once on the other shore, Monte leapt from the boat and began working the shoreline. It wasn’t long until he caught wind of the bird and ran well out in front of me on the shore. On a full run, he quickly did a 180 and the hen sprung from the undergrowth and went right into the water. With Monte in hot pursuit the very lively hen quickly dove and left Monte searching for her return. After a few seconds, she reappeared and a quick cast put Monte on her. After a few more attempts and some full head submersions by Monte, he had her in his grasps and made his way back to me, in the boat. After handing her off to me, he looked at me as if he was ready for another and we headed back to the other shore.

Throughout the morning single geese bombed from the heavens and completely ate up the large spread of GHG® LS Canadas. Even with the good size spread of floaters, the thousands of live geese, just down river, obnoxiously grew, pulling small groups off us, as they approached. With heavy calling and a little luck we continued to pull some birds into the spread and while Ken and Mike made a few adjustments to the spread, I worked in the first good size flock of the day, as they approached with wings set and heads back. Mike and Ken both froze in their tracks and after the first five touched down, I called the shot just as the back of the flock was about to land in the decoys and we downed a meager three with five shots. The dogs quickly went to work and one lively cripple made his way for greener pastures. Frank’s dog, Zin, was on him and Monte quickly followed the honking bird, as they made their way after him. After a good 300 yard swim, Zin had the bird and was headed back to shore and Monte was right behind her. Upon getting back to the bank, I lined Monte on another bird and he made short work cleaning up the last bird of the day. With a long drive back home ahead of us, we picked up and headed back to the ramp after another good hunt on the St. Lawrence.

Part of the Spread...

Monte with a Drake..

Days End...