March Madness....

**David Rearick** · #1 03-07-2008, 12:51 PM

DATE: March 2008

LOCATION: New York

WEATHER: Cold, Rain, and Freezing Rain

TEMPERATURE: 20’s-30’s

WIND: 10-20 knots

EQUIPMENT USED: Avery® 6 Slot Motion Decoy Bags, Avery® Fleece Skull Caps, Avery® Finisher Blind Bag, Avery® Finisher Blinds, Avery® Fleece Calling Gloves, Avery® Neoprene Hand Warmer, Avery® DIY Lanyard, Greenhead Gear® FFD FB Goose Decoys, Greenhead Gear® Pro-Grade FB Goose Decoys, and Greenhead Gear® FFD Lesser FB Decoy’s

HUNTERS: Dan Bump, Matt Loomis, Brian, Bill, and Avery® Pro-Staffer David Rearick

With PA season closed since February 15th, the extended season from March 1-10 in Southern NY gave us more time to chase honkers in cornfields. After a successful weekend on the water with the boys, I was still itching to get out into a cornfield for one last shot at corn hungry geese. After receiving an invite from a good friend, I don’t get to hunt with much anymore and his hunting buddy, whom I had meant only one time previous, during a layout shoot, I had invited him on, the truck was packed and I was ready to head north. Erik couldn’t make the trip, so I would be undertaking the drive solo, but none the less, I knew the drive would be worth it.

After a reasonably easy drive, I met my good buddy, Dan, at his house and we unloaded my truck into his trailer and took off. Even with 18” of snow on the ground, just two days prior, we wouldn’t need snow covers today, as the one day warm up was enough to turn the field from white to ankle deep mud/water in a few places. In my haste to pack the night before, I had forgotten my knee high boots and was left with the choice between ankle high and my warm winter boots. Seeing as the hump across the field was a good one, I opted for the shorter of the two, and we headed out. After two trips, we were setting dekes and it wasn’t long until my decision became soakingly apparent that I was wrong. I had indeed filled my ankle highs to the brim with water and at this point with no dry socks to wear, I decided to stay put and dump out what water I could. The report was good for birds being in the area, so I hoped for a limit or an end to the flight before the cold got to be too much and my feet became frozen.

I predicted early movement, as the sun crested the horizon and ducks continually bombed the sheet water held in the field by the saturated dirt below. As ducks of all species, pintails, gadwall, blacks, widgeon, and more filtered in from the surrounding water bodies, the first in flight honk of the morning was heard from behind and after a quick look, the bird was already committed and gliding into the decoys. Matt told Brian to take the shot, but as the bird skimmed over the blinds from behind and circled to the right, it quickly became apparent that I had the only clean shot on the bird. Matt gave the go and we beat the skunk bright and early. Lucky for us we were only getting started and the flight increased exponentially from there.

The next group in was a pair and Matt made quick work of both of them, as they bolted upwards after a missed shot or two and tried to make their escape. Another group in and we had 5 birds on the ground with more in the air. Out front birds started to stream towards the spread and we worked them to the best of our ability with calls, flags, and tactics fit for these highly educated resident birds. When a group lit out to the left 1000 yards or so in this mile long field, Dan drew the short straw and had to make his way across the creek and run them out. Matt had already made the trek once and even though my feet were already wet, I didn’t want to make it any worse by wading through the water for the fun of it and everyone agreed.

While Dan was gone the birds continued to work the field. When a small group of four broke down and got low, Matt called the shot just as they turned. I came up from my blind, pulled the trigger on the closest bird folding him. A few more shots went off to no avail and I headed out to make him part of the spread. Once getting to the bird, it quickly became apparent he was sporting something extra on his scaled black leg. After asking to see if anyone else thought they had shot or hit this bird and everyone agreed they had not, I announced that it was sporting a band. This was my 8th band of the season.

The birds continued to move and it wasn’t long until almost everyone had their limit for the morning. With two more birds needed, Bill and Brian finished out their limit and another great hunt was in the books. Just in time I might add, as my feet were starting to get a “touch” cold. Picking up the monster spread and humping it the 600 yards back to the truck warmed them up quick and we were out of the field as the birds continued to dump into the water logged cornfield we had just walked out of.

The Pile...