Redemption Day

**Erik Nilsson** · #1 01-29-2009, 06:05 PM

Date: 12/29/2008

Location: Western PA

Sunrise: 7:43 EST
Weather: Clear and Sunny

Temperature: 26* F

Wind: 7 mph WSW
Equipment Used: GHG® Hot Buy Mallard Decoys, Avery® Fleece Callers Gloves, Avery® DIY Lanyard, Avery® Power Hunter Gun Sling, Avery® Swamp Seat, Avery® Finisher Blind Bag, Avery® Speed Hand Saw/Quick Cutter Combo.

Hunters: Avery® Pro-Staffer David Rearick and Avery® Pro-Staffer Erik Nilsson

Dogs: Gauge

Journal Notes:
Hunting small out of the way duck spots has always been one of my favorite ways to hunt for puddle ducks. No competition, a muddy dog and a good chance at finishing birds in the decoys drives one to work hard to find these places. We had found a place late last year and to my surprise it was holding some mallards. It’s a small place with a spring fed stream, which seems to stay open when other waters tend to freeze. We hunted this place last year and the day we hunted it, we had a flight of mallards come in. The amount of mallards we saw was humbling and we were awestruck. That hunt, we did okay, but shooting was, well, left to be desired. Having spotted birds in the area again this year, we decided to give it another try. I met Dave and we headed back to the spot. Discussing last years hunt and better prepared, we vowed that this year would be ours.
The set up was quick and with a few minor adjustments to our hide, we were ready for the ducks to arrive. Shortly after LST, we could hear them coming. Circling around the tree tops, my dog, Gauge, watched attentively, as we waited for them to complete a pass overhead, trying not to move. Reading the birds on a go away turn, I gave a short comeback call on my XR-2 and Dave followed up with a few confidence quacks. Turning quickly, they all locked up and we had our first flock of mallards drop right in the hole. Guns up, we broke the silence of the morning and with our first volley, we had 5 mallards on the water. I had tripled and Dave doubled up.
I sent Gauge to pick up our birds, while we settled in for the next flock to appear. We had singles and pairs show up winging in and out of the decoys. Taking turns, we quickly finished up with our limit of mallards with Dave taking a bonus Black duck to end our hunt. A couple of high fives and giving Gauge a good pat for being steady and bringing back our birds, we packed it up. As we walked out, Dave said “Redemption” and I responded “Yes”, “What a great hunt!”

Avery® Swamp Seat

Hero Shot

Watch em fall · #2 01-29-2009, 06:59 PM

Looks like a great day!

John Walls · #3 01-29-2009, 07:02 PM

Great job Erik, gotta love the green!!!

**Angelo Casbarro** · #4 01-29-2009, 07:30 PM

Yet another great JE! Way to go boys!

Mike Ward · #5 01-30-2009, 01:20 AM

Had a spot like that when I lived in Oklahoma. We found it on a day when we got lost. You would never know to look at this place for ducks and it was awesome. Here in Kansas, not the same story. Haven't found that off the beaten path spot yet. Anyway good hunt.