"When grown men cry" pics included
Well, the much anticipated out of state trip was saved only by a gorgeous snowfall that took the sting out of the worst hunt in years. Based on weather forecast and word I was getting we left out Sunday morninng with high expectations for a great hunt. Of all the years, I've been out there I would have bet a million dollars this week would have brought the hunts of a lifetime. Cold weather was setting up, snow was in the forecast, everything a hunter prays for was unfolding. But alas, even with all the elements being in our favor, this was about the worst hunt out of state, I've had. I knew with all the previous good years running back to back the jinx would have to show itself, but never in a million years would I have guessed it would be this year and under these "excellent" conditions. However, it was not to be.
Monday morning arrived and we were covered up with ducks. However, we went in on the blind and due to a poor set up only killed a couple. Tuesday was a bust. Oh well, we thought, the snow is on the way and the rest of the week will be a bloody massacre. Wednesday I didn't even take my gun out of the case. Thursday was no better.
But with it snowing Friday our hopes were even higher that a blood bath was imminent. With all the icing Thursday night, we had to make a quick stop Friday morning at a do it your self car wash to try and hose all the ice off the deeks and the boat. This delay cost us in a huge way. We were late getting to the landing and consequently some other guys beat us to the hole we were going to set up in. Later that morning, after we didn't fire but two shots, we met the guys who set up where we planned to be. As luck would have it three of them killed fourteen, with the first bird being shot wearing a band.
There were PLENTY of birds in the area, but they refused to use the timber, instead flying to refuges and rice fields. Every hunter I talked to was crying and in utter disbelief that the birds were simply not using the timber.
While we came home with very few birds, the snow and scenery helped alleviate some of the misery. So here are a few pics I thought I would share of the scenery:
At the landing
Approaching the "Palace Blind"
"The Palace Blind" This thing is HUGE! Room for six guns and about 40 years old. The ol boy said they normally kill about 1,000 ducks a year out of it, but the last two years they have averaged around 300 or so.
Stuck on the interstate for FOUR hours
Friday night the power went out in our motel room and we decided that there was too much weight in our boat due to the snow and ice to even get the boat out of the landing. So, we decided to head home two days early. If you've never driven the interstates after a deep snow and ice event ya ought to try it sometime, especially while towing a trailer. Things get very interesting very quick!
The duck devils must have struck a deal to hammer "my" ass this year. Even as I write this and reflect back on the week, I still can't figure out what the hell happened. A huge disappointment as far as the killing went. But I do thank God for the opportunity to have met new friends, spend time with old ones, be with my pup on probably her last out of state trip and the chance to make another trip in such a winter wonderland. All things considered, I guess I was really a lucky son of a gun once again.
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Originally Posted by Highstrung
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