The close of another years hunting log...

[MSDuckmen]

01/29/05
Made it to camp last night to find broken water pipes. Took me till 11:00pm to repair all the lines and get the water secure.
Didn’t have company today. With my new job I found little time to call and ask others to come so I will be hunting alone this last weekend.
I set the alarm for 3:00am and was in the marsh by 3:30 heading to one of my favorite spots. The morning was warm with only a slight breeze from the southwest.
I paddled in with no lights and managed to see just enough to avoid stumps that protruded the water like statues in a fishpond. As I arrived at my location I heard only the nutria rats of the marsh and the occasional squeal of the wood duck.
Being alone I only put out a dozen decoys and located them along the grass mat that surrounded this hole. I found my way to a comfortable spot facing the east. It was a cloudy morning but I would rather have the birds come in over my head than directly at me in an effort to drop them in the hole rather than the grass.
Shortly before shooting time the marsh became alive with the sounds of mallards waking up. Many a Susie was sounding the alarm around me as they took flight. I watched as several wood ducks landed near the decoys and studied them as they moved around making the soft chirps and subtle whistles that they make when in a group. Shooting time came as I watched a single hen float down to sit with the woodies. She was a real treat to watch and listen to as she called at every group of ducks that flew over. About this time the woodies started playing tag and were chasing each other from one side to the other of the open hole. Like ghost about 10 mallards appeared over my head with wings cups and feet down. I dared not move, as they were way too close. I let them land and watched as they adjusted their feathers and drank from the cool water.
I waited until they were within yards of me before I raised my gun and when I moved the water exploded as they rose to escape. I head shot the first Green and dropped the second before he had a chance to gain momentum. The third fell about thirty yards out.
I quickly launched the pirogue and retrieved the birds. I quickly put them on the lanyard and hung them from a near branch of a button brush bush.
I had no longer reloaded and sat back down on my stump before a pair floated in. I allowed them to land and watched, as they seemed very weary and spooked by the slightest sounds of the marsh. As I sat there I became aware that I never saw the woodies leave but they were gone. It is interesting how you focus on one part of your environment and miss all the other things happening around you. I elected not to shoot this drake as the morning was still very young and I wanted to take a gad if it presented itself.
Shortly another single greenhead drake made a wide pass and I could see that it was attempting to come in cross wind rather than over my head and was having a hard time. Although the wind was not hard it was entertaining to watch this bird loop around numerous times in an attempt to find just the right spot to land. It started off like it was about to give up and I gave it three soft quacks as it made a pass behind me. He locked his wings and drifted slowly from behind me and was about 15 yards over my head when I raise my gun and dropped him within a yard of the boat.
I had my 4 mallard limit by 7:00am and decided to paddle my way deeper in the marsh for a scouting trip before calling it quits by 9:00.
Good morning.

1/30/05
Was late getting up this morning and was beat in the new hole by the young boys again.
They had already left the bank so I didn’t get to talk with them. I moved to the 1:30 hole and made my way through the hole and into the old man's spot. I put out the dekes and sat back in between two cypress trees.
I was ready to hunt by 5:30 so I relaxed and listened to the music of the marsh and thought about all the years and memories that the 1:30 gang had made in this marsh.
Here I was hunting alone when as younger men we would be there in numbers bringing all our friends and family hoping they could get a glimpse of what we never took for granted.
The memories flooded my mind as I remembered Old Tom Carr and his dog. How much he loved to duck hunt and how much we all miss him since his passing. Out of a crew that started out eight strong we dwindled down to four some 10 years back and now down to two on occasion. Seems like we all have gone our separate way. It is the end of an era that is a part of my life that means as much to me as a Pro Ball Players time spent in the big leagues. Times change but I’ll never regret the 30 years we had and the few hunts we still share today.
Dawn broke and only a limited number of birds were moving around. I heard several volleys from the new hole and knew the boys were seeing birds that I was not. Funny thing about shots is that with all that shooting you would think they would limit very fast but they never seem to leave giving me the impression that maybe they were group shooting birds or missing a lot of shots. One day I’m going to move my pirogue close to them to watch and see just what they are doing so that I might have a better picture of what I’m hearing. Giving them the benefit of the doubt is always best.
I had five mallards spook me and drop just on the other side of some button brush around 7:00 and shortly after had a group of Pintail flutter in the decoys and I took a nice drake from the group. After the shot the mallards rose and came just to my left in an attempt to flee and I turned and took the first Greenhead of the morning. I retrieved the Pintail and was making my way to the Greenhead when a group of teal landed in the decoys and immediately got back up and flew away. On my way back I had a single mallard coast in and I shot him within yards of where I was standing between the cypresses. Things appeared to slow down for a time. It was near 9:00 and several volleys from the new hole before I had another group of Mallards fall into the decoys. I rose up and shot a green and a black duck from the group. While hanging them on the lanyard I realized that it is this time in my life that I’m closest to God. I give thanks to him for what he has given me this year even though many times I feel I’m not worthy. I dried the birds with a cloth and hung them from the Cypress and was overcome with emotions as I studied the colors of the birds. I had several others groups come in but was content in not shooting anymore as I already have enough meat in the freezer and it was the experience I was seeking not the bounty. I loaded the decoys and paddled my way out. As I got to the last turn from the old mans hole I looked back over my shoulder and gave it one last look for the season.
There was nothing left to say.
God willing I will share that spot again one day.

This being the last log for 2004-2005 season our group ended up with over 300 birds for the season and to my knowledge 14 deer

[Duck Sniper]

good post!

[jdbuckshot]

good read dan,

congrats on that black duck!

[mason1203]

great read. I really enjoy your posts

[missed mallards]

i have really enjoyed your post throughout this year. it make's you think what a true hunter is. thanks.

[Deadeye]

01/29/05
I realized that it is this time in my life that I’m closest to God. I give thanks to him for what he has given me this year even though many times I feel I’m not worthy.

Amen Dan. It's time like these you describe that I feel closer to my Savior. And because of the grace of God, I'm in better shape today than I was yesterday.

I always enjoy reading your logs. Look forward to our next get together to share some of the stories of this seasons experiences.

Deadeye... though not worthy, I always ask for grace.

[Double R 2]

Great reading Dan, best yet!

[MUD DUK]

Great post. I wish I could things into words like that.

[Ducks be us]

That made a great cup of hot tea better... Hope y'all have a nice "off" season

[Super Black Eagle]

Thanks man, just the kind of night cap I needed.

SBE
Adam

[RiverDuck]

Ill be able to sleep better tonight after that read.

[QUACKERS]

great reads dan,

[webfoot]

Words from a humbled man. Thanks again.

[dukbum]

good read from a man that can still make bubbles thanks

[Dog's Eye]

that's what it is all about.... thanks for sharing.