The last Hurrah

[missed mallards]

The last Hurrah

I had the most fun today that I have had in quite a long spell. Being the 2008-2009 waterfowl hunting season ended today, me and my younger brother made plan’s to end it together. For some reason or another, this hunting season unlike the many before it, we haven’t hunted much together. In fact, this morning was the first and only morning this season which we’ve shared a blind. It was fitting, that we experience one hunt in which ducks were are game of choice, and today, the ender, was that day for which we enjoyed ourselves to no end.

The hunt wasn’t exactly your standard text book hunt. Our plans to shoot mallards over decoys was made impossible due to the simple fact, the ducks didn’t show. I scouted the area the day before the hunt to ensure a hunt full of limits, yet, this morning we found my attempts where of no use. Although the birds didn’t show, the hunt itself was one that I will cherish for years to come.

The excitement, jokes, and overall experience that we shared sitting in that mass of briars is one that memories are made of. From the constant jokes, to our shooting, and even the actions or chain of events that took place, there was a constant uproar of laughter. Truth be told, if a mallard did cup up over the decoys, our ability to stop laughing and start shooting would have been quite the task. Never the less, we hunted, and hunted we did.

After sitting patiently for several hours with not a duck spotted, the decision to head home was an easy one. Even though I hoped for that mallard on the wall, I knew this morning wasn’t about the duck so much, as it was about hunting with my brother. My brother is a guy that is bigger than life. He’s got a personality about him, that people just enjoy being around, and I am no different. There is something about him, which makes you feel that you belong there. Weather it’s his constant smile or verbal outburst; he brings something to the table, a quality, that is one to embrace. Sharing a hunt with him brings all the qualities out, and it makes the experience on that you will cherish for years to come.

Smiling with big grins, we made out way out of the ‘south pond’. Barely cresting the top of the noel, our attention soon was caught by the fuzzy white tail which bound down the bottom of the ditch. As each cut their eyes, the decision to rabbit hunt was put into place.

The terrain was what one would consider rabbit heaven. Briars, vines, and old fallen trees covered the noel, and without much hesitation, we made our way through the jungle of such. Ever limb that snapped sent a furry ball of lighting running, and with each, an onslaught of firing weapons as we hoped to down our game. The end result of our walking, flushing, and overall hunt yielded my brother with 1 cottontail. The rabbit in hand, we made the long voyage back to the truck to head back.

The trip home was cut short as we made out way down the old gravel road that leads us to our “north pond”. In hopes of seeing mallards, or other ducks to jump shoot, we quickly ran up on a large wheat field covered in Specks, Snows, and Canada geese. Needless to say, 2 hunters where once again devising a plan. A plan that would utilize one ditch to the far east to allow us to stalk or sneak up on our prey. The ditch however had no bottom, and every step would pull at our joints as we tried to silently and effectively sneak up on them. It took some time before we had walked the 300 yards, and both out of breath, tired, and exhausted from the day, the rabbit hunt, and the ditch, just sat once we arrived. Regaining our composure, I slowly looked over the ditch bank to see 15 specks not 20 yards from us. Carefully explaining that only 4 could fall, my brother nodded and we stood and started to fire off our rounds. High 5’s and “atta boys” soon followed as we cleared the ditch bank to walk to our down quarry. The end result for our wade, or sneak, 2 specks apiece, and my brother’s first goose!

The last day does come to sadden me as I know it will be some months before I am allowed to do it once again. Yet, I with the company of my brother, made this seasons ending one to remember. We ended the day with 4 geese, 1 cottontail, and smiles that couldn’t be wiped off our faces. Sitting here know, my legs ache from the walk, my body is tired from the day, and if asked if I would do it all over, you can bet on it!



On a side note: rabbit hunting is a blast. Even my lab got involved to help ‘push’ out the little furry things so we could shoot. Defiantly need some beagles though walking those briars and ditch banks will plum where you out.

Got one more weekend of Deer hunting, a few more of squirrel and rabbit, and then spring turkey season!!

[Dogtrainer4God]

Sounds like a great hunt! Don't need to have a limit to have fun, that is for sure.