"The Future"

[novacaine]

What is that call he is blowing? Is that the black stick of death?

[LawDawg]

My son is 4 and I cant wait to take him. Nice shots man. What kinda camera are you using and what lens? Im really thinking about trying my hand a photography, but have no idea were to start.

I was a little overkill on the lens on this hunt, but I was using a 100-400 for these pictures on my 50d. I brought the lens to shoot birds, but saw the opportunity to shoot the boys and did that instead.

Aaron said he was lucky he hunted with you.

You tell him that I was the lucky one.

[blindretrieve101]

Great pics Alec.....It was great to meet you at lunch Saturday as well and was awsome to see the excitement on the faces of those kids......I gained some helpful tips next time I dirty up my strap with an ol susie...." I thought it was a black duck"

[Roach]

Fine work right there, fine work!

[jperrett0101]

Awesome pictures bud.. My little boy is 3 right now and I can't wait to get him in the woods with me!

[Up2Early]

What is that call he is blowing? Is that the black stick of death?

Both boys carry a Haydel's BVD-96 as the primary call. It's a wide bore double-reed - very ducky and plenty loud. Ryan had a D-2, but lost the insert earlier this year. He was one sad young man that morning.

[novacaine]

What is that call he is blowing? Is that the black stick of death?

Both boys carry a Haydel's BVD-96 as the primary call. It's a wide bore double-reed - very ducky and plenty loud. Ryan had a D-2, but lost the insert earlier this year. He was one sad young man that morning.

I guess thats where that black electricians tape comes in handy!

[Roach]

I don't know about you fellas, but I sometimes catch myself going back to a post to see what the updates have been.
I've gone back to this one I know three times today just to look at the boys and their dad. What great photos of memories that will last forever.

[Up2Early]

What is that call he is blowing? Is that the black stick of death?

Both boys carry a Haydel's BVD-96 as the primary call. It's a wide bore double-reed - very ducky and plenty loud. Ryan had a D-2, but lost the insert earlier this year. He was one sad young man that morning.

I guess thats where that black electricians tape comes in handy!

And he'll never forget that little lesson.

[Faithful Retrievers]

Awesome deal. Got to be a good feeling.

[whislinwings]

When I got the call from Up2Early to join him on a hunt this morning, I knew I was in for a treat. However, when he told me that his two boys, ages 6 and 10, were coming, I got really excited. There is just something about taking kids to the woods and seeing the look on their face when mallards are working that brings a totally different element to a hunt. As the sun rose behind us, we immediately began hearing the feed chatter of mallards above us. After making quick work of some early greenheads, it was time to get the kids on some birds. Me and Up2Early worked a pair into the spread for Ryan and Aaron to shoot, and they did not let us down. Two came in, none left. Ryan got the greenhead and Aaron got the hen. That was the highlight of my day until I was kidding 6 year old Aaron about shooting a hen. His response to my questions will make me smile for the rest of my life. Straight from lips of a 6 year old when asked why he shot the hen.

“I thought it was a black duck.”

Up2Early is raising two fine young men that are already great duck hunters. I was truly honored to share a tree with them today.

Here are a couple pics from the day

Here is Up2Early and Aaron.




Here is Ryan getting after it on the call. This boy has a future in calling. I wish I were a tenth as good as him when I was his age.


Every time I would pick up a duck, I would hear Aaron yell, "IS IT BANDED?" after I said no the 6th or 7th time, I don't think he believed me and insisted on picking them up with me.


Oh yea, and we managed a few ducks too.

That second picture should be sent to DU and Delta Waterfowl. That is a print in the making.

[blu hed]

Thanks for sharing the story, son; it's reminiscent of your first hunt some 20 years ago.

[Plainsman04]

Those pics are great! I agree with the previous posts, those pictures should be in a magazine or framed on a wall somewhere, especially the 2nd one. It's great to see somebody out there teaching their kids the right way to get it done. Keep up the good work!