I will be the first to admit I am very fortunate. A few years ago I was able to join a duck club with perhaps the best consistant puddle duck hunting in Virginia-- ususally that is. fair Woody hunting early, followed by great GW Teal, then the Sprigs and Gadwall, and the late flights of big ducks.--- Massive staging of Ringnecks for a couple weeks in November to boot. Party limits weren't scored every day, but more often than not --- that is, until this season. It was nothing short of dismal on the Pamunkey for us this year. We started out around Thanksgiving with a record number of Pintails and good numbers of early Mallards. Then they alll disappeared and we never got any new birds in.--- No rational weather explaination, but it is what it is and can't wait till next season.
Now, my good news. Many of you have met my two boys-- college kids that love to hunt and fish but that have been lacking in the motivation department ( they knew dad would do all the planning and grunt work)--- that is until this duck season. The two boys are just eat up with duck hunting now. During the period from December 15 through Jan. 15 (Xmas break), they hunted 22 days. Not bad considering Sundays are off limits for us in Va. What is so gratiftying is they went many days on their own without dad taking the lead. They are not allowed to hunt the club without me present so they settled for some marginal hunting areas without alot of success on most days. The best part is they did not loose their enthusiasim.
I guess you guys that have it it your blood can relate to the following, but my boys are coming into their own--- learning the ways of ducks, reading the water and tides and understanding flight paths, learning when to take the easy way and when you got to go back in the ugly to find the birds.--- learning the ways of the wind and how to use it to your advantage--in other words they are learning the art of duck hunting, not just the bullshit that is read in the magazines--- The younger son has read "The Outlaw Gunner" cover to cover twice since Xmas and I may have my hands full next year--- Might as well get Anthony's lawyer's name in the roladex now.
I can't wait till next November and only pray for a better showing of birds, but until then, this will go down as my best duck season ever.
That's a cool read. I think I can compare to this in that I'm in the exact same age range. I wasn't fortunate enough to get into hunting at an early age like a lot of my friends. I was fortunate to be able to fish offshore though....that's another story. Since I came to college I've been able to join a hunt club and have learned more things in this span of time than the rest of my life. I feel very lucky to have hunted from the Pamunkey (Glenn I know it was slow this year!!) to Arkansas the past couple years and truly appreciate every day hunting. I don't care if I'm standing waist deep in 4 degree weather (did that this weekend) or sitting in a blind cooking breakfast, hunting is hunting and it's not all about quantity. I just enjoy being in it and hopefully learning something new in the process.
Another thing, what's the deal with "The Outlaw Gunner"?
Great read Glenn(your post). The Outlaw Gunner is a classic for sure, dad gave me my copy years ago for Christmas too. I just pulled it off the shelf and read a few chapters again. Please tell the boys I will be glad to help em with a punt gun if they will split the attorney fees with me. Till they agree to that I am gonna keep going to the local park pond with a wrench and a loaf of bread. Scobey on a skewer is under-rated...
Holwachagot
Last edited by HOLWACHAGOT; 01-21-2009 at 02:48 AM.
Now booking for May Striper fishing on the Roanoke River North Carolina 910-540-2464
Join Date
Apr 2006
Location
Wrightsville Beach, NC
Posts
9,898
Boat
2 many
Home Port
Bridge Tender Marina & Motts Channel Seafood
Best Catch
My family
Occupation
Charter Capt.
Wonderful read Glenn, nice to hear the next
generation is looking to take it over for us, sounds like you have raised a goos crop.
I do look forward to one day spending it with you in a cold blind looking over a bunch of blocks telling stories of our past, shooting a duck would just be a bonus...
Nice read..I love the killing part as much as anyone, what I enjoy as much as ever is time spent with friends and family in a duck blind. No better place in the world than to make memories
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote
) or sitting in a blind cooking breakfast, hunting is hunting and it's not all about quantity. I just enjoy being in it and hopefully learning something new in the process.
