Well, dang it. The trip came and went too fast. Four days of hunting and hanging out went by way too fast. I wonder how fast it would have seemed if the feathered ones would
have cooperated? Needless to say, we had a SLOW trip. Third week of season, plus, weird fall weather, plus this is southern Minnesota, equalled, less than half a dozen dead in hand birds. We did manage a couple the first day, two straight days of skunk and one bird this morning.
Day one was a walk in with two of our kids, since "the girls" had to shop up in the Cities all day. We came loaded for bear with goose and mallard shells, and all of the floaters we could muster. We had a beautiful set up and just before sunrise, the fog came in and was it thick. It took most of our shooting hours to burn off, but we managed a teal and a woody. Echo's new pup Brew did a great job with his blinds and marks. We used both birds for a little "work" before cleaning them up at home. See picture for fog.
Day two and three....well, let's just say our barrels stayed cold both days. Hardly saw anything and what we did see, didn't want to work and had other plans.
This morning stayed local and headed to a small lake 25 minutes from here. Traveled a little light, but had a great set up all the same. Tucked the boat into the cat's and blended in perfect. We had a couple big honkers, followed by 15 lesser's work us perfect, well almost, they kited over at about 50 yards, looking like they were ALL going to come in. Then they caught the wind and headed south. The duck butt got blame for this one, so off it went. Although the next single to work, came in, skirted us and landed out in the middle. Apparently it was just the "third' week educated birds and not the duck butt. We had a hen mallard land about 25 yards out and we all watched as I water shot her. First shot, punched her hard, but she was a tough bird and got up away from us and is probably coyote poop by now. Dang it. We did get to watch three beautiful bull Can's scream through the middle of the lake, take a turn and just skirt our outside "boundary". We got a great look at them in the sun and watched them head away. Just about quitting time a lone immature drake pintail gave us a look, sailed into my end and the boys let me take the shot. One dead pintail. Ms. Mocha got this one, after first sniffing a decoy and rock that was sticking out of the water. She didn't see the mark, but actually caught wind of it and made a straight line to it. We used it for a Brew retrieve as well. That was it for the hunt.
As always, I apologized to the boys for the lack of shooting and they kindly explained its not about the hunting, but hanging out in between, spending time visiting, good food and good beer. I promised to hit a few "new" lakes this year for the next trip. We had a great time despite the lack of gun fire, the $461.00 alternator, the fog and weird weather. I know we are all a little tired, my nap today felt way too good. So, thanks Echo's and John for making the pilgrimage. You are always welcome.
Drew and the whole clan!
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