Using the protection of a mid-day rain storm, a cowardly and despicable deed was carried out on Lake Bistineau this past Monday.
Some low-life individual(s) decided to steal all of my decoys. The decoys they stole weren’t just any decoy. The majority were the Model #72 Herters which are not being manufactured anymore and have almost overnight become a collector’s item.
Present day value of these decoys are between $9 and $12 each. The total value of what they took comes in just shy of $3,000. This being a felony theft, I called the Sheriff’s Department.
During their investigation I was told that it would be illegal for me to offer a reward for the death and/or dismemberment of the perpetrators so therefore I cannot offer a reward for the death and/or dismemberment of these thieves.
Putting aside the monetary loss, what these thieves actually took from me goes way beyond a price tag. This duck season has been virtually cut short. There is no way for me to get 150 decoys rigged, ready, transported, and put out to hunt. All this years past preparations, of building new docks, building new blinds, re-working and refurbishing old blinds, getting the camp ready, etc. Right now it all seems to have been for nothing.
What they actually stole from me is my desire to duck hunt. Right now I am “pissed” so I know that this feeling will pass and my passion for duck hunting will return.
But after storing up 40+ years of wonderful memories, this one will always be in the forefront and be one that I will never forget. And for the few years I still have left to hunt, there will always be the nagging fear that it could happen again.
If there is one consolation, it is the fact that even without being able to offer a reward for the death and/or dismemberment of the thieves, is that I will eventually find out who they are. These decoys are unique; they are hardly used by any other hunter in North Louisiana. They are all marked, easily recognized, and can be picked out even in the midst of other decoys. Plus you can’t take a boat load of 150 plus decoys out of the lake in mid-season without someone somewhere seeing you.
So if you are a duck hunter on Lake Bistineau, let me apologize now for disturbing your morning or afternoon hunt, but if you see an old fellow in a War Eagle boat perusing your decoy spread, it will be me looking for what was taken from me. Without being able to offer a reward for the death and dismemberment of the actual thieves, checking every decoy spread and temporary setup this season and for seasons to come is all that is left for me to do.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Show Me Yours!
Show me yours ……
OK, if you show me yours ….
Yours is longer than mine.
Yes, but yours has a larger diameter.
Even with the extra length, it is really quite firm.
Yours is nice and firm also.
How do you keep that long one in place?
It has a magnet attached to the underside to hold it.
A magnet? …. Yikes!
I just use the old fashion way and screw mine into place.
Yours seems to glow in the dark.
Yours also seems to glow in the dark.
Thus went the conversation as we sat in the duck blind comparing each other’s newest light-gathering optic shotgun sight by TruGlow. TruGlow makes the world’s most advanced product line of fiber optic sights in the world. They have over 10 different models for shotguns alone.
Bob uses the longer Magnum Glo-Dot and I hunt with the shorter Fat-Bead. But we both agree that the green is far superior to the red or orange for low light wing shooting. It just seems to gather more light.
You can purchase your own TruGlow sight from most outdoor retailers or order them direct from TruGlow. Just make sure that you order the right one to match your shotgun. They are not a fit-one-fit all, but are made differently to fit different makes and models of shotguns.
You can see and order your TruGlow sight from their website ….. http://www.truglo.com/. Who knows it may even improve your shooting and at the very least, it makes for some interesting conversation.
OK, if you show me yours ….
Yours is longer than mine.
Yes, but yours has a larger diameter.
Even with the extra length, it is really quite firm.
Yours is nice and firm also.
How do you keep that long one in place?
It has a magnet attached to the underside to hold it.
A magnet? …. Yikes!
I just use the old fashion way and screw mine into place.
Yours seems to glow in the dark.
Yours also seems to glow in the dark.
Thus went the conversation as we sat in the duck blind comparing each other’s newest light-gathering optic shotgun sight by TruGlow. TruGlow makes the world’s most advanced product line of fiber optic sights in the world. They have over 10 different models for shotguns alone.
Bob uses the longer Magnum Glo-Dot and I hunt with the shorter Fat-Bead. But we both agree that the green is far superior to the red or orange for low light wing shooting. It just seems to gather more light.
You can purchase your own TruGlow sight from most outdoor retailers or order them direct from TruGlow. Just make sure that you order the right one to match your shotgun. They are not a fit-one-fit all, but are made differently to fit different makes and models of shotguns.
You can see and order your TruGlow sight from their website ….. http://www.truglo.com/. Who knows it may even improve your shooting and at the very least, it makes for some interesting conversation.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Are You Ready?
Opening day of duck season …. IT’S HERE!!!
This is the day that you work out the kinks so that you are a well oiled hunting machine by the time the red legged mallards arrive.
1. Check Your Decoys
About 25% of my decoys come from other resources; they have names on them like …. Brotherton, Lee, Jenkins, Stewart, Saucier, Gaspard, etc. I spend several hours each year scratching off these unknown labels and re-writing my name to the bottom of each decoy. I then make sure that these newly altered decoys are placed into the middle areas of my spread.
2. Inspect Your Boat
No other type of hunting contains more variables, more unplanned events, and more things that could go wrong, than water fowling. Most duck boats spend the majority of their time sitting on the trailer in the garage or in the yard. Be sure to make an inspection of both the boat and the motor. Riveted aluminum boats have a tendency to develop leaks during the summer months and outboards seem to attract dirt-dobbers, wasp, ants, and more. Nothing is more frustrating on opening day than a motor that won’t run or a boat that leaks. I never really worry about the trailer lights as I am on the road long before most drivers are up.
3. Check Your Waders
I have found a way to combine checking my decoys, boat inspection, and wader inspection into a single step operation. I drag out the garden hose, fill up the boat with water, then throw a few decoys in and while the boat fills with water I climb in while wearing my waders. By the way, this is a great way to check your trailer tires and bearings. The weight of the water always seems to reveal any trailer tire weakness and wheel bearing short comings. Oh yeah, and any leaks in the waders.
4. Fine Tune Your Spinning Wing Decoys
Replace and/or recharge the batteries. Straighten and synchronize the wings of your spinning wing decoys. There is no greater distraction than having one wing with the white side up while the other wing rotates with the white side down.
5. Prepare Your Retriever
There is more to preparing your retriever for a full day’s hunt than just throwing bumpers for him to retrieve. You have to prepare him for what will actually take place in the blind. I begin several weeks in advance by standing at my kitchen counter with an open can of beanie-weenies, or a pop-tart. As if by accident I drop bits onto the kitchen floor and record my retriever’s response time that it takes to locate and scarf up the dropped food. Your dog’s reaction time should be fast enough to keep food from being underfoot should a brace of ducks swing over the decoys.
6. Inspect and Clean Your Gun
Do I really need to expand on this topic? If you are like most duck hunters, you will be spending Friday night wiping down your gun (several times) and packing, then re-packing your blind bag.
7. Pack Your Snacks and Drinks
Please refer to my previous blog on the proper etiquette required
8. Go Over All Hunting Regulations
Not really, I just added this step in case there are law enforcement persons who can read this blog.
9. Waterfowl I.D.
We have a designated I.D. guy; he is usually the first one out of the blind and back at camp. All harvested waterfowl are identified by this person and should someone have accidentally harvested a “wrong” bird, it is then given to someone whose bag limit can accommodate the addition. Oops, I forget ….. there may be law enforcement persons who can read this blog. Let me refer you to this website where you can obtain a waterfowl I.D. Chart http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id you can even download their mobile app for identifying ducks.
10. Arrive Early
On opening day you must arrive at the duck camp early. Why not, it’s not like you are sound asleep at home. You have probably awakened several times through the night and checked your clock. You have most likely been up 30 minutes before the alarm is set to go off. So, you might as well drive on down to the duck camp and visit with your hunting buddies that have spent the same sleepless night. ..... Now stop surfing the web, get dressed and go on down to the duck camp.
P.S. - Remember to take your gun
This is the day that you work out the kinks so that you are a well oiled hunting machine by the time the red legged mallards arrive.
1. Check Your Decoys
About 25% of my decoys come from other resources; they have names on them like …. Brotherton, Lee, Jenkins, Stewart, Saucier, Gaspard, etc. I spend several hours each year scratching off these unknown labels and re-writing my name to the bottom of each decoy. I then make sure that these newly altered decoys are placed into the middle areas of my spread.
2. Inspect Your Boat
No other type of hunting contains more variables, more unplanned events, and more things that could go wrong, than water fowling. Most duck boats spend the majority of their time sitting on the trailer in the garage or in the yard. Be sure to make an inspection of both the boat and the motor. Riveted aluminum boats have a tendency to develop leaks during the summer months and outboards seem to attract dirt-dobbers, wasp, ants, and more. Nothing is more frustrating on opening day than a motor that won’t run or a boat that leaks. I never really worry about the trailer lights as I am on the road long before most drivers are up.
3. Check Your Waders
I have found a way to combine checking my decoys, boat inspection, and wader inspection into a single step operation. I drag out the garden hose, fill up the boat with water, then throw a few decoys in and while the boat fills with water I climb in while wearing my waders. By the way, this is a great way to check your trailer tires and bearings. The weight of the water always seems to reveal any trailer tire weakness and wheel bearing short comings. Oh yeah, and any leaks in the waders.
4. Fine Tune Your Spinning Wing Decoys
Replace and/or recharge the batteries. Straighten and synchronize the wings of your spinning wing decoys. There is no greater distraction than having one wing with the white side up while the other wing rotates with the white side down.
5. Prepare Your Retriever
There is more to preparing your retriever for a full day’s hunt than just throwing bumpers for him to retrieve. You have to prepare him for what will actually take place in the blind. I begin several weeks in advance by standing at my kitchen counter with an open can of beanie-weenies, or a pop-tart. As if by accident I drop bits onto the kitchen floor and record my retriever’s response time that it takes to locate and scarf up the dropped food. Your dog’s reaction time should be fast enough to keep food from being underfoot should a brace of ducks swing over the decoys.
6. Inspect and Clean Your Gun
Do I really need to expand on this topic? If you are like most duck hunters, you will be spending Friday night wiping down your gun (several times) and packing, then re-packing your blind bag.
7. Pack Your Snacks and Drinks
Please refer to my previous blog on the proper etiquette required
8. Go Over All Hunting Regulations
Not really, I just added this step in case there are law enforcement persons who can read this blog.
9. Waterfowl I.D.
We have a designated I.D. guy; he is usually the first one out of the blind and back at camp. All harvested waterfowl are identified by this person and should someone have accidentally harvested a “wrong” bird, it is then given to someone whose bag limit can accommodate the addition. Oops, I forget ….. there may be law enforcement persons who can read this blog. Let me refer you to this website where you can obtain a waterfowl I.D. Chart http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id you can even download their mobile app for identifying ducks.
10. Arrive Early
On opening day you must arrive at the duck camp early. Why not, it’s not like you are sound asleep at home. You have probably awakened several times through the night and checked your clock. You have most likely been up 30 minutes before the alarm is set to go off. So, you might as well drive on down to the duck camp and visit with your hunting buddies that have spent the same sleepless night. ..... Now stop surfing the web, get dressed and go on down to the duck camp.
P.S. - Remember to take your gun
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Preparing For The Upcoming Duck Season
Preparing For The Upcoming Duck Season
All of these are important tasks, however there is one job that should not be overlooked. What I am talking about is the type of preparedness that separates the average duck hunter from the seasoned veteran. If performed properly, it can make the difference between a good hunt and an excellent hunting experience. If properly done, it can lead to you being considered an expert in the art of water-fowling by your fellow hunters. Done poorly, and you will be remembered as just a run-of-the-mill duck hunter.
What I am talking about is the right and proper method of stocking up on drinks and snacks in the duck blind. With over 40+ years of duck hunting experience, believe me, I know what I am talking about here.
In order to understand the right approach to “blind stocking” we must begin with the premise that duck hunters are probably not the healthiest bunch of human beings. Have you ever made a visit to your local outdoor store in November? I would be willing to bet the shelves were loaded with “Mens Small” and “Mens Medium” clothing items. You would be hard pressed to find any “XL” or “XXL” items left on the shelf. And after 40 years of hunting experience I have never heard one hunter say, “I need to take my hunting clothes to a tailor and have them taken in.”
This is not to say that we don’t get our share of exercise, we are always chasing unruly hunting dogs, lugging bags of decoys through the mud and brush, who hasn’t had to paddle a boat with a stick or a pair of “flip-flops”, wade through knee deep mud, and carry a “ton” of shells stuffed into our coat pockets all in the same hunt. In fact I would be willing to bet that a group of 10 Duck Hunters would most likely open a can of “Whoop-Ass” on 10 Aerobic Instructors, just as long as we didn’t have to jog 6 miles to get to the fight.
If you stock your blind properly, you will find yourself bombarded with request from fellow hunters begging to hunt with you.
The vast majority of “duck blind food” is considered “snack” food and can be easily obtained from the racks at any gas station or local convenience store. Things like beef-jerky, Doritos, Cheetos, Fritos, (any thing with “os” in the name) all make excellent duck blind foods. Beanie-Weanies, Vienna Sausage, and canned Sardines are also welcomed table fair in the blind. Hostess Fruit Pies, Twinkies, Pop-Tarts, and Honey Buns can really top off a excellent morning hunt. And no blind can be considered properly stocked without an abundance of Pringles as they travel well and stay protected in those “tennis-ball-like” cans.
Roasted peanuts and beef-jerky are must haves …. The discarded peanut shells add a non-skid surface to the blind and the beef-jerky can serve as a practical tool for stirring coffee.
Which brings me to the drink selection. Deciding on what drinks to stock the blind with is very simple, just remember the following rule ….. “Canned sodas for hot and coffee for cold”. The soda flavor matters very little.
Never be caught with any fruits and/or vegetables, none of those granola bars, yogurt, or anything with Monounsaturated fats. Any of these items will guarantee you being in the blind alone.
And never, never, under any circumstance have a banana in the blind, or boat or on the dock. Think about the life threatening aspects of what can happen due to the careless placement of a banana peel!
This may all sound very complicated to those that are just beginning to stock their blind with unhealthy snack foods for this year’s season. Just remember the following:
• The food must be quick to fix (open a can, or peel back some type of wrapper should be all that is required)
• Duck blind food has to be the type that can be shared with a dog.
• It should be the type of food that you would welcome finding on the next hunting trip or next hunting season
• It must be laden with chemicals, nothing that is allowed to grow mold is allowed in the duck blind.
• Don’t forget about never bringing a banana to the blind which isn’t to say that banana flavored items aren't welcomed ( Banana flavored Moon Pies are always a hit)
And never forget the 5-second rule, which is … any food that falls to the floor in a duck blind and isn’t immediately eaten within 5 seconds by the dog, means you might have made a poor choice in hunting dogs and it may be time to get a dog that is a little more eager.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Helping Ryan At Home
Got a call from Ryan today. He is thinking about buying one of the new Stoger 3500. After talking about the gun for a minute or two he said something that caught me off guard.
“I guess I need to call Brandie (his wife) and see if it is OK for me to buy it.” ……….
I got to thinking about that statement and decided it was time to jump in and lend Ryan a helping hand. So, for you Ryan, the following is a top 10 list that you can show Brandie and perhaps persuade her to let you have a new gun.
Top 10 Reasons To Allow Ryan To Get A New Gun
10. Honey, this would give me one at home and one to travel with.
9. I need to add balance to my gun safe so that it doesn’t warp.
8. I can’t possibly accessorize with the old gun.
7. Should one of them break-down I need a backup gun.
6. Big Boat …. Deserves a Big Gun.
5. I can’t hit shit with my old gun.
4. A new gun is more tactical and modern.
3. Gun envy
2. The older I get the less I want to pump it.
And the Number One reason I need a new gun …..
1. That extra ½” is what I have needed for a long time!
So Ryan, here you are. I am sure that as soon as Brandie reads these well thought out reasons why you need a new gun that she will send you forth with her blessings. If not …. Well, see reason #5 and prepare for another season of the same.
“I guess I need to call Brandie (his wife) and see if it is OK for me to buy it.” ……….
I got to thinking about that statement and decided it was time to jump in and lend Ryan a helping hand. So, for you Ryan, the following is a top 10 list that you can show Brandie and perhaps persuade her to let you have a new gun.
Top 10 Reasons To Allow Ryan To Get A New Gun
10. Honey, this would give me one at home and one to travel with.
9. I need to add balance to my gun safe so that it doesn’t warp.
8. I can’t possibly accessorize with the old gun.
7. Should one of them break-down I need a backup gun.
6. Big Boat …. Deserves a Big Gun.
5. I can’t hit shit with my old gun.
4. A new gun is more tactical and modern.
3. Gun envy
2. The older I get the less I want to pump it.
And the Number One reason I need a new gun …..
1. That extra ½” is what I have needed for a long time!
So Ryan, here you are. I am sure that as soon as Brandie reads these well thought out reasons why you need a new gun that she will send you forth with her blessings. If not …. Well, see reason #5 and prepare for another season of the same.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Getting What You Need
Duck Season is once again upon us. I, like so many others, am excited over what possibilities lay ahead.
Over the years, duck hunting has changed for me. I once measured my success in the blind by the numbers "killed". Success is now measured more by the experience of the hunt.
Sitting in a duck blind watching my lab make a retrieve, a flight of early morning jacks swinging over the decoys, conversation with my hunting partners, or from a deerstand, observing the return of a male bobcat after an all night quest for a meal. These are the things that make my hunt successful; these are the things that make my day.
Everyone seeks to receive something out of his or her hunting experience. But the most important thing to remember is that if you do the right things, your day in the duck blind will give you what you need.
It may not give you everything you wanted and were hoping for, but at the very least ..... it will improve your day.
Over the years, duck hunting has changed for me. I once measured my success in the blind by the numbers "killed". Success is now measured more by the experience of the hunt.
Sitting in a duck blind watching my lab make a retrieve, a flight of early morning jacks swinging over the decoys, conversation with my hunting partners, or from a deerstand, observing the return of a male bobcat after an all night quest for a meal. These are the things that make my hunt successful; these are the things that make my day.
Everyone seeks to receive something out of his or her hunting experience. But the most important thing to remember is that if you do the right things, your day in the duck blind will give you what you need.
It may not give you everything you wanted and were hoping for, but at the very least ..... it will improve your day.
Friday, September 30, 2011
The Annual Mallard Inn "Shoot-Out"
| I read an article written by Terry Epping titled "True Men Duck Hunt!". It got me to thinking and I will have to agree with Terry, There is no other group of outdoorsmen that have the passion, desire, drive, and love of the sport than a true duck hunter. For True Duck Hunters (not those that hunt ducks) the next duck season arrives the day after the end of the present season. For us, duck hunting is not a sport, hobby, or passion, it is a way of life. Our little group begins preparations for the next season just as soon as the present season closes. There is not a weekend (and very few week days) that go by that we are not at our duck camp performing some kind of task to be ready for the next opening day. Repairing old blinds, building new blinds, building a floating dock, working on the camp house, making decoy weights, repainting decoys, adding decoy strings, repairing walkways, repairing the boat house, working on outboard motors, repairing duck boats, working retrievers, all of these jobs are just a way of getting ready for the upcoming season. For us, duck hunting is a year round passion and a year long activity. There are no days off. Duck hunting is in our blood, it is our life, it is the very breath we breathe. It is a part of our soul, it is the very reason for our being. We do take a little time each year to come together as a group. "The Mallard Inn Shoot Out" is an annual event that we hold each October. There are a lot of clay targets shot and a lot of clay targets missed, and a lot of Bar-B-Que consumed and a lot of waterfowl stories told. Our group plus guests spends the entire day sighting-in rifles, busting clay pigeons, and yes ..... eating that outdoor grilled bar-b-que. One could argue that this also is in preparation of the upcoming duck season. Last year there were over 2,200 rounds of shotgun shells fired off and probably twice as many lies told and I expect there will be that many or more this year. Why?, you may ask, do we do this? Because not one of us can throw a spear. Click Here to see a video of last years "shoot out" winners |
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Another Duck Season Has Come To An End
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. - Kahlil Gibran
As I think back on the times I spent in the duck blind this year, I can’t help but think of how fast time slips away. For me, the anticipation of the arrival of duck season is like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning to get here. Then once it gets here, I blink and it is gone.
As I think back on the times I spent in the duck blind this year, I can’t help but think of how fast time slips away. For me, the anticipation of the arrival of duck season is like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning to get here. Then once it gets here, I blink and it is gone.Much like the death of a good friend, once the end of the season arrives there is a period of grieving and a period of mourning that passing. The grief comes in waves of liquid ebony. Endure the depths, and each wave will pass, allowing you to once again hold your head above the black expanse to see light again, for there will be another season.
This time can prove to be harmful. Many duck hunters report various physical symptoms that accompany the end of the waterfowl season. Stomach pain, loss of appetite, intestinal upsets, sleep disturbances and loss of energy are all common symptoms that are brought on by the closing of the duck hunting season.
Of all life’s stresses, “no duck hunting”, can seriously test a duck hunter’s natural defense systems. Existing illnesses may worsen or new conditions develop. Profound emotional reactions may occur. These reactions include anxiety attacks, chronic fatigue, depression and even thoughts of suicide. An obsession with the sport is also a common reaction following the end of the season.
If you adhere to the wisdom and advice of veteran waterfowlers, there are ways to cope and survive until the coming of a new season.
Tips On Surviving The End Of Duck Season:
- On those special occasions when your son is stepping through your front door accompanied by his friends, have him yell out ….. “Coming in!! Coming In!! In Front! In Front!”
- Spend some time gathering up your remaining boxes of shotgun shells and repack each box so that the rows of shells are all nice and neat.
- While catching up on all of those nagging little chores that you have put off until the season is over, every so often, have your wife yell out ….. “Take ‘em!! Take ‘em!!”
- Set aside some quiet time each week to hold, caress, and clean your shotgun.
- During the next production meeting at work, pretend the person sitting next to you is your hunting partner and whisper in his/her ear …. “You can’t hit shit!”
- Take the kids and/or grandkids and have them run around the back yard as you sharpen up your shooting skills with a paintball gun.
- Always tune in the TV to the Hunting Channel.
- Every now and then have someone tell you …. “Your duck call sounds like shit!”
- Set aside some time to re-tune your duck call.
- When the whole family is at the dinner table, periodically yell out …. “Get Down!! Get Down! They’re cupped over the decoys!”
- For the hunter that is having an unusually difficult time in coping with the end of duck hunting season. Plan a vacation with the family to Las Vegas and while there, take $10,000 and enroll at the newest outdoor facility “Hunting For Bambi” where you can shoot naked women with paintball guns. (Website: http://www.huntingforbambi.com/)
- And the Number One Tip to surviving the end of duck hunting season ……… continually mutter just loud enough to be heard ……… “Kill ‘em, - Kill ‘em all!!”
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