Flocked and Looking Good

So Leroy comes to me and and says he needs a make over for the big trip to Willows next week.  A little paint and a little flock fixed him up good.  He is now a killing machine!  

Idaho: Day 17+5

It had been snowing for a couple days when Willy picked me up to head out to Anderson. Rocky the bartender and his Dad were supposed to meet us out at the blind making 4 guns working 'The Tip' that day, a lot to be sure. We arrived in time to put out a lean set up and reconstruct the blind which had been vandalized by Mother Nature. Peat was very excited.

As the shooting hour approached and knowing that Rocky was running late, we watched ducks do the morning dance. A heavy overcast with no moon and the bright white snow surrounding us made for a strangely beautiful sight. Impossible to pick ducks out in flight but hearing the whistling of wings made the anticipation even better. Geese were honking out on the still open water beyond the point and all the wishing in the world would not make that particular patch of water freeze over in the next 5 minutes. Shooting time. Things slowed down.

A couple ducks sat on a thin stretch of open puddle behind us and of course the geese were still out beyond our reach. (Willy hates geese and brought along some BB shells just for them.) Something catches my eye from the left where the thin ribbon of the channel passes us. It's a greenie walking along the shore who had snuck up behind us. I jump, he flys, well not really he takes 4 wingbeats then lands again, and I realize he is wounded and can't fly. I have no choice but to put him down. I don't feel good about taking him and only count him as a .5 in the race to "Expert" status, but it needed to be done. Willy is ready and on some ducks when Rocky and his Dad come down the hillside towards the blind. They have on super sweet snow camo sheets from Sportsman's that only cost $17 and I realize I need some of these. Maya, Rocky's Chessie is along for her first hunt ever, she is almost a year old and aside from the drooling, is ready to retrieve.

The criminal part for both Peat and Maya is there is nothing flying and therefore nothing to retrieve. I take a walk North along the path and drop down on the other side of the open water to scare up the geese and ducks sitting there and enjoying the calm weather. The geese fly the wrong direction but I was able to put some ducks up over the boys in the blind. A few shots ring out but nothing is folded. The waiting continues and Willy too takes a walk. First towards the other side of the lake where the sound of massive ice cracks send him back, then towards the geese again. Did I mention Willy hates geese?

After a bit more waiting with nothing flying we call it and begin to pack up. As if on cue a pair fly over, then another, then some geese. Willy is angry. Truly angry, that he missed an opportunity to take a shot at the geese. I think I have discovered his nemesis is not Greenie but the Canadian Goose, lets call him 'Honkey'. The dogs have a good play and I give Maya the greenies wings to play with and scent on and then it's back home but not without one important stop. The other day on the way home I stopped for a snack at the Harrison Trading Post. I say to the nice lady, "I'll have one of those corn-dogs please" She says, "They aren't corn-dogs they are breakfast saussage wrapped in pancake batter, would you like syrup with that?" Heck yea! A new after hunting ritual is born.

R.I.P Jackson, My Friend

I went over my friend Jacksons house to see if wanted to catch the MNF game, his wife Janet said he was dead and that the H7HT was responsible.  I curse you for cilling my friend right after Christmas.  I did hear that it was fast and painless, thank you.  I read in the rag you f'd his face up pretty bad too, he was always one ugly mother f'er to begin with.  Janet was sad and lonely, so I doinked her.  Jacksons loss is my gain!!!  Ha ha ha ha ha ha I now laugh in your general direction, beyotches!

Janet and I fornicating

My looks form last week. Sure, you're thinking "looks pretty good" right? Nope. Nothing.
All my ducks have flown down to Arkansas. maybe tomorrow will be a good day. I passed up on going hunting this morning due to working through the holiday season and thinking that I would be better served by sleeping in and waiting for another day. Maybe tomorrow will be that day. Only time will tell. Wish me luck!
(On a related note let me congratulate Cliffy on his newfound Greenie. Nice work Cliffy!)

I think I broke my nose

Well, first off, I would like to congratulate Bob (a little late) for joining the 'Green Team'. I wasn't worried one bit considering you have so many Expert titles under your belt. This morning started out unlike our past mornings. I arrive to Fred's and low and behold, he's carrying two guns out to my truck. This could mean only one thing, E-7 is coming out with us. But, where is E-7. We text, we wait. Nothing. After a long 10 minutes, we cruise. We get out to the parking lot and there's a few cars by the bathroom and only one by the path that leads out to the point by the old old spot. After a brisk walk, we arrive to the point and find we are the first ones there. Even though the water was up, we wade through the upper waist high water out to the island and set up our blocks and Leroy. Fred makes a few patches to our blind and we go through the morning rituals. I have to say, with Fred's last venture out here and seeing not one duck or hearing one shot, I was a little worried. But only for a few seconds because a duck just flew over our heads and gun shots were in the distance. After a little time goes by and Fred is starting to doze off, I see my first opportunity. A merganser coming in low and hot. Being careful of Fred's really expensive decoys, I miss and sip. A little more time goes by and a big fat greenie notices Leroy and takes a direct path for us. Not wanting to disturb Fred while he is texting, I decide to take this one myself. He gets closer, not wanting to commit, but gets close enough. I put a shell in him and he drops. He drops hard! There was no splash to send our decoys crashing into the shore because he landed in the sand and there was a loud 'THUMP". Fearful that he broke a rib, I went out to make sure the landing only tenderized him. Oh yes, tender he shall be................buuuuuuuttttt probably broke a rib. After a little more time, and a few high fliers, we call it.

Merry Christmas Everyone

O Benelli, O Benelli, How lovely is your trigger! In beauty camo will you slay Through the mud and rain. O Benelli, O Benelli, How lovely is your trigger! O Benelli, O Benelli, You are the gun most loved! How often you give us delight In brightly shining in the morning light! O Benelli, O Benelli, You are the gun most loved! O Benelli, O Benelli, Your superior fire power will teach Greenie That his hope for life shay end you see The way to joy for the H7HT.O Benelli, O Benelli, Your superior fire power will teach Greenie

A Holiday Tradition

Said the morning sun to us in the blind
Heston blessed the H7HT
Your shooting skills are perfect and sublime
Heston blessed the H7HT
A duck, a duck
flying towards our gun
Soon, his flying will be done
Yes his flying will be forever done

Said the gusting wind to us at sunrise
Heston blessed the H7HT
I'll blow some ducks to you from up high
Heston blessed the H7HT
A duck, a duck
dropping towards the spread
Shots ring out they are dead
Benellis ringing out and they are dead

Said the driving rain to us at midday
Heston blessed the H7HT
Low flying ducks are yours alone to slay
Heston blessed the H7HT
A duck, a duck
flying low across the water
Next thing he is part of the slaughter
next thing he knows he is part of the slaughter

Said the falling snow to us at night
Heston blessed the H7HT
I'll bring you ducks tomorrow so sleep tight
Heston blessed the H7HT
A duck, a duck
sleeping in the dark
The only safe place is the park
the only safe place for you is the park


Heston Bless us, every one!

I Thought He Was Mr. Obvious

So a couple times now I drop some words on the people of the masses.  Within those words were doors, doors to be opened by Cliffy.  Shot a duck, Leroy and now we should road trip.  I left the road trip door wide open, guess I have to walk through it, here it goes. A while back Cliffy says he was invited to head down south to his buddy Brennan's place to do some duck and goose hunting, Cliffy mentioned me and asked if it would be okay if I came too.  (why they would want the Expert there I don't know)  Some of the following facts are not correct I will embellish the best I can.  I will give you all the important stuff I know. This friend of Cliffy and his buddy bought 3000 acres of flooded rice fields outside Sacramento CA with  11 other people.  There they have 12 blinds set up that they rotate the blinds amongst themselves.  Brennan set up a 50 foot trailer on the property that's equipped with stuff.   Brennan wrote to Cliffy and gave him the down low on what to expect:

- We have decoys out at all the blinds, we also have 3 mojos and 2 wind-ducks that we can set up at whatever blind we hunt. Leroy looks sweet so feel free to bring him as well. Also, new friggin development...Kevin and I just bought 18 dozen silhouette wind-socks for goose hunting...I know kind of budget and not as good as shells, but there is a ton of geese flying and we need to find a way to get in the goose hunt! We can hunt ducks in the morning and geese in the evening. - We typically hunt the morning, take a break and hunt the evening, but we can do whatever. If it's shooting then let's keep hunting! - We're hunting flooded rice fields. We'll be in a blind with stools and flip top lids...except when we go for geese, then we'll be in a goose pit/dry field. -Right now the trailer has a charcoal grill, gas stove, and a cast iron skillet. I'm in the process of bringing more shit up there in terms of pots and pans, salt, oil, etc. No need to bring up that shit since I need to get it in there anyway, just let me know what you need.   So the deal is that we drive down Friday January 6th leaving real early so we could hunt the evening fly.  Hunt all day Saturday and Sunday morning and come home Sunday night.  Cliffy and I provide some good food and drink.  In my dreams we kill so much the first two days that were tired of cleaning ducks a geese that we just come home on Sunday.  I guess it's time to buy some goose shot.  I wish I had more to say, Merry Christmas and GBCH.

Lies

This stork who says he knows me is a fool and a liar.  I've never mingled with the sort, have you ever seen a duck hang with one of those things?  Has a duck ever landed in a goose spread? No.  I never gave him any codes he is trying to sneek in your back door, no not that way bitches!  I am Greenie and I quack in your general direction. 

p.s. nice try on the point the other day.  I watched you from a far, warm drinking HoHo CoCo from 3 Doors Down Cafe, you sat cold drinking your swill.  How was it seeing nothing?

Me Too!

First Hockey season, then Boxing Day is coming up and now this. My old pal Greenie gave me the codes to your lame blog and I'm all aboot hacking. Wait, wait, YOU guys are the hacks! Get it? Hacks? Man am I funny eh?

I'll be here all week.

Try the Veal.

Idaho: Day 15+5

Due to the lack of ducks in our general vicinity (not even a good morning fly) Willy and I took out a $65,000 loan from the National Bank of Idaho and built this blind further out on "the tip" of the point. In the one photo you can see the old blind, now high and dry, in the background. This new blind will give us 360 views and shooting possibilities now that the channel is low enough to cross. I just may have to try it tomorrow....
GBCH

Day Thirteen Oregon

Other hunters on the Columbia rigging their special decoys

Damn we've been hacked, Greenie bastard.  Day Thirteen was a Monday and a Sauvies Day.  I didn't go to Sauvies cause I wanted to roll old school and have an enjoyable hunting day.  Being this time of the year hunting starts real late, killing time was 7:16, so no need to leave the house super early which meant I could stay out a little later the night before with Kathy and our friends.  Well morning comes super early and I am not too psyched, I actually stand in the kitchen and contemplate the pro's and cons of leaving a warm bed with a sorry head.  Being the Expert right now there really is no reason for me to leave the comfy confines of my abode I thought.  Well that's BS!  Got to get out there.  Pack up, head out, walk out and find the water is right where I knew it was, low.  Wade over to the million dollar blind on the island and find that it's all still there set up from the last time, even the stick I put in the water to mark the level was still sticking in the mud, bonus.  I have a pretty good feeling this morning, the spot is just cherry, my blocks are sublime, and I've got the whole area to myself.  Morning rituals, christen the blind, christen myself, choke and so forth.  Well that was it.  Did not even see a duck.  Nothing.  At 10 I call it, can't even believe I made it to 10.  Where are all the ducks?  Maybe it's time for a road trip to go find some ducks, any ideas Cliffy?

I Am Here!

This is a picture of me skiing on
Anderson lake, I saw you there in your
stupid blind.  I was out playing you
were drinking your wikki, fools.

I've finally done it, I've hacked your silly computers!  I should have been invited many years ago, I've been here just as long as any of you fools.  Finally I have a say, I can now laugh in your direction too.  

Lets talk about a few things.  These blocks you have, the one's you're so proud of, "oh look how real they look, they are the best!" you rant.  Do you really think that shit fools me?  Do you really think having a bunch of dudes in the water will entice me to land?  I am not into dudes,  okay that one time I was doing a nickel in a Mexican jail was different, I was a pitcher not a catcher, anyway I'm into beyotches.  What about this thing with a stick up it's ass, the one you call Leroy.  I knew a Leroy back in 2001, we hooked up right after a new years eve party, we thought it would be cool to go get rid of our hangover, from drinking Cold Duck, out in Troutdale.  It was the last I saw of him he was fooled by some d-bag named Mitch.  Not me, I saw those dogs a mile away.  Anyway this "Leroy" doesn't even have any legs, it doesn't fool me!  Oh and what ever happened to "I only shoot Greenies Bob DaFolder?"  I call you "Mr. Clean" because you clean other peoples ducks, you've only slayed  4 but you've cleaned 8.  Sucker!  I'm here to stay, get ready!

I am Greenie and I quack in your general direction.

A Photo Essay

Idaho: Day14+5

Otherwise known as Greenie time!
Finally I gots me a Greenie. More on that later. It was looking good for the morning. Cold temps and a light snow started to fall as we left the cabin. The cold had been in effect for a few days running and even though my last day was lean to say the least I was excited for another day on the Point. Willy and Peat picked me up and we made it to the Point just in time to set some blocks and settle in for the morning fly. Ducks whistled overhead as we made our plan of attack for shooting time. The last few days taught me that the best shooting time would be shortly after the opening bell. The first set came in right down the pipe and I told Willy to take em. A miss. Not an auspicious start but good to get the jitters out.

A few more flyers came by and a couple landed far out on the open water. Problem was the lake has not yet completely frozen over and the open water further out was much more attractive than the thin ribbon of water we had to work with. All the ducks moving in landed out there rather than coming in to see us. Rotisserie working, decoys looking good after brushing off the snow and as always the calling was sublime. The snow which had tapered off started to pick up again and some birds started moving around.

Geese took flight from the open water on the lake and swung our way. Willy asked if he should take the shot and I said something to the effect that I would not shoot (knowing how difficult it is to knock them down with 2shot) but if he felt the need... They swing right over our heads and Willy takes 2 shots. Incredibly, the lead bird starts falling and I'm amazed. Willy is shooting 4shot and he has done the deed, the goose is doing it's impression of the Memphis Belle! The picture is the impact mark it made as it landed without it's gear down and slid across the snow covered ice. Tough bastards that they are the thing gets up and walks to the open water while Willy and Peat run after it trying to put him out for the count. No luck.

And so it gets quiet. Too quiet. Willy is bummed and sure that he has to rethink his shot selection. Peat is confused as to what his job is too. I think his 1 year old dog brain was not ready for a big ass goose being so close, but yet so.... strange... so big... so 'what the hell is that'? We wait some more. It's quiet again and I'm thinking nothing else is going to happen, of course that's when it does.

A double comes in from the 12:00 and flies right down the pipe. Willy is out front and I alert him to the shot. They make like they are landing and we stand to take a shot. Stoopid Greenie flys left and towards us and Willy shoots, they swing in front of us instead of away and I shoot 2 at him. Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier! I go out and deliver the final blow and that Greenie is mine, my first of the year. I bring him back in and Peat is confused again but before long Peat is so interested he can't keep his nose off it. Shortly after I have to call it as I have a "customer service clinic" to go to but I feel bad because Willy is stoked to stay and shoot again. Well, Tuesday is not too far away.
GBCH

Click this link........and watch........and learn.

http://www.ducks.org/eblasts/2011/yearend/crosby/

Heston would be proud.

Day 13+5

I wish that I had something good to report. My day looked like this,
except a little more on the clarity side of things.
That's all I have to say about that.

Day Twelve Oregon

Christmas season is upon us so are Christmas parties.  Cliffy had his final Christmas party for Provvista Specialty Foods, due to the buy out, and I knew he was going out hot.  I suggested an afternoon hunt on Sauvies Island so the man could get some sleep and work the cobwebs out of his head.  I pull up next to Cliffy in the parking lot and he don't look so good, I open the door and he greets me with "it's youth hunt day!"  If you all remember Youth Hunt Day is a day you bring a little children hunting and you get a blind, all the roam units are available to the public.  Well we talk it over and think that it would be great to get a Footbridge or Dead Willow unit, those units have been killing it.  We pull up to the shack at about 11am and there are many people waiting, not a good sign.  I walk up to the window to put my name on the list and notice there is a Footbridge available. I said we'll take it, walking away scratching our heads wondering why no one else took it.   We squeeze in between two other groups and throw out a minimal amount of blocks due to the water level.  Nestled in the corn rows we look good, but I know Cliffy ain't feeling to good until that first sip of wikki passes his lips.  I hit him right away to set things straight.  First hour or so we see many ducks we even take a shot each and bag some misses.  The D Bags to our left have a "good" dog and are Busters, they're making a lot of noise and folding there share of ducks.  It makes me uneasy hunting around them they force you to become more of a pass shooter rather than folding them with their feet down. The weather is not as cold as we hoped the sun was even coming out.  A few more hours pass and the D Bags are gone and so is the guy to our right it looks as though we have the whole unit to ourselves, I'm relaxed now.  The weather turns for the better, grey clouds roll in on a wind from the north, it's chilly.   I hear Cliffys cap spinning must be time to take a sip, as we are a shoveler comes in committed, bottle in one hand and gun in the other I was confused as what to do, I may have shot Warren style, from the hip with one hand.  Cliffy was in the same boat but he got two shots off and folded the beyotch.  Then my turn I think "can't let him get that close."  Hen mallard fully committed comes in front of me landing gear down I let two loose on her missing both times, each time aiming better and better the third one was the charm, I saw full red, dead.  But at the same time Cliffy pulled his trigger and let one loose on her ass, he rejoiced thinking he folded it, I had to deny him, I saw RED!  Good thing about afternoon hunts is that you know when to call it, it's now 3:40 we have 20 more minutes, it's slowing down and the sun set with the grey clouds is beautiful.  I decide to break out the camera and snap a few, damn!  Hen and drake come in low down the pike on my side, I mean all set up, wanting our spread, perfectly spread apart, set up for the perfect double. I don't have my gun in my hand!!! "Cliffy take'm!"  I yell.   He folds the hen first she's behind the drake, drake still flying perfectly through the spread, takes two at greenie...comes up short.  I'm screaming for joy the whole time as this is unfolding in front of me.  Even after he missed greenie just to see the true possibility of a double I was elated.  I turned to Cliffy "dude what happened?! you had the double!"  He turns to me and says "I think I broke my nose!"  For this I will end this story here.  If he would like to add something he will, if not ask him next time you see him.  GBCH.

Idaho: Day 12+5

Yes, I know that the moon is nearly full. And yes, I know that the weather has not been cooperating. But for Heston's sake I haven't been slaying and neither has Willy or has Peat been able to retrieve, so out to Anderson we went.

About 17 degrees in the morning and the moon has allowed us to see shadows but at least it's cold and foggy. We set up in a nice open slice of water in what has traditionally been a good spot for late season hunting. Anderson Point. Minimal decoys and the addition of the rotisserie duck spell potential. The blind was frosted over with beautiful white glaze and the fog was low and close. I hoped for the best. Not soon after we set in and Peat was resting at Willy's feet did the AM fly start working. Ducks were flying around and some even looked to be fat Greenies or Pinnys. Maybe this morning would be a good one.

A set from the left passed by with nary a shot. Then another. Soon a pair of Greenies landed out beyond the confidence decoys and swam towards us. Willy saw them first and wondered if they were in range. "Not yet, wait for them to swim in past the first swimming blocks them jump them" I say. of course they take their time and while we wait while a couple of Buffles land in the slew behind us. Peat is watching them like a hawk but not giving anything away and the Greenies work towards us slowly. I tell Willy about the finer points of jump shooting and soon enough it's time. He jumps. They sit. I yell "booogolie booogolie boo" and they jump away. Willy shoots. Both his eardrums pop and he thinks that he has ruined his hearing for life and does not take a second shot. Not to worry, they were leaving anyway and his ears just had to adjust. I tell him to shoot again to be sure that he is not deaf to the world and things settle into place. All is well.

Not much happens after that and soon we call it for the day. I'm dissapointed once again at the high pressure system that has dominated the last 2 weeks here in Idaho but know that soon enough the massive cold front will move down from Canada and bring with it the bounty we so rightly deserve.
Patience is a virtue Heston would say. Tomorrow is another day.
By the way, I don't 'chew' but I found a product called Jerky chew. Don't ever buy it. According to Paige it's the remnants of the jerky that falls on the floor while they make the real Jerky, just like a Newport Menthol 120. Salt and MSG or maybe salt and jerky fat or maybe salt and meat assholes. I'm not sure that it isn't salt and rhino penis.
GBCH

December 10, 2011

Like the song says, "I see a full moon a risin..." This weekend another full moon, it's like we get one of these things every month or so.  So what are we going to do to combat it?  Anyone?  A couple of things here in Oregon; Old Spot has no food so will it effect it there? or maybe an afternoon hunt at Sauvies.  I did look up the numbers for the last full moon, on Sauvies they were pretty strong but I can't tell if it was morning or afternoon.  Anyway food for thought, plan you hunts accoringly.

Idaho: Day 11+5

We are all familiar with the famous Icebreaker ship the Yermak, a Brittish built icebreaker for the Russian Navy. According to the design of Admiral Stepan Makarov and under his supervision. Makarov borrowed the main principles from Bob DaFolder and applied them for creation of the first polar icebreaker, which was able to run over and crush pack ice. Between 1899-1911 Yermak sailed in heavy ice conditions for more than 1000 days.

Although 1000 days ago the ice on Anderson Lake was nonexistant I still had a cold morning of icebreaking to contend with. The tempatures had droped into the 20's for the past few days and even though skies are clear I hoped for some good flying on the newly frozen waters. See, I have a 'honey hole' at the end of my point, usually clear of ice and ready to bring the ducks in. I cleared the channel of icey build up and set my decoys in a sparse and loping pattern designed to intice ducks into my fold. Soon, the ice was back.

To pass through ice-covered water, an icebreaker uses its great momentum and power to drive its boot up onto the ice, breaking the ice under the immense weight of the boot. Because a buildup of broken ice in front of the boot can slow it down much more than the breaking of the ice itself, the speed of the leg is increased by having a specially designed calf to direct the broken ice around or under the waders.

After a few minutes I was back in action. Problem was there was no action. Only when I went out to break ice with my specially designed boot did the lone set of 2 mallards fly in. Oh yea, they wanted in too. I bolted back to my super-sweet blind just in time to see another set of 20+ ducks fly over my head towards the other side of the lake. Nothing. It went that way until I packed up and headed home for a nice nap. I even had some pretzel rods for the ride.

The next outing is in 3 days with Willie and Peat. Hope the push of Arctic air from Canadia happens and brings with it the ducks I know are waiting to see me.

GBCH

Day Eleven Oregon

Day Eleven was a Sunday out at the Old Spot not on the Point like we have been doing much of our hunting, but on a small island off the shore of Gary Island.  We chose this spot because honestly it was the best spot of course, but also due to the lack of water, the Point offered no water and no cover close to the water there was.  We waded across to this small Island in waist high water and found a great spot. We threw our blocks out and with the exiting water my blocks danced lifelike.  After building a million dollar blind (a little more expensive due to the real-estate, we were on a island for Heston sake over looking the Columbia) we toast to our comrades not with us and wait to killing time.  But us being who we are, the Best, we got there super early with our knowledge of low water and such, other hunters decided to sleep in.  3 D Bags set up about 150 yards behind us so if they did shoot it would have rained on us and another D Bag set up 150 yards away to our right on Gary Island, and he had a dog, and that dogs name was...wait...wait... Deli!  So we thought it might have been E7 who showed up in the boat but no E7 was home in a warm bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in his head, or visions of the Browns loosing another game.  Well having the best spot only means one thing, you have the best spot.  Unless there are any ducks flying all you have is...the best spot.  Quite very quiet, it was not cold, windy or any type of duck hunting weather.  Sparse numbers of mallards here or there very high, and a few set of Pintails.  I was able to scare the shit out of a Greenie with three, three inches of loud noise that would have put me up by four but this Greenie was not cooperative.   Lunch of muffalatta brought out two sets of ducks of course but we were too busy eating sandwiches the size of our heads.  We call it after the wikki runs dry pack the bags and wade back home.  The stick in the picture I placed there to mark the water level when we arrived, just in case the water was coming up we didn't want to get stuck on this island, but as you see it continued to go out.  Rain in the forecast, 

over  a week away.  Curse you Hilton Kaderli.

Hope you got some Oxy....

Friend of the H7HT Clayton blew out his knee skiing some trees the other day. We wish him
well and can only think that had he been hunting instead this would not have happened.
 Heston Bless You C. Monster.

Idaho: Day 10+5

So here it is, day ten and I'm hunting with Willie and his big ole' lab Peat. Unproven is Peat and I'm slightly sceptical as to his ability and dedication to the H7HT but willing to give him the opportunity to prove himself, Willy too. We're heading to the point after what can only be described as one of the quietest days I've had so far. Time will tell.

I was impressed.

Willy brought along a flask full of some kind of adult beverage and Peat was a 'good dog' not barking like Angel or running around like a hyper mutt. Only one thing was missing. Not the desire to slay, not the ability to shoot straight, but only the presence of ducks. Yep, no ducks. The morning fly was almost nonexsistant and only a fey ducks flew after the shooting time. I felt bad about introducing a new hunter to these conditions but then again, that's hunting.

Willy was happy just to be out and I think Peat was happy too. I myself was angry that all the ducks have made thier way to parts south but knew that their retun is inevitable. Peat was not so sure. We threw the bumper ofr him and made it fun for a 1 year old puppy so that he will be glad to return to the blind on the point but I'm thinking that Willy is not so sure. Turns out he is psyched and ready to try again next week. Good news.

Stay tuned for more from the newly minted 'Idaho chapter with dog'. Next time will surely be great!

On a nonrelated note, I made my first turns of the 2012 season. Knees are weak and my skills are lacking but the snow is OK for this time of the season. And the views are great. Check my picture looking from the top of chair 2 out to the Wardner peak. Sweet!

GBCH.

So Here We Are

The first week of December, waiting, waiting for it all to happen.  But it's not like were all sitting on our hands, were getting out  there trying to make it happen were dedicated.  Oregon chapter has 7 weeks left and Idaho 5, let's make the best of them. So I'm going to throw out some names here.  Hank Aaron, Michale Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Fred G.  Me in that list of greats?!  What do I have in common with some of the most influential people in modern day sports you might be asking yourselves?  Record books my friends, record books.  The first week into the December and I sit on 8 slays, the most I ever had was I believe 10.  If my memory does serve me correctly it's the most ever by a team member.  After a couple of dismal finishes the past few years I feel I've hit my stride again.  Half way though the season I need two to tie three to take it over.  I know you're all  rooting for me, after all we are a team.  What do I owe it all to?  Patience my friends, patience.   And the fact that there is no pressure on me to succeed, look at the losers behind me, pathetic!  Kidding, kidding.  Look at the Old Spot, producing like it has never before.  Remember the old days when it poured all the time!  I mean all the time!  We had to invent a freakin umbrella to go hunting!  Knowledge, were so much more savvy now.  Years of experience are shinning though with all of us.  Block set ups, calling, gear, better gear, scouting, the world wide web, time spent together, it's all working, not working by it self but in unison.  Sure the season could turn to shit.  Rain in buckets every day, no cold, too cold, the price of ammo could go up 2 fold I don't know anything, anything can happen.  Me, I could be knocked out of Expert status, who knows we all might wear bras on our heads.  Cliffy V. representing the team this year full tilt!  I've seen him take some shots and the shots that connected were full folds.  Bob DaFolder well he's off to a slow start, some bad juju.  His time and area will come about you'll see, remember it was the turtle not the hare that won the race.

What the Hell's Going On?

Are you sitting in your local blind (Bob DaFolder) wondering where all the ducks have gone?  Well being the Expert let me drop some knowledge on you all, before someone (DaFolder) has a stroke.  I've been listening to you all and thinking about it myself and here is my conclusion.  Migration folks, it happens, man I could make a million selling those bumper stickers, it happens for a couple of reasons.  A: Would you not want to winter down in Cabo? 6: They've all been sitting around eating and gearing up for this long journey, waiting for weather to push them, but the other thing pushing them is time, there is not a lot of daylight to feed anymore.  If they stick around because the weather is nice then they might get caught here, without enough food in their bellies.  The ducks and geese know when it's time to move on, the smart ones anyway,  seven years of evolution tells us this.  So what we need to do is sit tight, ducks and geese up north are still moving down, within the next couple of weeks there will be a mass migration, I experienced it, remember?  I saw it last year on November 24th, the weather was fierce and it has not gotten like that yet.  Call it global warming or call it what you will.  But being in Idaho you want that migration to happen now, your season is running out!  Not to scare you. So sit tight my friends the best is yet to come... or not.

Day Off

Took Monday off from hunting, only being up two I had second thoughts, but it was a nice day to take a "hike" around Multnomah Falls with Kathy.  I did not see any ducks but a lot of nature.

Day Ten Oregon

Today is as the video goes.  After the video there were a set of 4 Pintails that buzzed the spread 3 times, I think the lack of Pintail blocks was the cause.  On the other hand they were close enough one time where I should have taken the shot, but I wanted the landing gear down.  Like I said I don't think they would commit with a bunch of Mallard blocks.  By the way the blocks look great, Leroy would only have helped with the high flyers.  The weather was calm no wind when I got there and a light rain, when I decided to call it at about 10:00 the sky's were blue but the wind was starting to pick up, but fortunately  there were no birds trying to drop in the kill zone while I'm picking up there little friends.  Something amusing did happen though, I caught another hunter stalking my blocks, they do look good.  Enjoy the Vid.  Peace.

Day Nine Oregon

Fill in the Blanks

Hi my name is Cliffy V.  I am a hunter.  I belong to the greatest hunting team H7HT.  I went hunting on Sunday with Fred G. he is the Expert.  I shot a duck.   Here is a picture.

Thanks for reading my story.

Ciffy V.

Jeff Foiles is a Dick.

X-mas present suggestion.....

Idaho: Day 9+5

So yesterday the pressure is on. I'm sitting well back in the duck count and I feel the need to slay not just some ducks, but some Greenies. I finally had a chance to go to the point by my lonesome. Not that I enjoy hunting alone, I do, but hunting by myself affords me the greatest chance to work the magic and bring the ducks in ready to land and showing me their fat bellies. I was ready.

Big Betty is running like crap but I knew she would not let me down on this trip. Warm and clear in the morning makes for bad hunting conditions but good driving. We left early and it was a good call. The blind on the point was destroyed by the recent mega-windy conditions and after I set a nice decoy spread in the low waters I did a $54,986 remodel on the blind, I was ready. I even set a couple confidence decoys on a half submerged log and topped it off with the rotisserie decoy in a prime spot. It was calm and warm, too warm.

Ducks flew in the pre-shooting minutes and I drew a bead on them just to be ready when the time came, 6:38 to be exact. as it turned out I was just putting my nose to the floor and smelling the food as the old saying goes. Nothing flew that morning. In 3 hours I saw only two sets that held promise. One lone Greenie flew low directly into my spread and then flared when the rotisserie scared him. Maybe they are onto that trick and I am learning that calling could be more of a hindrance than a attractant. No birds were to be mine that day.

On the plus side I saw an amazing sunrise over the hillside and the calm was nice to be a part of. Next chance to hunt may be with Willie my coworker and friend who has a dog that should be exposed to 'birdieness'. Chances are that he will be more like a "turd in the punchbowl" (still no winners on the reference) but I still look forward to introducing another person to the H7HT experience. Time will tell. Stay tuned.

GBCH

Eleven Twenty Eight

life has a rhythm that we all must obey
the change of the seasons and the roles that they play
inevitable they are so enjoy every day

right now in time we have such a marker
Mother Nature tells us not to ignore her
daylight is short, the nights longer and darker

with half the season behind us and the rest to unfold
anticipation can be platinum but actions are pure gold
so get yourself out there today and make memories to hold

that delicate point we have reached in the season
some have more some have less whatever the reason
but I have a thought that you can believe in

we are the best group of hunters that ever can be
all members of the greatest team ever, the H7HT

Can't Believe Almost 6 Years

It's been almost six years since I started this thread on

Skybusting at Sauvies, I have to say not much has changed.

Also that was the year Cliffy was Expert.  Damn!

Have You Seen This Man?

His name is Bob DaFolder

He used to folds Greenies

And used to take our money

But now ...

Where has he gone?

No Monies?

No Greenies?

(by the way I don't have to tell you but that was one big ass Greenie)

Oregon Day Eight

Greenie Smoked with Apple Wood

Day eight was a Thursday, Thanksgiving. With E7 out with the stones, Furious, TJ and I made it out to the Old Spot. We left at 4:45 and arrived to find mucho trucks in parking lot. The walk out I smelled it.  We reach the water, it's up. Last week when we were out there it measured 2.75 feet it was now up to 8.75 feet, there was also many people setting up blinds. Furious and I decided to wade around to the back or top of the point, no opportunity to just float the bags out there. After slipping and falling in the water, I submerged my gun again for the second day in a row, and now I'm soaked up to my elbows. Furious finds a cherry spot on top of the point. We have awesome coverage we were surrounded by water and there is a gravel shelve that went out for what seemed a good 30-40 yards so we were able to get the blocks far out there but made it almost impossible to put Leroy in. Pre-shooting flight was lite but as soon as the sun made it's way over Hood they picked up, mostly Mallards. A half hour or so into shooting time about 8 greenis fly into the spread, Leroy made them want us and my new flocked blocks sealed the deal. With landing gear fully down over my blocks we jump and with one shot I fold one and in the same breath I turn my sights onto another greenie bastard, I let loose the Benelli once more but nothing, looking back on it I should have emptied it. Furious emptied his gun with no luck and when they were gone I retrieved my prize, number 7 a greenie. The morning gave more excellent looks but no more shots. The sky's were turning pitch black and we decided to high tail it out of there. Then the expected happened. Goes a little something like this........ We were pulling our blocks and a set of 10 mallards wanted to land and then a set of 3, all while our guns were on shore, unloaded. I plucked the greenie and smoked it with my Thanksgiving Day turkey.  Delish.

Oregon Day Seven

Day seven was a Wednesday afternoon hunt at Sauvies.  I arrive at the check in station at about 12:45 and by 1:15 I'm on my way to Johnson 3.  Never really hunted Johnson before so it was some good scouting opportunity as well and walking out in day light was a plus.  I get to the turn off point for my blind area and I am immediately greeted by water, lots.  It was a long grueling walk with my 50 pound pack in thigh high water for about 300 yards.  There are no blinds but hunting areas, you find your post with your assigned number an set up  at it or 30 yards around it.  Found my spot to set up camp, it was difficult considering your still standing in that thigh high water.  Set my blocks out as best I could and stood and waited standing in the water with a light rain.  I know what you all are thinking "damn that don't sound like no fun!"  Well this is hunting not an amusement park honey, I've got guys behind me whom want my Expert title so you have to get out there. Some promising fly by's and I realize that ideally  you really need some kind of motion decoy to bring them in, otherwise your just plain ole pass shooting.  Two hours pass and I have to split, I have a Tom in the oven and I have got to get home.  I learned that packing you decoys that float into a bag floating in water is almost impossible.  It was then it struck me, "float", the bag floats.  The 300 yard walk back to dry land was a snap towing my bag behind me.  I guess that's why I'm the Expert.

Murder Was the Case That They Gave Me

Idaho: Day 8+5

Today was the day that I took Rocky the bartender and his Dad hunting. Last year we had a brutally cold day at the point and we were stymied by icy waters and bad camouflage due to the fact that snow was everywhere and we stood out like turds in a punchbowl ($5 for anyone who can quote that reference). Today was different.

After yesterdays icy waters and blustery wind I thought that the point would be the place to be but when we got to the comfort station this morning it was calm and warm. I decided on the blind because I could see that the ice had dissipated overnight and the lack of wind would allow us to set a huge spread in the open water. Rocky had new decoys that he had strung with fishing line and fishing weights and they went to the right, my set to the left with the rotisserie decoy in the middle of them. Almost as soon as we settled in a huge wind came blowing off the lake right at us and picked up all Rocky's decoys dragging them to the shore. With only a few minutes before shooting time we pulled them and counted on the spread to the left to do our dirty work. Ducks were flying.

I took two shots at the first legal time to set the tone for the days shooting. Last year the boys were waiting for me to call all the shots and this year I let them know that I would not be the one to tell them when to shoot. Rocky's Dad (whose name I can't seem to remember even after 2 years) was right in the fray but Rocks first shot was taken with the safety on. After that it was all them, I called and spotted. Good shots at morning fly ducks, some high flying geese and even a couple good Greenie shots too. The best opportunity of the day was a group of 5 Mergansers from left to right about 2 feet off the water, the same shot that Fred G folded a two-fer last year, their yellow bellies exposed in the morning light. Nada.

The massive wind died down and the action slowed for an hour or so but then picked up again with some rain to boot. Singles and doubles appeared and the boys were starting to skybust so I layed some knowledge on them. The crime of the day was a pair of fat Greenies that floated into the wind from the left and wanted in. Someone started to jump and move before they committed fully and I watched them peel off towards the lake seeing us like a neon sign. After that the wind died, the rain left for good and we headed home. A nice day with some good guys.
Next time I do the slaying, not guiding.
GBCH

And Now A Word...Or Two

Outdoor Etiquette By Tom Cannon Lately, while I have been enjoying some time in the outdoors, I have come across a few things that really turned me off. Although I consider myself a conservationist and avid outdoorsman, I wouldn’t go so far as to say I am one of those extremist or green people. Still, it does annoy me and a major of other sportsmen and women have voiced their opinions on some topics which we could all try and eliminate. That said lets delve into the issues! First and foremost it is littering. After cleaning up a stretch of road out in the country recently, my family collected five trash bags full of junk people had tossed into the ditch. Some do it knowingly; others simply allow it to blow out of the back of their pickups or trailers. Regardless, it’s still littering and man is it ugly and rude. Nothing spoils a trip into the scenic countryside more than a bunch of trash alongside the road. Hey folks, it isn’t that hard to find a trash can. Just this past weekend while fishing, I picked up a plastic grocery bag and a live bait container from the lake surface. Neither was mine, but it was ruining the experience for me so why not do the honorable thing and pick them up. An old saying comes to mind, ”leave it like you found it.” Well, sometimes in this world we have to be responsible enough to “leave it better than we found it”! Lets make a pact to reduce the trash everywhere, especially in the outdoors. Hey, that fishing line isn’t beneficial to the lake and sure does snag up everyone’s lures. If you hook it, reel it up and haul it off please. Same thing goes for the plastic six pack rings. There are lots of pictures of birds with those around their necks. Fact is, they do not decompose! Aluminum cans, glass or plastic bottles sure are handy to carry to our favorite beverages in, but man do they make serious eye sores. Dang if you drink it – throw it away! Don’t even get me started on the old tires, car batteries and refrigerators. Hey, God did not intend these to be part of the woods or any shoreline. You don’t see refrigerators growing in any forest that I know of! What about the good old redneck signature couch in the ditch or creek? Wow, nothing says cool like a ratty old recliner busted up along the gravel road. Get my drift yet? Alright, enough of that junk (literally). Lets move on to the next thing; poor boat ramp behavior. It doesn’t matter if you fish Kansas, Missouri or Texas it’s always present. The people who really have no idea of how to handle themselves on a public boat ramp. You know the ones I mean… The guy(s) who blocks the ramp with his boat or truck while he loads or unloads his gear. Then he or she will goof around while several even dozens of folks wait to get their chance to launch or load their boat. Holly cow dude! Pull into the parking lot and unhook your tie down straps, ice chest, life jacket, rods or skis and whatever else. Pull into the ramp line ONLY when you are actually ready to launch your boat. Please parents, watch your kids while near the boat ramp! I don’t know how many times I have personally been backing up only to have a kid (or even adult) run behind the trailer or in between my truck and someone elses vehicle. I would hate to see a bad accident occur from something like that. Even careful drivers cannot see properly behind vehicles or trailers. Practice does make perfect and some of us need practice backing up a trailer. Holiday weekends are not the time to learn. Actually, I don’t go to the lake on the big holiday weekends simply because of all the action. This is when everyone who has just bought or acquired a boat, jet ski or any other watercraft is out. Who cares if they have never tried backing a trailer down a ramp or out of a parking spot? Hey, don’t mind the other fifty rigs that are held in peril while you back, bump or barge your way into the boat ramp hall of fame. When in doubt, take your rig to a shopping mall lot and practice for a few evenings prior to hitting the lake for the first time. Hey, even ask a veteran boater for help if you need it. I have backed lots of folks in or out of a ramp gladly to save everyone time and headaches. Most anglers don’t care if you fish near them, but boy nothing gets a fisherman’s hackles up more than someone who buzzes by them on a personal watercraft or boat. Sort of reminds me of that lake scene from Caddy Shack when dozens of boats, jet skis and such capsize the poor guy fishing. Hey, road rage isn’t cool on the road and it sure isn’t cool on the lake. It’s seriously annoying and that behavior is very dangerous, as well. Let’s switch sides now and head into the hunting side. One of the biggest qualms is about trespassers. Hey, we have all done it, but that doesn’t make it right. Try and be aware of the property lines and don’t cross them unless you have permission. Current real estate prices make land owners very stern with trespassers and it’s not unusual any more for those violators to be arrested. Even worse are those folks who trespass, poach animals and then leave the carcass there. What a bunch of slobs! These people will steal tree stands, destroy fences or implements, and dump trash. Not very endearing behavior from an “outdoorsman” in my opinion. When hunting pick up spent shotgun shells whenever possible. Sure sometimes things happen and the fired hull gets ejected into some tall weeds making it impossible to find. Alright, it happens but how about when you are in open water hunting waterfowl and your shells eject right there where they are clearly visible? Why not bend over and pick them up? Same thing goes when hunting in crop fields. Farmers get annoyed when they disc, drill or bail up old rusty shotgun shells all the time. As they say in the Army, “police your brass”. Controlling your dog is another critical part of hunting. Whether its deer hunting, bird hunting or whatever, no one likes to have an unknown dog that run wild and spoil their trip. I have heard of deer hunters who have even shot canines that repeatedly run near their stands scaring away deer time after time. I have actually been in the marsh duck hunting and had birds working in the decoys only to have them spooked by a loose dog from clear across the cove. It’s not a safe environment for wild, uncontrollable canines. They might be hit by cars, lost or drown, so keep them in sight. Furthermore, if it’s not in range don’t shoot at it. This goes for game but especially waterfowl. I don’t know what it is but waterfowl hunters seem to have to shoot their guns regularly. Thus, if a flock of geese cruises over at high altitude its even money that somebody will fire a round or two at them. No chance in heck of dropping a bird, but still a shotgun blast to help them on their way. Well, that does nothing but make it tougher to decoy those birds and it also puts stray ammo into the air possibly creating a hazard to other hunters nearby. Hey, save your shells they are expensive! Well, I am running out of time and paper. I had no intention of going on so long but if we don’t police ourselves, a few bad apples will ruin it for everyone. Face it there are fewer and fewer clean, quiet, unmolested spaces for us to take up our passions. Let’s try and protect what we have!

Idaho Hunting Trip

What in the name of Heston.......

....is this thing doing in my truck? I mean really, did I do something this year for people to keep murdering birds and dumping them on me? I got back to my truck today and saw this thing (not a duck but what the hell is it) sitting in the back as you see here in the picture to the right. I have no idea where it came from or to what end someone put it there. I mean really, what in the name of Heston is this thing doing in my truck????

Pressure.

Also known as: Idaho, day 7 + 5.
Lots of pressure was felt today. Pressure from all directions and an interesting end to my day of hunting in the great state of Idaho. Fred G is gone and with him the title of 'Expert' has departed the area too. Now I sit in 3rd place in the standings behind him and Cliffy. At least E-7 has not yet shot more ducks than I have. The pressure to increase my totals was just one of the reasons I left for Anderson this morning. The other is I have a guide job tomorrow with Rocky and his Dad and usually that means more calling and looking, less shooting for me. So I left in the pouring rain and as I got near the lake I saw 2 other hunters unloading their truck and heading towards the point. I talked to them and confirmed their intentions and they told me they scouted the area because everything else was frozen over. Not good.

Now walking out to the blind further down Anderson I could see a glassy sheen to the water and noted the fact that the water level had dropped further from last week. I was careful to not leave too many tracks in the snow as I made my way to the devastation the wind had brought on our blind. Fortunately it was still solid enough to support my morning fly but the water was a different story, it was frozen. I punched out a small honey hole by pushing slabs of ice under one another and dropped in a few decoys as ducks flew over my head like crazy. It was shooting time and I was still trying to make a landing area for them. Lots of pressure to finish quickly and get back to the blind. See, more pressure.

Fully light now and I took a few shots from a kneeling position in the reeds and missed. The rain and wind had ducks moving about in all directions and more than once I missed seeing ducks fly from the direction I was not looking. The pressure to see in all directions was overwhelming. Geese flew in dozens right by me and I was pressured into taking a couple shots at them due to how close they were. Tough bastards those geese, like throwing a golf ball at a bear is how I think of it, but I lobbed a couple 3 1/2 inchers at them anyway. Nothing.

The wind and rain slowed and I set out to increase the size of my ice patch so if we have to use the blind tomorrow it will have a bigger area of attraction. I also attempted a $20,000 remodel on the blind but only the mighty 'Expert' Fred G can build a mansion like that again. At 11:00 I called it and headed back to the truck to find an intriguing surprise waiting. No ducks today but there is always tomorrow..... stay tuned.
GBCH

Day Six Oregon

We Start the day early at 4:30 to ensure we get the point at the Old Spot.  With bags filled with new blocks and high hopes we start the long walk out. We arrive and set out our new shiny blocks, E-7 helps with the blinds. Were set, were looking good, we have 45 minutes to go. Killing time arrives and and in no time Cliffy V. is pulling the trigger, once, folds a greenie, NICE! Me forgetting I was using my semi I forgot to pull the trigger again, missed opportunities when your in first place are like people sticking knives in your back trying to vie for your spot. For the Old Spot the morning fly was spectacular.  A few more fly by's and some shots taken, even by the prospect Ed who after taken a shot earned his name of E-7. Figure it out. Some while into the day Cliffy V. says "Fred G. how bout a sammy to bring them out." I walk back to the bag to grab them turn around and about 10 greenies fly into the spread. When I say fly into the spread I mean I'm 10 yard from the guys in the blind, I could see into the eyes of the greenies and see their inner souls. I mean if I had a seven iron I could have swung it with one arm and taken out at least seven of them. I'm back in the bushes and I'm missing it! "Guys Guys what the Hell?" One says he wasn't sure if he should shoot, the other could not get his hand out of his glove!  Well Cilffy V. goes for a walk, I take his spot so I could play with Leroy.  I notice Leroy needs a little help, a little fixin.  Just as I'm out there fixin Leroy Cliffy V. comes back sits in his chair and ducks fly in, WHILE I'M OUT FIXIN LEROY!!  I shout pull the string, SHOOT!  Cliffy folds another bird E-7 gets a few more shots off, while I'm standing out by the water!  Now I'm scared, Cliffy is now in sole second place and one behind me.  I have to do something but quick.  Well Heston answered my prayers, a hen fly's in she's mine, one shot and she lands be hind us.  The sky turns blue time to split.  Still two up.  I can still breath.