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