Lore 2008

                                                      

                                           
                                          

What the Hell?

I am not liking what I'm reading on this toilet paper.  You guys (Fred and Bob) are murdering my friends, WHAT THE HELL!?!?  What did they ever do to you?  I'm not liking the ending of this story.  I will come by in a couple of weeks and decimate your little club, and when I say little you know exactly what I mean.  I quack in your general direction.

The Money Shot

BDF for first Greenie

$10 short no less

Clider for first duck

On behalf of the Oregon Chapter.

Founders Tour Day 2

Day one's take

After a busy evening of plucking ducks we awake wondering if the day could possibly bring the same results as day one.  Heston surely blessed us.  Today we are hunting with the newest members of the H7HT, Clider and Peaty.  We're heading out to hunt the point but when we  arrive there are other hunters loading up their boat to head out to the point.  Being the best we have a plan, #7, hunt the blind on the lake.  We walk out in a light rain and along the way Clider lays a story on us of his encounter with a moose on the very same path we are walking out on.  We get to our spot throw our blocks out and settle onto the reeds.  

Day one was amazing, we were folding like superman on laundry day.  Fully folding, barely missing and when we connected they were dead eye shots.  Day two, well, was different.  Birds were flying in pretty steady, but we could not fold anything.  Guns bent?  I take a walk to clear my head, "was yesterday just a fluke?" I think to myself.  On my way back to the blind I spy a hen wanting our spread so did they guys.  They both unload on it and both think it's not hit, they were wrong and gave up on it too soon.   I watch the hen land far out, she's done, and I have her spied.  I'm wading out to retrieve when I remember we have a dog to do this for us.  Before I knew it Peaty was behind me on his way out to make about 100 yard retrieve.  Good Boy!  Back at the blind there was a small discussion between Bob and Clider as to who did the folding.  It was decided that Clider would take this one and if the same situation arose Bob would take the next.

More shots taken and missed.  It's getting ridiculous. Sets of two are flying in and all three of us are unloading our guns and then they fly away, laughing at us.  It's like a game to them.  Maybe it's due to the fact that I'm feeling like death and not partaking in any blind games, or my gun bent due to all the shells I put through it yesterday, or maybe Heston was trying to give me some kind of sign.  Then out of nowhere greenie is back looking for his woman.  Again we all unload on him, but it's clear that mine were just failed attempts, my other two comrades on the other hand were back in controversy as to who, partially folded it.  I say partially because the bird is still swimming away and he's out there.  Again Clider and Peaty are out there for a retrieve.  Clider puts another in the duck and Peaty with another 100 yard plus retrieve.  Peaty is working his ass off for these guys, but he loves it.  I mention the fact that if Peaty were not with us that bird would have been a NR, or a non-retrieve bird, and one of them would have gotten  minus.  So with that we all agreed to give Peaty the bird.  The morning dried up and I could not be more happy to get this day behind me, I felt like crap and my shooting was less than desirable.   Plus with all the cleaning I did the night before I was happy to not to have to be plucking no feather.

Idaho: Day 9

Can't see me, can ya?

I know, I skipped over Day 8, here it is. Clider and I went to Killarney and took the boat out to a spot I saw this summer while motoring about.  We saw some good flying but noting came into our murderous path so we pulled up and boated to the other side of the lake where we scared up bunches and bunches of mallards.  Not knowing if it was on or off limits we sat and watched all the ducks try to land right back where we were sitting but they couldn't because we were there looking conspicuous.  So we left.  Day 8.


On to Day 9.
I was not real sure I wanted to go out this morning.  After a long Founders Tour and some days of working at the shop I really wanted to just sleep in. The skies were clear when I went to sleep after watching the Giants CRUSH their competition, if you can call the GB Packers that, and the moon was shining bright.  Not a good promise of great hunting for the next morning but my brain had different ideas.  I woke at 3:00, 3:30, 3:40 and 3:45 looking at the clock and thinking to myself that if I tried to sleep the stupid brain would just keep prodding me to do something.  I left at 4:10.

Elbow shooter

It was cold and clear when I got to the Point on Anderson but the water was way up.  Back to within 5 feet of the shoreline thanks to the recent rainy weather that is killing my ski job. I set my blocks and refurbished the blind as it was looking like a big brown hole in the shoreline.  Some fresh grasses and new tree sprigs made me look like, well, nothing, which was just the way I wanted it to be. Ducks were rocketing over the spread and geese were everywhere in the dark morning light, not a bad way to start.  Right after the bell a fat mallard came undetected from the right and landed in the blocks right in front of me.  I jumped and gave him the ole' boogalie boogalie boo, but he sat tight and swam around like there was not a care in the world.  Finally I moved enough and he jumped to the left and I took a shot, just one, but missed.  He was so savvy to my boogalie that I gave him some respect and did not shoot again.  It was about 15 min later when the next mallard pair came screaming in from the right and I brought my gun all the way up to my elbow, taking two shots at the greenie, and wishing I had taken my time to properly shoulder the Benelli.  They bolted right and landed 100 yards out on the lake.  Another greenie came straight in and circled twice before bolting left towards the refuge on the other side of the river and I then remembered the wise words of the 'Expert'.  "It is better to have shotten and missed....etc".  Mistake noted.

Now 2 hours in, sun breaking through the clouds, the action was drying up.  I had a couple more high flyers and many geese, including some beautiful snows, that passed close to me but nobody wanted in.  It was about that time I noticed something floating in on the wind swept water from the right side of the lake.  Could it be?  Yes, it was the greenie that had flown off seemingly unscathed from my shottening 20 min before.  I waded out hoping it was not just a log or debris that was driven in but it was the Greenie from my elbow shot, still warm and fresh.  Back at the cabin my C.S.I. told me I had put two in the body but he still was flyable, likely why he looked alright flying off.  The great Lord Heston had given me a gift, a Greenie I did not even know I had.  Not long after I pulled up in the brilliant sunshine and made for home.  A good day I almost did not take advantage of.  Lesson learned.


GBCH.

Another Ruling on the Field

If the year ends up with no banded bird the money 

goes into a pool and rolled over to the next season until

 someone, like Fred G., folds the first banded bird.

GBCH

Happy Turkey Day!!!!

 Be Safe.....whatever your smoking!

 

Day 1. Founders Tour

That time of year has come once again.  The annual Founders Tour!  What, were you thinking Turkey day?  Cause we could have shot a turkey too, or at least run one over on the way home from hunting.  But the Founders Tour it is.
This year I had a surprise up my sleeve for the tour.  I had secretly replaced the little Ford Ranger with a much bigger and uglier Ford which could now take us anywhere.  The other truck was adorable but, with it's little tired engine and limited life span, it could not be depended on to not suffer a catastrophic failure. Something I hoped not to repeat for the 3rd year in a row.  Plus it suffered massive wheel bearing failure the week before with Clider and myself coming home from Killarney.  Everything's cool!  Fred G had his own surprise up his sleeve.  Ebola.  As I type this report I am still hacking up ebola covered Southern Comfort.  Thanks buddy.

Monday morning was colder and foggy when we left the house but the weather started to improve as we got closer to Anderson.  It started snowing.  I had decided that after plane flights, airport drives and some early evening beverages it would be a good idea to start with an old favorite.  I had a $485,000 blind built but Clider informed us that the water had retreated and it would be better to sit on the hard edge of the water line and hunt from there.  We made our way out as the snow got heavier and set a beautiful spread in no time.  All those years of hunting together allow us to read each others minds sometimes.  I could tell Fred G was thinking "Bob will certainly shoot the first duck today" which is why I was surprised he agreed to a 'drink making' bet so easily.  Sure enough, not long after the bell I folded a Greenie who wanted in from the snow and wind.  He dropped right in the decoys and we waited for the next ducks.  They weren't long in coming.

Mucho Patos Holmes

Our grand total was 7 mallards that day, Fred G with 5 and me with 3 but one lost to the lake.  It was a bad feeling losing that duck but the only bad feeling of the day.  Heston had blessed us with one of the best hunting days of all time.  Cold wind and light snow fell all day long, ducks consistently flew near to or landed in the decoys and we were neither wet or cold under our gear. I only hope the pictures can do justice to the beauty of the lake that day. 

We headed home and cleaned ducks, Fred teaching me to utilize the legs and thighs that we were to save for making Duck Confit, and talked of the good fortune we were to have every day of the trip.  I can't think of a better way to begin the Founders Tour and Fred thought being the 'Co-Expert' in 1 day was pretty cool.  I also let him beat me in Ducey just to make him feel welcome in my home.  What a guy!

There Has Been a Ruling on the Field....

Before I get to the excitement that is this years Founders Tour, it's time to hear about the new rules for H7HT members.  In a moment of divine inspiration from Lord Heston we have decided to institute a non-retrieval rule. This is not because we don't do everything we can to retrieve our birds but more to make us think about the shots we do take.  If you are not able to retrieve your bird it counts as a -1 in your totals.  At the end of the season the person with the most negatives in their totals makes a donation to Ducks Unlimited reflecting $2 for every non-retrieval covering the entire team.  We foldem when their feet are down. 

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programing......

Almost time

Smart, savvy, pretty and successful.

It's that time of year again when the Founding Members of the H7HT get together to show the rest of the populace how to slay.  This Sunday Fred G. is arriving in the great state of Idaho for a week of Tom Foolery and some great hunting.  We will be in the boat, the blind and cleaning so many ducks it will be difficult to post in the next 7 days, but rest assured that we will be keeping you informed.  Please stay tuned.

Forecast Calls For Pain!

 

Harrison

 Mon Nov 12

35^°33^°

Snow Shower

Chance of snow:

40%

Wind:

SE at 3 mph

Tue Nov 13

38^°32^°

Showers

Chance of rain:

40%

Wind:

E at 3 mph

Wed Nov 14

40^°29^°

Partly Cloudy

Chance of rain:

20%

Wind:

ENE at 2 mph

Thu Nov 15

41^°33^°

Partly Cloudy

Chance of rain:

20%

Wind:

SE at 3 mph

Fri Nov 16

42^°34^°

Scattered Showers

Chance of rain:

40%

Wind:

SE at 4 mph

Sat Nov 17

47^°36^°

Showers

Chance of rain:

60%

Wind:

SE at 5 mph

Sun Nov 18

44^°34^°

Showers

Chance of rain:

60%

Wind:

SSE at 5 mph

Lore-Almost Time

Day Three Idaho - Oregon Chapters

Day three started of like every other hunting day.  Wake up super early with the super best alarm clock, big bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios, cup of java, pack up the truck and stop at the local Con Co for supplies and to see Jerry the fastest check out guy in the world.  This time was different.  It was time to fill the beast with go-go juice, thank Heston I brought my wallet.  Oh a quart of oil or two no problem.  I'm inside having a very intellectual conversation with Jerry, about the proper procedures to put down the mats when the floor is still wet.  A hour later when both tanks are filled I pay the man and step outside where Bob proclaims the truck won't start!  Yeah right I say not believing one word he is spewing and jump into the truck.  Well now Bob "DaMechanic" has the hood up and tapping stuff with his everything tool.  I look at it and say "dude your battery terminals are horribly dirty, clean those!"  No no he says, he thinks it's the battery, low he thinks it is.  Well it's now 4:30 am and it's time to take the long walk back to his house on the Trail of Coeur d'Alene, it's has now become a yearly ritual as Bobs mechanic will testify.  Half hour later we arrive at his house pick up Paige's car and head to Wal Mart to get a battery.  To make this story shorter here it is.  Install new battery, does not work, Einstein looks on WWW, I go to sleep, he can't fix it, walks across the street to mechanic, mechanic dude says clean terminals he does it starts.  Wait! didn't I say that?  Too late to hunt we walk the golf course and I kick his ass there too.  Naturally.

Packing

Packing for slaying trip to Idaho

• warm socks
• waders and boots
• 10 dollars for clider
• calls
• headlamp
• multi set of gloves
• 20 dollars for Bob DaFolder
• wallet

Idaho: Day 7

When it's Day 7 you know it's going to be good!

One

Of course I didn't know that coming in.  I thought I wasn't going to be hunting for a week but after some creative schedule manipulation with the boss I was headed out today.  The forecast was not at all promising being that it's been exceptionally warm here,I even had to cut my lawn today after hunting, but I headed out anyway. Good thing I did too. 

When I arrived at Anderson I thought I was making a mistake.  The wind was coming from the south, bringing with it those warm temps and making the decision to hunt our new blind seem foolish.  Wind from the south means it's at your back on the point, from the left at the new blind. I went anyway.  My logic was that I could at least try out the new $485,000 blind and fine-tune if necessary.  As the shooting bell rang and no ducks were overhead for the morning fly my logic seemed foolish and wasteful.  I had packed my decoy bag full up with the roto and all the blocks I could carry thinking that the 'Expert' had been slaying with big open water spreads and I should do my best to mimic him, he's the 'Expert' after all. The spread looked good but nothing wanted me.  Yet.

Two

Movement caught my eye and I realized a Greenie had landed in the blocks and was swimming with them out front.  I had to take my chance and jump him, which I did, and missed cleanly with two shots as he broke left with the wind. Knowing that I had not shouldered my gun properly and aimed right made me mad and I told myself not to be a dumbass again.  It didn't take long for another Greenie to come from the left into the wind and land in the blocks.  I hadn't seen this one come in either because the left side of the blind is tall and that's exactly where I was sitting to avoid being seen from the side. I jumped again and he took off peeling up and back but facing me with his big white belly.  Taking my time to aim I folded him cleanly with one shot and dropped him right in the middle of the deeks.  Bingo, $10 $10 $20.  He's a beautiful sight eh?.

Right as I'm done texting off a picture to my teammates showing my first bird of the year another set comes in from the left, I aim correctly and shoot the next Greenie.  Folded.  Now I'm feeling invincible and I take the second shot at the hen he came in with.  I winged her and she fell 40 yards out, alive but not able to fly. Shit!  Now I'm running out through the shallows trying to get to her but she's still faster than me and my last shell is all I have to try to take her as she swims away.  I hit her but she's still going farther and farther out until I can wade no farther.  Shit!  So now back at the blind with the 2nd Greenie in the bag I load up and go looking thinking the wind and current will bring her back in.  1/2 hour later with no hen I'm back in the blind feeling stupid.  Greedy and stupid.  I only shoot Greenies for Heston's sake!

Three

After a while I realize Lord Heston will not send me any more shots today.  I have been wasteful and my Grandfather, likely grouse hunting with Heston, is mad.  So I go looking again, this time both sides of the shoreline hoping the wind has pushed her back in, but no luck.  I return to the blind with thoughts of pulling up when the 3rd Greenie comes in.  I shoot.  He drops, but not dead.  I dump my bag on the ground and grab a handful of shells and race out into the water.  It takes some time but I finally make the kill and bring my third of the day in.  Praise Heston.  At that point I give another 1/2 hour and watch the sun break through the clouds, pack my decoys and give one final look for the hen, still nothing.  My bag is heavy on the way out and my happiness at this awesome day, though tempered by remorse for the hen, is large.  Back to the cabin to clean my first ducks of the year.  Who wants dinner tomorrow?


GBCH.

Correction:

Late this morning I was having a dream I was a journalist embedded with a special military team that was sent to kill a ruthless Asian Dictator somewhere in Italy.  I spoke Italian and had connections with the Mafia that helped us escape.  Needless to say I woke up feeling pretty good aboot myself.

As I'm having my bowl of Crispy Wheats and Raisins my phone goes off with this picture.  Redhead.  I'm going to work to count gloves and transfer inventory and Clider is out padding his lead.  Heston! 

Actually I'm happy for him, just not too happy.
GBCH

Correction.

I was informed by the 'Expert' this morning that, in fact, he shot TWO hen mallards on his last outing.
My sincere apologies go out to the rest of us trying to catch up.

Have A Coot...Don't Shoot