Mega post

When your day job involves sitting  at a computer and typing all day, posting can seem daunting.  So, I waited until I had a relaxing evening with some refreshing beverages to sit back and tell my stories.  Unfortunately it's been so long now my memories are fading a little, so I'm relying on photos heavily for this.  It looks like I posted on opening day, so here goes the rest of it.

After opening day was in the books, I decided to go to Swan Lake to crush the massive flocks of birds I knew were dying to go home with me.  After navigating the foggiest conditions I have ever experienced, and getting lost on the lake twice, we(I) set every mallard decoy I owned near the entrance to the lake along with some geese, we then settled in for the morning fly.  I connected with the first two birds to come in shortly after shooting light, two hen mallards in two separate flights.  I don't know how many birds I passed on after that due to concerns about going over the henny limit.  I did manage to drop a greenie right in the spread though, I remember that, it was satisfying.  After a while it became walking time, I went on an extra long one and put the drop on a large flock of mallards on the next point over.  A greenie was carefully selected so that no hens would be at risk. I booglie bood them and got my man. As Peat was doing his duty, the flock came back and I managed to drop another greenie into the center of the bog.  We headed out in the boat and managed to locate the bird in the middle of thick weeds and deep mud, a perfect cap to a long day!

Melissa (AKA the Skirt) decided to join me for a day at the blind.  Having never shotten a shot gun, or having been in a duck blind before she easily blasted a greenie with her only shot ever.  Turns out duck hunting is easy.  I decided that ripping it's head off was a good way to finish her first bird, so I did that.  I also decided to miss everything else that came in.  There was weather that day, wind if I remember right.  Melissa now owns camo waders and has a long term loaner shotgun, I imagine you'll be seeing more of her in the future.

Captain Sean Micheal Murphy offered to take me for a spin in an aeroplane, so we flew up the chain lakes and checked out the area from 1,000 feet above.  It was really cool, and got me super excited to go murdering at Swan lake. In the morning Peat and I headed out and set up in the same spot as before, and just like last time I crushed it.  Greenie after greenie fell into the spread.  I limited out on banded drakes and headed back just 45 minutes after shooting.  It was a bummer to put in the driving and boating time, for just 45 minutes of action.  Wait, no, these pictures actually tell me that it was sunny and there were no birds anywhere at all.  I think I took a nap and got a sun burn....

Somewhere in here is a half told story from Bob D, the former co-expert.  He said I'd finish it, and I'm not going to make a liar of him.  It was a busy day, he shoten two greenies with a single shot, and I pulled a single greenie out of that same batch.  I also was a total asshole and got my first NR in over a year, it made me sad.  I did feel redeemed a bit by pulling off a two shot double on a pair of wideon that were blasting through our spread going mach schnell.  According to pictures I also shotten a few hennys, luckily Bob D took care of what was almost my 3rd hen mallard for the day.  There is also another hen wideon in there.  I was having a pretty solid day minus the NR, we both talked about how great we were on the way back to the car, it was great.

Melissa was back for another day out, and this time we headed to Cave Lake.  We set up just west of where I spent opening day.  The birds weren't really working much, but I managed to drop a greenie and a henny over the course of the day, despite a lot of missing.  It was a beautiful day, Peat hated wading in the muck.

The Cataldo Slough is bisected by scenic I-90,  Otis advised that I go out and shoot some birds there, so I went.  After stepping into four feet of water instead of 6 inches, I took my 4 floating decoys and the dog stand out with me, abandoning the shells and full bodies I had packed out.  It was really cold, really wet, really exhausting, and really pretty.  I got a few pictures of a pretty sunrise and went home.

The Cataldo Slough part deuce, the deadening.  I walked out and Otis kayaked, it's not as deep in some areas, which is nice to know.  There were no birds at all, we went home.

The Founders Tour was awesome.  Despite the low duck counts, we had a good time due mostly to the amazing menu and stellar accommodations.  Also confirmed that the spread needs to be adjusted if birds are not committing.

Otis and I hunt on Thanksgiving every year now, this year Melissa, Otis and I hunted on Thanksgiving.  We headed to our new super secret spot, the swamplands right after you cross the river.  Turns out that is totally huntable, and walkable.  Otis had seen some birds here the day before, so we headed about half way out into the marsh and set up.  Before we had our guns loaded there were birds darting back and forth above our heads, we were a few minutes late and missed some pretty good opportunities.  After a few missed shots we settled in and waited for the goosies.  I ended up heading to the trail of the cda's to pull my socks up and was just sitting down to do so when the geese arrived.  They were getting ready to land on Otis who was now 150 yards away.  He dropped two birds and I was able to pick off a third as they made their escape.  Otis was only able to locate one goose, even with the three of us looking for quite awhile.  I missed some more, and then we went home.

Canada Turkey

I bought a Kayak, I have no Kayaking experience.  Heck I didn't even get a paddle, I'm borrowing a canoe paddle.  Black Friday rules!

The Cataldo Slough part III, Blood Bathening. This actually happened today, current post!  I went scouting yesterday and noticed some geeses on the slough, Otis was back in town and I was itching to try out my new boat.  We launched, and my very first experience was to pass through the pipe under the freeway.  It's about 5 feet around and a couple hundred feet long, and it ramps downward as you hit the halfway point.  Super fun, you kind of rocket out the far end in the dark, Bob D would love it.  We set our spread, 6 goose floaters near me, a spinner and 4 ducks near Otis, 150 yards away.  Otis cracked off two shots at shooting time and so did I.  He knocked down a henny and a greenie, I missed.

Birds were committing left and right.  A few minutes later I dropped a greenie, and then another, and a third over the course of an hour.  I had a jerk rig but no blocks near me, so I hooked up two of my greenies to the clips and that's when they really started to want in.  A few minutes after adjusting the spread a greenie locked up and came gliding in, I acted in self defense and clobbered him with a single shot at about twenty feet. At this point Otis had taken up a spot just around the corner from me about 50 feet away.  There was a large cloud of feathers hanging in the air still when the geese came around the corner, I missed but Otis dropped two.  I did a lot of missing from here on out due to bad decisions, bad technique, and trying to operate the jerk rig in dense cover right up until it was time to shoot.  Mallards were all over us and in large floacks.  We had groups of fifteen to twenty five near our spread fairly often.  Otis managed to knock down two more mallards, a hen and a drake.  I went on a little walk and while I was out Otis managed to drop another goose.

The birds stopped decoying at this point so I pulled my jerk rig of horrors up and re-positioned the geese, we then both moved over near Otis' little spread.  Within a few minutes a lone suicidal greenie came in and Otis cleaned his clock.  We had another greenie land a few minutes later, one of a large flock that refused to land with him.  Once they made it clear they wouldn't commit I jumped him and barely got him with the second shot.  At this point I have to disclose that Otis may have lost a greenie, a hen, and a goose.  The goose dove down and tangled up, the other two glided off into the bushes, this seems to be a theme with Otis. To be fair, he isn't sky blasting, these were all pretty close shots.  It's just this thing Otis is really into right now.  Grandpa Clyde would hate Otis. Today was one of the best days of hunting I've ever had, lots of locked up greenies, I even started passing on hennies in search of a greenie limit.  I feel like a real expert right now, just need to work on my gun pointing skills.

Meat Shopping

Cyber Monday? Doubtful.

The holiday season is upon us and all the good consumers of The Merica' are out shopping for things they need. Well, I needed a little peace and quiet. The forecast called for snow and cold and what better way to take advantage of Cyber Monday than getting up extra early to drive through a snow storm to a duck blind? I woke to rain and no snow but by the time I got to the highway exit my luck changed. The roads got worse and I realized that I need better tires on the Jeep, but even with the slush I made it to The Blind with plenty of time.

Early morning perfection

The conditions were perfect and I made an effort to not disturb any snow cover as I set my decoys and settled into the blind. Dakotas looking great and the jerk rig was stretched out to nearly max length. The water was still so I knew that the jerk rig would come in handy and I planned on using it more than my calls. The recent article I read about changing up your calls (not your calling but your actual calls) made me break out 'ole raspy' for the day. I have been less than impressed by the effect my calling has so I figured to try more motion, less calling. The Blind looked great, matching all the other snowy reeds, and I tucked myself into the corner.  I even brought my white cover jacket to match the part snow, part reeds look that surrounded me. Once again I was invisible.

Unfortunately my invisibility made no difference. The ducks just weren't near me. I had a passing shot on a widgeon that I missed and another couple that flew by to take a look I didn't see until too late. In fact, the only good shot I had was the 5 ducks coming in that I missed because I was texting. I had the phone in my hand and pulled the trigger while still holding it so it wouldn't be dropped into the water. Obviously I missed. Not long after the rain/snow stopped I pulled up and headed back for a sammy and a chance to retrieve my Mojo charger from the palatial estate we had stayed at last week. It was incredibly difficult to overcome all the security measures built into the home but somehow I prevailed.

On the way home I started feeling guilty about not asking Clider if he wanted to join me but later I got a text from him implying that he had slayed some ducks somewhere else today. Maybe he should feel guilty about not asking me? Well, there's always next week.

GBCH

Founders Tour 2016-2017

The Altar

As you all know by now, the Founders Tour is a time when the OG's gather in the Idaho for a week of cilling pato and solving the world problems. This year when Bob DaFolder, Deucey Champion, picked me up at the airporto there was much promise in the air.  Frigid temperatures, rain and snow were in the forecast.  After getting our supplies in Spokane we head to the cabin to gather our gear, which Bob DaFolder, Deucey Champion, so graciously stores for me, for our next day slay.  We head out to the Point for an OG slay day, it's chilly with no overcast and the harvest moon is bright.  We set a great spread and settle in for the mass amount of ducks that are going to be dropping in any time now.  The morning fly before cilling time was great, the world was waking up with a little frost on it's belly and wanting to warm up.  There was a shot that brought  down some feathers but that is it,  as soon as it started it was over.  We pack up our blocks and anticipation for the next day.  Another fantastic day.  On our way back to the cabin Bob DaFolder, Deucey Champion, and I stop by our new digs to see what kind of provisions we will need for our three night stay.  The cabin is perfectly stocked with everything we need.

Waiting For the Mass Amount of Ducks

The next day Clider joins us and we hunt the Blind.  The water is up to levels that I have never seen before.  Bob DaFolder, Deucey Champion, and Clider built an A-1 blind complete with a bench that puts you right into the action.  We unpack our Blocks and Anticipation with some promise of Fowl weather.

Definition of Fantastic Day-

A fantastic day is a day that you spend with your buddy watching mother nature, talking aboot world events and solving the world problems, and maybe seeing some ducks.

Bob Da Folder, Deucey Champion,
Taking the 5th

With another exciting pre morning fly behind us it is time to do what we came here for.  The weather was cooperating, slight drizzle to full on rain with a mix of wind, perfect. Bob DaFolder, Deucey Champion, was the first to fold a drake widgeon, he's now tied for Expert status.  Clider drops a drake widgeon.  Clider is now the Expert!  What a season un-Folding right before my very eyes, it's on! I get into the action and take a drake to pull me out of the negative and into even at "0".  He was one tuff dude, I dropped him with a breast shot that spewed blood in slow motion.  When he wen't down he had the energy of a man leaping over a small creek with a Mossberg in his hands wearing jeans. I put two more shots into him, no effect, swimming away.   Clider was not going to have any of this disrespect, not in this Blind.  Clider jumped out of Blind and was after him putting three more into him, finishing the job.  The weather was perfect, it's looking like this week is going to be great.  Many stories swapped a few walks taken, some shottens taken at Greenie and missed.  Then out of nowhere a drake Teal flies in at mach speed and Bob DaFolder, Deucey Champion, drops it in its flight path! He's now tied for Expert status!  This is unbelievable! But wait, the drakes woman is right behind him and Clider puts her with her man behind the bench, still tied at co-Experts.  The day is getting long,  with a warm 19th century pot belly stove stoked with white oak waiting for us, we decide to give it another 20 minutes.  Well in that 20 minutes a made for t.v. National Geographic special on migration of ducks starts playing out in front of us on life's big screen.  Ducks everywhere!  Waiting for the most opportune time was key.  A fat bottomed hen mallard drops in and with 2 3/4inches of ruffianly love she is down, easy-peasy retrieve for Peter the Butt.  We pack up, Bob DaFolder, Deucey Champion, and I head back to the deluxe cabin on the lake, to clean Clider's ducks. Clider heads back to the big city to sell his Ninja Turtles.  

Widgeon Doing the 5K

Clider meets us at the parking lot in the morning to hunt the spacious blind at the Point.  The morning weather  brings us nothing special, where had all that ducky weather that we experienced yesterday gone?  With the non- weather brought non-ducks.  Another day of watching nature.  We head home and head to the local drinking hole for some burgers, beers and foosball.  After the delish lunch we  drop off Bob DaFolder, Deucey Champion, and head out for some scouting.  We head out to Round lake and find five thousand wigeon feasting on the lakes offerings.  What a sight, it was if the lake was boiling, the sound was deafening.  We found the spot where we all shall take our limits tomorrow.  We head back to the cabin and find Bob DaFolder, Deucey Champion, with Tom Foolery and have a night of good food, stories, and debauchery.

The next morning came early. After an easy hike in we put up make shift blinds and throw out a spread.  Settle in and wait for the five thousand birds to fly over our spread  to take our limits.  Bob DaFolder, Deucey Champion, and I sat in peace, nothing.  Waiting for Clider to come back from another  one of his epic walks Bob DaFolder, Deucey Champion, and I decide to call it,  we decide that it would be nicer to do and evening fly at the Blind.  Lo and behold Clider makes it back to us, alive, with another drake widgeon, the new Expert.  After giving Clider a respite from his epic journey we head back to deluxe cabin by the lake. We refuel, do some modest cleaning, pack the truck with our belongings, and head to the blind.  We set out a minimal set of blocks and enjoyed a blue bird evening.  

Bob DaFolder, Deucey Champion, and I make it home for some MNF, clean sheets and  showers.  We decide that we will take Tuesday off do some shooting at the dump, sightseeing and some junk shopping.  I found many great deals on some vinyl.  That evening we  decided to play some Deucey and enjoy some delish sauce and ramble over the weeks events.  Another great Founders Tour.  I even made it to the airport 2 hours before my plane took off.

This is where Clider works

Founders Tour 2016

It's that time of the year again when Oregon comes to Idaho.  Unfortunately this year Cliffy was unable to attend.  His new job dancing around a candy factory with giant lollipops in his hands and edible office equipment and cartoon co-workers was just too delicious to pass up. We missed you Cliffy & Waylon.  So, it was just Fred G. who showed up and of course we did our best to cradle him in the lap of luxury.

With so many stories to tell, and my teammates bursting at the seams to post on this very blog, I will concentrate this post on describing our Harrison vacation spot.  It's classic H7HT. As you remember we were able to secure a rustic home built in 1917 very close to our hunting grounds on Anderson lake.  Fred and I stopped on the way back from the airport and picked up the keys from the nice lady who owns the home. The keys came with a roll of packing tape (more later) and the directive that we could eat any foods there and partake of any adult beverages we would find.  What a great start, right?

We hunted the first day and stopped by the cabin to check and see what we might need for the following 3 nights we were going to spend there.  Then, back to my home to pack, enjoy some fine Chinese food and get a good nights rest.  The next day we hunted again and retired to the first of 3 nights in the charming hamlet of Harrison.  Fred G prepped the kitchen surfaces while I added layers of comfort to some of the multiple bedding and seating surfaces.  We had a great wood burning stove for warmth and a music system to rival the finest record studios.  We also chose to pass on the offer of free liquor, who knew that CostCo made tequilla?   After dinner we slept in total and complete comfort.  Clider joined us the following day.

He too was impressed with the accommodations and Peat was so pleased the he chose a couch to make his own while we were out.  That night the dinner was designed to never have to touch any kitchen surfaces just so that we could keep the pristine nature of the counters and surrounding areas as found.  I used the packing tape to reinforce the security system of the back door and we spent the night in splendor once again.

After the next days hunt we balked at yet another night in Harrison.  Too much of a good thing can spoil a hunter.  We packed and left. For some strange reason Fred had opted not to use the shower facilities while there and I contemplated throwing out the sheets and blankets that I had brought.  Even Peat was likely relieved to get back home.  We returned the keys without contacting the owners, but when we had picked them up she let me know if we would write a review she would knock the cost of a nights stay off our fees.  I chose not to because strangely enough the only thing that came to mind was a pack of matches.

Another oddity is that we chose to take no pictures of the home, sometimes just the memories are the best way to reminisce. In lieu of an interior pick I have included a picture of one of the days hunting exploits. GBCH

Poetry

Thick fog outside,

 40 degrees.

Long walk to the water.

My age is starting to creep up on me,

With a heavy pack I'm feeling old.

The sky starts to lighten,

Black turns to rose.

My heart starts to beat faster, 

My energy and strength are renewed.

I see ducks in the distance, 

Starting their morning flight,

I no longer notice the deep water.

As I keep the ducks in my sight, 

Slowly I start to call.

They turn my way,

Spy my blocks,

The safety they display.

They circle once,

Then twice.

They drop their gear,

They are going to land.

What joy it brings.

Seven feet from the water,

Just before they land,

I bring my Benelli to my shoulder,

Steady it with my hands.

I squeeze the trigger slowly,

Let my steel fly.

My aim is true,

My shot is perfect,

I watch the ducks fall from the sky.

A Lesson To Be Learned

Fred 14:28-7

Give Man Sauce and Feed Him for a Night

Teach a Man how to Make Sauce

and You Feed Him for a Night

• 1/2  onion chopped and sweated in 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 cans San Marzano tomatoes, crushed with potato masher
• 1 tablespoon chili flake
• 1 teaspoon salt or more to taste
• 6 oz. tomato paste mixed with one cup heavy cream
• 6 sausages poached until just firm
• 2 large Jack and Cokes

Time To Reflect

Today the Oregon chapter set out for the first hunt together this season.  We head out to the mighty Columbia and find the water is back down to a seasonal level.  We make our way to the back of the point to the cove where water level is perfect.  My newly energized waders are withstanding water, what a plus.  We cut out a nice blind and throw out a nice spread.  The morning is calm and seasonably warm.  That's it.  That's all there is to report.  Cliffy and I catch up on life.  Throw the bumper for the beast a dozen times then head home in a slight drizzle.  

I head to the great state of Idaho next week for the annual founders tour.  Weather is supposed to be perfect and the moon will be dark.

Warm Water Weakness

It's been a while but now I'm back.
A quick trip back East to help get things done and some time back home to get the winter season started and now I'm ready to hunt. This morning I headed out to Anderson on a Saturday and was a little apprehensive about pressure form other hunters. Clider did not accompany me because he is a busy man. That and the fact I just spent 4 solid days in a car or trade show booth with him made it ok for me to have a little time solo in the blind but I had to wonder how much trouble I would have finding an empty space. I had no need to worry. Other than the guy in the F350 who blew by me at 70 in a 50 zone I was entirely alone. I chose The Blind.

The water is higher than I have ever seen this time of year. I'm sure it's higher than when we built The Blind weeks ago, it's up to inches from the seat of the bench. I carefully unpacked my gear and set my Dakotas and jerk rig and sat down to wait and think. The majority of my thinking had to do with how I have been bragging about how my waterproof breathable waders have lasted for years, which seldom happens. The day I had to sit in 2 feet of water my right boot decided to give up the fight. The beginning of the end for sure. I did have a nice time listening to the ducks wake up around me and as I mentioned I was all alone.

My phone has options!

A whitetail grazed behind me and he must have been worried about the cougar as well cause when I spun around to confront the death kitty the deer bolted too. A few morning sets flew by and the rain fell but for the most part ducks weren't moving at all. There's a lot of water around and the temps are stupidly warm so they really have no reason to fly. The wildlife preserve on the other side of the river was bursting with greenies, I could hear them but they stayed put. Then, around 9am another hunter showed up and set right by the spot that Clider and I hunted earlier in the year. His calling was horrendous and what he thought was a goose call sounded like Felix Unger. I pulled up and headed out.

On the way I stopped and checked out a rustic house that may just save me hours of driving for the Founders Tour coming up in less that a week. Clider knows some people who have a rustic cabin right in Harrison and I'm going to place a call tomorrow to try to secure it for a few nights. Did I mention it's rustic?
GBCH