Hoy7 Hunting Team

A message from Bob D. (former 'Expert')

2012-01-28T16:46:00.000-08:00

Alright, alright already! I'm posting, now stop bothering me.
It's difficult OK? My hunting season is over, over I say! Doesn't anyone realize how hard it is for me to sit here and think about making up some banter about how happy I am for the Oregon Chapter and the fact that they are still having the time of their lives, out in the glory of the duck blind. Waking up early for only one reason. Able to experience the beauty of raw nature. The potential of not only seeing the majestic flight of ducks but also being able to shoot them down if they so desire. It's killing me for Heston's sake. It's OVER!

On my days off I sleep late and watch a movie on DVD. Maybe I'll clean the cabin some. Sometimes I think about going outside and doing something but then I realize....It's over. Nothing fills the void, cookies help but nothing fills the hunger for that moment when the ducks fly close enough in the quiet hours to hear their wingbeats in the darkness. When the sun rises over the mountainside and illuminates your decoys for the first time. The chill of the air and the smell of oil and gunpowder from your Benelli mix to give you an olfactory sensation unlike anything else. And if you are just lucky enough that day, a greenie will fly within range and give your adrenaline a boost that nothing else can, not even a brownie muffin with a peanut butter cup center.

So yea, I'm not posting a lot, arrest me. Maybe after a few weeks of skiing powder and celebrating the Giants win over the hapless Patriots I will be in the mood but for now all I can do is wait. 287 more days.

287 more days.
GBCH.

Last Will and Testament

2012-01-28T09:28:00.000-08:00

I'm so pretty

I Greenie here by give my last will and testament. Being tomorrow is the last day of the season one of you bastards might get lucky and cill me. That is a good one huh? I'm only pulling your proverbial leg bitches. There is no way one of you lame ass bitches could take me down. Listen here's the truth, let me lay it on ya. I'm still in town, as a matter of fact I saw Fred G's. fat ass walking around the reservoir this morning, wearing his orange shoes, all though very stylish very GAY! I saw him mouth wide open and drooling as he "power walked" around and around astonished by all of us just hanging out. I'll bet he's eating a banana right now. Tomorrow is our duck song, come Monday we will be partying like it's 2005, all though I really don't know anyone that old, at least no hen's, heh heh heh, you get my drift. I would wish you luck for tomorow but how would that look? I quack in your general direction.

Bob's New Car-Boat?

2012-01-26T10:43:00.000-08:00

Just needs paint and a license he says

I See You!

2012-01-25T10:59:00.000-08:00

My friends and I flying in to poop on you.

You scared the poop out of me on Sunday. How do you fools know about the super secret spot? I was bringing my new "friend" out there for breakfast and I wanted to "show" her my super secret spot and there you fools were! But did you notice how I put that spell on you so you could not pull the trigger? I did that weeks ago when I flew by you and you missed me, there is only one way to break that spell. You fools just sat and watched as we ate and I made my moves on her. I don't even know her name, some dudes sky busted her old mans ass out at Sauvies last week, I was just "looking" out for her.

I am surprised you fools are still making attempts at me and my comrades, with the water so high we could go anywhere and avoid looking at your stinking asses, and by the way you do stink. I am off to Cabo now have fun next week, if you even get your lazy asses out of bed. Oh yeah by the way, New England by 28 points. I quack in your general direction!

Day Eighteen Oregon

2012-01-24T10:10:00.000-08:00

Hit play and enjoy some Mr. Cash while you read on.

Hunting continues here in the great state of Oregon, and water is up as expressed in the lyrics embedded in this song "5 Feet High and Rising." North unit flooded. Old Spot flooded. Old New Spot? who knows but I'm assuming flooded. Not being a Sauvies day we need somewhere to go, it's the second to last day we'll be hunting for Heston sake! We'll knowledge is power my friends, I got a secret little spot that is perfect. It's only good when it floods and usually only waste high so retrieving birds is not an issue, only question is would there be birds. We come upon the spot with a lot of time to spare, gives us time to build some personal blinds and set the best looking blocks out. Strong winds from the East with light showers is how we started the morning off. A few pre-shooting fly by's was a great sign as well. Time to kill. Some ducks swim through our spread and Cliffy thinks our blocks are being swept away by the gale force winds. Then Greenie himself flys in with a guest, they circle and then land about 30 yards out. I know what you all are saying "30 yards out that's close enough to take them down Fred G.!" It's like he put a spell on me, I looked into his eye and saw a bright light and I could not pull my trigger, I froze. So he hung out for 15 minutes and chilled and ate some breakfast with his guest. The wind and rain both picked up walks were necessary to warm up. I hiked down to the river to check it out. It's up to the high bank, same place it was a year ago when Bob and I hunted out there. I got back and Cliffy made his way out. Well wouldn't you know it as soon as he leaves a Pinny flys in, close enough I could have hit it with a baseball. Again, there was like a JarJar spell on me, "pull the trigger you don't want." Well now the rain and wind are in full force, nothing is flying and the biggest, not the best, sammy's couldn't even entice ducks to fly, we call it. Today was perfect, well almost, wind, rain, slightly cold, just too much darn water out there for ducks to settle into.

Good Ole Days

2012-01-21T16:13:00.000-08:00

No helmets, no knee pads, scared?

Do we look scared?

The Best Sammy Of the Year

2012-01-16T19:19:00.000-08:00

Picture does not represent actual sandwich

I know the season in long from being over, but I'm awarding

the best sandwich of the year. Cliffy today made:

Toasted Bagel

Ham

Cream Cheese

Avocado

Fried Egg

Day Seventeen Oregon

2012-01-16T19:04:00.000-08:00

Breaking Weather Alert! That has been the news for the past three days now, just what Heston ordered. Sunday morning hunt is going to be awesome. Rain and snow with freezing temperatures, bring it. I wake up with much anticipation today is going to be the best hunting day ever, for Heston sake we have not hunted in any weather all year. Old spot is where we are heading the weather will bring many ducks. I'm in the basement packing for the freezing cold weather, electric gloves, extra hand and toe warmers, big boy jacket and warmer hat. Are you picking up what I am putting down? The weather is suppose to be really bad.

Cliffy picks me up and it is unseasonably warm and dry. We make it to the parking lot with one other truck in the lot. Out at the water four guys are setting up a mass of duck and geese blocks and building a massive blind at the Old Spot, so we head for the island. A little side note on the wade out to the island in thigh high water, I spotted a 3 foot sturgeon swimming in front of me, it didn't even care. Were set and even looking pretty good with what little cover is around. It is starting to get cold you can feel the front moving in. 45 minutes into the hunt snow and rain start, finally. A few passes of ducks and some shots taken and misses had. Breaking Weather Alert! As I sit here writing the news is on, they are talking about closures, it's not even snowing. It feels good to be seeing ducks, actually taking shots. A Bufflehead is swimming through our spread, Cliffy asks if he should jump it. Knowing he is just one behind me I say "hey if you want to shoot a bufflehead go ahead." He jumps and so does it, he jumps and wings it and its swimming away fast. Cliffy jumps in the water he's after it. After another two shots he retrieves it, he's a good 100 yards out there now, good retrieve Cliffy. 100 yards out remember that. He's back I look at it and note the golden eye's, I tell him it's a type of bufflehead called goldeneye. It's a nice size duck. Conditions are going to get worse as the night goes on! Needless to say I'm not that happy, I'm happy for him but not happy for me, were tied for the expert status. Geese flying right over our heads, I shoot and did nothing but made it flare. I'm trying. If I had some double W I may have folded it.

Pintail just before I folded him.

A pintail fly's through the spread and heads away from us. As he is flying away he has a second thought, he decides to come back and join the party. I start singing under my breath "I told you once you son of bitch I'm the best there has ever been," as soon as I said "been" I pulled the trigger and splash is the next sound we heard. Expert I am. Believe it or not the sun comes out, sky turns blue, blocks are floating away due to rising tides. A bush that Cliffy was using as a water marker was now submerged. It's 10:30 and high tide is expected at 2. Time to call it, that 100 yard retrieve would have been impossible. 36 degrees current conditions. The water is up, "what's the water level Fred G." you all ask. "3 feet high and rising" I say. I'm towing my bag behind me Cliffy decides to wear his. He's in front of me and all of the sudden I hear "I'm taking water on!" Damn I think I'm next, but due to my massiveness I averted the soaking. On our way out we pass the guys at the Old Spot, no shots had by them, finally we are the ones making all the noise.

Wild Rice From Idaho's Lakes

2012-01-14T15:11:00.000-08:00

By SUSAN HERRMANN LOOMIS Published N.Y Times: July 19, 1987

Al Bruner dons ear protectors, sunglasses and a baseball cap, steps into his airboat harvester named Heron and roars away. It's August in St. Maries, Idaho, a tiny town just an hour and a half from Spokane, Wash., and the wild rice harvest is on
.
The airboat, a metal skiff with a huge V-8 engine and a wooden propeller mounted on the back, a long trough with a high net backing on the front, called a header, is nearly lost to view in the tall, pale green rice plants. A plastic pipe across the header strikes the rice plants, tapping kernels into the trough. Some of the stalks are late bloomers with a few dainty purple and yellow flowers still on them. The flowers will turn into rice kernels within days, then take a few weeks to get fat, green and milky, and Mr. Bruner will return to harvest them.

Harvesting requires intense concentration. The boat is heavy in the back, and driving it is like being in a constant skid. At 12 miles an hour it wouldn't take much to capsize it. And it requires skill to avoid the many huge muskrat houses, the tops of which stick above the water like icebergs.
The airboat's noise doesn't seem to disrupt the blue herons, osprey and kingfishers that build nests nearby and feed on the rice. They take flight, and minutes after the boat has made a swath through the rice, they're back.

Idaho isn't the first place one might look for wild rice. Minnesota, perhaps, or Canada or California. But a company called St. Maries Wild Rice Inc. is transforming marginal Idaho farmland into swampy, rice-producing acreage. And this year it will harvest 100,000 pounds of the toasty, wild grain from 400 acres. That's less than 2 percent of the wild rice produced in the United States. But the Idaho rice is long and plump and classified grade A under industry specifications. Mr. Bruner and Jeffrey Baker, owners of St. Maries Wild Rice, are taking aim at the gourmet market.
St. Maries (pronounced St. Mary's) is a logging town surrounded by lakes and low fir-covered hills with rugged trails into the high country. About six miles out of town on State Route 5 is Heyburn State Park, where the shadowy St. Joe River, proclaimed by a sign nearby as ''the highest navigable river in the world'' (officially defined as a river deep enough to float a six-inch log to market), extends, tree-lined banks and all, far into Benewah and Chatcollet Lakes.

The main street of St. Maries is bordered by dusty-windowed storefronts and taverns that look as if they haven't changed much in the last few decades. The high point of the year comes in August when the town holds a festival called Paul Bunyan Days and residents stage log-rolling contests in the town swimming pool and a parade down Main Street.

The area is popular with sportsmen who hunt ducks and geese on nearby lakes. Elk roam a few miles out of town, and roofs sprout huge elk antlers. Stuffed ducks and polished rifles are common elements of interior design. The area is also popular with bird lovers who come to see one of the largest concentrations of osprey in the country, blue heron, even bald eagles, which winter near St. Maries.
For a while the birds almost disappeared, but they're returning, and the owners of St. Maries Wild Rice like to think that their crop is part of the draw. It's not the entire reason they go to the trouble of flooding fields, inventing harvesting machinery and bucking tradition in a conservative area where regional cuisine runs to deep-fried chicken and long, snaky french fries called curly fries. As Al Bruner put it, ''It's the icing on the cake.''

But thanks to the waterfowl, St. Maries Wild Rice came into being. In the early 50's, some sportsmen imported seed from Minnesota and threw it into Lake Benewah, hoping it would provide feed for the waterfowl. By 1980 the rice, which isn't really rice but an aquatic grass, was choking the lake along with other aquatic weeds. In 1982 when Mr. Bruner and Mr. Baker expressed interest in the rice as a cash crop, the Idaho State Department of Parks and Recreation, which has jurisdiction over the lake, opened the harvest to bids. The bid was awarded to Mr. Bruner and Mr. Baker, provided that they help rid the lake of weeds while harvesting the rice. They developed and built an airboat and invented a Rube Goldbergesque underwater mower for the weeds. Their first harvest netted 6,000 pounds, which they shipped to Minnesota for processing.

Since 1984 St. Maries Wild Rice has had its own processing plant just outside of town. There the rice is cured outdoors for more than a week. Then it is roasted, hulled, cleaned and graded as it passes through a series of jostling machines. Finally it is stored in 100-pound sacks. Much of the rice is packaged in eight-ounce boxes with a stylized blue heron on the front. The rest is sold in bulk in the United States and Canada.

The wild rice enterprise, which employs eight people during peak season, has become a source of local pride. Graydon Brown, owner of Benewah Resort on Lake Benewah, like many others, feels that rice will be the industry of the future. If true, that is good news for a town dependent on an ailing timber industry.

A Word From Your Leader

2012-01-12T15:44:00.000-08:00

here we are chillin by the pool

Hello Bitches. Poor poor Bob, I have not seen him in a long time because I left My Own Private Idaho weeks ago. I left with a bad habit but now I am in California at the Betty Ford, the pool is really nice. On my way I passed the other two fools in their rice burner, I am hysterical! Rice burner and they were going to the rice fields! HA! I haven't eatin at that dump in years. Anyway you saw me right after the package store, you almost hit me but you couldn't even do that right even though I was wasted, Beyotches! With MLK day almost here only means one thing sun and fun, I even brought that widow with me I forgot her name, matters the mo, still going to pro create with her. You bitches made a good run this year well at least some of you did, Bob sucks, what! what did I say? Bob sucks! There I heard it again. My cousin Filbert, yeah he's a little bit of a nut, (I kill myself) should be coming through in the next couple of weeks, I gave him a message to give to you beyotches. I quack in your general direction.

ps. how ironic that I make the 1,000 post, you bitches are lame!

Who Don't like Rice?

2012-01-11T17:45:00.000-08:00

Colusa Rice Fields Part I:

Leaving at 3 in the morning only meant one thing to me, who needs sleep? I text Cliffy and let him know my situation "hey if you're up and want to leave early come on by I'm not going to bed." Cliffy shows up a little earlier and I did not spend the few hours waiting to my advantage, it hurt. I make it maybe 45 minutes down the road before I pass out, it's then I got my 4 hours of sleep. I awake a little hung at some gas station in South Medford, what a beautiful city. Next stop is the Liquor Expo just over the border to buy some provisions at rock bottom prices. We make it there just as they are opening at 8 a.m. Cliffy hands the keys over to me and with visions of an afternoon slay in the goose fields I put the pedal down and in a little less than 4 hours we are now in Colusa, an hour before our scheduled arrival time. Gives us some time to choke down a burrito and have the state of CA bends us over for a 4 day hunting permit. $105.00 worth of bending over. The great state of Idaho for example only charges $35.00 for 3 days. We hook up with Cliffy's buddy Brennan and we follow him outside town about 15 miles through farm land to the duck club.

Mt. Shasta on the ride down

The duck club consist of lets say eight "teams" we'll call them. Each "team" consist of four guns for as you all know equals 32 hunters. Each team also has some kind of trailer at this space along the rice farm, Brennan and Kevin's being the largest of them all. Equipped with a small kitchen, three beds, a head, a huge fire pit, a Little Red Ranger ATV, and a deck off the back over looking the rice fields. Each team is responsible to set up one of the blinds with decoys and maintain with grasses. In the morning the team leaders meet a hour before kill time and have a drawing at the "club house". The club house is where you are suppose to check in and out of and log what you killed and where. The first person picks which blind they want and so forth until everyone has a blind for the day, this way you're not hunting the same blinds every day and you get different looks. The blinds are "pit" blinds dug into the ground, some are island like in the middle of flooded fields and some are between the rice fields on the burm. Most house 3-4 people very comfortably they have small fences lined with grasses that pop up and down. When you arrive at the blinds the decoys are already set up with about 10 dozen decoys. Each blind is approximately 500 yards apart. There are also a few fields that have not been flooded strictly for geese, from my impression are just open to anyone who wants to hunt the as long as they are a part of the club. You travel on ATVs along the water ways from 1-2 miles.

Nearby, the 4,500-acre Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is one of six refuges in the Sacramento Refuge Complex located in the Sacramento Valley of north-central California, and is considered one of the most important wintering areas for waterfowl in North America. Pheasant and waterfowl may be hunted during certain times of the year. Other local refuges include the Delevan National Wildlife Refuge near the town of Delevan and the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near the northern border of the county.

California is the largest producer of short and medium grain rice in the United States. In total, the state's rice industry produces more than 2 million tons of rice annually making it the second largest rice growing state. Over 95 percent of the California's rice is grown within 100 miles of the State Capitol. For the rural Sacramento Valley communities of Colusa, Butte, Sutter and Yuba counties.

Pork Fried Rice

2012-01-11T17:30:00.000-08:00

Colusa Rice Killing Trip Part II:

Geese from blind no. 2

We arrive at the trailer we go over the house rules; no tp in toilet, don't kill Brennan and don't give hard liquor to Kevin. And after I broke something there was an amendment, don't break anything. Have a few beers waiting for Kevin to show up so we could head out to the goose fields. Kevin shows up and we head out on the Ranger and drive about 2 miles to a field and set up 160 dozen goose deeks. We hunker down and "brush up" and wait for the mass of geese to fly in so we may shoot our limits. Sitting there in the field it had to be 60 degrees with no wind, we watched as the sunset with our first dreams of killing our limits. To my surprise Tom Foolery was in the Little Red Ranger and he thought it would be funny to push me out at 30 mph. After a small tumble in the gravel, where I did not spill any beer, we headed back to camp where Tom was waiting. Tom had the fire feature lit to symbolize the beginning of the end. When I mention fire feature I don't mean something like you would buy at Crate and Barrel, something along the lines of the Olympic flame, more of something that you can and will burn full pallets . This thing was lit once and burned for the three days we were there. These guys are the Mayors of Duck Club for sure.

Cliffy putting out Leroy blind no. 2

Rice fields at night

A great meal of rack of pork loin lightly smoked with grilled squash and grilled polenta. The full moon is blazing and I notice that ducks are dancing out in the fields. We stand on the back porch and take it all in, deciding what our plan will be to slay all of those ducks in the morning. We do the dishes in the fire pit and we notice that Tom Foolery is now dancing around the fire pit. I then break a rule, I feed Kevin some Irish wikki. Oops. Pallets and I beams are thrown onto the fire, Cliffy is buzzing around the property, all 300 acres of it, on the ATV. Trees are being brought back from the woods, the fire must have raised the ambient temperature 10 degrees. Mario the sheriff shows up and I hand him my bottle. He hands me a beer and jumps in the ATV with Cliffy and Kevin. Brennan and I sit and shake our heads, he feels his re-election of Mayor for next year may be trouble if this keeps up. Juan the care tacker of the farm shows up with his house mate. He brings an awesome rojo salsa that he made. Tom Foolery and Mr. Mayhem are dancing on the ceiling now. The ATV rodeo is in full swing, it's getting late and with the ducks dancing and singing in the rice fields it made me sleepy. With the sheriff now in town I think there are not enough beds now, I take my bed roll and climb into the back of Cliffys truck. Quiet now. Now when the crew gets home I'm out of the way, I'm asleep.

Rice With Cabeza and Lengua

2012-01-11T17:00:00.000-08:00

The Killing Fields Part III

Cliffy all brushed up

I awoke to "dude aren't you cold?" Cliffy was telling me it was time to get up and kill all of those green head bastards we saw the night before and I listened to in my dreams. The clear sky brought freezing temperatures and winds. Brennan, Cliffy and myself took blind #2 and Kevin and Mario, the sheriff, took blind #9. "Hunt the weather" was Kevin's motto of the day. We arrive at the blind and wade out to the center of a rice field in calf high water. To my surprise all the blocks were set up so all there was left to do is set up Leroy and Brennan's Mojo. We jump in the pit and watch an amazing sunrise, but not one duck in the pre-morning fly. Killing time is upon us and still nothing. From the distance towards all of the refuges it sounds as though there is a war going on, "what about us?" I mutter under my breath. Geese. Geese is all we saw all morning flying over our heads, and they're smart enough to know how high they have to be to be out of range. Bastards! So with the amount of geese flying what do these smart guys do? We head over to the goose field that already has the goose decoys set up, "hunt the weather boys" rang in my head. Head back to camp and refuel, Kevin and Mario are done, they left, wives things. So the three of us head out to the field and hunker down and brush up. It's early about 12:30 and I'm thinking a nice nap will be in order. But no, as soon as we settle in two sets of geese are wanting us. Must have been something we did or did not say, they bolted. With the sun shinning in my face and about 58 degrees of warmth surrounding me I fall asleep. I wake up to Brennan calling some geese in, I'm ready! Same as before, nothing, but we are encouraged to be seeing more geese than we did the day before, were thinking evening fly is going to go off. Well mid-afternoon turns into sun setting over our shoulders with nothing to show. Cliffy and I took a couple of shots at a set coming in but nothing.

Mr. Mojo risin

Were back at the club now, it's quite, fire still smoldering. Ahhh. A nice dinner of aged rib-eye a good night sleep and hit the fields in the morning. There's a knock on the door. "Bueno" I respond knowing who it is. "Juan!" we all exclaim. It's Juans birthday and he has invited us all over for tacos. We look at the steak sitting on the counter and think, just a couple of tacos and we'll be back to you later. Well Juan stuffed us with cabeza and lengua tacos. He was quite the host very proud of what he has put in front of us, and we were very happy too. The steaks go back in the cooler, a night cap is had and 8 hours of sleep are in front of us. This is living.

Morning brings another day. There are two other teams there vying for some ducks and we get blind no. 7. What could be better I think, last day and we get no. 7. This blind is not in the middle of a field but on the side. Freezing temperatures and winds greet us as we settle in and wouldn't you know it there is a pre-morning fly! We are seeing ducks! Our mouths are watering, "hey did ya see that?" we would keep say to each other. Morning bell rings. It was as like the ducks were soaking wet and the wind just dried them up. Not another duck was seen the rest of the morning. Geese Geese everywhere. Even unloaded my gun at one in frustration. With a long ride ahead of us we call it at 10. Get back to camp pack up and say our good byes. Even Juan came over to see us off, I think he got a kick out of us not getting any ducks every day. With the camp in the rear view mirror we are on our way home. No ducks killed not even a goose, and an experience I would do all over again. Thanks Brennan and Kevin, like I said at the end you guys are always welcome here, and we will show you just as many ducks.

GBCH.

Idaho: Day 20+5

2012-01-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

With my season quickly drawing to a close I planned a solitary day out on Anderson. As always my sleep was broken and I checked the weather each time I woke as snow was in the forecast. Imagine my surprise when the final wake up at 4:00 revealed massive snowflakes and about 2 inches of accumulation. I packed quickly. This is without question the most sketchy hairball drive out ever, more so than even the "Artic Blast 08" scenario. The highway was covered and no plows had made it there yet. The Pepsi truck that tried to pass me blinded me for an eternity and then pulled off the exit to wait. I made the Rt3 road in twice as long as usual. Wet snow traction was nonexistent and after I finally passed the plow doing 20mph some guy in an 18 wheeler hauling logs tried to drive me off the road and crush me. Oh, did I mention that it was positively dumping snow sideways the whole time, THE WHOLE TIME!

By the time I reached the lake I was nervous and tense on the walk out but after settling in to the blind all the stress slipped away. It was beautiful with a light snow falling and the new snow covering everything that wasn't open water. I was ready to slay. After a bit a lone greenie flys right down the pipe and I took my shots. Being the end of the season I had a mixed bag of shells in the Benelli. A Black Cloud 3" 2 shot, next a Kent 3 1/2" 2 shot and finally some red shell Willy gave me with 1 shot in it. They all missed. I think my 5 layers of jackets and wool prevented me from properly shouldering my weapon, that's my story and I'm stickin' with it. The snow slowed and temps rose out of the teens and revealed a winter wonderland.

More ducks flew but all wanted the big open water further out. The only thing that wanted in was a dumbass goose who flew right into my blocks and immediately swam right to the blind. Willy was sleeping soundly somewhere else and I only shoot greenies so I took these nice pictures of me scaring the crap out of the ignorant Honkey. Stupid geese! Not much action after that and I decided to leave my decoys there for the night because the next day was my last of the season and I would soon return. The walk out was light as a feather and I made it home just in time to take a well deserved nap.
GBCH

It's Official!

2012-01-10T16:17:00.000-08:00

Willy is a killing machine!
Yesterday he went out to 'the tip' on Anderson and successfully slayed one of his nemesis birds, a fat goose. Congratulations go out to Willy on his first slay. (No word on how Peat dealt with the retrieve) The ballots are now open for Willy's new H7HT name. Please vote in the comment section below. The winner gets a all expense paid trip to hunt with the H7HT*

GBCH
(* of course you pay for all incidentals)

Found Your Cougar

2012-01-10T09:29:00.000-08:00

Local hunter slays deer by himself then
takes self portrait.

Idaho: Day 19+5

2012-01-09T17:07:00.000-08:00

Willy and I planned a day of slaying, of course Peat was along for the thrills too. We arrived at Anderson in time to set an armada of blocks so big that ducks would be foolish to ignore them being as they were perfect in every respect. The morning fly was minimal. We waited.

Geese flew by out of reach and taunted Willy. Ducks flew far overhead and taunted us both. Willy then took a walk out to the left where the water used to be to check out the far side of the lake. The picture shows the amazing show I saw as the sun broke through the clouds, it lit up the trees in the far hillside over our blind. I watched as the sun came blasting through the fog to light up the day. Beautiful!

Warm temps have ruined the chances for late season slaying that I have come to expect from Anderson, the water usually frozen up and the only game in town is the sliver of water right in front of us. Not this year. As he made his way back Willy set a couple of mallards near me but not near enough to shoot. We waited more. Then about 8 ducks flew into the blocks, turned and made another pass circling again and again right in front of us. Willy was looking to me to call the shot but I was waiting for the 'perfect shot'. The one where they come into the dekes all locked up and ready to land, not realizing that the perfect shot was when they pass overhead thinking about it. Our blocks were 30 yards out after all. My mistake, opportunity missed. I still feel bad about it to this day.

Then it was nothing but remorse. Should have taken the shot. We packed up and waited for the ducks to fly over us as we were packing up but none came. Should have taken the shot! Tomorrow is another day.
GBCH

Hello Losers!

2012-01-06T16:56:00.000-08:00

Yep, it's me Honkey! My bestest buddy Greenie told me about this little trip some of the H7HT is taking to CalifornIA and I figured I'd tag along. Seems that in Idaho that Willy guy is just plain inept at shooting me down, even with BB shells, so I flew south to that crap hole of a state, CalifornIA. Warm weather, beaches and many fine Honkey ladies to pass the time with. Of course I figure that you and your new friends are just as bad with your shooting skills as you are up north so my profile pic shows you my opinion of you, asses. Get used to it. I will fly low and slow right by those unrealistic plastic things you think will fool me and then I will gracefully swing around for another taunting pass. Good luck losers, you can't hit me with that 3 1/2" shell. For all I know they are loaded with cornmeal just so I can get a snack as I'm flying away!
See you later on the golf course. I shoot 7 under by the way, how about you? I thought so!
HA.

A Parable About the Picture

2012-01-05T21:05:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not where I am standing is completely under water full time. If you were to be looking at pictures from the Island at the Old Spot where my fantastic blocks are floating, that used to be all land. Bob is standing in water while taking my picture. Gosh things sure have changed. We even slayed there a little.

Idaho: Day 18+5

2012-01-05T19:14:00.000-08:00

Well here it is, the holidays are over and the long work weeks are behind me and it's been a long while since I have been out hunting by my lonesome, but today was going to be great. I packed up ole' Big Betty and although the temps were too warm for the smell of death in the air I was looking forward to seeing what the morning would bring. I arrived early to Anderson and walked out to 'The Tip' over barely frozen ground that last time out was covered in snowy goodness. The blind had been decimated by a recent windstorm that had ruined our snowpack and blown down trees on the ski hill. I had work to do before hunting time.

I set all the decoys I had out far on the now more open water and threw only 2 mallards and my Teal Pack close to my blind. The early arrival gave me time to reconfigure the devastation of the windstorm back into a reasonable hiding spot for me to wait for the impending storm of ducks in the morning fly. After toasting the day and Heston I waited.

Few ducks flew by in the pre-dawn darkness and geese called out from the far side of the lake telling me that they were possibly the only game in town. I waited. And waited. The picture you see is the absolutely georgeous sunrise that graced me that morning. Heston in all his glory! First it was divers buzzing the spread then some seagulls. Finally a bevy of Geese came from behind me and then some highflyers from behind too. At this point I figured that I should also look to the south for ducks as that's where they seemed to be coming from. My back got some good stretching form all the looking over my shoulder but it was thin.

About 2 hours in my phone rings and it was old friend of the H7HT Brother B Hopf. I had to answer. So there we are chatting away and the Brother asks if he should call back when I'm not in the blind. No I say, and of course just then a set of 2 flies right down the pipe over my head. As I continue talking they fly in again and just that fast my only opportunity for slaying that day is done. Geese fly by but no more good looks for ducks happen but that's why they call it hunting, right? I wait for another hour and although there are high flyers and a few divers the good action is done.

Here in Idaho the same warm weather that has gripped the rest of our nation has screwed us too. The ski areas are fighting to stay open and the ducks are not motivated to move around, both of which are making my life less than perfect. I can only hope that the good Lord Heston will put a stop to this Tomfoolery and bring me some nasty cold and snow post haste! We only have 1 more week here in the the panhandle in which to slay. I don't know how I can possibly face the legions of fans this blog has without "The Expert" title firmly in my pocket. Fred G and Cliffy are headed to a private reserve to slay ducks and their lead will be insurmountable unless I shoot my limit everyday until the close of the season. (Knowing the outcome of my next day hunting already does not help)

Pray with me....
Lord Heston
Bring on the cold
Bring on the snow & rain
Bring on the ducks
GBCH & GBH7HT

Fine Italian Steel

2012-01-05T15:04:00.000-08:00

Report From the Valley

2012-01-05T14:14:00.000-08:00

Waterfowl numbers continued to increase in the Sacramento Valley through early December with the arrival of additional migrants, particularly wigeon, shovelers, and white geese. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s early December surveys reported more than 1.2 million ducks and 481,000 geese on the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex alone. Pintail numbers on the Complex peaked in mid-November with over 774,000 birds reported. By mid-December, a significant number of birds had dispersed from the west side refuges to other portions of the valley, as is the norm.

Hunter success was relatively poor in most of November but a howling north wind on the afternoon of the 30th brought hunters excellent success throughout the valley. The best hunting in the Sacramento Valley usually occurs in December in conjunction with stormy weather. However, this past month was the driest December on record and consequently, hunter success suffered. Good hunting during December was sporadic and generally tied to strong north winds since there was really no significant rain, fog, or south winds to take advantage of. Good afternoon shoots were reported from both the east and west sides of the valley during strong north winds.

The birds are here in the Sacramento Valley but hunter success for the remainder of the season is going to depend on weather, especially for rice field hunters. The weather forecast for early January is not encouraging. However, if the storm door opens by mid-January, hunting season should finish very strong.

UUHHH?

2012-01-05T14:07:00.000-08:00

So recently I bought a pair of waders on e-bay and scored a great deal.

New in the box shipped to me casa for $34.00, what a deal huh?

So I check back periodically and ....

got to love the sun glasses on in the house

2012-01-04T12:19:00.000-08:00

Warning: Due to the graphic nature of this video a big boy drink is advised!

Day Sixteen Oregon

2012-01-04T11:52:00.000-08:00

Today I hope the Idaho Chapter had a better day than me. Dropped Kathy and the family off at the airporto got home packed up Lisa and headed out to what I thought was going to be a prosperous morning of slaying ducks. Weather man said big front moving in with high winds. Excellent I thought. After much reading on end of the season hunting one of the points was weather fronts, follow them it said because ducks are. I had only one place in mind today, Old Spot. I wanted a nostalgia hunt, a good ole days hunt. Two D-Bags had the point with a dog named Max, which was fine by me cause like I said Old Spot for me. Throw my blocks out, more on that later, hunker down in the brush, I think I'm looking good. Sparse my friends sparse. The only action was the two D-Bags taking 8-10 shots to kill two buffleheads, they took their shots at a set of pintails and a set of mallards but their guns didn't hold enough shells. Those two buffleheads were out there, Max I must say did a great job swimming 100 yards plus to retrieve their downed birds, poor guy must be whipped. With the wind slamming my massive blocks I had to set and reset them often, was not special, only upside is that I saw no birds while resetting. So I'm off to buy some bowling balls to tie them to to keep them put, also it's time for the 2012 license, don't forget.

Do I Look Worried?

2012-01-03T15:55:00.000-08:00

The other day Cliffy calls me and asks me to put out Leroy cause he's going hunting the next day. I must admit mixed emotions ran through my veins like Jameson's on a cold January morning in the blind, all crazy and stuff. "Damn" I think "I'm only one kill up, this is not good." I asked where he was headed and he said out to Troutdale so I felt a little better due to the fact of the lack of action. Then he text me and says he was too tired to even go out. Phew another tragedy nearly averted. So now my hand is forced, being up only one I must head out in the morning. With the vision's of shooting my limit two days in a row down in Calli vanishing before my eyes, due to conditions and such, I have to make a push here. 25 days left in the season with really only 7 hunting outings remaining I'm worried. But do I look worried?

Warning!

2012-01-03T09:25:00.000-08:00

Full moon is on the rise! When? Of course this weekend when we head off to Willows CA. With no weather in sight plus a full moon and the fact were hunting near a reserve you guess what's going to happen.

Flocked and Looking Good

2011-12-28T22:34:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-26T22:30:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-26T17:25:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-26T15:11:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-24T11:26:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-23T20:10:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-23T14:41:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-23T13:10:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-12-21T18:18:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-21T18:11:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-12-20T23:54:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-18T00:43:00.000-08:00

Idaho: Day14+5

2011-12-17T17:04:00.000-08:00

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.

2011-12-14T19:31:00.000-08:00

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

Heston would be proud.

Day 13+5

2011-12-14T19:02:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-13T10:35:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-10T17:11:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

December 10, 2011

2011-12-06T15:55:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-05T16:29:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-05T10:19:00.001-08:00

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....

2011-12-03T18:55:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-03T18:23:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-03T01:00:00.000-08:00

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?

2011-12-01T16:21:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-30T22:02:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-30T21:25:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-30T21:06:00.001-08:00

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.

2011-11-29T15:49:00.000-08:00

X-mas present suggestion.....

2011-11-29T15:48:00.000-08:00

Idaho: Day 9+5

2011-11-29T14:51:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-28T16:03:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-26T15:57:00.001-08:00

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?

2011-11-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-25T13:52:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-25T10:35:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-23T21:30:00.001-08:00

Idaho: Day 8+5

2011-11-23T15:16:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-23T10:05:00.000-08:00

**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

2011-11-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-22T15:38:00.000-08:00

....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.

2011-11-22T15:08:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-21T22:00:00.000-08:00

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.

Live Or Memorex

2011-11-21T11:14:00.001-08:00

Today we were hunting at the Old Old Spot Point sitting there minding our own business, when two"ladies" were walking the path behind us. They stopped about 10 yards yards away from us and started pointing towards the water. I over heard them saying "hey look at those ducks they're feeding, oh my gosh look at them all." Me sitting in plain view of them announces to them "there not real." They turn completely shocked "oh my gosh we didn't see you there... are they all fake?"

(blind built by new member E-7)

Days Five and Six Idaho-Oregon Chapters

2011-11-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

The last two days of the trip were the same but different. One day included swirling snow and cold the other light rain and warmer. At the tail end of the full moon the ducks nearly evaporated, mallards anyway. All was quiet at the refuge, usually early morning singing to our ears was plain ole silence. Day five's ride out included swirling snow with visibility of about 20 yards pretty much the whole ride to Harrison. White knuckles the whole way, Bob navigated Betty through what seemed to be a worm hole. We hunted the Point, grey overcast sky's with mixed snow and rain, one shot taken all day. Day six was interesting. The night before in Kellogg it snowed and continued to snow through night and into the morning. Having traveled the worm hole express the morning before we thought it would be wise to leave an extra hour early to make the 50 mile ride in 2 hours instead of the normal 1. Bob packs the truck full of snow for extra traction and were begin our slow journey. Snow is swirling again, were slicing miles off like a dull knife going though fine Italian bread. We get to the St. Maries exit and low and behold it's clear! All the way to the lake. So we arrive super early take a quick nap and head out to the Blind. Wind is what we have, lots of it, coming in buckets all at once. Bob works the magic putting out the blocks and I do a $30,000.00 remodel on the Blind. (Rocky and his dad will be impressed) Then just as the day before, nothing, I don't even think we took any shots. The wind subsided and the sky turned blue. Call it.

All in all the trip was great. Bob is blessed with two great spots, birds all his own that are committed with their feet down, something that rarely happens around here. A great time was had, Thank You. I may be the Expert leaving Idaho but the Champ still remains there, Paige. How and why she put up with us I will never know. Jack and Coke anyone?

Put Up Or Shut Up....Right?

2011-11-20T13:13:00.000-08:00

DearFred G.,
Thank you for your generous gift to Ducks Unlimited. Your contribution makes itpossible for us to protect and restore the most critical wetlands across North America. Ducks Unlimited provides hope and ananswer to the habitat loss. To date, more than 12 million acres of wetlands andother habitat important to waterfowl and people have been conserved.

Dear FredG.,
Thank you for joining the NRA. We appreciate your interest in protecting andpreserving our Second Amendment rights and promoting safe, responsible gunownership. Your credit card will be billed for $35.00* for a 1 Year Membershipin the National Rifle Association with "American Hunter" as yourmagazine choice.
If you have any questions regarding your order, please email us at membership@nrahq.org.Or you may call our Toll Free Membership Account Information Hotline at1-877-NRA-2000.

Thanks again for your interest in the National Rifle Association!

Charlton Heston

And there she sits.

2011-11-19T15:00:00.000-08:00

Fred G. has a saying, more than one actually, but one that rings true today. "All the could haves in the world don't amount to one I did". True my friend. Especially today.

Last night I went to bed thinking about the possibility of hunting today. It was snowing and I have been working hard at the ole' job getting ready for the upcoming season of skiing here in North Idaho. Maybe, I thought, I would not wake early and brave the snow crusted roads as I do have tomorrow off and, with NFL Sunday Ticket, could record my game for later viewing. Mistake! I woke up several times around 3am to 5am and looked out the window to see a winter wonderland of snow and 20 degree cold, the whole time thinking to myself I should be on my way to the blind or maybe the point. At the very least I've got tomorrow to slay.

So after getting out of bed and doing my chores I received a text from the boss lady. Mountain is opening Monday, would I be able to come in Sunday and train the new techs so they are ready for the early open. Of course I had to say yes, I need the money to pay for my new battery and cables. Hunting opportunity: Gone.

So there it is. Should have, not did. My consolation is that Wednesday Rocky the bartender, his Dad and I are heading to the blind to revel in the beauty of Anderson Lake and slay. Problem being that as the tour-guide I get to do all the calling and spotting but less of the shooting. I'm sure it will be a great day and I will shoot 7 Greenies but the reality is often different from the fantasy. Don't mess with the fantasy. I should have listened to 'The Expert'. See, another should have......

GBCH

Jiggity Where Are You?

2011-11-19T13:19:00.000-08:00

Migration Alert

2011-11-19T09:43:00.001-08:00

Dear Fred G.,

Ducks and geese are moving hard ahead of the snow storm that will move
across the nation over the next few days. Reports today from the northern
portion of the Central and Mississippi Flyways indicate tornadoes of birds
feeding in fields as the fuel for the journey south.

A series of storms in the Pacific Northwest and those that will reach
Ontario in the next few days will also have birds moving in the coastal
flyways during the next week.

Day Four Idaho-Oregon Chapters

2011-11-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

Full moon again. Today was a "blind" day. The most awesomest ever, the blind that is and the day was not too shabby either. We re-invented the roto with a metal post that would bring the roto higher off the water and sink more easily. We are throwing out 22 blocks now plus the roto so our spread is looking good. Being the two co-founders we still had first greenie monies between the two of us tradition and all, I'm sure Bob will be handing Cliffy V. his five bucks come the Kings weekend. Morning flys are becoming more and more transparent that the full moon is affecting the hunts. It seems every day shots are taken, at least all opportunity is not fully lost. Speaking of Lost how did everyone enjoy the series finally? Within one of the opportunities a set of ducks came in pretty hot, I was unable to identify them as fast as Bob and I did not want to clean another Teal, although very tasty just not worth the effort. So I stayed off this set but Bob jumped on them good. He folded a real nice hen Shoveler with two shots and it landed on shore so retrieve was easy peasy. Soon after a set of Mallards came in I shot twice and folded an immature Drake, it went splash. Needles to say when it goes splash or splat for that matter it's an easy retrieve. A few more shots were taken, and I did have an opportunity at a nice goose. All week my mouth was watering at the thought of folding a goose, being Idaho no rules, did not need no stinking test. Geese were flying right in us and low enough to take a shot. They came in on my side, "Bob I'm taking one." First shot dead on, I saw red, it flinched. "WHAT!" I said. Then another shot, dead red. It flinched again, the third shot was up it's ass so I thought. Nothing. I guess 2 3/4 inch shells with 2 shot does not cut the mustard, or fold a goose. The day ended and as we walked out we talked about how our shots were getting better, we were taking our time, looking down the barrel, seeing red. Folding not winging. Jack and Coke anyone?

Day Three Idaho - Oregon Chapters

2011-11-18T09:45:00.001-08:00

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.

Reunion Tour 2011

2011-11-15T19:58:00.000-08:00

The first day was beautiful and productive, for Fred G. Now standing in the "Expert" spot with 3 whole ducks. He had surpassed the total that Cliffy had recently posted and was in the season lead but I had a trick up my sleeve. It was time for my spot on the point. After all, I let him have all the good shots. I am a nice guide to the Idaho Panhandle.

After a full moon night we knew that the hunting would be marginal at best. We arrived at the point on Anderson to a broken cloud layer and no real wind. The set was an old stand by with the wind light in our faces but high hopes for a good yield. Morning fly was wistling ducks before shooting time but then the sun rose into the clouds and the ducks started to come in. My gun, still being bent, was not on point but after a couple shots I managed to fold a Urasion Widgeon. Problem was that Fred shot another duck, a nice little Teal, and the totals were back to the same.

I don't really remember the rest of the day but I know it ended with us thinking that the best weather was upcoming and we would surely shoot more ducks the following day. Of course problems were in order, after all we are the H7HT.

“Bad Moon On the Rise”

2011-11-15T15:27:00.001-08:00

The Full Moon and its affect on Wild Game
By Tom Cannon

Creedence Clearwater Revival had a big hit in the seventies called “Bad Moon on the Rise” and that turned out well for them. Unfortunately, as outdoorsmen and women, sometimes the moon doesn’t seem to treat us as well as those free spirited musicians. A full moon can seemingly make or break an outing. Recently, the full moon of the 2011 Idaho and Oregon Chapter Slay and it was easily the most brilliant moon light many can recall. How did the animals react during the inherently brighter night? Did the full moon allow the typical day light dwellers an extra advantage or did it hinder the abilities of those that hunt at night?

Let’s face it, the lunar cycle has been continually researched since the earliest times. Scientists have proven through centuries of close observation that different phases of the moon affect all sorts of natural living things. Take for instance tides…Mariners navigate by a pre-determined set of tidal charts fore warning of the highs and lows of tides. Certain species of fish feed on a high or low tide and sea turtles, alligators and other tidal animals utilize the full moon and the tidal pressures to know when to seek out a shore on which to lay their eggs for optimum results.

The Farmer’s Almanac predicts the best times to plant, harvest, (and yes even neuter animals) by the moon’s phase. Many horticulturalists believe that certain plants bud out during a full moon phase. Likewise, many sportsmen assert that animals such as deer and fish begin their spawn or rut rituals with arrival of the full moon.

It’s no secret that the moon affects every living creature, yet some seem more under its spell than others. Not all animals see well at night. Some creatures have eyes that require more light than others, (like us humans) so the full moon may be more of an advantage for them. Since a good portion of the animal kingdom is nocturnal, it can be difficult to compare those creatures with typical daylight activists, such as us humans. Still, since the outdoors is our passion and we strive to be more intelligent about our quarry, our panel of “field experts” was questioned about the affects that the full moon has upon their more common prey and how they try and overcome those challenges.

Since the waterfowl season is currently under way in many portions of the nation, we begin with how the moon affects our migratory birds. Our first waterfowl expert is Fred G., co-founder of the Hoy 7 Hunting Team, whose unique blog is quickly gaining popularity with the hardcore young duck and goose hunters.

Fred G. chases waterfowl from early Teal season on up through the final days in January, when greenie forces him to hang up the calls. He is the guy I often find myself calling to check with about theories and how the birds are behaving across town. When asked, he freely admitted he was a firm believer in that ducks and geese often make drastic changes in the behaviors during the full moon period.

For instance, over the years Fred G. noticed waterfowl would often go out to feed in the late afternoon and not return to their roost at dusk as is the common pattern. In fact, he witnessed them staying in the crop fields after sunset while the full moon was overhead. The moon provided plenty of light for them to feel secure enough to continue feeding during their normal resting hours.

Of course, this behavior had an immediate impact on the next morning’s hunt(s). Rarely did the ducks or geese fly out for their regular A.M. feeding. Warm weather just seemed to amplify this behavior as well. It became such common place that Self began to mark full moon periods on his calendar and would adjust his hunting schedule.

Through a process of elimination, Fred G. found that if the evening of the full moon was clear more often than not, birds stayed out late. It was not beneficial to hunt the next morning, since the birds had full bellies and typically lay up at the roost. Evening hunts (where legal) were more productive and only the last portion of shooting time was activity normally found. Of course, on cloudy nights the full moon may not “light up the night” and wildlife may not be able to feed as late. When the full moon falls during hunting season, this waterfowler will just sleep in and try his luck in the P.M.

A little farther nouth, in the town of Kellogg, Idaho lives Bob DaFolder. Most duck hunters know his bearded face and recognizable east coast drawl from the H7HT videos. “Bob” as he is known in the duck hunting world, is one of the nicest guys to ever pick up a call and he is one of the best callers and a die hard greenie slayer.

When I asked Bob how he dealt with a full moon during hunting season, he answered matter of factly with “persistence”. He explained that the full moon would not keep him out of his cherished flooded lakes, but that things can and do get tough. Still, things didn’t always work out for the worst. Bob mentioned that sometimes ducks and geese will feed hard the night before a full moon. “Come the next morning,” he advised” they’ll want in that timber bad!” Of course, in hunting there is no guarantee and every day has a learning curve. “Sometimes you just have to wait them out,” he chuckled and sometimes you go home empty handed.

A couple tricks that Bob has garnered over the years are that birds that feed all night long will often head to those less pressured areas to rest. Near by reservoirs can be great places to find loafing ducks with full bellies. Much like Fred G., Bob felt that mid day or afternoon hunts were more productive than early morning. “Actually, I like to be out right around noon, when some ducks will mill about some and good hunting can be had!” quipped Ronquest. Keep in mind that lots of hunters leave their hunting areas at or before noon, so this can really be a prime time!

Day One Idaho-Oregon Chapters

2011-11-12T16:19:00.001-08:00

Day one actually started off the day before, the day I arrived. Bob picks me up at an early 8am we head to Cabelas pick up supplies. As were heading towards Kellogg Bob drops on me that were going to stop by the lake and build a blind. We arrive to the spot were going to build the blind and were greeted by a light snow and many ducks on the water what could be better. We build the best blind ever pack up and head home. My personal alarm wakes me up at 3am we pack up and head out, anticipation is great. We arrive at 5am Bob takes care of business and were on our way down the Trail of Coeur d'Alene . We pass the sleeping cougar make our way to the water and trow out the blocks and set the roto. Morning rituals. Morning fly is pretty strong and soon enough a mallard takes the bait, blamo Fred G. is on the board early but it was not easy. Having just winged her she was swimming away pretty fast, I'm out of shells! Bob hands me his gun and I'm running as fast as possible and making sure I enter the water through the same way we exited putting the blocks out. I put a few more shells out there and with no avail. I'm now standing over her and she is trying to hide by swimming under water through my legs. Finally she's mine! I make my way back to the blind, it was a fight. Fred G. wins. More shots taken by both and second chance widgeon comes in, she's mine. She was a little easier, but still a small challenge. Were jumping the gun, not putting the red in dead. Talk ensues about the days events, happy with the out come we head home. Jack and Coke anyone?

Ass Hole.

2011-11-06T20:15:00.000-08:00

I don't even know where to begin.
I'll start by watching the Giants win over the hapless Patriots and settling into the Steelers game with my Sweetie. Salmon and baked potato with broccoli was cooking up nicely in the oven when there was a knock at the door. Marlyn was there with a plastic bag and I called Paige over to talk to her friend but Marlyn wanted me instead. Seems she had a bag of ducks for me.

"My friend shot these and I brought them over for you" Well, I'm not sure of the look on my face but I do know I was perplexed to say the least. I like to shoot my own ducks I said. "Well my friend shot these for you" Ummm, doesn't he want them? I asked. "No, he just likes to shoot them." Now I'm sure the look on my face was clear but by now Paige was there saying hello and I had this bag of ducks in my hand. "Usually he gives them to Blah deBlah but I brought them for you, he doesn't like duck." WTF? I wanted to say something like 'Tell your friend to clean and EAT his own ducks that he likes to shoot so much.' but by now I realized that throwing them back at her would cause me nothing but trouble. I walked to the back door and tossed them on the stoop, then went back past her to the other room. Again, WTF?

Needless to say that I'm angry now and after dinner I open the bag to see 4 Greenies shot sometime today by an ass hole that 'only likes to shoot ducks'. So there I am cleaning someones ducks so they don't go to waste at 8:00 in the evening when I should be enjoying my Barcalounger and football. WTF?

I know full well I don't have to tell H7HT members, but to the rest of our thousands of daily readers... If you shoot it, you eat it! Grandpa Clyde would bitch slap this 'Hunter' if he wasn't dead for the last 30 years and if I meet this guy I'll have a few words for him too. Fortunately Heston will be around to judge this punk.

G Men....

2011-11-06T16:51:00.000-08:00

Nuff said.

It's the Jay Part That Got Me

2011-11-06T15:40:00.000-08:00

It won't be long now.......

2011-11-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

Until these two guys are slaying mucho patos, Holmes.

2011-11-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

By John Pollman

The middle of the season is possibly the most challenging time for waterfowl hunters. During this period, ducks and geese are notorious for skirting decoy spreads, ignoring calls, and in some cases, simply disappearing. Following are some useful tips from three avid hunters to help solve the riddle that is mid-season waterfowl hunting.

Don't Give Up on Public Hunting Areas
By mid-season, though, hunting on public areas can be challenging, but Contreras says that good hunting opportunities are still there.
"After the first few weeks of the season, the hunting is going to slow down," Contreras says. "When this happens, you may need to work a little harder and change your tactics to have a successful hunt."
For starters, Contreras spends more time scouting small ponds, creeks and rivers. He looks for small, out-of-the-way honey-holes – protected potholes or shallow, open wetlands that have little cover – areas that other hunters may simply overlook.
"You'll be surprised by how many birds use these spots," Contreras says. "Using a small layout boat or waterproof tub for your layout blind will give you access to areas that typically are not hunted."
When hunting wary mid-season birds, Contreras likes to use the most realistic decoys he can find. Decoy placement is also important. "If the birds are loafing on the shorelines and hanging close to shore, I'll place my decoys in similar positions," he says. "If they are dabbling offshore and staying in groups, I'll do the same. This is a good starting point for the morning, and I can adjust the spread as the day progresses."

And one other small bit of advice: be on time.
"Be ready to shoot by hunting light," Contreras says. "Early morning flights can provide your only shooting of the day. If you're still setting decoys at shooting light, you may miss out on your only opportunities.

Watch the Weather and Stay Concealed

"I try to make the most of the weather when targeting pressured birds. I pay attention to the most recent weather forecasts and try to pick days – even times of the day – that I expect will increase my odds," Roby says.
This may mean waiting several days to hunt a certain spot until the right weather conditions occur. "There's no use spoiling a good hole if the wind is wrong or the sky cover – or lack thereof – will cost you a good hunt," he says.
Roby is also a stickler about concealment.
"By the middle of the season, a good portion of the material hunters put on their blinds before opening day has either changed color, deteriorated, or been removed by that guy in the group who just can't stand to be closed in," Roby says. "Take some time throughout the season to freshen up the cover on your blind and close up any gaping holes."
Experience has shown Roby that the extra time required to add brush to a blind is a worthwhile investment.

"It's all worth it when you park that flock of mallards that has circled half a dozen times trying to decide if it's safe or not," he says.

Day Five Oregon Chapter

2011-11-02T23:19:00.000-07:00

Today was not a Sauvies day so no need to wake up at he crack of ass with a 7:19 start time. After a restful sleep I load up Lisa. it's cold, clear and windy when I arrive in Troutdale. I put a shell in the chamber for the cougar and head out to the Old Old Spot. Ahead of me by a minute and a half are two guys with their dogs and they get the point before I can, so I take the Old Spot. The morning fly was beautiful. Many clouds of Mallards flying up and down the river. A family of white tailed deer crossed the slough where I was. A beautiful morning sunrise over Mt. Hood. Did anyone else see that? The flying stopped at about 10, I decide to pack it up if it's one thing we've learned over the years at the Old Old Spot is when not to over stay our welcome. But it was awesome seeing the old spot produce many ducks, just not in my bag. Next week in Idaho, stay tuned.

GREENIE TIME!!!!!!!

2011-11-01T17:22:00.000-07:00

Well, after working triple time over the weekend, I took today off and went hunting. I arrive at Sauvies at 4:40 and get what I think is a good place in line. Unfortunately, a lot of reservations show up. I'm left with Mudhen 12 and 13 to choose from. I take 12 and get on my merry way. I have my deeks and Leroy all set up with 10 minutes to spare. I grab my lighter and, and.........oh, smokes are in the truck. I race (in my bootfoot waders) to my truck and back to the blind before anyone has taken a shot. I sit in the blind with gun in hand until 10:00 and the fog starts to lift. Finally, I get to take Leroy for a spin! Bam.........he brings me in a Widgeon. After 2 years, I'm finally on the board. After a few more hours, watching pintails get shot at 50 yards away, a big fat duck comes cruising around the corner. Is that, is that, is that Greenie? I quack, I give Leroy a few tugs....................BAM!!!!!! Folded him. Greenie went down. He was so big, the aftershock of his waves sent my deeks to shore. Even with the 10 pound weights I have them. Anyways, that was my day.

GBCH.

New Soldiers

2011-11-01T16:03:00.000-07:00

About a week ago I decided it was time to make some upgrades to the force. Having only resting blocks made the spread only believable for certian situations. Now we could handel almost any situation, just wish we, the Oregon Chapter, had some kind of spinning roto duck. Wish they could make the trip to ID also now I need a new way to carry all these blocks! Hmmm.

Oregon Chapter Day Four

2011-11-01T00:19:00.000-07:00

The day started off the night before. Andy having to work triple time at work left me by myself. I decided to hit the island after work in order to procure a great spot in line on the East side. Sometimes you enjoy the single hunting days, your failure and success is yours and yours alone. I arrived in line at about 10 pm I was 19th in line, not great but not bad. Sleep was unrestful in the truck, in and out of conciseness not sure if you are sleeping, dreaming about sleeping, dreaming about being awake or just plain awake. Time to move, I get to the shack and not much left, only roaming units which are not that bad. I secure a Footbridge, small patches of corn with small to large water in front, never having hunted there I was actually psyched. I found the unit with ease keeping with the no F ups this year. I throw out my blocks and there actually the correct type, relaxed and safe looking, I had a long narrow stretch of water in front of me and my blocks looked as though they landed there because it is safe of all the shooting and calling going on, a great place to chill. The morning on Sauvies did not bring a brilliant sunrise it was overcast with light showers, only needed a little wind to make it perfect. It's Sauvies morning fly is going off, I need another set of eyes, it's then I miss my team, screw this hunting by yourself. Two fly by's and looking back on it now I should have taken the shots. Damn!. I'm waiting for my shot, I'm not even wearing my calls I don't want to be tempted I swore today I'm going to sit silent let everyone else make the noise. A shoveler duck flys in bead on it, I pull off, I don't want a shoveler I'm here for one thing and one thing only. Another shoveler this time easier, I and here for not him but his leader. After a few hours it quiets down, high fly by's of pintails a few mallards here and there and tornados of geese. I hear a ruckus there is a man pushing a huge cart down the slough, he's now in front of me, he stops to chat. Blah blah blah my name is Keith, I ask Keith what the hell is that big contraption is in his cart, he tells me to sit tight soon enough I will see what it is. Keith makes his way down the slough and proceeds to set up this roto duck on a 12 foot pole, it looks crazy. Within minutes the thing is spinning like crazy, he's calling. In 20 minutes he folds three of these high flying ducks I was just complaining about, complaining that it seems impossible to bring them down low. The worst of it all was Keith is a buster, he was shooting ducks so far away and over covered marsh that would make it impossible to retrieve, 2 of the 3 ducks he could not retrieve. He barely tried. Frustration. I waited a few more passes, and watched as he continued to shoot out of range. Listen, if you want to lug in the biggest spread with roto deeks and you make my 10 blocks look silly, more power to ya, as long as you hunt for hunting. Before Keith arrived I was hunting, enjoying myself, I committed by getting my ass up early, not even up early, the night before, to get a great spot in line. Why?

The rest of the day got worse, if you could believe it. The Fins lost another lead to the GMEN. Which meant 2/3 of the team are losers.

Bob DaFolders New Whikey Cabinet

2011-10-31T10:18:00.001-07:00

Top 7 Ways To Insure Ducks

2011-10-31T10:07:00.000-07:00

Fuel Up
Stare at the back of your eye lids
Shake hands with Mr. Johnson
Grab a mosquito repellent
Wrap your lips around a sippy cup
Capture the moment in time
Have a long distant relations with your fingers

(#3 and #5 are not to be confused with each other)

Time To Brush Up

2011-10-29T16:26:00.000-07:00

Idaho: Day 6

2011-10-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

What a start and what a finish on day 6. And in between there was a little slaying going on too. Here's how it all went down.
I didn't really look at the forecast the night before I just was going to go hunting anyway. The rain has brought with it warmer temperatures and less ducks but I woke at 4:00am and loaded up the truck. I was just ready to jump in and pull out of the driveway when I remembered my waders were still hanging in the garage. Smart. When I pulled into Anderson lake I stopped the truck, threw the key on the dash, locked my door, jumped out and went to the passenger side to get my gear and looked at a locked door. Smart. Fortunately I had my headlamp on at the time and was able to find some metal pieces on the ground nearby. Who says littering is bad for the earth? Without that litter I would have had to break my window, buy a new one and throw the old glass in a landfill. See, littering is good.

10 minutes of B&E later I was off to my spot. It was cold and windy at the blind. I threw out my usual set and waited for the opening bell. Of course ducks were flying about before shooting hours and I could barely make out some Greenies in the fray. Light broke the horizon and ducks flew around. Nothing worth shooting came near and shortly after the sun came up the wind died and temps rose by 10-15 degrees. All the ducks settled down and went into feeding mode. An hour in and I was thinking that the day would be a waste when some mallards landed about 100 yards off to my left. They slowly made their way into the bay and settled into a routine of eating and staying away from me. Feeding chatter and light calling made no difference to them, they were perfectly content to hang out in the bay (see picture). I figured that they would at least be good decoys for any other ducks flying by but there were none to be seen so finally I had to make my own luck. I got low and crept around as close to the bay as the thick brush would allow and when the time was right I jumped them. All 12 or 15 of them burst into flight and I put the bead on a nice fat Greenie, pulled the trigger and BAM.

Now as we all know from last week that my gun is bent from the gravitational pull of the metal while laying on my lap. Or maybe from that time I layed it down on the ground without a cushion underneath it. Anyway I was aiming for the Drake but I shot the Hen. A nice fat Hen. Well, the action was nill after that and I packed up and headed for home. On the way back I was accosted by a gang of hooligan farm animals that stood in the road and refused to move. The sheep were content to get to the side of the road after I nudged the truck forward but the goats required persuasion that only a good ole' American truck horn can provide. Punks. The duck was tasty with a nice marinade and fresh off the grill. I took some fresh picked Golden Delicious apples from Lori's garden and using some of the techniques learned from Fred G's 'peaches and scallops' video made a nice warm apple side, an all natural and local dinner for Bob D, Co-Expert.

GBCH

Never Forget

2011-10-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

It Almost Killed Us

YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT!

It was just over three years now that this amazing feat occurred, and I'm stating right now that it shall never happen again. So in light of that I'm purposing another "once in a lifetime bet". The first to bag the limit of ducks in one day. Three of the ducks must be greenies and two must be hen mallards. The rest could be shit ducks for all I care, you shoot'em you clean'em you eat'em is what I say, unless you have two hungry Mexicans like I do. $50.00 Bucks. In or out?

FYI

2011-10-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

$203,000,000.00

Aconcagua 2011

2011-10-26T18:47:00.000-07:00

Hey guys Andy here, sorry it's been so long since I've posted it's been a long year. I don't know if you guys even remember this but last January of this year I attempted to climb Aconcagua in Argentina. I set out from Portland with my buddy Steve and along the way there we hooked up with two other climbers that we met on the net who also wanted to climb Aconcagua. While we were there we were robbed by the police, ate a lot of steak, drank a lot of beer, climbed some mountain and did some other stuff. Sorry I wish I remembered more of stuff we did but it was along time ago, I wish I wrote this all down after it happened instead of waiting 10 months.

Oregon Chapter Day Three

2011-10-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

So far this year, and I know it's early, there have been no miss-steps. No times have been confused, no getting lost in the dark looking for blinds, having the proper documentation on us at all times, and come last Sunday we knew before hand that it was bring a little children to Sauvies and get a blind day. Sundays are bad enough but children's day is the worst. Being the first day for new prospect Ed Knill it was also a good choice to take him out to the Columbia and avoid Sauvies. The team gathered at my house at 5:30 ready to go, weather mans forecast had called for pain, a perfectly cool, dry morning with a waning crescent moon in the sky. We jump in the Slay mobile and make our way out. After the 40 minute wall we set up, the whole time The Prospect watching soaking in our expertise skills of setting the blocks and blind making. We were hoping the day would bring many looks, but it brought the same as usual out there in Troutdale. Nothing. Until I mentioned the fact that a good sammy brings them out. Sure enough half way in about 10 pinnys fly in to our spread, no one ready of course. We sat and finished prospects sammys of meatloaf with 31 flavours, must admit the flavours were going round and round. We waited a few more, finished some whikey and headed home. All in all a good learn day for the prospect.