The latest news....

Have you heard that the season is over for Bob DaFolder? Well let me tell you something, NOTHING is over until Blutto says it is.

With my "Expert" status in jeopardy I must defend myself by hunting more days this season. As you can plainly see Fred G and Cliffy both have the opportunity to slay many more ducks this season. Regular readers will know that the best time to hunt in the Pacific Northwest is happening right now. All those pesky ducks from the north are making their way down south to rob convenience stores and sell meth to small children in your neighborhood. I, for one, will not tolerate this. Word on the street is that Greenie himself will be passing through the area on his way to his vacation home in Cabo San Lucas. A home paid for by illegal drugs and 'hush' money from the French Canadian Syndicate. The Hoy7 Hunting Team will do our part to stem the tide of dangerous waterfowl traveling the waterways and causing general mayhem, and I will gladly participate.

To that end look for me, Bob D, to be in PDX this next week. While there I will attempt to slay dangerous birds and of course, pad the totals of my "Expert" title. I may even have some of the delicious Vodka Sauce that comes from the best restaurant in the whole world 3 Doors Down Cafe. It's a well known fact, at 3DD the party is always on and the babes are always hot.

Game ON Greenie, Game ON!

GBCH

The Machine and I

Today was a day of firsts. Today The Machine and I took the boat out to Small McNary Lake. It was just as much a recon mission as it was an afternoon of hunting. Never hunting the lake before we wanted to head out during the daylight to get a little look see as to what we were getting our selves into. I show up at The Machines house at 930 and we head to the west side of Sauvies. Being a Sunday and also a very popular hunting day for the H7HT, Killing For the King, we are hoping to get a spot. When we arrive at the shack much to our surprise there are many spots available, McNary being one of them. We get to the launch pack up the boat and head out, a light rain is falling upon us. After about a 1/4 mile we find ourselves on a small island in the middle of the lake, with a little scouting we find an area where we could actually wade out about 30 yards and with the help of TJ a little farther. Also being on the island we were able to throw blocks out all around us.

It is about 11 am now and we have a very nice set up, we were looking good. After a few flybys there was nothing but high flying birds all day, a little wind would have been nice. We punch out at 4 with nothing but smiles on our faces, we just hunted with a boat, a boat that carried all of our stuff. There was no slaying today but there was some firsts and a lot of knowledge. After a few days I check the slay report and notice we were not missing it, the island has been slow. With the end being the 31st there is only5 more days left, only 2 ducks behind the Expert does not look so bad since his season is over. I'd put your money on me, remember last years ending at The Old New Spot. I'll be there tomorrow.

GBCH

Bob D. Skiing again?

Yep!

Some freshies too.

Your Attention Please....

Bob DaFolder is proud to announce,
Big Betty.

You may remember Black Betty. Then Red Betty. Now Big Betty the newest addition to the HOY7 Hunting Team arsenal. Big is a 95 Eddie Bauer edition Ford F-150. It comes equipped with a 4" lift and 33" tires but most importantly it has a giant Smitty Built tube bumper and push bar. This will be used to run down dangerous green headed Mallards as they try to block the roadways around Northern Idaho. Wish us luck as we embark upon a new partnership of "Expert" Slayer and Monster Truck of "Expert" Slayer. (Oh, and please send money to the H7HT charity. I think it gets about 9 mpg.)
GBCH

Bob D. Snowshoeing again?

Yep. Just down the road.

From our friends at DU

The 10 Commandments of Public Waterfowling

Rules to live by whenever you're hunting public land

by M.D. Johnson

Just mention the word "public" to any waterfowl hunter who's been around the block a couple seasons and you'll get an instant reaction. "Been there, done that," he'll say. "Too crowded. And too many yahoos." Chances are he'll continue. "Won't be doing that again."

Let's face it: Any of you who have spent any time at all duck hunting on public land have had at least one bad experience. There's always the guy who calls nonstop (and not well at that), the skybusters and the guys who believe in the Wall of Steel theory of shotgunning. And then there's the wonderful gentlemen who motor through your spread 5 minutes before shooting time and begin setting up 50 yards downwind. It's enough to make anyone get out from behind his blind and explain the situation in its entirety to this... well, fellow hunter.

The 10 Commandments

In our book, Successful Duck Hunting: A look into the heart of waterfowling, we built an entire chapter around the 10 commandments as they apply to duck hunting on public areas. And to be honest, I think they're worth repeating here, not only as rules of conduct, but also as guidelines that can both help you more effectively and efficiently hunt our nation's public wetlands. They also could elevate your level of enjoyment about the experience as a whole. After all, isn't that what it's all about – enjoying ourselves?

I. Thou shalt not shoot another man's swing – If your neighbor's working a flock that passes over your blind within range, let them go. It's common courtesy, and you never know when that neighbor's going to be built like Stone Cold Steve Austin and have a temper like Russell Crowe.

II. Thou shall allow ample space between thyself and others – This one's simple: Unless you're both willing to partner up, give the next guy room. And in most parts of the country, 50 yards isn't considered enough.

III. Thou shalt know the effective range of thy own 'fowling piece – They're called skybusters, these pseudo-hunters who shoot at anything within eyesight, and they rank right up there with Osama bin Laden.

IV. Thou shalt not blow a duck call nonstop, nor at every bird and beast – Sure, you paid $20 for it, but that doesn't mean you have to get $20 out of it every trip into the field, does it? Remember the immortal words of legendary outdoor writer Nash Buckingham: "A duck call in the hands of the unskilled is conservation's greatest asset."

V. Thou shalt set up and tear down quickly and efficiently – In other words, don't putter through the decoy spreads 5 minutes before shooting time or lolly-gag in your blocks for an hour just because you have to be back to work at 9 a.m.

VI. Thou shalt clean thy kill neither at the ramp nor in the parking lot – We as hunters need to realize that a lot of non-consumptive users – birdwatchers, photographers, hikers, school groups – use our nation's public areas, and that the image we leave at the ramp or in the parking lot reflects on us as a whole.

VII. Thou shalt be familiar with and abide by waterfowl regulations – Another no-brainer. Ignorance, says the wildlife officer, is no excuse; however, it can come with a hefty fine.

VIII. Thou shalt know the area boundaries, and though tempted, stay within them – This one's not only a public relations issue, but a legal one as well. If it's marked Keep Out... well, then, KEEP OUT.

IX. Thou shalt leave thy temper at home – Think about it. Do you really want to get into a shouting match with a complete stranger that you know has a gun? Enough said.

X. Thou shalt work harder than most – Nowhere in the world does the old adage, "Hard work and perseverance will be rewarded," hold truer than the realm of the public-land waterfowler. Do your homework and go that extra two miles, and you may have that mallard hole to yourself.

Idaho: Day 14

This morning was foggy with a heavy wet snow falling. Dallas once again could not make the trip to Anderson Lake and I was alone but had a plan for the day. Since the last outing went so well without calling I chose not to use my formidable calling skills to bring the greenies in. I would let them come to me. They did not. In fact the only ducks I saw were flying way over my head and did not even look my way. Maybe if I had a duck call?

While getting colder and wetter some geese decided to check out my area. They made two passes around my left flank and settled in on the ground about 50 - 60 yards away. I watched them as they rested. On the outside of the group members stood guard, awake and alert to any danger. Those geese in the middle took a head under the wing nap. Off in the distance I noticed a fox out on the lake ice seemingly unaware of the geese, maybe he was not interested. After another 1/2 hour I was sufficiently cold and wet enough and decided to pack it up. I got up to go and the geese immediately started squawking and took flight away from me across the lake. As I watched them go I noticed the fox, now about 20 yards from the geese in the brush. He looked at me and trotted away. Sorry Dude.

GBCH

I'm Trying!!

I woke up and was going to take the driftboat out to McNary to do some scouting, but the wind was howling and I was not going to deal with getting pushed around all afternoon. So instead, I drove to eastside just to see what was available. I roll in and I spot the tags for Johnson 6 and 7. The whole lake to myself. Seeing that 7 was a short walk, I go to snag it when the gentleman behind the counter urges me to take 6. "It's not that much farther and you'll find better cover", he says. Alright, 6 it is. With 6 deeks and no chair, I strum my way to the backside of the lake, set my spread and take cover. 5 minutes goes by and it starts pouring, I mean dumping. 4 hours later, after standing in the rain, I pack it up. Pretty spot, no ducks, like the title says.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Please don't drink and drive.

Bob D's day

I went skiing.

NICE.

Idaho: Day 13.

So here it is, almost the end of the year and I finally had a day off to go-a-hunting. Dallas had to work yet again selling cars for the MAN but I had tuned enough skis and helped enough adolescent snowbaorders replace binding screws that I could take the day off. And what a day! I packed up the Volvo (Sweedish for truck) and headed for the lake. The roads were mostly clear and a light snow had started to fall. Unlike PDX, my town is sorely lacking in the white stuff. I arrived about 1/2 hour before shooting time.

My slough was still not frozen and is likely the only open water around that is not a massive and deep lake. Good news. As I made my way through the grasses and brush to the point, I was feeling good about my chances for the day. Rounding the corner I about shit my pants as the mornings complete silence was broken by, I don't know maybe 15, mallards taking flight from the water just behind where I normally sit. You may think it's a light pleasant sound but ask any H7HT member, birds taking flight near you are both loud and violent. They even wanted to circle and come back to the spot but it was still way dark and not even close to shooting time. I set down my pack and went out and threw 2 sets of 5 decoys into the water about 20 yards apart and just up from where I would sit. Walking back to my pack I about shit again as 10 or so of those mallards jumped up from the water for a second time. Boy they seemed to like my spot.

The light came up and I heard lots of geese flying behind me but, as you know, I can't hit a goose to save my life so I ignored them. I was waiting for Greenie. It took a while but soon enough a lone greenie flew into and landed in my spread. I jumped up and waved at him as he sat in the water. Deciding he had better places to be he jumped up also. Mistake. I folded him like a China-Man at the laundromat. Expert status: Bob D. rules.

About 40 minutes passed with nothing flying. My blocks were getting a sheen of snow on them now so I waded out into the water to knock the snow off them so they wouldn't appear "catatonic in a closet". Mistake mine. A Drake and Hen flew in looking for a place to land and almost considered it even with me in the water, without my gun. Lesson learned. I went back to my spot and called them like crazy but they were gone. Another 10 or 15 minutes passed and I hoped that that was not my only other chance. I didn't have to wait long.

From behind came the sound of whistling wings, lots of them. I knew the spot looked good so I stayed as still as possible and about 10 mallards circled in from behind. After the first pass another 15 or 20 joined them and all of a sudden there was tons of ducks flying and quacking and looking to land, all mallards. The first greenie dropped into the spread and then the rest started to dive in also. I picked up a greenie feet down and wings locked and leveled the Benelli right on him. Blam! 3 1/2 inches of steel dropped him right in the decoys. I was so excited about what I had just witnessed I totally forgot about the other 2 shells I had in the gun and the fact that I could continue to shoot at the others scrambling to get the hell away from me. I just watched in amazement at what was happening. It was right then that I missed my BFF Fred G. more than I have since I left Portland. He too would have loved that moment in time.

Of course he and Cliffy both would have missed.

As I retrieved my second greenie of the day I stood in awe of what I had just seen. With the "Expert" status clearly locked up I went back to my spot and took the picture you see here. And of course while I was doing that another duck flew right over my head and quacked at me as he bolted away. Another 15 minutes in 5 more mallards came by and circled my blocks. One greenie landed way-out and the others flew off. I tried to entice him over my way but he really seemed to like the water where he was. After 15 minutes of working him and also keeping my eyes on the skies I finally got up and started walking to where he was. The water line was far enough below the ice shelf that he could not see me until I was about 50 yards away but when he did he made like Pablo, and Cruised. That was it for the day. Final count for Bob D. 2 greenies. Brings me to 4 greenies & 1 hen pinny. Expert!
GBCH

Damn.

This is a picture of the slough leading out to the spot where I slay. (mucho patos holmes) It looks as if the beavers have been busy doing a little building. Problem is this dam will soon be completely blocking the channel that boats use to get to Anderson Lake. Not a problem for me, I like more water, but maybe for the boaters.

Below is a close up of the dam. Nice work boys! They have taken down some nice brush by my spot but have yet to reach the area I need for cover. Needless to say when this happens I'll have a different reaction, I'll call Dell.

You may not remember Dell from years back but man, he hated Beaver.

BDF ski's....I build snowman

Finally, after all this cold and sunny weather....PDX hits JACKPOT Baby!!!!!

Where Have I Been?

Sorry about the lack of information these past couple of weeks, I've been lamed up, almost like my own private "Epic Battle". Hope everyones holidays have been Merry and Bright!! Surgery went super awesome, all of my crutches are working just fine. Anticipating hunting season to resume next week if the Doc gives the OK, unlike my hunting buddy Cliffy who may have set himself back weeks. Dumb Ass. It should be a blast, can't wait to take back the expert staus solely. By the way it's snowing here, about 4 inches in 3 hours, can't hurt. I hope everyone saw our Lord Heston this year on the telly, he is great isn't he?

The First Ever Hoy

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Bob D. has been skiing.

I wonder what all my other teammates have been up to ?

Merry Christmas

Heston rest ye HOY7 Hunting Team
Let no Ducks die today
For this shall be the only time
To cut back on when we slay

Fred's knee is shot
He's out for weeks
And Bob D. works all days

O' tidings of comfort and Hoys
Southern Comfort and Hoys
O' tidings of comfort and Hoys


Greenie's safe we have to break
Let others have their fun
Because you know when we return
Their hunting will be done

We are the Best
We've always been
We're fastest with the gun


O' tidings of comfort and Hoys
Southern Comfort and Hoys
O' tidings of comfort and Hoys


So friends of ours relax this week
Enjoy your Christmas day
And if you're Jewish worry not
Cause being a Jews' OK

Kick back at home
And have a drink
Remember Hestons' ways

O' tidings of comfort and Hoys
Southern Comfort and Hoys
O' tidings of comfort and Hoys

Timely Retraction

Let it be known.
Before Fred G, my BFF, the Shining Star of Portland & the man who taught me more about Pintails than anyone goes under the knife, there is something I must clear up. Seems that I recently claimed "Expert" status due to my recent slaying activities. I was wrong. We are "Co-Experts". Just in case he loses all use of his knee bone after this dangerous operation I want everyone to know, we are "Co-Experts". If he becomes addicted to pain killers and has to live in the gutter I want everyone to know, we are "Co-Experts". If the Doctor leaves his Swatch behind Fred's patella and it ticks like a time bomb, I want everyone to know, we are "Co-Experts". CASE CLOSED. Heston Bless us, every one.

A Photo Collage

An Epic Battle

Idaho: Day 12.
Let the world know that the Expert title is back in the hands of Bob DaFolder. It was an Epic Battle today, and I have re-claimed the title after a hard fight. Here's my story.

What a difference a day makes. This morning I woke up to the sound of rain on the metal roof of my Idaho home. Rain! I could have been back in PDX on the highway for all I could tell on my ride out to Anderson Lake. The snow and cold of yesterday just a distant memory. What the hell is that all about?

I had decided last night to hunt today because I figured there had to be some ducks out there. Just because they avoided us yesterday did not convince me they are all gone. Dallas was working so it would be just me today and I prepped for the day with more decoys and a plan to hunt the other side of the slough. The rain had changed the landscape considerably. There seemed to be much more open water, a trick of the rain on the ice, and the lake level had dropped a few more inches. I set my blocks in a line down the slough and the receding water gave them the look of swimming against the current. Nice.

Right before shooting time three sets of ducks had flown over my head and the last set had buzzed my blocks looking for a place to land. They settled on the rain covered ice a hundred yards out, (much the way the video below shows) skidding to a stop well out of gunning range. The rain continued and a few divers came to look at the spread, then some geese. I took a shot at the low flying geese and all the ducks out on the water lifted up and flew around looking for another spot. Of course I missed all three shots on the geese. Seems I can't hit a large, slow, low flying target ever. Shortly after that a lone greenie came in from the right. I leveled the Benelli and winged him mid pass. He landed on the ice 30 yards away and immediately made for the open water and away from me. I took 2 more shots to bring him down but was unable to hit him on the surface of the ice, reloaded and then 3 more. By now he was heading towards the middle of the frozen lake and I started after him with my last shell. For Heston's sake, why did I only have 10 shells with me? What an Idiot!

I headed him off to the left and he started towards the end of the slough water that was open. I took my last shot and thought for sure I hit him this time. Nope. He made it to the water and swam back towards my decoys and the spot I shot him at. So now I'm running back to the blind and double checking for any more shells I may have before he is able to swim past me. No more shells so I grab a wading stick and I'm into the water towards him. I winged him good but his duck feet are certainly working just fine. Now he's swimming the other direction and is, of course, much faster than me in the water. I'm up to my chest but then again, so is he.

I'm sure you've seen the cartoon where the chase is on and they are running through the hallway with all the doors? In one door- out the other-repeat-ad infiniteum? Well, that's me and Greenie. He swims to my decoys. I wade towards him. He turns. I get close. He dives under the water and swims past me. I jump out and run down the bank before he can get too far towards the river. He stops and swims the other way. I get in the water and wade towards him. He swims to my decoys. I wade towards him. He turns. I get close. He dives under the water and swims past me. I jump out and run down the bank before he can get too far towards the river. He stops and swims the other way. Get the picture? This goes on for, and I'm not shitting you, 15 minutes.

Well, I've had enough. This time I take off all but my first layer and get back in. By now all the decoys are out of the slough and he can't hide under the icy overhangs anymore. I collapsed them all in. I get to the most shallow part of the slough and it's ON! He dives down and tries to mach past me again but not this time. With Heston like reflexes I dart my arm down 2 maybe 3 feet and grab him by the neck and pull him out of the water. Game over Greenie.

I'm out of shells and wet. Time to call it a day. Of course while the battle wages geese and ducks flew over my head the whole time. The whole time! There you have it, how I got the "Expert" title back and the reason why I only shoot Greenies.

GBCH