Idaho: Day 4

Well well well. It seems there's a new expert in town boys. Say hello to Bob DaFolder, expert.

That's right day four in Idaho has been good to me. Slayer extraordinaire Dallas and I set out extra early due to daylight savings time and drove to Anderson Lake. We had been there before with not much success, but due to the lack of hunting spots we know of, it was on the agenda. As we arrived and packed in our blocks a misty fog settled over the lake. It blocked out the nearly full moon that was hanging over the area. A double group pattern was set and this theoretically left us a shooting lane right in the middle of our decoys. Of course I overestimated how much time daylight savings time subtracted from the normal shooting time. Turns out daylight savings time is one hour, who could have known. So we waited in the morning chill and fog.

Ducks appeared out of nowhere, as if emerging from thin air, and flew past our spread. We hardly had the chance to shoot before they were out of range. A 'V' of geese came from our right and Dallas, not knowing the distance, and I not wanting a goose, let them pass. From there on out it was game on. I called repeatedly to let the ducks know we were there and several groups of teal or widgeon came and went. A couple shots were taken but nothing fell. As the fog lifted 3 bufflehead locked up and landed right in the spread, pretty as can be. Then they flew away.

So, I know what you are thinking. "Bob D. what about the ducks you did fold? What's the story there?" Let me tell you, it was sweet. Two big ducks came straight in and flared just as they passed the spread. I put a bead on the bigger duck on the left and.... Blam! Dallas shot him dead. He retrieved what I thought at first was a Pintail but it was not. In fact I have no idea what it is. Some research is in order because I sure know what a Pintail looks like, Fred G shoots them all the time, but this one? Who knows? Shortly after that 3 ducks came from the right and turned into the spread. My Benelli met his outline, followed him and folded that green headed bastard like a notebook. After that the fog cleared and just that fast the action died. That is of course until we pulled up the decoys. Several volleys of ducks flew right over our heads without a care in the world.

We packed up and did some scouting. Driving to the other side of the lake we found a cove holding about 50 - 60 Greenies. Dallas rang the bell of the nearest house and a lady in her bathrobe came to the door and told us the name of the guy who owns the property. At this point the huntability of that spot is in question but a phone call has been made. Next time there may be even more Greenies to add to my Expert totals. Stay tuned because the next hunting outing will be special and thrilling all at the same time. I guar-an-tee!

GBCH