With the Chilliwack Vedder River in the tank today it was time to hang up the rod and trade it in for a nimrod or I guess I am the nimrod.
I had spotted a field I have permission to hunt on with a 100 or so birds in it, on my return drive back from the short lived morning fishing trip.
After a welcome nap to make myself sharp for shooting I looked for my decoys but only could find the robo duck. I forgot the other decoys were in storage.
As I was anxious to get to the field I would go it alone, with the robo.
On arrival with the rain still pelting down it certainly gave one the feeling it was duck hunting time. I always have had a passion for it and I remember going with friends when I was only 6 years old. We used to scare ducks up from some lakes near Duncan, on Vancouver Island us young people's job was to drive them over the shooters. At this time of year we bought fire crackers to make the ducks lift off. I can still smell the Tee Brush that surrounded the lakes. How I wanted a gun and I could not wait to come of age, finally I got a single shot 12 gauge. Then I was scared to fire it, afraid of the recoil. Then I wished for when the day came that I could hunt without a adult, then to learn to drive so I could travel to Cowichan Bay to hunt. Before I had my driver's license I rode my bike the 7 miles to The Bay, gun and decoys on the handle bars my trusty hunting dog Queenie running beside me. Imagine doing that these days down the main Island Highway if you and your dog made it safely you would most likely been arrested for carrying a gun on your bike. Those were the days.
I had great hunts with my dear friend the late Denis Gaunt there. I can still see this English gentelmen with his English made double barrel in the crook of his arms, a wisp of smoke coming from his pipe, the smell was appealing. He always had his tea which even if the ducks were flying tea time came first. He shot Canuck heavy load #6 shot. I would buy him a case of shells at Army and Navy, around $3 a box.
Denis if he wounded a bird he would search until he found it. He would be in his boat circling the area, meanwhile scaring other ducks away from me but finding the bird was his #1 priority as it should be.
The cold winter days when the inland waters froze drove the birds there, with snow blowing what could be better. I remember one of those cool January days when I shot well for a change, getting two greenwing teal on one shot to start the day. As well that day I got most species of puddle ducks, a mallard, pintail, northern shoveler, wigeon and yes even a canvasback. O what great memories of a fine hunt along with a very fine man. I almost forgot Denis was completely deaf, he read your lips when we talked. I remember ducks low over his head that he did not see of course he could not hear their wings whistling.
Back to the present.
As I arrive at the field a few ducks are there, I scare them away hoping they will return. The robo is put together and in no time I am nestled in the natural blind, sitting on a old milk crate, easier than standing or sitting in the mud of the field.
I search the darken sky horizon looking for that formation of birds. The first birds are two geese chattering as they approach, it gives them away. I eject the duck load, I quickly thrust in the goose load only to have the birds move by, way out of range. Back goes the duck load in, #3 steel shot.
Finally a good flock moves into view, they are interested in the mechanical duck as two break formation, wings cupped, there are in range , I vault from my portable chair. I instintally move the gun's barrel onto the closest bird, a hen mallard, the gun barks, the duck folds. I move to the other bird, a drake, two quick shots just quicken the birds wings, he is gone. I retrieve the downed bird, a nice plump one, nice eating ahead.
I once again settle in, watching, waiting and hoping for more ducks to be fooled by the robo.
A flock of about 75 cackler geese appear overhead, heading South for the Winter talking loudly to each other, will they fly all night or set down for a rest or some food somewhere here in the Valley?
Talking about settling in for the night I must too as I am just too tired to finish this story, will in the AM before I leave for another day afield, seeking the webfoot.
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Topic: Its Webfoot Time (Read 4167 times)