And it begins...

It all started 8 days ago, a leisurely trip to Cabelas Waterfowl Event.  Walking up, there wasn't much commotion but soon it would all start.  Here comes the high-balling and rolling feed chuckles of the competition caller.  What a craft!  Those guys can hit notes only the "fat lady" would be proud of.  After watching and listening, it was time to wander inside.  Decoys, calls, and new mouse traps everywhere.  There were tables of every waterfowl name out there.  I walked by the Zink Calls table and heard the sweet sounds of many Canada Geese.  Here's a guy behind the table blowing a NBN Naughty by Nature call, it can't be 4 inches long.  He was hootin' and hollerin' like he knew what he was doing.  Was enough to make me stop and listen.  He coaxed me over and I picked it up, cautious of all the people around, the NBN made it's way back into the box.  About 15 steps later, the wheels were spinnin' and I had to turn around.  Back I go,  picked it up again and cautiously whispered into the call.  Not sure what I was hoping for but I couldn't even make the damn thing snap.  A few steps later, "The Fowl Life" table caught my eye.  The Fowl Life is a show on the Sportsman Channel that is a great way to bust out an hour of TV.  I watched another caller gently caressing a wooden deep sounding goose call.  Could this be the one?   It sounded great, then from the corner of my eye I see Chad Belding, star of The Fowl Life putting on a lanyard full of calls.  When he started blowing he put the other guys to shame. 
As Chad was calling people were starting to gather, he stopped, shook some hands and answered some questions.  A guy walked up to him and asked him what he "speaks" or "says" into a call.  Whoa, you would've thought the ole boy just killed his favorite hunting dog.  "I never teach people to say anything into a call."  Here comes the most enlightening thing I've ever heard.  Chad begins talking about geese and understanding how they make the sounds.  How geese have two nostrils and the sounds are produced from the air coming out and how you have to imagine that your left hand is the left nostril and and your right hand is the right nostril and you have to move and control the sounds with that in mind.  Then he started blowing again, WOW!  He uses Banded Calls and the one he was blowing was 3 and 3/4 inches long, or something crazy like that.  With him in control, you could stand there all day.  He is a down-to-earth guy who is "living the dream."  Willing to talk to people and answer questions.  The fact that he was even there at Cabelas in Nebraska was amazing to me. 
I just got down a "fat boy", and by that I mean I'm competent in making it sound somewhat like a goose.  And now these jackers are blowing calls less that 4 inches long.  Whose got this figured out?  The ever changing world of waterfowl hunting, the over-thinking never stops.  That's all for now.

Signs of Fall

"Happy Little Tree, should give him a friend"  - Bob Ross NETV

As I was taking in the gear today getting ready for the season, it was a nice sight to finally see Teal in good numbers.  There were probably about 200 or so trading ponds in the area and a few groups flying higher.  Had a couple bunches give a good buzz.  The morning got later and the Pelican's began to fly, probably seen a couple hundred or more in the 30 minutes I was paying attention.  The weather is definitely changing.  Headed home via county roads and the signs of the flood is devastating, to say the least.  What used to be corn fields are now barren deserts.  Miles and Miles of nothing-ness.  The water has receded quite a bit since the last trip up, but the damage left behind has over shadowed the return of the river waters to its' banks.  Thousands of acres stretched with sand bars only a "river rat" would love.  There are pockets of deep, deep water scattered throughout fields that look like they have been there for years.  Some fields look like they can be saved and others have no hope.   It's going to be a lot of years for some of the fields to return any kind of crop.  Hope the WRP has a lot more money to spend, they are going to be getting requests faster than they can type them into the computer.  That's all for now, check back for the latest and greatest. 

For those of you who haven't seen the flood, click http://www.flicker.com/photos/leevalleyfloodpics/sets/




This WAS standing Corn

 

The Art of Hunting

So, I was bored tonight and decided to read up on Foiles and what's been happening in his world.  He's in trouble here and in Canada.  He plead not guilty to 23 counts months ago and then changed his plea to guilty.  He received two misdemeanor counts for his actions and, I believe, still faces charges in Canada.  Here in the US he has a $100,000 fine, 1 year of supervision and 2 years of no hunting or guiding.  He's pretty lucky there.  A household name in waterfowling has now become a punch-line around the water cooler and in ditches across North America due to a lapse in judgment.
There were USFWS agents hunting with him on the hunts in question. Not only did they witness the over-the-limit days, he put some of those days on tape.  There is a story of a camera man turning off the camera being upset about the amounts, and Foiles yelling at him to keep going.  They also found out about some banded local park geese he lured with bread crumbs to shoot with a pellet gun to retrieve the bands.  A guy hears stories and never really believes them, until now.  The bands are cool and a statement of success, but you can buy them on EBay.
When does it happen?  When you do cross the line?  All of us at one time or another have been faced with challenges in the field or in the ditch.  "The Day" happens and you don't want to stop, the perfect field has had permission granted and you want to keep shooting, or perhaps pull the trigger just a few minutes past shooting time 'cause you're covered in feeding waterfowl.  Yes, we've all been there, and perhaps a few have "done that".  When it's all said and done, you can't feel good about illegally taking waterfowl.  Whether it's too many, too early or too late.  If you're in it for the killin' try the Spring Conservation Season and have at it.  Just don't ask us how we do it, we've shot two geese in 3 years. 
Jeff has built such a waterfowl empire and is one of the lucky one's who has made his passion his job.  With so much on the line, you think he would've realized how lucky he is.  There are millions of waterfowlers all wanting to do what he does, who spend thousands of hours and dollars in hopes of a day or two or maybe a week, who waste productive days at work dreaming, and who can't get enough.  It's not about the numbers or trophies, it's about having a place to go, being with friends and scarfing down a ridiculously high in cholesterol meal or two.
If you're reading this blog you're not Foiles, Mann, or Grounds.  You probably don't make calls, decoys, or clothing.  When you're out there, remember why you are there and who could be watching!  That's all for now, check back for the latest and greatest.

Dove Hunting 101

Hello again all our technologically advanced and well connected waterfowl enthusiast friends.  It's been a while since the last real post.  Been busy and lazy and without words.  The 2011 Migratory Bird season kicked off Sept 4th with a little Dove hunting.  Thanks to "Gate Keeper" for our new found spot.  Doves have been roosting and feeding by the hundreds and we timed it right, 4 guys and 60 one day and 4 guys and 60 the next.  We had the resident Muck Bottom teenager with us and I heard that between he and his dad they emptied 15 boxes of 7 1/2 shot in two days at those pesky little targets.  Everyone had fun and tuned up the feather dusters in the process.  There were plenty of bruised shoulders, empty casings, empty shell boxes and choice words, none of which should be printed here as this is a "family" blog.  

Duck season is just around the corner, October 8th to be exact.  Youth Season is the weekend before and we're hoping to be out with a few youngsters and a well planned breakfast.  That's all I got for now.  Check back for the latest and greatest!

Rage'n River

Manged to get up in the air Thursday morning and check out the beginning of the Missouri River Flooding.  The water is slowly creeping everywhere.  Boyer Chute and River Road South and East of Ft Calhoun is a mess.  The Cottonwood Marina north of Blair is almost 100% underwater and just a few brave soles are left.  One guy didn't get in there in time and there a nice looking 5th wheel camper that is never coming out.  The water isn't expected to really rise high until the 6th and by the 14th it's going to be a nightmare.  All of Modale, IA is getting it's power cut off tomorrow morning and the town is pretty much vacant.  I will be driving around shooting pics and trying to get as close as the cops will let me.   Keep checking back and hopefully I can get some images.

Still Goin'

We've finally hit pay dirt this season.  We hunted last (a week ago) Wednesday and Thursday with no luck.  Wednesday was a good day for pushing birds, but nothing would finish.  Could get groups to give hard looks but just wouldn't commit.  Thursday was a complete bust as there were very few snow geese traveling.  The ducks are crazy right now.  They are everywhere (pic below).  The Can's appear to have moved to northerly grounds.  Sunday was the picture above.  A good day.  Took 3 to bring him down but did it.  If there were more guns we would have been able to get a few more.  Had lot of smaller groups. Pulled up on a couple as there were more coming in, and missed.  With sunny skies it's hard for one man to see 'em all.
Went out this afternoon for a short hunt.  Planned on taking a few home, but no luck.  Got there and got the deeks moved for the wind direction.  As that was going on there were 3 loud groups flyin' overhead at workable ranges had the horns been tuned up.  Settled in after re-arranging, loaded the guns, rolled out the speaker wire to the horns and clipped on to the battery.  "Crack", loud spark and nothing!  Pulled the fuses to see that they were both blown.  Damn!  No horns, so no sense being there.  Let the hound out and threw a dozen or so marks and called it a day.  Hoping for another day on Sunday with a few guns blazin', we're gonna get 'em yet!  That's all for now, check back for the latest and greatest.

Something Women Like 'Bout a Pickup Man

What a truck load.  Wouldn't it be nice.  The Illusive Snow Goose has still not appeared at the Ditch.  We saw a few this AM, but the Can's and Speck's dominated the skies along with thousands of ducks.  There was shooting around the area but haven't really heard how anyone else did.  Was planning on an afternoon hunt too but this wind has not switched.  The Sillosocks Boys and the Master on the Grounds provided the picture, a lot of Juvy's in the group. That's when we're supposed to be shootin' 'em, when the dumb one's are here.  Hopefully there are still plenty South.  I know after we left, I've been gazing at the skies and you can see birds flyin' no matter where you are and no matter which way you're looking. Not real sure that the goose gods are on our side.  This is now the 3rd Chase and we have yet to scratch one.  May be a bit crazy talkin' about not getting any beings that today was our first hunt, but history is just not on our side.  There are no mistakes, just opportunities to learn!  Right? That's all for now, check back for the latest and greatest and thanks for all the hits.