Today My 12 Y/O Cousin became a man! (Dec 1st Duck Hunt)

[bill c68]

With gusts up to 90km and 10 cm of snow, we sat in a tidal marsh from 6:30 am until 12:30 am. In this pcture is my 12 year old Cousin Evan, My buddy Chris our 2 labs Tikka and Leia (Sisters, age 1 and 2) 8 ducks total 5 black ducks and 3 mallards, could have been more but we can blame that on the shooters (well two of use anyway)

Poor fella almost froze his toes off a few times but we managed to warm him up and he finally got his duck. I think I might have to find a way to buy him some neoprene waders for next season, these vinyl ones are terrible in the cold.
The hunt involved a half K walk in the dark in the morning and then in a storm in the afternoon carrying 12 magnum decoys, 3 chairs, 3 guns and all of our assorted gear all the while avoiding tidal pools and creeks.

 

[Jay]

Now THAT'S a day that kid will remember!!!

Cheers
Jay
P.S. I only got out 1 day for ducks this year, it's nice to see the pics!!!

 

[bill c68]

Thanks Jay, hey when did you move to Ottawa?

 

[casterpollox]

Good job!
Thanks for bringing another person into this great way of life.

Keep the tradition alive.

 

[fogducker]

looking at his grin in that cold..looks like a keeper for a hunting partner for sure..
good on you to take him out

 

[bruteman]

Way to go.

 

[Fall Guy]

It is kind of funny but there is something about those 'worst days' that are seared in your memory like a nice day could never be.

Great photo.

 

[bill c68]

It is kind of funny but there is something about those 'worst days' that are seared in your memory like a nice day could never be.

Great photo.

It was a test indeed, it could have easily been the day he completely lost interest in hunting. But in the end he said it was the best day he had yet! He almost cried due to the cold in his feet but after a 1 minute walk he was just fine!

 

[fester]

thats a really cool picture

 

[Grouse Man]

The ducks NEVER stick around here long enough for there to be snow on the ground. That's pretty cool. Glad to hear you had a great time!

 

[Sheik]

6:30 am to 12:30 am ???? Thats an 18 hour day.

Good on him, 6 hours in the biting cold would be enough to turn most people off.

 

[pottsy]

Nice job there! You got him onto his first duck in weather I wouldn't even be out duck hunting in! hahaha

Your one pooch looks like she thinks you are all nuts for being out there.

 

[bill c68]

Your one pooch looks like she thinks you are all nuts for being out there.

She (mine is the black one) had more fun than the rest of us until the last hour or so, she just curled up in ball at the end.

 

[bill c68]

The ducks NEVER stick around here long enough for there to be snow on the ground. That's pretty cool. Glad to hear you had a great time!

Ah, but Manitoba has so many birds... they don't need to stick around. We have a few that stick around all year.

 

[bill c68]

We got back out today, huge storm the tide came right into the woods in one spot we hunted! Didn't have the 12 Y/O with us this time but we killed a few birds, including 2 banded birds in one flock.