Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Duck Hunting Opener

 This past weekend the Minnesota duck hunting season opened up. It is a bit earlier than usual and I read in the summer a bunch of reasons why it opened up earlier but can't name them right now off the top of my head. Any reason why never seems to make sense anyways because there are always so many unpredictable variables. When I first read that the season would open early this year, I had my doubts as there usually isn't enough weather up in Canada to send birds south and the local birds still some how get spooked from the earlier Indian season anyways.  Despite a super busy weekend at the resort, I was able to sneak out both mornings for a hour each morning with the kids, nephew and kids friends. I told Jonell her dad would be happy to see the kids out so it was easier to get out!

 The weather was perfect on Saturday with the right wind, overcast and chilly temps. Sunday was dead calm as seen above with clear skies but colder temps in the lower 20's. Hunting when it is warm just doesn't feel right. Anyways, we had some great outings with lot of birds sighted and a bunch of new holes blasted in the sky. The kids had a good time which is what it is all about.
 Paddling out Sunday morning on the foggy waters.
 Pushing through the reeds.
 Sunday morning we had the bases covered from one side to the other and my dad in the middle doing more watching than shooting despite being most likely the better shot of us all.
 Blind action.
 Belly up.
 "Should of had more than four". Jake, Jon, friends Ethan and Cooper Sunday morning.
 Jens and nephew Ripley in the action opener Saturday morning.

The landing is always a place of reminisce, the ones that should of been shot and stories of the morning. We hunt just west of Maplelag on Island lake on the east side of the "island". I have been hunting since I was a kid and duck hunting is my favorite. There is nothing like it on a good day with birds zipping around all over the place. Good to see the kids getting excited about it and nice there are some birds around again. 

Cleaning. I've cleaned over a thousand birds in my lifetime and now time for the kids to take this task over. Cooked properly, duck is quite nice to eat.

3 comments:

Thomas Venney said...

Thanks

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