This Past Season

[SoftCall]

Now that the season has been over for almost a week, I have had time to reflect on the good times a great memories from 2002 – 2003. It almost seems like the season is in the distant past since time moves fast when you aren’t in a duck blind. That is the main reason to duck hunt in my opinion…to slow down and take time to absorb the serenity of the brake.

The older I get, the less I care about killing ducks and the more I care about others having a good time. I care more about getting my son started in this great life style. I care more about friendships being built. I care more about tucking wonderful memories away for retrieval in the off season.

My gut told me that this was going to be a good season, even if I didn’t have the chance to fill my strap on every hunt. We started the season off with two wonderful hunts - full limits of mallards one day for all six and limits of widgeon and Canadas the next. The next weekend was a bit slow, but productive. That weekend was special to me because I knew that I was watching my old golden, “Annie”, make her last retrieve. She just didn’t have the energy anymore although her heart will be in it until she is gone. That was her last hunt and she will be retired to the back yard and hearth to live out the rest of her days. Some of the best days in my life have been spent shooting ducks over that old, gray faced dog.

I focused on working my new pup and hanging out with my 5 year old son in the following weeks. She did extremely well in the fields and from the boat in shallow water. “Lula” ended up with 37 retrieves on the season – not bad for an 8 month old black lab. I am looking forward to working this dog in the off season. Also, my boy can flat smack a flambeau with that red rider now. I was getting him ready for a water smackin’ next year. He proved himself to be a great companion and I am lucky to have a son that enjoys getting out there with his dad. Those hunts made me realize even more that we all need to invest in the future of this sport by growing new hunters as well as the ducks.

The “am I going to get a band this year?” question hit me about 2/3’s of the way through the season. I picked one up shortly after that. That’s always a nice highlight for the season.

The last two weeks shaped up nicely with cooperative weather and a few more new ducks. We did everything at half speed and enjoyed stress free hunting because of it. The birds worked nicely and responded well to the call.

We capped the season off with an easy hunt right off of the main road on my lease. The lack of wind hurt us early on, but things changed for the better when it picked up later in the morning. One of the last ducks of the season was banded and went to my buddy Wildfowler. I couldn’t think of a better guy to get one that day.

I guess what I am saying is that it will always be a good season as long as I continue to learn something every year and end every season with more respect for the art of duck hunting. I just completed my 26th season. When the day comes that I no longer consider myself an apprentice of this great pastime – it will be time to hang it up.

I want to thank Micah and everyone who participates on this forum for a great year. This is the best damn DUCK CLUB that I have ever been involved in! I wish each of you the best of luck in the off season and may we all be so fortunate to exchange our thoughts on this site next year.

[MSDuckmen]

Well said Softcall.

[mossyisland]

great post!!!!!!!!!

[backwater]

Damn good post...you definitely speak from the heart. Thanks for sharing your insight. Hunting is not about killing....it's about taking time to enjoy the outdoors and spending time with friends and family. For me, it's about getting away from the crap of ordinary life. And yeah it was a slow year and we didn't kill many ducks but I did accomplish something. I got my father-in law into duck hunting and we've never been closer. We spent some good quality time together this year and now we understand each other a little better. Now he's as obsessed as I am. Now all I gotta do is talk him into chasing them turkeys with me. It's a great way to live!

[backwater]

Damn good post...you definitely speak from the heart. Thanks for sharing your insight. Hunting is not about killing....it's about taking time to enjoy the outdoors and spending time with friends and family. For me, it's about getting away from the crap of ordinary life. And yeah it was a slow year and we didn't kill many ducks but I did accomplish something. I got my father-in law into duck hunting and we've never been closer. We spent some good quality time together this year and now we understand each other a little better. Now he's as obsessed as I am. Now all I gotta do is talk him into chasing them turkeys with me. It's a great way to live!

[gadwall2]

Nice

[injun_23]

Nice post Softcall. By the way...thank you....I have enjoyed your comments, advice and input for many months. the INJUN

[Anatidae]

Nice post 'Softcall'.

[Wildfowler]

That pretty well sums it up. Doesn't it? Nice words Softcall.

[feedcall]

I enjoyed reading that. Thanks Softcall.

[Deadeye]

For a minute there I thought I was reading something from Flip Pallet (Walkers Cay Chronicles)... he has a way with words......

Good Post.

[MagDaddy]

Great Post..

This sport we all love is really about experiencing many different emotions and situations.. I'm with you, if I quit learning or enjoying it, I'll find something better to do.. I just can't see that happening though..

Thanks for the read..

[GulfCoast]

Nice post, I enjoyed reading it.