CONTENTS OF WATERFOWLING DELMARVA 

Hi Guys,

When to check out my two spots for the first day of the local canada goose hunting. HardScrabble had seven on a sand bar in the pond, waters low, and Hurlock had about twenty in the late, after sweet corn, beans that are about four inches high right now. Sure looks good. Donald

From Delmarva 

Hi Folks,

First day of the Delaware local Canada goose season, found Eddie and I at HardScrabble about
0600AM.  Wind flat ass calm, clear and warm.  We were setup with about 35 mounts, to the North, about 100yds from the pond and could hear the geese as soon as we got out of the truck.  Still dark when we got to the mounts. About 15 minutes later we could hear the geese sounding as if they were about to start moving.  Then that all full sound of shots being fired at the geese on the pond.  All that trouble and all that time invested and some fool messed us up.  Eddie when to see if he could fine out who it was that had trespassed.  It was a man and a young boy, but they outran Eddie and made it to their truck.  A blue and white truck with tags 7604.  Of course that was it for the morning.  How can a man teach his son that can of sportsmanship!

We were back over for the evening, but only saw three geese move and they came nowhere close to us.

From Delmarva

Eddie had to sign up for a week of unemployment, so 0600 AM found me by myself at
HardScrabble. Wind flat ass calm, clear and warm.   I had decided to walk down to the southwest
side of the pond where I could see just in case the blue and white truck had guts enough to try it
again.  Could hear geese on the pond.  First flock came out at 0645 60 to 70 yds south of me, about 20 or so.  Five minutes and their were about 30 that burst over me head at 30 yds high.  First shot I picked and little young one and the second I got a big one.  Don't want to talk about the third shot.  When I shot, all the rest, got up and went out to south end.  Tinker, my golden, helped fine both, but couldn't pick up either one of them.  By the time I got back to the truck with the two greater canada geese I was glad I only had two.  They felt like they had to weigh at least 50 lbs apiece.  I was soaking wet from the due on the soybeans and sweat.

Evening found Eddie and I at Hurlock lagoon, where we watched a great sunset over looking about 40 mounts.  Just no geese.
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From Delmarva

Found Eddie and I at HardScrabble,  seems Eddie will have two weeks unemployment while they
get another job setup.  I put Eddie on the southwest corner of the pond and we could hear them
again when we got out of the truck.  Wind flat ass calm, clear and warm.  First flock went over
Eddie and I watched as he downed one.  I was just sure when he shot the rest would come out
where I could get a shot, but they went out the north end and just kept going.

Eddy's goose was a great big thing, had yellow feet, and a yellow bill.  Otherwise it looked like a
Canadian. His mommy was a tu-lose goose in more ways than one.   Told him we were supposed to be hunting local canada's not tame geese.  He just laughed and said it looked like a canada in the air and they would get the same testament again if they got close enough.  Tuffy, his dog, wanted to and was allowed to carry it back to the truck.
Sunset was a re-run of the night before.  Beautiful, but no geese.
--
From Delmarva

Found Eddie and I at HardScrabble.  We took positions on the southwest of the pond.  Not many
geese on the pond and they all went at one time out the north end.
Sunset was a re-run of the night before.  Beautiful, but no geese.
--
From Delmarva

Eddie and I at HardScrabble. I stayed up to the northwest end and Eddie want to go to the
southwest.  They all got up at once again and at first looked like they might do the same that they
had the morning before.  Then they swung and came by me at about 40 yds.  I was setting facing the pond and as they came, because of the short beans, I was unable to move and at the last moment I turned and fired.  Got the first one but just couldn't get on another.  At least that's my story and I am sticking to it.

I had not been able to watch where it fell, but could hear it when it hit the ground.  Tinker had gone down with Eddie and Tuffy, I think they are in love.  We sat still till we knew there were no more in the pond and then Eddie came up with the dogs.  I was out in the field looking for the goose and
asked Eddie if he had marked it when it fell, but he said he didn't, but he knew it had falling dead, so the dogs would fine it.  They couldn't and about an hour later after walking almost all the beans down we just couldn't believe it but we had lost him.  Tuffy did act like he was on him once and when to the pond, but we went over a saw nothing.  Man I hate to lost them!
Sunset was a re-run of the night before.  Beautiful, but no geese.
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From Delmarva

Daybreak found Eddie and I at HardScrabble.  I on the north Eddie to the south.  Wind about 10 out of the north, overcast.  Sunrise and they all came at once, but only about 15 and they were 85 yds to my northeast.  We waited for a while to make sure that there were no more in the pond. On the way out we noticed a cripple on the sand bar.  We both felt like we owed Tuffy an apology.  We decided not to hunt the evening.

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From Delmarva

Daybreak found Eddie and I at HardScrabble.  I on the north Eddie to the south.  Wind about 10 out of the north, overcast and the feel of rain.  Sunrise and they all came at once, but only about 15 and they were 65 yds to my northeast.  Straight out and over our truck.  Then to the refuge within the dump.  We waited for a while to make sure that there were no more in the pond.

Eddie has another week before his job starts back up for him, so we decided to go looking.  Figured, with the rain coming they might stay in the fields longer and the farmers could do no more than say no.  We followed a flock that we saw on the way home.  Asked and I still don't believe it, but I went to school with the man and he not only let us hunt his farm but took us over and set us up with two other farmers.  I am still having a hard time believing it.

We went immediately and moved some mounts from HardScrabble to a farm outside of Galestown.  However, as excited as we were, there just was no geese that flew that evening.  Beautiful sunset, into a cloud bank.

--
From Delmarva

Daybreak found Eddie and I at Galestown farm settle in by an irrigation pump in the middle of a field a half mile from anything.  Wind southeast at about 10 and overcast.  The field was in late soybeans, no-till over sweet corn.  Beans were about 5 or 6 inches high.  We had watched a flock of 15 or so go to the field the morning before, so we had high hopes.

First were a flock from a small pond across the road that came straight at us, but suddenly turned and landed about 200 yds away.  They never got 20 yds off the ground and just never saw the decoys, by the time we had calls ready they had landed.  Without having to think about it, Eddie got up and I held the dogs.  Of course you know what would happen if we left them there, plus being used to people around the small pond Eddie had a good chance of walking close enough to kill one.  They jumped at about 70 yds and when back to the pond.

The wind came around to the northeast and we talked about moving the decoys, but decided not to.  Half an hour later, we heard a honk behind us and when we could see them, it looked like about 15 or so.  We started calling and they homed right in on us.  They were flying about 10 yds high over the field straight in on Eddie's side and at about 40 yds they banked, then suddenly they were going away.  As they banked to leave Eddie and I had our guns to our shoulders and fired.  When it was over, I had fired three times, killing with the first and crippling with the second, which hit the ground and stood up.  My third shot made the bird fall, but then caught itself and although not with the flock flew out of site.  Eddie's gun hung and he got off just one shot.

We send the dogs out and Tuffy saw the one standing and when for it.  It jumped and Tuffy missed being about to get hold of it by just feet.  We just knew that it wouldn't make it out of the field, but it did and out at about 300 yds Tuffy came back.  We watched as the goose just made it over the branch that was about a half mile away.  Both of us had killed young geese, but being the greater they were huge.

We saw no more geese.  At about 9:30, we decided to move the decoys to the field next to Galestown pond.  Loaded everything up and set the mounts for the evening hunt.  Which turned out to be a beautiful evening, but no geese.
--
From Delmarva

Wednesday, Sept 10, 97

Wake up to heavy rain.  Called Eddie and we decided to go back to bed.  It stopped around noon and I tried to get hold of Eddie but couldn't for the evening hunt.  I went on over by myself. No wind and sun shining brightly.  At about 6:10 I hear some coming back to the pond. About 45 came across the field and just came right in.  With there feet out just outside the mounts at maybe 30 yds, it was easy to pick one out and down him.  I shot three times and killed three geese.  Standing there enjoying what I had just done, I was suddenly rushed to load my gun as six swung around and started back.  They came right in, with me standing there.  My first shot was with them over the decoys about 5 feet off the ground, but not landing.  I don't think they were over 25 yds.  I missed my first shot by shooting in front of the goose, but after waiting for a moment made two clean kills as they started away.

One of the geese that I had downed on the first shots had started walking across the field and as Tinker and I went out in the field she spotted him and caught him, but couldn't seem to bring him back and I had to walk over to get him.  Great big thing.  Tinker couldn't pick it up, but she was not about to let him get away.  Man was she excited.  Course after the fast walk across the field my heart is really hurting and the pain in my arm is intense.  Sat on the goose to kill it and took a nitro.  By the time the goose was dead I felt a little better and started gathering up geese.  Took me awhile and another nitro, but I had five beautiful greater canadians.
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From Delmarva

Thursday, Sept 11, 97

Eddie and I at Galestown pond field.  Geese seemed to be in just one big flock as they came out of the pond, but swung away from us and headed east.  Just about the time we through that we might as well leave, there were two that came out of the pond and headed straight at us.  They were higher than most everything that we had seen all year.  Maybe fifty yds high.  They flew straight over the decoys, but not lowering at all.  As they went over our heads we shot and they both fell, mine catching itself a little and going down in the middle of the field.  As Tuffy went to retrieve it, it jumped and just above the beans, made it to the pond.  Eddie's was a huge greater with a band on its foot.

That evening found Eddie, George his son, Paul and I all waiting for them to come off the pond.  Paul didn't even bring his gun he said he just wanted to call them in for us.  I carried my single, figured we had plenty of fire power and figured with that many people in the grass they would not get very close.  We were there at five and before the geese flew had killed one ground hog which Paul shot with my single 10 ga.  We all got a laugh when it knocked him off his bucket and he showed us his bruise on his shoulder.  I tried to tell him to make damn sure that it was good and tight to his shoulder when it went off.  The other end hurts worst cause the ground hog was dead.  We are set up next to a water melon batch, so we all ate our belly full of hearts.

The wind had picked up from the southwest at about 20 and when the geese came out of the pond they headed straight for us.  All the best calling wouldn't bring them in and as they passed outside the decoys at about forty yds out and forty yds high, we gave it to them.  I got one, Eddie got two, George shot three times as he always does.  As the dogs went out one of Eddies, first goose, after falling 40 yds like it was dead, jumped and flew away.  We stayed till sunset but no more geese.
--
From Delmarva

Eddie and I at Galestown field by the pond.  Geese went out in four flocks, but all avoided us.  Tried Hurlock in the evening, but no geese.
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From Delmarva

Eddie and I at Galestown field by the pond.  We had checked all the fields yesterday but nothing anywhere, so we are still here.  Geese all came out at once and swung out around us.  Just as we were about to leave two came from behind us and landed out in the middle of the field.  I held the dogs as Eddie tried to walk to them.  They let him get within 50 and as they jumped he shot at one all three times, it fell about 200yds away and was dead when he got to it.

In the evening when they came out of the pond they avoided us.  Just before sunset we heard some behind us and it turned out to be five that burst across our heads.  We had a quick shot and  downed one each.  Mine had a band on his foot.  Almost hit a deer with the truck on the way home.  Doe with three little ones and I wasn't expecting the third one.

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From Delmarva

Daybreak found me at Hurlock. Nothing.  Eddie came over for the evening hunt. Nothing.  We gathered the mounts at Galestown up, grabbed a couple water melons and call it a year.  We had killed 17 greater canadians, two with bands.  Will let you know where they were banded.  We still have mounts out at Hurlock and will get them up tomorrow.

Hope to get about 20 lbs of crab meat picked out in the next two weeks and maybe some dove hunting and rock fishing in, also.  Will write when I do something.  Donald

   Date:
        Sun, 28 Sep 1997 11:06:18 -0400
   Hi Folks,

Well, figured it was time to touch base with you again.  Been a couple
weeks.  Hope all is well with you'll.  Lets see,  the crabbing has been
great.  Last time the wife and I went, we caught two baskets off sooks
( female ) for picking out for crabcakes.  I got 12 lbs of meat after all
that I ate while picking them out.
Fishing is also great, but the rockfish (strippers) are just not in good
shape.  I really think their are just so many they can't fine enough to
eat.  As it cools off I think they will be OK, and if not mother nature
will take care of it by killing some off.  Anyway the last few I caught
where in bad enough shape that I just didn't bring them home.
Yesterday,  Eddie, Paul and I set duck decoys in the pond at Hard
Scrabble.  Delaware's season opens on the first which is Wednesday.  I
can't wait.  Don't know just what to expect at the pond, but will try to
go to the public marsh if there is nothing at the pond.  Wish I could
fine someone to go with me so I wouldn't be along, but if that the way
it is I will go alone.
Granny still seems to do whatever she can to get on my nerves, so the
hunting season helps a lot.  I have taken Tinker dove hunting a couple
of times and she retrieves the fist couple real good, but than seems to
lose interest.  However she's just a pup so I just quit when she done.
Yesterday, Eddie and I when for awhile and she retrieved the first five,
but that was it, she was done.  Eddie wanted to beat on her to see if he
could make her retrieve more, but I wouldn't let him.  We knocked down
three more in the soybeans, but just couldn't fine either one of them,
so we quit.  O, BTW, Tuffy was not with us because he had jumped out of
the truck  on the way to set decoys and had broke the skin in a couple
places.  We figure, Eddie had just let him out of his pen when I got to
his house and he got right in the back of the truck.  He then had to
take a shit and  Eddie has beat him for shitting in the truck so I
figure he guessed it was better too jump out then shit in the truck.
Anyway he jumping out while I was going 50 miles an hour and bruised
himself up a little, but did get to take a shit.  We took him back home
and checked him out, but thank goodness he seems fine.  Hate to think of
what kind of shape I would be in if I jumped out of a truck going 50
miles and hour, huh.
Well, I will let you know if I kill anything on the first morning.
Write if you can.   Donald
--
From Delmarva
 

Eddie and I went down fishing. We caught our four fish in about an hour and a half.  Eddie had one 32 inches.  Great trip.

Paul an I were on the CHESAPEAKE BAY at eight o'clock but it was fog and we decided we might as well go fishing.  Seaducks just don't fly in the fog or haze.  The rockfish did bite and we caught four about 20 inches and one bluefish about the same.  Should say I did.  Paul said he had a great time anyway and was ready to come in the morning.  Were home by eleven.

Fog so now seaducks and east wind so no fish.  The weather was great so we stayed and tried till about noon.

Fog and east wind!!!!  Paul and I decided to go scout the teal in the marsh.  We rode the same area that I had jumped more then a thousand the last week of September and may have seen 10.  It is hot ( in the 80's), but I guess they have gone on south.  We than scouted the Marshy Hope behind the house and there is plenty of wood ducks.  Guess that's what I hunt Saturday.  We stopped long enough to catch a mess of catfish to eat, six about two lbs each.  Sure hope it isn't foggy tomorrow, cause I have a special guy coming to hunt Thursday and Friday.  Will let you know what happens.  Tell me what you are doing, if you can.  Donald

I met "Mudhen" or "Bill" at Tommy's Sporting Goods in Cambridge at 0700 o'clock.  He had driven from Pa. for three hours and didn't look like a crazy man, (just a FI).  So we went about getting his Md, license and stamp.  Told him immediately that the wind was out of the East and it would just be one of those days. We headed for Taylors Island.  Spent all morning out on the boat.  Fishing for something I knew we wouldn't catch and seeing no seaducks,  I'm sure that Bill had to be thinking he had really wasted his time, but at least we were on the Chesapeake Bay.  Around noon we headed for my house.  With my truck, so the landowners would not call the law, I showed Bill, Hurlock and Cabin Creek.  Then with his truck we went down to Fishing Bay WMA and I tried to show him where I would go if I had the chance.  Afterwards a great meal, on Bill, who had not fired his gun or caught a fish.  Told him the wind was supposed to change in the morning.

Met Bill at Taylor's Island at seven and thank God the wind HAD changed so we headed out for seaducks.  The first one made it over the decoys and a couple hundred yds before falling, but I noticed that Bill had hit him each time he shot so I knew we would be OK.  The way the boat was laying I didn't even load my gun, cause the ducks would have to be shot over the bow,  and I KNOW what that 10 ga of mine sounds like when it goes off next to your head.  The first duck in the boat was a young male surf scoter, the next couple were black scoters.  Bill was now having a ball and could see that these seaducks would actually come to the decoys.  I will not tell you that it took about two boxes of shells to get six of them.

We went in too the oyster bar in hopes of catching rockfish 'stripper'.  They really didn't bite the way they ahd been, but I did get one 34 and 1/2 inches.  Biggest one this year for me, but I would have been happier if there had been several two foot, rather than the one three foot. Sure hope Bill enjoyed himself and comes back.

         I met Donald at Tommy's sporting Goods at 0700, Thursday AM. After
         purchasing licenses, etc., we headed out to the Marina on Taylor's Island. Got
         there and rather foggy, East wind, and the old ' no sense trying for sea ducks
         ' routine from Donald. We hunted around for bait, and finally had to settle for
         peeler crabs, rather than the female hardshells he normally uses. We went out
         for Rock. On the way out, he also told me he has not done well when the
         wind is from the East. Shit ! We fished for a few hours, and Donald
         commenced to educate me on the intricacies of catching trout and white
         perch. I caught one rock, undersize. He caught a nice mess of trout and
         perch.

         We went in and proceeded to carry out the second phase of the purpose of
         my trip. Scouting waterfowl areas out.

         We went to look at his leased areas in Maryland. The blind behind his house
         on the river has woodies. The blind over at his cousins is as pretty a spot as
         you would ever want to see and is about 50 yds from where you park. It
         overlooks a wide spot in the creek (tidal creek) that has a lot of current and
         apparently some springs underneath, because it is the last thing to freeze in
         the area. A real Black Duck and Mallard hole. The pit at Hurlock is
         unbelievable. It is about 15 feet from major reservoir ponds that are also
         refuges. Snow geese mass here by the 10's of thousands, and can't be more
         than about 15 yards in the air when they come over this spot. Donald says
         the noise is unbelievable when they pick up to come out. When I go back, I
         will bring the video and set it up behind the pit. Unbelievable spot.

         We didn't get over to look at his lease in Delaware, the one near
         Hardscrabble.

         Then we went down to Fishing Bay WMA. This place defies belief. It is up
         close to the Blackwater Refuge, and is 24,000 acres of marsh, inlets, creeks,
         and ponds. There are 4 launching areas (only 2 for larger boats) and it is
         totally open to the public ! Donald tells me it is crowded on Saturdays during
         the early season, but seldom more than a few folks during the week early
         season, and virtually none late season. It is a duck hunters heaven, but not the
         type of place you can figure out in one day. It will take a few seasons to get
         everything worked out there.

         Thursday night saw Donald, his wife Pat, and me at Jimmy's Seafood House.
         When they brought my plate I thought it was for everybody. More clams,
         crab, and fish than a sensible person should eat in a week. A nice evening
         that ended with an hour or so at the OTB Parlor next to Motel. Bet some
         TB's and Standardbreds, but unfortunately they blank out my horses, the
         Quarters there, so didn't stay too long.

         Met Donald at the Marina at 0700. Weather had changed. Donald said sea
         ducks would be there today ! Off we went. Damn if he wasn't right. What a
         blast ! Put out 4 strings of decoys, moved off to anchor, but found it was too
         rough for anchor to hold. Had to keep picking up anchor and resetting. But,
         folks, I'll tell you it was the damnedest thing I've ever seen. Here we sat in an
         open boat, no camo, no attempt to hide, about 30 to 40 yards from the
         decoys. When Donald spotted a flock of these critters off in the distance,
         flying about three feet above the water, he begins to wave a paddle in the air,
         and the damn things saw it, and next thing I know we have a flock of these
         crazy things sweeping over the decoys making like they are getting ready to
         set in. Now, if you want to try something that is truly challenging, try standing
         up in a 16' aluminum boat with two foot waves running in 5' of water. There
         are certainly plenty of excuses for missing these guys. On top of that, I was
         under the gun, so to speak. Donald had decided to leave his gun cased up
         early. I guess he wanted to see if I was for real. Anyway, after almost two
         boxes of shells and 6 ducks retrieved ( unfortunately there were 4 or 5 more
         that were crippled, but just refused being retrieved, to the point they dove
         and never surfaced again), we decided to call it a morning. It was
         unbelievable. As much fun as I have had in a long time, and truly humbling.
         Made a few decent shots, but missed a hell of a lot that should have been
         had. If you've ever tried shooting from a high speed teeter totter, you can
         imagine what this was like.

         The wind let up and decided to try for some Rock. Went to Donald's Rock
         spot. I got skunked, but Donald got a beauty. About 35' and around 15#,
         along with a very large trout.

         Headed for the Marina about 2:15 and ended a very wonderful two days
         with a very generous and friendly host. Folks, this guy is for real. I have seen
         FI's before, but this is the real McCoy. He lives (literally) for waterfowl and
         fishing. Get this, Donald has 50 goose stuffers stashed away, ready when the
         Canadas come back in on the Atlantic Flyway. He has decoys getting in the
         way of decoys ! And folks, Donald eats these ducks, and LIKES them. Of
         course, he does know how to prepare them, too.

         This won't be my last trip. I had a blast ! It reminded me so much of my
         growing up in the layouts on Lake Erie hunting for divers. This was certainly a
         lot of fun. I can't wait to go down and do three or four days down there next
         time. Who can ask for more ! Hunt sea ducks one morning, blacks and
         mallards the next, maybe a morning of cans, redheads and bluebills, then
         snows the next. Oh, I forgot, then catch some Rocks in the afternoon. It
         works for me !
 

First day of the Maryland duck season found me waiting for Eddie who didn't show. At six I couldn't wait any longer.  Ended up going up a little creek and setting some decoys in a wide spot.  Missed a lot of times, and finally let them land and shot my two woodys when they jumped.  Saw lots and lots of them and hope they stay around.  I was really tired from the two days with Bill and glad to have an easy one.  Paul is supposed to go with me Monday, lets see if he can hit these as well as he can doves.  Will let you know what happens.  Write if you can.  Donald

Daybreak found Paul and I behind the house on the Marshy Hope up a small creek called Eagles ditch.  Paul's idea, he wanted to try them in the woods.  Me, I like it where I can see them coming.  Anyhow, it wouldn't have made any difference, cause it was closed right in with fog.  As it began to lighten up, we could hear lots of wings, but just couldn't see anything.  Then one squirted up the creek about six feet off the water following around the creek and Paul tried him twice.  Scared him good.  The next one squirted from my side and had given a warning to us by called.  I got him with my second shot.  With the fog allowing us to see only 20 yds, we had several come up and down the creek and finally put the fourth one down.  Many to many shots for four ducks.

All had fallen just in the cripples " woods that the tidewater comes up into" .  The first three were not to hard, but while looking for the last one that I killed, Paul fell in the mud and twisted his knee.  I could see the pain on his face and we just took the decoys up and headed for the pier.  He had a lot of trouble getting out of the boat and to his truck, but he says its better now.  Says he can't go tomorrow cause his wife wants to go somewhere and spent the night in a motel.  I told him, he's worst them Tinker "she's in heat".  I think his knee still hurts also.  But I guess he's done for this season.

When George "Eddies son" got out of school, we when to Cabin Creek for the evening hunt.  I set out two dozen decoys and even through it was beautiful weather " sunny and high 70's F" I had hopes, cause it was the first time for hunting thier this year.  Just like last year, about an hour before sunset the ducks started coming out of the ponds that are above the head of the tidal creek.  Saw about fifty mallards, but they just do not stay up the creek at night and paid no attention to us.  About half hour before sunset the woodies started flying around.  A drake came over the decoys at 35 yds and I killed him clean.  Tuffy had him in moments.  A pair did the same for George and he cripple the drake with his second shot, but it was one of those that just wouldn't finish falling.  The next was five and he killed a hen.  While Tuffy was out retrieving it there was a pair that tried to land on his head and George killed the drake.  Tuffy brought both back at the same time.  Beautiful; evening.

Will have to go by myself in the morning, so I will just go over to Cabin Creek,  it's the easier hunt.  Looked like there would be plenty and the shooting is easier.  Will let you know what happens.  Donald
 

Daybreak found me at Cabin Creek blind.  I was a little early and man it was dark in the woods on the way back.  Walked into two or three trees.  Flashlight tomorrow.  When in the blind I got to watch Canadian geese swim around in the decoys for about 20 minutes before it started getting light.  I watched three or four flocks of mallards heading for the ponds above the head of the creek all giving the feeding call as they went by.  Then three woodies came down the creek and I could see them rise over trees on the point up the creek.  However as they went over the decoys they were impossible to see against the woods on the other side of the creek.  There were two other pairs of woodies that bussed the decoys before I could see clearly.  Just a few minutes and a flock of about eight came through.  These I could see and I downed a drake.  O, what a difference shooting with my feet on firm ground instead of sitting in a boat.

I know some of you will not believe this but I had several other woodies over the decoys, but I wanted to go for the evening hunt and just watched them fly.  Course, a mallard had better not try it!

It was Pat's birthday yesterday and I had a couple roses send to her at work for last night.  I avoided saying happy birthday and was sure she through I forgot all about it. hehehe.  Boy, woman are easy to please, just buy them some useless flowers and made a hit.  Who would figure.

This evening the mallards came out of the ponds when the geese started going to the fields.  Had two flocks of geese decoy to the duck decoys but no mallards.  Then the woodies began to fly and a single drake came over the decoys.  He seemed like an easy shot. Watched a few more woodies buss the decoys and then it was time to head home.  Feeling better about my shooting.  Two shots, two drake woodies. The one I shot this evening was full of the biggest acorns I ever saw.  Till now my shooting has been BAD.  Wish Tinker would hurry up an get over the cuss, she would be company in the morning.  Looks like I will be by myself again.  Write if you can.  donald

Well, I wore my bedroom slippers yesterday morning, but this morning it was raining, so boots.  Daybreak at Cabin Creek blind in the rain.  Not much for hunting in the rain, but at least at the blind at Cabin Creek you can stay dry.  Could hear the mallards katkatkating on there way to the ponds but couldn't see them.  Once it was good an light,  I had a woody blow by over the decoys, he was being helped by a 20 mile an hour wind and although I shot at him I don't think he even knew it.  The Cabin Creek blind is not much in the rain and I didn't stay long.  Returned home kind of wet and no duck.  Went right for the Jacuzzi.

George came after school and we tried again this afternoon, but still no duck.  Saw a few get within 75 yds but nothing would come to the decoys.  Hope to get back to seaduck hunting in the morning.  Will let you know what I do.  Write if you can.  donald

RAIN & WIND.

Found me on the Chesapeake Bay with two young fellows that come each year.  Would not have been out there if they hadn't drove so far to get a chance to go seaducking.  Wind NE 10 to 15, overcast and looked like rain.  Not at all comfortable on the bay.  I had meet them at Tommy's at seven o'clock and we were set up by eight.  Didn't see a duck for a half hour till it started to light up a little.  Then suddenly there was a single right on us coming straight in.  Went something like " Here he comes  -  let him comes, let him come -  get him, get him, GET HIM GET HIM "  I through they were going to let him sit down at about 20 yds, but they finally shot together and both hit him hard. Killed one decoy, also.  Said they were waiting for each other.

We were in the process of picking him up when another pair came to the decoys.  I was close enough so I just turned the boat so they could shoot.  Two shots, two more ducks.  The boys had been practicing.  Picked those up and had just got hold of the corks for the anchor line " I have put a couple cement blocks over with a couple big corks attached and then a line with some small corks to hook to the boat.  Works good "  went there was a flock of about 10 heading for the decoys.  They killed four as they put their feet out over the decoys.  Picked them up and actually had time to pore some coffee out of the thermos.

We were setting there talking about what great shooting they were doing when a single came, they both missed him twice.  He swung around and came back at about fifty yds and they missed him again.  That duck did nothing but come around again on the inside of the boat still way out there at fifty yds and they missed him the third time.  The duck was flying right on the water and they splashed water all over his ass but they just were not getting far enough ahead of him out that far.  Really pointed out how steel is so fast getting to the target at short ranges and slows right down once it gets out there.

We all laughed about the duck with armor plating.  Within ten minutes, a flock of about fifty headed for us and when the first 'about ten' had their feet out they killed three more with two cripples that we couldn't get.  All the ducks before were surf scoters, but these three were blacks, two of which were males with the bright yellow-orange bump on their bills.  Chis saved one to have it mounted.

Had time enough to eat a donut and have a cup of coffee.  Then about a dozen came up the bay inside of us and then cut across the stern of the boat heading for the decoys.  We had all talked about the fact that we only needed two more for our 12 limit, but these ducks were also the blacks scoters and when they struck their feet out they were tight and with two shots the boys put down five.  Only two were dead and on theirs backs with their feet kicking, so we picked them up and got the decoys in.  A little after ten o'clock we were back to the dock.  The boys surprised me by handing me fifty bucks and said they would be back.

Drizzling rain in the morning and I decided to just stay home, but Bobby  'one of my son-in-laws' came up from deer hunting and wanted to try the seaducks.  SO.  Anyway I wanted to get the water out of the boat as it had rained during the night.  It was drizzling and blowing about 15 out of the north northeast out on the bay.  Bobby and I sat there for an hour by the clock before we even saw the first duck, which were about nine coming down the bay and passed over our heads at warp ten.  I shot bertha and lucked one hehehe.  Bobby didn't even shoot.  Said he couldn't catch up[ with them.  Twenty minutes later a pair came up the bay and from inside us they cut across the stern with their feet out over the decoys Bobby got his, but I made the mistake of shooting bertha at about 25 yds and blow a hole in the water just above my duck.  We gave it another half hour with no ducks and quit.

Pat, Granny and I went to Dover to meet some friends from Maine for supper.  Was just sure I would see some snows on the way, but none.  Write if you can.  donald
From Delmarva

Best thing about Sunday was the three wood ducks that I baked.  I just put them in a baking bag and cut three oranges up to go on them.  Man you just can't beat a baked wild duck and a sweet potato.

First day of the Delaware snows, but couldn't talk anyone in to going with me so I just sat home a pouted.  Wind was blowing so I couldn't go out on the Chesapeake.  Had put some corn out for deer and squirrels and did kill four squirrels.  Had one Fox squirrel come up within six feet of me and check me out.  Deer haven't even touched theirs.  Venison roast for supper.  You were invited.

Found Herby, 'my son-in-law' and I on the Chesapeake Bay by eight o'clock.  Blowing about 15 from the northwest and not at all comfortable.  It was supposed to let up so we fought to get the decoys out and tied to the buoy.  The line broke immediately.  We had to make do with the little anchor and a lot of rope and the boat still pulled back for the first hour.  However the ducks flew good.  Herby shot a box an a half and I must have shot 8 or ten times.  By about ten o'clock the wind died off so the anchor was holding, but by then we had our ducks and Herby was out of shells.  They just kept coming.  Flocks of six to fifty.  All surf and black scoters.  Bill, you should have been there!  NEEDED PEOPLE WITH GUN SHELLS!  Supposed to blow again tomorrow and still can't talk anyone into going snow goose hunting so I guess my excitement will be getting my hair cut.  Fixed a wild canada goose for supper. Roasted with oranges cut up on it and sweet tatter.  Glad you weren't here cause we ate it all.  Write if you can.   donald

Blowing again.  No seaducking on the bay.  Did kill four squirrels that had found my corn piles.  Baked rockfish for supper.

Found Bobby and I down looking at the Chesapeake Bay cussing the wind. Weatherman not forecasting it.  Blowing again.  Forty-five mintues down and then back home.  Maybe tomorrow.  Hope so, got people coming. donald

Great day.  Long time friend 'Craig" and a friend of his showed up at seven to go seaducking.  They hooked to his boat, that was in my backyard. and headed for Taylor's Island.  Paul showed up a few minutes later and he and I were off also.  We had both boats out and set up on the bay by eight o'clock.  Rough as hell.  Wind about 15 from the southwest.  But it was supposed to get in the sixty's, so we just went anyway knowing that we would get wet from the spray.

Ducks were all over us immediately.  The first two, when we were ready, we let Bill the new man try. BOOM, BOOM, and BOOM.  He was in the bow of Craig's boat and on his last shot the bow most have been ten feet in the air and then nothing under it  AND.  We all laughed as they flew away.  Bill now new that this was not going to be easy.  The ducks just kept coming and coming.  I would hear Craig telling Bill that he usually shot better then this and he would shout back to me to confirm that he did.  Paul and I were tied to the stern of Craig's boat and we did the retrieving, course we shot also.  I shot Bertha about ten times and believe me that's all I wanted.   The most at one time dead on the water was three.  Their were cripples, but they were impossible with the rough water.  Waves running about 6 feet.  Have you ever tried to shoot a duck when it was below the wave half the time and you could only see it when it got on the top of a wave.  HA, try it.  The coons and foxes along the bay shore will get to eat tonight.

Anyway, everyone had a great time and when the 16th duck was in the boat we figured there had been about five or maybe six boxes of shells shot.  Now don't get me wrong, any of us could have just waited for that really good shot and would have done much better.  You know, kind of like letting them sit down and shot them when they jump, but we took all shots that they offered at forty yards and under without letting them set down.  I shoot before they do that, when they put their feet out.  We had all surf scoter, with one black.  Wind never did die off, but at lease it was not cold.  We then when to see if we could catch a rockfish, but did not even get a bite.

Craig and Bill spent the afternoon on the Marshyhope exploring the creeks and than going squirrel hunting.  Said their were a few woodies still here and that they jumped some blacks and mallards and a few teal.  They killed two squirrels.  They took a ride after dark to see deer in the fields and said they saw them everywhere.  Think they had a good time.

Supposed to be drizzling this morning and I stayed home.  The boys just called from Taylor's Island and said the bay looked good and it wasn't raining now that they were there, but I had quite a long day yesterday and with the chance of rain I told them I would just stay home.  Craig of course knows how to use my boat and all he needs to know about seaduck hunting and I am sure they will have a good time even if they do get wet.  Will let you know what they do.  donald

As I stated yesterday morning, Craig and Bill had called when they got
to Taylor's Island Campground and said the weather was good.  They went
out on the Bay and had no trouble killing their limits.  Bill says he
knows that he hit ONE.  Craig apparently back to his old self and killed
the eight ducks in short order.  One was a whitewing scoter drake, the
first of this year.  They had killed all three kinds of scoters.  The
only problem they had was the gulls started working fish just a little
north of them and they had forgotten their fishing poles and left them
here at my house.  O well, they had  the long drive back to Hershey, Pa.
anyway, so they were happy to get an early start back.

In the afternoon, at sunset, I went to see if any deer had found my corn
pile.  Could see tracks from the night before, so I sat downwind and
waited.  With my disability, I am able to use a crossbow an must say
that I am pretty good at hitting what I shot at up to about 60 yds.
Anyway a little buck came out of the path about 80 yds away and headed
for the corn.  He stopped at about 50 yds and seemed to stay there
forever.  Course as it is getting dark with the sky overcast it doesn't
take long for it to get darker and darker.  Anyway, he was giving me a
shot at about 50 yds and it was getting dark so I let one fly.  He
bolded and run to the woods, were he came out.  By the time I got to
were he was standing it was just to dark to see anything and although I
never forget my flashlight, guess what.  It was cold last night and I am
just getting ready to ride over and see if I hit him.  Will let you know
what I find.  Write if you can.  donald

Went to track down the deer I had shot the evening before.  Can't believe it, BUT I missed.  I could follow along for a good hundred yards and just no sign of him being hit.  I most have hit a sunflower  HUH.

Monday, Oct 27

Met Bart and his father at Tommy's Sporting Goods at seven. Bart is a young man that Magnum got to give me an email.  Hope Magnum lets a copy of this, as his mail keeps getting kicked back to me.  Anyway, Bart and his dad stated that they were based and the campground and ready to go.  I told them we could try, but it didn't look good for the bay.  Where they were already at the campground I told them I would meet them down there and headed for the boat.  The boat was half sunk and it took awhile to pump her out, but they still had not showed up.  After thinking about it.  It hit me that they might be at the little campground just as you come onto the island.  Sure enough, that's where they were.  Anyway, we finally got set out in the bay about ten o'clock.  Overcast and almost raining.  Wind blowing about 15 or BETTER out of the west.  Rough as hell.  Anchor wouldn't hold.  But the ducks were flying, and it wasn't cold,  so we stayed.  For awhile there were plenty of ducks but none falling.  Then it began to let up on the wind a little and they "Bart's dad" started to hitting ducks.  Most shot in the ass and with it being rough we just couldn't retrieve them.  As the wind died and the boat held and the ducks kept coming, they shot all the shells they had with them by.  Coon and fox will eat good tonight.  We had six ducks in the boat.  Surf and black scoter.  We were in and tied to the dock by noon.  They had left thier dog, "Shelly I think", in the truck and was she ever pissed when she smelled the ducks.  Think they had a ball.  Bart's dad says he will let Bart kill some tomorrow.  hehehe.  Sure hope we can get into the bay.  Will let you know.  Write if you can.  donald

Seven o'clock found me at Taylor's Island Campground with Bart and his dad looking at a white Chesapeake Bay.  Wind blowing from the northwest at 20 knots and gusting higher.  Needless to say, we didn't go seaducking.  I think maybe Bart and his brother may come back.  Hope so.  While I was getting the water out of the boat they wrote me a fifty dollar check and put it on the dash of my truck.  I had told them they didn't have to pay me anything, but hope they know I appreciated the money.
Fixed an oyster stew for supper.  Again you should have been here it was great.

Paul and I were supposed to try the seaducks, but he didn't show up.  By the time I finally got him up and he got here we decided we would go fishing.  I wanted to ride over to Cabin Creek on the way down and put out a little more corn.  As we passed the back side of the woods branch from where I at shot at the deer Saturday, guess what!!!.  There he laid in the field about ten yds out.  SHIT.  Well anyway, it had been cold, I have had them hang in a tree for a week, but not with the guts in them.  He didn't stink till I opened him and to make a long story short I saved the hind quarters and loin.  A fox or dog  had eaten most of one front shoulder.  The hole was into the lower shoulder and into the heart and then nicking the other shoulder.  He was two hundred fifty yds at least from were I shot him and I had been able to follow his tracks for at least a hundred without any sign of blood.  Nice five point.  About 160 lbs.  What a shame.  Makes you glad they make a 270 cal, huh.

By the time we were done fooling around with the deer we decided not to go fishing.  Paul says he will try to get up to go seaducking in the morning.  Weather is supposed to be beautiful. NO WIND.  Write if you can.  donald

Morning found me waiting on Paul, who again was no show.  NO WIND and the best time of the year to hunt seaducks, but I can't fine anyone that wants to go.  O Well.  Took a bucket of deer meat over to the butcher and told him to make it into hamburger.

About noon, Pat and I left for Hershey Pa. to attend a country music concert at Hershey Park.  Trace Akins and Tracy Lawrence.  Pat enjoyed herself and I enjoyed watching her have fun.  Just nice to be off with just her.

Left Hershey and was at home by noon.  Had talked to Craig and he was coming down and is to stay at the house tonight to go hunting tomorrow.  Headed for Hard Scale pond at about three to see if I might kill a duck this evening.  Its the first day of another season.  When I got there they were cutting the beans next to the pond so home I came.  Headed for Cabin Creek to see if a deer might move just before dark, as it is supposed to rain tonight.  Saw nothing.  Went by the butchers and picked up 30 lbs of hamburger.  Had hamburgers of supper and its great.

Well, it's nine o'clock and I still have not heard from Craig.  Sure getting tired of these, no shows.  Glad the regular duck season and the snow goose season is getting started.  At least I can go by myself!  When I went pass the field at Hurlock there were about 250 snows and 1000 Canadians in the field.  I will try to get help setting some tire decoys in the field this weekend.  Eddie still has not had his phone connected back up, but the last word I had from him was that he wanted to go in the morning, so I MAY have company.  Will let you know.  Write if you can.  donald

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