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"NOTES FROM A RETIRED HUNTER"
2000-01 hunting season by Donald Hughes

Area hunted was from Chesapeake Bay to Ocean and Delaware Bay

Sunday, Nov 5, 2000

Well, here it is the 5th of Nov and I haven't written anything for Nov yet. Anyway, I hunted Hurlock Wednesday and Thursday. I got the first Greater Snow Thursday about 2 in the afternoon. There is only about 400 Snows that are staying there and they mill around the refuge during the day and I have a chance at one looking the mounts over. They are feeding with the Canadians in the morning and late evening, so that's the only chance I have. Glad the duck season is now open.

Friday I had a wonderful day with Bill. He bothers me with all he try's to do when he comes down. He thinks he is the energizer Bunny and just keeps going and going and going! I finally have a friend and he's going to kill himself having to much fun. Least I don't have to worry about him during what Wendell did to me. He has the new blind at Carter's Cove looking great. Now if the ducks will just come on down.

Friday night Pat and I went out to a Randy Lee concert for our 40 Years Anniversary. Bill and Jeff came for dinner and the first set of the music. Darn if Bill didn't pay for things, which I sure didn't mean him to do. Glad he knows that I appreciate it. Bill and Jeff left early to go get some sleep so they could hunt in the morning. Pat and I stayed. I even danced with her ONCE, other than that I boogie in my chair.

Saturday, I got up about 1000 after going out till 0200 in the morning. I had told Eddie I would see him at Cabin Creek before 1100 to pick him up. We cleaning the goose I had gotten and the seaducks from Friday and headed for Hurlock pit. The Canadians had already started into the field, but I figured they would come back, so we crawled into the pit. Within an hour they started back into the field, landing about 100 yds away from us. I told Eddie the Snows would follow and sure enough they did. The damn things went in flock after flock just about 75 to 100 yds from us. Not even one made a mistake! Finally at 0330 we decided to shoot into the air and scare them. They of course went back into the refuge without giving us a shot. We than headed for Cabin Creek, where Eddie had six shots in the morning. Said he just couldn't seem to kill one. We had one flock of Mallards come, about 9, and I got one with Bertha, but Eddie did what he did in the morning and got nothing.

I will head for Carter's Cove in the morning. Want to take some more silly's down. Hope I get a shot. donald

Nov 6 thru 10, 2000
    Well, It's been another week since I wrote and it just seems I am busy doing nothing. Have had fun hunting ducks and been killing enough to keep use in duck to eat. Went this evening and killed 2 Woodies and a Mallard drake. Cleaned them and have a bucket full with the other Woodies and Buffies and even a Wigeon from the week.
     Pat and I are going to see Randy Lee tomarow evening and I am looking forward to being with Pat and drinking some beer with the music.
     I will try to write about my hunts this week.    donald

Monday, Nov 14,2000
Met Jim at 0530 and we went on down to Cater's Cove. Sat in the rain till 1000. Jim shot at a Sawbill and we did see 4 flocks of Bluebills out at 300 yds, where the offshore blind is going. Jim had a shot at a pair of Ballplate, but didn't take it and they landed back in the cove.
It's still the only game in town, so I guess I will go back in the morning. Will see if Harold, from rt200, will go with me if you don't care. Think we might go to Bombay and get those tires after hunting awhile. Would be nice to have rt200 setup for the season opener on the 20th. Guess they never will cut Quinne Rd. donald

Nov 20, 21, 2000
    Monday, I met Jeff and Jim down to Cater's Cove, wind WestNorthWest, so. We went out into the Little Choptank River to see if we could kill an Old Squall. We killed 2, but messed up and could only fine 1 nice drake. Then Jeff and Jim headed for Hurlock and I headed for bed. This dumb old man LOSE Bertha somewhere, damn if I know where. Jeff and Jim had some shooting and killed 1 young Greater Snow.
     Tuesday, Jeff and I went to Cabin Creek, the wind still blowing out of the NorthWest. Killed our limit, but just couldn't fine one of them. 1 Black, 3 Mallard Hens, and 5 Mallard Drakes, came home with us. Best day this year! Jeff headed for Quinne Rd to set dekes and I headed for bed. Wind to blow NorthWest again in the morning, so I will head back to Cabin Creek. Wish I could figure out what happen to Bertha!
     Looks like if we work on the pit at Rt200 it will have to be on Saturday, lease we can hunt while we work. Have enough, 2 by 6 to finish with the braces, but still trying to get the plywood.     donald

Nov 24,25, 2000
     Yesterday we got the dekes at Cater's Cove up. Hunted Cabin Creek at daybreak and Cater's Cove till noon, but never fired my gun.
     This morning Eddie and I Went down to Cater's Cove to get the last load of dekes and stuff. Ran over 3 Mallards on the way back that I tried very hard not to hit. Damn tame Mallards. O Well, Eddie got 3 Mallards to pick and eat! Jeff, I kept the bands for you, They are from Porter Creek RSA. Then to Hurlock and got the Snow mounts and put them away. Then loaded the truck with the plywood and headed for Rt200 to start putting in a pit. Time we got there it was starting to rain so we had to put the digging on hold till it's over. Man, rain makes my bones hurt. Unloaded the plywood and came on home.
     Planning on working on the pit tomorrow afternoon. Think it will be Harold, Eddie and I and the weather is supposed to be OK! The big reason I would like to get the pit in the ground, is that it will be much harder to do once it's froze. Course we will all more than likely hunt ducks till the season is over. Then we have Jan, Feb and March when there is nothing but Snows open.

Sunday, Nov 26, 2000
Just got back from being with our company for dinner, course it's
3 o'clock. Came home to 2 deer! Course it's to hot to let them hang.
It's 65 here! So I am screwed so far as getting over to Rt200 and help
with the pit today. Sorry Harold! I will go over tomorrow and see what
I can do. Eddie and I got the dekes at Cabin Creek up early this
morning and also loaded my truck with the lumber needed for the braces
on the pit.
Course Eddie has 1 of the deer to work on tonight, but was coming
till they showed up with the deer. donald

Tuesday, Nov 28, 2000
     Well, I guess today is the day to get the pontoon boat at Va., up
and set for the winter, next to the camper. I was hoping to use it
hunting, but I just can't fine anyone that wants to go and I don't
think it's to good an idea to leave it over for nothing. I am sure I
would worry about it while I am in Mexico.
     Wanted to go over to Rt200 this morning, but need to get this
done. I did set the plywood in the hole yesterday and get the rest of
the lumber for the braces unloaded there.
     Hurlock, like usually is filling up with Snows. Damn deer
hunting. Course they do taste good.
     Hope the ducks are funnelling down that big creek called the
Susquehanna, cause I will be ready to go soon as I get back with that
sun tan. Anyone want me to pick anything up, down there for them.
Medicine is cheap. Pussy also, but I don't think Pat would let me
bring any home for you.    donald

Wednesday, Nov 29, 2000
     Just got back from Rt200. First time I have been there at sunrise. Was very happy with what I saw! Snows were flying over the pit from sunrise till 0900AM. A steady stream of them. Weather was sunny warm and calm, but they were surprisingly low for a good clear day. A shitload of them. Think I would have killed 1 or 2 if I had just had more white out there for them to see.
     Did all the things that I felt I could till about 0900AM and the geese seemed to be slowing down on there flying, so I came on home. Need to get ready to go to Va. in the morning. Also got a bunch of honeydo's that need to get done.
     Anyway, it looks good for later in the year at Rt200!    donald

Friday, Dec 1, 2000
     Well, I am just back from my first hunt in Va. I was set-up at the mouth of a Creek at shooting time. Weather FAC and clear as a bell. Had 2 pair of Blacks come right into the dekes, course the season is closed on them. Just at sunrise I had a Mallard hen circle and get overhead close enough to put down and Sunny somehow found her off at 100 yds.
     Had a single Buffie drake come over the dekes, but I missed him 2 times. Then a hen that I killed. Had a single Snow come by low at about 80yds off and think it would have come right into a few dekes. Lots of Snows flying high. About 0830 I had a pair of Buffies and shot at the drake and killed the hen behind him dead as a hammer.
     Not much flying, so I rode around. Seemed to be lots of puddle ducks in the fresh water ponds in the hard marsh and loads of Buffies, but that seemed to be it. Saw no Brant and no other divers. Will try again next week and maybe I will have some ducky weather to go with me.     donald

Sunday, Dec 3, 2000
Hi folks,
     Well, Next week this time I will be getting ready to go on my first, 'and last cruse', ever. Pat and I leave at 0700AM and will be gone for a week. Hope my health holds up for her. Hate to mess it up for her. She is beside herself about the trip.
     Finished the pit at Rt200 yesterday. Took Harold, Eddie and I all day but got it done. Came home with 3 Snows. We never fired a gun, but they shot into a mass of Snows across the road from where we were working and didn't even bother to pick up 3 of their birds. So we did!
     Eddie and I are going to ride up to Quinne Rd this morning and get the Sillies that are there, about 300, and take them to Rt200 and set them out. Then I have about 300 tires that are white in my yard that are going over also and we should have about 1,200 dekes out. Sure hope we kill some Snows there. If not, it's been a lot of work for nothing.
     Pat and I have a grandson that is messed up with 'coke'. Never through that I would see the day when it would affect us, but it has. What a hell of a time we have had to fine a place that would help dry him out! Course, his Mom was the one who had him piss in a cup and fine the cocaine and we all have had to fight to get him in somewhere for help. Believe me, the school system, he's 16, and the government 'SUCK' when it comes to getting any help! No wonder we have such a problem. He leaves on Dec 11 to go for rehabilitation. I think he's ready, but terrified. Pray for us.   donald

Monday, Dec 4, 2000
     Rt200 gave me 3 shoots this morning. First was a funnel that was getting started with more and more geese behind it, so I
shot at 2 grey birds that come over at 30 yds. Never touched one. Guess I was just too excited. Know my heart was hurting
with the excitement. Anyway, that's my excise for missing.
     Then a single broke off a flock of about 200 and came right in. Tried him. Got know excise. About 0810 I had another
single that came from a flock of about 30 and came right in. Victory! Came home with 1 grey Greater Snow.
     I have the truck loaded with white tires for in the morning and will take as many as my little truck will haul each day till they
are over there. Jeff is to come in the morning and he can help get them out. Will let you know what happens.    donald

Wednesday, Dec 6, 2000
     Was at Rt200 pit in time to unload another truckload of white tires before shooting time. Had seen those ducks yesterday and waited for them this morning, they didn't show. The Snows started at sunrise and I had once they started circling and 4 got within 45 or 50 yds on the 3rd circle. Figured I better try them and crippled one bird so that he flew off by himself, but just wouldn't fall. lots of geese, but that was the only shot. Two days in a row without killing a goose, so it's time to try something else.
     Stayed and was going to paint, but is was just to damn cold. Man, I think we gotto fine a better way to paint them things. Going to check around and see what we can rent a good sprayer for. Then if we can catch a day when it isn't so cold, we might be able to do all of them. Hope we can rent something that will do the job.
     Think Jeff has off in the morning and we can try someplace.    donald

Wednesday, Dec 20, 2000
     Well, wish you had been on the Cruise, and I had been duck hunting. Honestly. Not the thing for me. They lost our clothes on the way down and cancelled our flight on the way home. That gives you an idea of how the trip went.
      Monday, got home in late morning and went and got my new single. Stopped at Cabin Creek for an evening hunt and one lost Woody that came right down the middle of the creek. Killed one Drake Woody and got some blood on that new gun. Only shot I got.
      Tuesday, Jeff and I went to Cater's Cove and I killed a Mallard, but no divers came.
      Wednesday, wind was NorthWest at 20 to 30, so I just went over to Cabin Creek for daybreak. Had one flock of Mallards come and killed one. I have replaced Bertha and this new gun seems to do the trick. The barrel on this one is only 32 and it's mod choke. Much better pattern at 30 to 40 with small shot. The old barrel was 36 full and it just wouldn't open up till they were at least 40 yds and of course small shot petered out by the time it would open up. I think the bigger shot will be tight enough for pass shooting Snows, but I just haven't had a chance to shoot her at any. I have shot her 4 times and killed 3 ducks. The one shot that I didn't kill anything with was a long shot with small shot and I hit the duck, but didn't kill it. Eddie didn't work today and he hunted Cabin Creek from 9 till noon, but didn't see much and killed nothing. I had left at 8 o'clock. We sat out the dekes at Hurlock so he could hunt there in the afternoon and he stayed there till sunset. Said he saw a shitload , but didn't get a shot. It's not going to blow out of the Northwest in the morning and I plan on trying Cater's Cove.     donald

Dec 21, 2000
Nothing at Cater's Cove!

Dec 22, 2000
It was to blow Northwest today so I planned to pass shoot Snows, but the wind was FAC at daybreak and rather than scarce them off I went to Cabin Creek. I now know what the small ducks are that are flying with the Mallards early. Gadwall. Got one this morning. Nothing after the sun got up. Maybe it will be windy in the morning and the Snows will catch hell. donald

Saturday, Dec 23, 2000
     Eddie and I were at Hurlock at shooting time and the Snows were already milling around. First 10 thousand over our head I got 2, but Eddie lose it and got none. Next 10 thousand were a little higher and I had to shoot my bird 3 times, but it finally fell out into the field. Still none for Eddie.
      Our next shot was at a flock of 6 that were high. I hit one with my new Bertha, but it just wouldn't fall. Eddie got his first Snow of the year.
     We stayed till the last that were in the ponds started out and Eddie and I each shot once and nothing fell till a few seconds and then both fell out in the field. That was 6 and was more than enough to clean, so we came on home. Besides that it was cold as hell. We met a friend at Eddie's house that gave me 8 Mallard Drakes, so I got plenty of waterfowl to clean. Thinking Eddie and I will go back for Snows Christmas morning.
     Merry Christmas!

Monday, Dec 25, 2000
     Well, Eddie and his son George and I at Hurlock pit this morning.
Had 8 Greater Snows by 0730AM, that's more than I want to clean, and I
came on home and left them at the pit. Last one that we shot at was a
young grey bird that decoyed to the mounts and George shot at him 3
times over the mounts, but never touched him. Eddie got him as he went
overhead, on his side of the pit,   to get back into the refuge. Man,
it's a shitload of them there. Wind was NW at 25 and cold as a witch's
tit. Plus I have a frozen pipe in the bathroom that I need to fix. I
told them, if they kill a damn truckload they had to clean them, and I
know Eddie will not let them go to waste.
     I need company in the morning, so I guess I will call Dave
Sikorski and see if he wants to go.
     Hope everyone has a great Christmas! donald

Tuesday, Dec 26, 2000
     Well, killed 6 more at Hurlock this morning.
     Harold, I will see you at the house at 0600 o'clock, OK?
     Jeff, hope you can come!
     HAVE HEATER IN PIT! donald

Dec 27 thru Jan 3, 2001
      Hope everyone had great holidays. Man, it's cold here. Didn't kill a hold lot of game over the holidays, but had fun with good friends trying. Course I could maze shoot the Snows this morning at Harpers, but I already have plenty, so I will just pass on the opportunity. Iced up bad here so I am thinking about heading for the camper down at Va.
     Still having trouble with that grandson and guess there is just nothing to do but wait till he gets put in jail. Pray for us. Crack heads do weir things.
     Pat's working everyday and Granny is Granny. Have to laugh cause when she reads what her medicine is for and gets to the Alzheimer one she always ask why she is taking it! Getting worse all the time, but we will handle it, so far.
     Write if you know how.    donald

Jan 4, 2001
Just got back from the Sharptown ramp. There is Ice, but I think we can hunt with it.
Winds to be
SW, should keep the drifting ice off us, and it's not to be as cold. Ducks were sitting
there waiting
for us! About 50 sitting along the shoreline. Bill, I swear I could see your Pintail!
     Went to the pit at Hurlock this morning and it was FAC. Shot twice at them to high and
lucked one
out of the big flocks. Just before I was going to leave a flock of gimps came out over the
field and
headed for the dekes. There was a Blue in them and he was the one to die. So 2 birds, but
only 1 with
meat on it.
     Bill, the water is from 0 to 60 feet so whatever the length of the ropes will be were we
put them.
I think you got more then enough dekes, remember we got drifting ice. All the puddlers will
be along the
shoreline and the divers just a little farther out. Then we will let MoJo do his thing.
     See you at the ramp at 0600AM.    donald

Jan 5&6, 2001
Met Bill and Jeff at the Sharptown ramp and we fought the ice to get down River. Setup and settled in for a great day the flew by with friends and a few ducks flying. Ended up with 8 of them tame Mallards, but with the winter time conditions it seemed like wild duck hunting. We killed two that were crossed with New York Pecan that were beautiful. Hope we can have more days together.
Went to Hurlock this morning, but the Snows are now going out to the NE and didn't even give me a chance. Spent the day mounting that Greater Blue and the Mallard-Pecan mix. Going Hony-tonking tonight with Pat over to the Ramps Head in Annapolis. I'll drink a beer for you. donald

Jan 8, 2001
     Did I do something to piss everyone off? No one is talking to me!
     Just got back from Cabin Creek with my limit. Bill, I got your Pintail drake. Came up the creek by itself and died over the dekes. The others were Mallards, 2 drakes and 2 hens. Was planning on going to Va this afternoon, but it will have to wait till I try them again on the creek in the morning, then I think I will head for Va.
     Jeff, I guess you went to Taylor's Island?
     Bill, what did you kill Saturday?
     Harold what did you kill Saturday and did you check Rt200?

Tuesday, Jan 9, 2001
      Well, damn a Mallard. I just can't figure them out. Course yesterday was all singles that came to the dekes, in the rain, but I sure through that it would be some this morning with the wind. Never saw a Mallard. First 5 in, before I could see good, may have had a Mallard in it, but I shot the biggest one and Sunny brought back a Black duck drake. Only other ducks I saw was a pair that came right into the dekes, Blacks of course. Then at about 9 as I was getting ready to leave a single came to the dekes, a Black of course. Did kill a grey Snow that was mixed in with the Canadians as they flew by, by the thousands.
     Will go to Bridge Creek, if Bill comes down in the morning. If not, I will go to Va.
     Wonder what Jeff did with his party of 4 this morning! The wind was out of the NW at 20kts, so I don't think it was comfortable at Cater's Cove point. Hope he made out OK.

Wednesday, Jan 10, 2001
     Cater's Cove at first light. Cove froze over and cruse ice to 20 yds outside the dekes. Stayed till 0800 but the ice did also and with the winds blowing NW at 20kts and colder than a witch's tit, I gave it up without even seeing a duck. Think I will head down for this afternoon hunt if it warms up like they say it will.
     Bill, I was wrong! You have found a way to leave dekes out there. Sure looks like they are all there and noticed that today when the ice started to move the dekes just went under the ice. I don't think you will have a worse season then this. I didn't think you could do it! I was wrong one other time in my life. hehehe donald
     Afternoon, I still found ice!

Thursday, Jan 11, 2001
     Met Jeff, at the Chincoteague campground down to Va. at 0600. We couldn't get out of the ramp at the campground because of ice, but found the ramp on the causeway open and headed out to kill a Brant.
     First one in was a big boy and Jeff put him down just outside the dekes. Beautiful bird and will cost Jeff lots of money to have mounted.
     My shot was at a flock and I picked a big bird and 2 fell out, so again my Brant hunting was a one shot deal. I did get to kill a drake Buffie that flew to close to the boat. It was a wonderful warm,   '60's', FAC day out on the bay. Jeff and I both said that it was the first warm day we had hunted for a long time.

Friday, Jan 12, 2001
     Met Bill and Jeff at the Sharptown ramp. We lanched and headed down the Nanticoke River. We were setup before shooting time and saw a few ducks before we could shoot. Weather was FAC and warming up into the 50's, but we still had fun and killed 3 Mallards, 1 girl and 2 boys. Sorry Bill but when I cleaned them the shot, that was in all 3 ducks, was my #4's. I will not tell anyone about that Big Black Duck you missed!
      Great day with friends! Bill, thanks for all the good snacks, and the right kind of crackers.
      They went on down the Nanitcoke River and setop for the afternoon, but I, I guess the old man, came home crarled into the Juisse and than took a nap. They killed a Can, a Blackhead, and another Mallard.

Saturday, Jan 12, 2001
     By myself at Cabin Creek at first light. Man, what a shitload of Canadians. Only had one girl Mallard come close enough to shoot at and she died and broke the ice that was covering the creek. The ice was thin and before I left at 1000 it was breaking up so Sunny could go after the duck.
     Stopped at Hurlock and there was a cripple Snow in the dekes that sunny was able to run down. Not any good for eating, but good for mounting. Looking forward to going to Sharptown with Harold, Monday morning.
     Going to Chincoteague with Pat tonight to go honky-tonking. Randy Lee is playing at Capt Fish. Might be able to bring my boat home, cause I think I will close the season out trying to get some more Mallards for eating. They are in real good shape right now. Even seems a little like shooting wild ducks.
     Bill, you still coming the middle of the week?
     Harold, you ready for Monday?

Tuesday, Jan 16, 2001
     I had one of those days when I couldn't hit my ass with both hands. Flocks today.    Had a pair of Blackheads swimming in the dekes before shooting time that swam out to far be time. First in was a flock of Ruddys, about 15 or so. Landed all in the dekes before I could shoot. Picked out a white faced big male and when Sunny swam to them and jumped them I put him down without any trouble. Next was 9 Cans, missed a big boy right in my face! Then about 20 more Ruddys, course I got 1 of them. Then 4 Cans right over the dekes and I hit him hard, but he went out with his leg hanging and wobbling, but made it out into the river.
     So goes my day, cause next was about 10 Blackheads and again I missed, just crippling. Then a single Can, I let it sit down and killed the damn thing. A single Blackhead that I shot just as his feet were about to hit the water and at 1000 I got another when a pair of Blackheads came right in, filled my limit and I came home.
     Didn't have any trouble hitting them yesterday!

Wednesday, Jan 17, 2001
Man, what a difference! The ducks most have through you were
coming today, cause I was there before time, till 0900, and it was as if
there was not such thing as a duck. I didn't even see any!

Thursday, Jan 18, 2001
Got up feeling rough, so I decided to try Cabin Creek. Remembering that I hadn't even seen a duck at Cater's Cove yesterday. Wind FAC and cloudy, and no ducks. Tons of Canadian geese.
Maybe in the morning as it's supposed to get overcast and rain tonight and tomorrow.

Friday, Jan 19, 2001
Met Bill at Carter's Cove. Heavy fog! Lots of 'there he goes'. Killed one Mallard. Went to the truck at 1000Am and got out of the field at 0100PM. Got stuck, good and stuck. Thank God for 2 young men with a 4 wheel drive and a good heart!

Saturday, Jan 20, 2001
Met Bill, Doty, and Eddie at Cater's Cove. Hard rain and wind at 20 in our face at the blind, so we headed for Cabin Creek. No ducks, so we went to breakfast. Thanks Bill! Eddie and I rode to Hurlock to fine 10 or 12 in the dekes. Eddie shoot at them and we decided to stay for a while. Stayed till 0100PM and called it a day. Did get to shoot at ducks 2 times that were just a little out of range. So ends the duck season for me. No ducks, but good friends!
Course now the Snows will get my attention!

Monday, Jan 22, 2001
     Met Doty at Hurlock at daybreak. Snows went to the North. Quit by 0730AM. Just got back from a ride up there and there were both Snows and Canadians in the field, but only about 50 Snows. Weather is so pretty that I figure if I could kill one if I had stayed out in the field.
     Were Md season stays open every day till the first of the month, I guess I will try them there in the morning.
     I have made to much venison stew for supper if anyone is interested in coming.   donald

Tuesday, Jan 22, 2001
     Well, with this kind of weather, sunny, calm and in the 40's, it's hard to kill any Snows. I just went back to bed this morning rather than scarce the hold flock with a maybe shot. Just got back from riding up there and the field has 1,000 Canadians in it and the gimps, about 20, are standing behind the pit. If I was interested in killing them I could more than likely get a couple shots at them. Loads of Swans showing back up, so I guess the northern trip is underway.
     This weather is supposed to stay with us, so Pat and I are going to head for Atlantic City for a couple days. We'll catch the shows and I will try to keep her out of the machine rooms. Anyone want to baby-sit Granny for us? Guess Dawn will.
     Talk to you when we get back.   donald

Wednesday, Jan 24,2001
    Well, you didn't volunteer to baby-sit with Granny, so we are
home. Looks like the wind will blow in the morning so I will try the
Snows. Glad Md doesn't start that M_W_F&S till the first of the month!
     Temp's were in the 50's here today and it's supposed to only get in
the 30's tomorrow.
     Bill, we have had some good drying days, so if we don't get any
rain before this weekend we can get to them dekes. Maybe hunt saturday
morning and than gettem. Eddie would be able to help. Course I can
help any day.
     Jeff, my boat is still down to Va., but I will go down next week
and get it.
     Harold, you hunting Saturday?
Thursday, Jan 25, 2001
     Well the cocaine kid strikes again. Was up and headed for sunrise
at Hurlock when I noticed that my guns were not in the truck. Upon
getting home I checked my other guns at the gun rack. They were gone
also. Both 10ga's and my target rifle and a 20ga pump gun GONE!
     I called the law! Spent most of the day dealing with them. Don't
think there is anything that can be done, but they are trying. Guess
my homeowners police will pay after a $250.00 deducible. Course it
can't replace that old 10ga auto I had for all those years. Damn kids!
It just doesn't not seem to be anything that can be done about him.
Course he's not the only problem in town, but I am going to keep trying
to stop what I can, by calling the law and worrying them each time
something is missing. Trooper said today that he could sweep it under
the rug, but I told him not to. He is the first one that seems to be
putting an effort into doing something about the problems we have here
in town.
     Guess if I buy another shotgun I will have to sleep with it!

Friday, Jan 26, 2001
     Well, after looking most everywhere, I just got home with my new shotgun. The best I could do was the Browning 'BPS'. I got it with a 26 inch barrel, with the cokes, black. Paid $530.00. New of course. They will shorten the stock for $35.00 and I will have it done this summer. Will sleep with it!
     Thanks for your prayers! I think that's the only thing that will help. I intend to push as hard as I can to get him put away somewhere.
     Pat wants to go Honky Tonkin tonight, so I will more than likely be up in time to go with Eddie to Rt200 in the morning. Getting ready to go and sit at hurlock till sunset, just because I haven't been in a couple days Sunny needs to get out of this house!

Saturday, Jan 27, 2001
     Well Eddie was a no show, so I went back to bed. Seems he had a
hospital appointment to get some blood work done. He called after he
got home and we rode on over to Rt200, getting there at about 0200PM.
Geese flew good but we only had one long shot and just didn't even hit
any. Is a shitload of Snows over there. Seemed like a long ride after
not being there for 6 weeks. Everything looks just like it did when I
was last there, except that all the corn in the field is gone. Looks
like a bunch of hogs have been out there rooting.
     If we can Eddie and I will try to get across the field down at
Cater's Cove in the morning, cause I am concerned about my boat. Will
bring it home if I can. Bill, if the tide is low we will try to get
the dekes up.
     I plan on trying the Snows at Rt200 on Monday morning and will tell
you what I see. Could be we can still get in a good Snow hunt! Jeff,
the beach is out for now, cause of everything being froze. Remember
those are ponds of still water.

Sunday, Jan 28, 2001
Eddie and I went to Cater's Cove this morning. Field still froze when we got there, but by the time we got the boat on the trailer and the back of the truck loaded with dekes it was getting wet. Eddie tried to go out and get the dekes in the water, but the tide was just high enough so that with the wind blowing from the NW it would splash over his boots so we had to leave them out. I had the truck loaded anyway and they will be fine till I get another chance when the field is froze.
Wishing the wind would blow in the morning, but it doesn't look like it will. Going to Rt200 anyway. donald

Monday, Jan 29, 2001
     Sunrise found me at Rt200. Man, it's a shitload of Snows there. They stayed close to the refuge this morning and the only thing that looked at me came from BomBay Hook way. Had once when there were about 200 looking me over and 7 got from the 200 yds that they were flying to about 65 yds over my head and started out. I shot and tore one up, but he just kept going till he was about 100 yds over the woods and then fell.
     Weather was sunny and calm. Maybe Wednesday it will blow a little. I will try to get up and try Hurlock in the morning.
     Patterned my new gun this morning and it looks good to about 50 yds. May buy the 30 inch barrel to go with this 26 and that should cover most everything. This BPS will handle my reloads and even if they did hang I would still have a single shot. So it will be one shotgun for me from now on.
     I think you guys should come down and hunt them with me Friday and Saturday! donald

Tuesday, Jan 30, 2001
Standing in the rain at sunrise at Hurlock. I decided to stand down by the refuge sign this morning in hopes that when the Snows jumped I might get a shot. Wrong! They when out the NorthEast end. Course while I was standing there waiting for the bunch to jump, there was a flock of about 20 go right into the dekes at the pit! Damn!
Came home as soon as the big bunch of Snows jumped. I may try this afternoon if the rain stops.

Wednesday, Jan 31, 2001
I shot 5 times at them to far away this morning and lucked 1 young grey bird and than at about 1000AM I heard one and it turned into a single that was going overhead at about 200 yds and it suddenly setup and come down fast. I, of course let them get close as they will and the damn thing landed about 10 from the pit. Never circled just kept coming till it was on the ground. When I pointed my gun at him jumped and I let him get out to about 30 yds and downed him. It also was a young grey bird.
If we have any wind at all Saturday, I think we will get some shooting even if it's long shots. donald

Thursday, Feb 1, 2001
This sucks! No waterfowling open this morning! Guess it's time to clean up my yard. It's in the 50's today.

Friday, Feb 2, 2001
Met Jeff at Rt200 at sunrise. Weather didn't do it for us. It was FAC with a few clouds. Did get one single to come but missed him. One other almost made it in, but just wouldn't commit. Maybe in the morning. donald

Saturday, Feb 3, 2001
Met Harold with Eddie at Rt200 this morning. We had 1 single come that we all shoot at and it fell way out in the field. Several others that would setup and start, but just would not finish. Harold had gone over to Prime Hook and had found nothing there anywhere. All the geese we saw came from the bay!

Sunday, Feb 4, 2001
Just got back from Cater's Cove with the rest of the dekes. Only
thing left is your little boat and it's hid good. Tide was right to
the top of Eddie's boots, but he got to all of them. Wind SouthWest,
so no problem. Your dekes are in my back yard, so now we don't have to
worry about them. donald

Monday Feb 5, 2001
      Hard rain when I got up at 0530AM and Pat was sooo warm and soft! I went back to bed. Misery loves company and if I had anyone going with me I would have gone. It was still raining at noon.
      About 0100PM it looked like it would finely stop raining   Called Eddie, cause I figured he had not been able to work, and had to talk him into going to Hurlock pit. We got here at about 0300PM and while Eddie was walking back from the truck there was 3 Snows that came out of the refuge and over me. There were 2 white and 1 grey. I picked the first white one and downed it, pumped and put it on the young one, but my BPS wouldn't go off. Seems I had not pushed far enough ahead for the next shell to go off. Know I will cut 2 inches off that now.
      Course we saw some geese that landed out in the field from us and the gimps, about 20 of them, walked down over the hill and went into the field. They seem to know better than to come around the pit. As the sun was setting Eddie handed me his gun and said kill one while I go get the truck. Yea, after sitting there 2 hours and killing nothing, just as Eddie got to the truck one came from the creek and from about 100 yds high just kept falling till he was out over the tires about 10 yds high. Eddie's gun killed it dead. It also was a white bird, so I have 2 to skin in the morning.   donald

Wednesday, Feb 7, 2001
Never fired my gun. Weather in the 60's and FAC. Saw a shitload
of Snows but all seemed to be headed North.

Friday, Feb 9, 2001
Met Jeff and Bill at Little Creek at 0530AM and we were off to set dekes. Set 50 floaters and were setup by shooting time. Spent the day and never fired our guns. Beautiful day in the marsh! donald

Saturday, Feb 10, 2001
     Randy Lee was great. Had just enough beer. hehehe
     Home by noon and thinking that I would try Hurlock pit this afternoon, but found Eddie there with four others. Asked him how his son turned into a crowd, but didn't get much of an answer. It's a good thing that he helps me with all the work that is needed! Anyway, They got good shooting this morning, but only killed one. I have no idea what they did this afternoon.
     Eddie and I will get the dekes from Cabin Creek and put them into the shed in the morning.
     Weather looks gosseeeee for Monday morning!    donald

Sunday, Feb 11, 2001
     Eddie and I got the dekes from Cabin Creek up from the boat and
into the shed. Sure lose a lot of those Mallard Drakes that I had
painted so pretty! Bill I think we got most of yours back.
      Wanted to move the mounts that were at the hay blind back up to the pit at
Hurlock pit. The field was white, a shitload, from the tires to the
middle of the field when we went to Cabin Creek , but they were in the
tank again when we came back, so we moved the mounts for in the
morning. We had put about half out when a big white goose that was
sitting in the dekes stood up and honked at us from about 20 yds away.
Don't know how we missed seeing him before he stood up. Maybe he will
fly back in in the morning.
     I will be by myself, so if anyone wants to go tell me.   Weather
still looks gooseee!    donald

Monday, Feb 12, 2001
     Well the first time they came I got greedy and let them land. Course they landed outside the dekes and were all at least 80 yds away. About a thousand of them, that had came right over my head at 40 yds high. Set there for awhile to see if they would come any closer, but the only thing that was happening was a few more flocks going in all the time. Sooo, I decided to shoot at them and see if I could kill any. NO! Did make one sick enough to go back into the tank.
     Next flock was about a 100 or so and this time I shot as they went overhead. First shot I picked a young bird and it rolled, nest shot was on another young bird and it rolled. Last shot was at a white one which wobbled but kept on going. Was shooting Eddie's auto with that 32 full barrel.
     Gimps walked and some flew out into the field, but would not come to the dekes. They know my truck!
     About 9 o'clock there was a flock that came at about 55 or 60 yds and I wanted to see if there was a big difference in shooting Eddie's 32 full, over my 26 full. I shot one bird 2 times and could hear the shot hitting it both times, but he did not fall. It did leave the flock and go back into the tank.
      May try this evening if the weather they promised for this morning ever shows up.     donald

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2001
     Well it must be spring! Dawn couldn't stand it any longer and went down on the pier and caught a nice mess of White Perch. One about a 11 and 1/2 niches. I told her she could take it into the local sports shop and get a Md citation, but she say she would just eat it. Sounds like my kid.
     Been doing a lot of Snow Goose hunting and Hurlock has been producing a couple each time I go there. Skinned 2 today and picked one. I will mount the 2 this evening.
     Pat and I have been enjoying Randy Lee Ashcraft whenever we can and are going down to Va and the camper for a Valentines party tomorrow night. I like going with her and Randy Lee is a party waiting to happen. Course the few beers I will drink is nice to. hehehe I will be taken the 14 foot boat down and bringing the 16 foot boat home for the summer. Six weeks till I get to catch and eat Hard Crabs! Can't wait!
      Write if you know how,    donald

Friday, Feb 16, 2001
Met Harold at Hurlock pot this morning. Geese went out to the
south over the silo. Never had even one come our way. Guessing we will
try rt200 in the morning.

Saturday, Feb 19, 2001
Well, Eddie's crowd went to Rt200 and I went to Hurlock. Geese at Hurlock went out over the silo to the South. Gimps know my truck. A million Swans there. Will try Monday. Till then maybe I can enjoy the White Perch.

Monday, Feb 19, 2001
     Well, by myself this morning. Got to the pit early cause the temp was in the teens and sometimes they fly early on those cold mornings. However, this morning they flew because someone on the other side of the refuge shot and, up they went. All heading over the south end of my field. One swung back over the chicken house and across the field towards me. It set up out over the field and just kept coming. At about 50 yds I stood and watched it come till it landed about 30 feet in front of me in the mounts. I yelled at it and let it get about 30 yds before I tried to shot. My damn BPS wouldn't shoot. Pumped her and pulled the trigger again, but nothing happened. Shit, what a way to start. I unloaded the BPS and tried several times before the trigger would move and then kept pulling it till it did each time. Just frozen, I guess.
     Anyway, I had just reloaded when a small flock came out overhead about 35 yds up. I shot 3 times and put 2 in the field. First time I have killed 2 at once with my BPS. Sunny had just brought one back when another flock of about 50 came at about 40yds and I again got 2, both fell way out in the field. Sunny was still way out in the field when 3 came from no-where and were over the dekes. They broke back over my head and I got another one. The goose Gods were not on their side, but mine, this morning.
     Stayed for a while and everything seemed to be done flying, but just as I was getting ready to leave there were 2 that setup out in the field over some Canadians that had landed and came towards me. They were going to land on the outside edge of the dekes out in front of me and I shot into the air. They did as almost 90 % of them do and came at the refuge overhead. Damned if I didn't get both of them.
     Ended up with 7 gray birds. The first bird that landed and flew away was white. All 7 fat as butter. Wish you had been there. I am going back this afternoon!    donald

Well, after the field having Snow geese in it for 2 afternoons in a row, I only saw 6 geese. I was there by 0300PM and at 0430 I had four come and circle some Canadians that were in the field. At 30yds high they headed for me. Feet out over the mounts I killed the 2 gray birds and downed one of the white ones with a tipped wing and it fell on the bank, about 75yds down. First time for 3 birds! However, while Sunny was getting the 2 out front, it got right up and walked over the bank into the refuge. By the time she had the other birds in and I walked up on the bank with her the goose was at least 200yds out, so I lose it. Still counting it as my first triple!
Had 2 more singles, both came right in. One was just bones and feathers. That made 11 for the day. I have seen lots better shooting on days with my single barrel in my hands, but no better shooting! Took 6 to Eddie.

Wednesday, Feb 21, 2001
Well, I was not as lucky today. They all went up at the same time and spread over from the pit to the South. Some overhead at 40yds and my first shot was not enough lead and I hit it in the ass. Wobbled, but didn't fall. Shot again and was still not far enough ahead of him and again wobbled but didn't fall. By the time I got the third shot off, I was shooting at one that was at least 50yds and climbing. Got in front of this one, and with his flaring up I hit him with 2 BB's, one that broke the tip of his wing and one in the breast. He still made it 300yds out into the field. Sunny had seen it falling and came back with him.
Figured that the one pass shot was it, so I came on home. Hope they keep coming out my side. donald

Thursday, Feb 22, 2001
     Well, I am sitting here waiting for 6 inches of snow that they say we will get. I don't think it will happen. Course the geese are flying all over the place, so it might. Just tried to get the police again about the stolen cell phones that happen back in Dec of last year. They just do not seem to be doing anything about it. I can't even get a case number for the phone company.
     Also called about the stolen bank card that had the $300.00 taken out. Can't get anywhere with that case number neither. Than I called the State Police about the stolen guns, 4 of them, worth better then a thousand. Guns that can't be replaced. Damn trooper will not even call me back.
     One thing that does piss me off is that if I went out today a shot a Snow goose these damn people would be on me like ugly on an ape. I would be in jail immediately.
     That's enough whining.
     Pat's over taking a course that she needs for ped's. Hope she gets home before the snow starts.
     Caught my first mess of White Perch off my pier this week and goose hunting is just about over. Looks like Pat and I will got to Nashville maybe the middle of March. I don't think that's going far enough South, but she can't get pass that damn place. Hope I can get to see my cousin anyway. Granny is yelling about on bread, so I guess I better get on the road and get her some. Course old folks think they will starve if it snows. donald

Saturday, Feb 24, 2001
     Well, the Snows did just what I figured this morning. All at once from 100yds to the North of the pit, to 200 yds to the South Just a big line of them maybe 3 flocks deep. I let the first flock get by and picked a big white bird, at about 35 yds up, out of the next. He died great. Next shot was a big gray bird and it died also. Third shot was at another gray bird at 45yds and he wobbled but wouldn't fall.
     Weather was clear and FAC, so I just came on home. Would have stayed if I had company. Eddie wanted to go, but he wanted to take his crowd and I told him no. At this point I don't even care if I pissed him off.
     I think Rich is going to come Monday and I sure hope the weather they are talking about shows for us. Still about 5,000 there at the refuge, but I don't know for how long.    donald
     Well it was warm and the snow was melting good when Eddie called and asked if I would go out to Hurlock and sit in the pit with him for the evening. Weather warm, wind from the East at about 10 kts. We put 9 more in the back of the truck! That's 12 today. We both think that what we are shooting at, are 80% young birds that have not get moved North. They also are not getting to far away from the refuge, which is making the shooting good.
     Hoping they stay for Monday!
     Had 2 white birds that I will mount in the morning. All the rest gray and just as fat as a snow goose gets. Putting a few in the freezer!
     Harold, sorry about that cold. Tks for not giving it to me!
     Jeff, Bill, honest it's not over till the fat lady sings.
     Rich, we will kill them again Monday, HUH?    donald

Monday, Feb 26, 2001
     Well, I had Rich with me for the first time today and of course we didn't kill anything. Geese all last week, but couldn't buy one today. Still a good day, thanks for the company. Next time we we kill some.
     Geese all jumped at once this morning and went out the SouthWest corner headed for Harpers. About 8 o'clock we did have a half a shot at a small flock that flew down the bank behind the pit, but when we stood they were right in that bright sun. That's my excuse and I'm stricking to it. Course we had Canadians and Swans come right to the dekes.
     Breaking out the fishing pole for tomorrow.

Tuesday, Feb 27, 2001
    Well, caught a nice mess of White Perch "14" and one Rock
today, so we are having fresh fish tomorrow.
     Guys, looks like gooseee weather in the morning if anyone can go?
If not they are still going to catch Hell! I got my new extended choke
today and it looks good on my BPS! Now if I can just hit one with it.
I will start out on the SouthWest corner, where they came out the other
day. They sat at Harper's field all day today. Jeff, it would give
you that maze shot if you want, but you got to know someone who wants
them. I got plenty.
     Talk to you tomorrow.    donald

Wednesday, Feb 28, 2001
     Weather was overcast with a good 20kt North wind blowing.
     Was waiting for them on the SouthWest end of Hurlock this morning, sitting in the truck. They had come out that way Monday, but most went over the silo this morning. The West end of the long line flock was over me at about 45 yds and with a 20 kt wind in their ass they were something to catch up with. First shot I missed, but had enough time to get another off at some that were behind and at a good 60yds high I cut a white bird out. Got out in front of it and as it was rearing up and it folded nice.
     Think I am in love with my new choke! Man, what a difference the ports make it the recoil! Course I still don't know just what kind of pattern it gives me, but it knocked the bird down this morning at long range. I might get a chance to pattern it this weekend.
     I was by myself this morning, so I came on home after the shot. Home before 0700AM. Granny had fell again last night. Slide off the potty,   trying to take a piss, dumped shit and piss all over the floor, so that was one of the reasons that I didn't stay. Glad I have a heart condition, so that no one will have to put up with me doing it. Course I guess I am already hard to put up with. Sorry.
     The goose I got this morning is all bloody, will give it to Eddie, so I took a couple out of the freezer to mount this afternoon. I may sit in the pit for awhile once the sun comes out if I get bored. Could maze shoot them today, cause they are sitting at Harper's, but wouldn't know what to do with them.

Friday, March 2, 2001
Sure glad you didn't come Jeff! Course while I was waiting at the SouthWest end to see if anything would come out of the refuge, I watched 4 Snows go right into the dekes at the pit. There was nothing in the refuge at all. When I went to the pit the 4 that were there would not let me get close enough for a shot at them. Finished my coffee at the pit, but saw nothing. Found then sitting in the same fields that they were in at sunset. Just didn't move.
Guess I will try the White Perch. donald

Saturday, March 3, 2001
     Well met with Harold and Eddie at the Hurlock pit. Geese were still in the same field that they had been for 3 days. Just would not move. We had 1 cripple come out of the refuge and sit 100yds away. Called him hop-along cause it had only one leg that worked. Bad day when you start naming them. Anyway, it finally jumped and flew to within 45yds and I told them to get him. Eddie let it jump before he shot and the bird put another 10yds on before he got off a shot and missed, course by then it was just to far away to back Eddie up so we watched it fly away.
     We could hear the Snows from the field that they were sitting in, but hop-along was the morning hunt. By 1000AM we had all had enough of the nothing. Long ride for Harold to see nothing.
     Took my landlord some fresh fish and oysters about 0200PM and the field out in front of the pit had about 4,000 Snows in it. That's all of them, BTW. Went right over to pick up Eddie and we went back and crawled into the pit. Could have shot the maze, but didn't know what we would do with a pile of them and decided to see if we could kill one like a goose is supposed to be killed. Had been there about half and hour when a big white one came right to the mounts. Eddie killed it at about 20yds out and 10 feet high. All the geese in the field just kept on feeding.
     About another half hour we had 3 come and swung over the tires. We got 2 of them. Snows still just sat there about 150yds away. About 15 minutes and they all jumped and headed for the refuge right over our heads at 45 yds. I got 3. Eddie got confused saying they were to high and only tried one shot. Hitting nothing. Eddie hadn't seen anything fall and was supprised when I told him I had killed 3 and could only believe it when Tuffy bought them back.
     Sorry Harold, wish you had been there!

Monday, March 5, 2001
I set in the truck this morning in the rain, but nothing moved at
sunrise. Jumped birds out of the dekes 2 times today, but they would
let me get close enough. Couldn't make myself sit in the pit by
myself. Maybe Wednesday morning, it's not supposed to rain.

Tuesday, March 6, 2001
     Well the big snow storm that the East coast is getting is not for us. We got rain and wind. Guess my daughter "Doris" up in Maine is getting a couple foot. You can have it girl!
     Three more days of Snow goose hunting and I have to put my toys away for the season. It's been a fun one. http://www.intercom.net/user/ppeds/Nov-2000-2001huntseason.html
     Granny is bruised up from falling, but doesn't remember doing it. Can't seem to whole anything in her tommy. The Dr is trying different medicines, but so far with no success. Course she doesn't remember throwing up either. At least she seems to be in no pain. Pat is at wits end, of course.
     Our grandson that is messing with cocaine may finally be going to get some help. Never through I would be happy to see a drug screen come back showing cocaine, but even after he had been arrested for drugs at school, the court date said that they didn't want to send him to a lock down rehab unit cause there were bad kids there. However, at that time he was told that if he had another dirty test that came back with cocaine in it he would go. The same night after going to court he sold $30.00 bucks from him Mom. She called the councilor and told her that she though if they would do another test that it would come back dirty. They did, it did. Now after promising his Mom that he would get help if he had a another test with cocaine in it, that he would go away to a lock down unit. She better get the help or she will go nuts! MomMom and PopPop also. Pray things work out!
     We are still working on taxes for this year. Hope you got yours done. Allen, you got tax time at this time of the year?
     I am going to try to fine someone that will put my pier back down, it's walk able but up in spots, at a reasonable price.
     Pat has vacation starting on March 14th. and I can't wait.
     Write if you know how.   donald

Wednesday, March 7, 2001
     The battle between a Snow goose shot at daybreak and Pat's warm, soft, hinny, was won by the hinny this morning. I got up about 0830AM and after a bit went to check the dekes at Hurlock. Nothing. Finished the last of the Snow goose mounts for replacement for this year.
     Went back to Hurlock about 300PM to fine the field white with Snows, so I crawled into the pit. As I walked down a pair of Ballplate jumped from around the mounts. A few minutes after Sunny and I were in the pit they cam back and landed again in the mounts. Beautiful, walking around eating wheat.
     Not long before a white bird came and circled the tires. Got him with ease. The rest of the Snows just sat there about 200yds away. Ten minuets and they all jumped and one end swung over the tires. Made a great long shot. Liking the new gun more and more. The Snows went on across the branch and I came on home with 2 Snows. Might have been there an hour. Will save them for you Harold.

Friday, March 9, 2001
     Well it was still overcast and a little drizzle at first light. Hear them in the refuge and decided to stay down on the SouthWest end and sit in the truck till they came out. Decided that I would try my #4's cause I through they would be less than 40yds in that kind of weather. About 0615AM they jumped all at once and headed for me. However they were more like 50yds than 40yds up. Shot at them 3 times but, nothing fell.
     Headed for the pit with a thermos of coffee. There about 15 minutes and a pair came out the North end of the field and made a big circle out in the field and came toward me. I killed both with those #4's that just wouldn't do the trick at 50yds. They were right over the mounts at about 30 yds. Both young gray birds, sorry Harold. Then I had a shower and decided that I was not going to get wet, cause I already have a bad cold. Course, just as I got to the truck there were 5 Snows go right into the mounts and it had stopped raining. They wouldn't let me get close enough for a shot.
     Rode to see if they had gone back to Harper's field. They had. I stopped and watched them for a bit at about 40yds off the road and really considered shooting across their heads, but felt shitty and already had 2. Also, I am hoping that they will be there in the morning so that you guys can walk over a maze shoot them.
     Harold, guess we better start at Hurlock in the morning and see if we can get a shot and then work on getting the dekes up. Eddie will be there also, so it shouldn't take to long. Landlord says that I must have them out of the field by Monday, cause they are going to plant potatoes. I will save these 4 Snows for you to mount if you want? donald

Saturday, March 10, 2001
      Met Jeff, Harold, and Eddie at the Hurlock pit at 0600AM. There is only room for 3 in the pit, so because I was hurting with a bad cold already, I decided to truck hunt. With a 25 kt West wind and temps just at freezing, they were cold in the pit, but I was nice and warm in my truck. Got them set and headed for my spot were I could watch. The geese got up off the MarshHope Creek and headed for the field alongside of Harpers. One started for the dekes, but when it did Jeff was out working on some of the dekes. That one goose was it till after the sun was up good.
     Finally there was a flock that came and one went over the pit and go killed, course when they shot the flock, maybe 20, headed back for the refuge and as they when across they crippled one that fell in the middle of the tank. I rode down to the pit and Sunny made short work of swimming for the single that they had killed. Big white bird. I took Sunny and rode as close as I could to the other downed goose and she went into the tank after the Snow. At first when she would get close it would fly for about 20 yds and then hit the water again. After about 3 times it started diving. Sunny just stayed on it's trail. Sunny took a hour hour, but she came back with the bird. I was sure she would get worn out and I must amid that she sat for a minute after just being able to haul her self and the goose out of the water. Then shook and came on over to me with another big white bird. I went back to the field and took position where I could watch from my nice warm truck.
     Soon the Snows started coming back to the refuge and then heading back to the field after only sitting at the refuge a short time. They ended up with 7 Greater Snows, but I wouldn't have been to proud of their shooting. The last shot was at about 4 or 5 thousand that came out low, about 20yds high, while we were spread out about 100 yds apart and the Snows were coming from my truck all the way to Jeff's truck. Eddie jumped the gun and shot before they even got out of the refuge. He did kill one, but of course it was the only shot that was fired except me trying a long shot of 65 yds or so as they fared back in the refuge. Damned if I didn't kill one.
     We got all the dekes out of the field, which I had to do, cause the landlord says they will plant potatoes next week. Thanks guys! Hope you had fun and again thanks for the work of getting those dekes in.
     We had planned on working on the dekes at Rt200, but I was exhausted and Jeff took time enough to put 2 Wood duck boxes up for the Woodies on my pier and I called it a day.

Sunday, March 11, 2001
Eddie and I met Harold and his son over to Rt200. Harold had already done most of the work and we finished up a little after noon. I still have another truck load of sillies to get Monday, but then it's done for this year. I am already waiting for next year! Hope everyone has a good summer! donald

p.s. I sat on my pier this afternoon and caught White Perch till they were jumping out of a 5 gallon bucket. Took about an hour. Sometimes 2 at a time. Fried fish tomorrow!

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If anyone is reading these letters, it would be nice to have an account of what your life is like. I would love to hear from you.
Donald
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