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        "NOTES FROM A RETIRED HUNTER"
1999-00 season by Donald Hughes
Area hunted was from Chesapeake Bay to Ocean and Delaware Bay
Bookmark if you are following along.
Nov 1st thru 4th, 1999
     Monday, Nov 1st,  Spent the day getting things done around the house.  Weather beautiful, but not for duck hunting.
     Tuesday, Nov 2nd,  Awake to thick fog and no wind.  Went back to sleep.  Up with Pat at 0700AM.  Weather supposed to get BAD.  Rain and wind.  Checked the weather radar and it seemed to be 2 or 3 hours away.  So I dragged my feet and than headed for Little Creek station.  Arrived at the station a little after 0900AM.  Found that the walk-to blind was not taken, so with the weather and wind that was to hit I got the permit and headed for the blind.
     I got into the blind just as the first rain squall came and wind with it.  Rained only a minute or so and then just wind and mist.  Wind howling at 20 to 25 kts.  Just caught my breath when a pair of Greenwing came by and I lucked one down on the pond.  Sunny make her great retrieve then dropped it at my feet.  I was still looking the Teal over when a pair of divers came across the marsh for the pond.  At first I through they were Buffies, but as I shot I realized they were Ruddy ducks.  I killed one and the other made a circle and flew right over the one on the water.  I killed it also.  Sunny  tried to get them both in her mouth at once but couldn't.  About 15 minutes and 4 Greenwing came at warp 10 and I shot but just never really caught up with them.  About another 20 minutes and 6 Greenwing tried to make it across the pond and this time I got a nice drake.
     Stayed till a little after 1100AM but nothing else came close.  Lots of bigger ducks flying within 100 yds just out on the marsh.  Three flocks of Snows that were flying low came close but just not close enough.  I wanted to check things out at the Club so I checked out and headed on up.
     Sat at the pit at Jimmy Snows for an hour or so while I ate a sandwich and then headed for the Teal blind to get ready to hunt the afternoon.  Kevin had said he would leave me truck tracks to get across the field, but there were none to be found.  With the weather the way it was I decided it would not be a good idea to try get across the field without knowing were the wet spots were.  Been trying all year to hunt the Teal blind, but I guess it's not going to happen.
     Stopped at the pit on Rt #6 and then headed for Quinn Rd.  Got to the pit at Quinn Rd at about 0230PM and crawled in.  The weather was really getting bad.  Raining and blowing a gale.  Was just sure something would fly by, but nothing did.  Wished I had stayed a BoomBay somewhere.  Got home late, about 0800PM.
     Wensday, Nov 3rd,  Up at 0400AM and meet Bill at Quinn Rd before shooting time.  He and Jeff had decided on Quinn Rd while I was checking things out, so I guess I didn't have to check things.  Bill had a beautiful spread of dekes out, but I didn't really think we would get a shot.  I had told Bill I would be there, so I was, at least he wasn't alone.  Course I am not the best of company, but better than no one.
     Tried to stick it out till Jeff got there, but was ready to go before he did.  However, he did show just as I was ready to go, so Bill had company agian.  O, BTW I didn't get a shot, we didn't even have any get within 200yds.  Hoped they would get a shot in the afternoon, but I just didn't think so.  They didn't!  Bill will just have to hunt the Snows with dekes by himself now.  I told him I would fine the ducks for us.
     Once I got home I took Sunny to the Vets, cause on the 2nd she had done something to her paw.  It turned out to be abscess and I had to leave her so the Vet could put her asleep and drain it.  Says I can buy her back Friday or Saturday.  Damn I miss her!
    Thursday, Nov 4th,  Stayed home.  Without Sunny it's just no sense to go duck hunting.  Had oysters to shuck and dekes to work on.  Plus it is our wedding anniversary.  I took Pat out for dinner once she got up.  Been 39 years now.  Learning to love her more each year.  Granny even let us go out to eat by ourselves.  Blest her.
     Plan to go with Jeff down to Deals Island and hunt divers in the morning.  Gotto go load shells.  Will let you know what happens.   donald
Picture of the seaducks last time out!
Friday, Nov 5th, 1999
     Met Jeff at McDonalds at Seaford, De. at 0430AM.  Had called and talked to Pat just before leaving the house.  She wanted to know what we were doing and I told her practicing for when the Cans get here.  Arrived at the ramp at 0530AM.  Man, did we learn a lot.  First, to launch Jeff boat you must not try on low tide.  Backed down ramp till to end and off the end and still not enough water.  We were stuck till the tide came back, which was an hour and a half to two hours.  We sat in the dark for the first half hour and then listening to the guys shoot ducks for the next hour and a half.  Once the boat was off, Jeff had to bounce the trailer over the end of the ramp on the way out and, we think, the only thing broken were some wires on the taillight.  Hope so, anyway.
     We rode out to were the Cans always raff up and of course found nothing.  There were not even any Old Squalls or Scoters, so we went looking for them.  Found a few out on the Tangier Sound and set up dekes.  There were some Old Squalls and Scoters and we even saw Lesser Scaup, a pair, four and one flock of three.  We just couldn't get the anchor to hold.  The Man 'DNR' checked us and by the time he left, the tide was running and the wind had picked up a little and there was just no way we could stay.  We had a least killed an Old Squall so we were not skunked.  We moved into Monie Bay, but just nothing there, so we quit.
     Jeff showed me around Deal Island, which has always been a little off my path.  Nice area.  The impoundment seemed nice, but a lot of people.  Course I am use to being able to go where no one else goes.  Sounds like Star Trek, huh. hehehe  We had a great day and like I said, learned a lot.  I can't wait till the Cans get here!  Course I like Elliotts Island better.
     I was home by 0200PM and needed to set the dekes over at the Cabin Creek blind.  Hell, I was there so I hunted, stayed till sunset.  I  had a pair of Woodies, which don't seem to fly so fast now that I have a little seaducking under my belt.  I killed the drake that was out front.  Just got back into the blind when I heard Mallards chattering coming down the creek.  It was seven of them, tree top high, and they came out down the middle of the creek.  Four drakes and three hens.  I swung on a big drake as they went by and hoped he might cross with another,  He didn't so I nailed him as they started away.  I will put him on a board so he can hunt with me.  hehehe
     Finished up with three more Woodies coming down the creek and downing another nice drake.  My limit of Woodies and a Mallard drake on an evening that the weather was FAC and clear.  Damn, Eddie and I might even kill some in the morning.  Wish Jeff had been with me, but who would have through you would get a shot on an evening like that.  Jeff's working a hunting party in the morning over at Prime Hook and at least there is to be a good NorthWest wind for him to work with.  Think he has a good chance of killing some ducks even if the Snows will not come, anyway he will get paid.
     Sunny is STILL at the Vets.  He says that the infection is now clear and that he has sewed her back together.  Think I will be able to pick her up tomorrow.  Long as I got enough money.  Anyone want to buy some oysters?  Hard to be broke all the time, but nice to have all the time to hunt.  Will be glad to have her back.  I miss her following me around from room to room.  I will let you know what Eddie and I do and if I get to pick up Sunny.  Write if you know how.  donald
Saturday, Nov 6th, 1999
     Eddie and I hunted Cabin Creek lease both morning and evening.  Missed Woodies 3 times in the morning and crippled one Mallard drake which got away.  In the evening we missed 2 shots at Woodies.  Course I was letting Eddie shoot first and I couldn't, seem to be able, to hit my ass with both hands.  Eddie says we can try the divers down to the mouth of the Nanticoke River next Saturday.  I can't wait!  Going to resting the Diver dekes, all on strings of six, so that they can go into bags and be easier to handle.
     Sunny is ready in the morning to come home, long as I got enough money to buy her back.
     Harold is coming over to hunt this week, but don't know when yet.
     Tomorrow is a day of rest.  You know, work on dekes and shuck oysters.  hehehe    donald
Nov 7th, thru Nov 9th, 1999
     Nov 7th,  Picked up Sunny from the Vet.  Broke again!  She goes back to have the stitches out in a week and will be on pills till then., no hunting.
     Nov 8th,  Daybreak found me at Cabin Creek.  Weather FAC and clear but cold.  Lot more ducks then I figured there would be.  First one downed was a Mallard hen that came limping over the woods after hearing shooting at one of the RSA's.  'regulated shooting areas'.  She spotted the dekes and came right to them.  Ended up in a pile within them.  Paddled out to get her.  Miss Sunny.
     About 0700AM a pair of Woodies came up the creek over the dekes and I downed the drake.  He fell at about 50yds up creek and then swan ashore.  Just a bit a Greenwing Teal came through and I downed her but she also swan ashore.  Around 0800AM 3 Woodies swung over the dekes and I killed the biggest drake.  Paddle out for him and tried to fine the Teal but of course I couldn't.  Same with the Woodie.  Miss Sunny!
     By the time I got back to the blind I was really hurting bad.  For a while I didn't think the chest pains were going away, but after about 10 minutes of bad pain it eased off.  Had a couple more shots at Woodies while I was in pain but couldn't have gotten my gun to my shoulder if I tried.  0900AM I was feeling OK and was about to leave when a single Woodie came and circled around to the dekes.  I downed her and took my time paddling out to get her.  Miss Sunny!
     Headed home with a limit of Woodies and a Mallard on a day that was not a day for duck hunting.
     Nov 9th,  Daybreak found me back at Cabin Creek.  Again the weather was beautiful.  Supposed to get in the 70's today.  Just at shooting time there was a flock of Woodies that came down the creek and I cut a hen out.  Sunrise I had a pair of Mallards circle and circle and on the third I downed the drake at about 45yds.  Had a flock of Mallards try to work the dekes as I paddled out to get him.  Miss Sunny!  Pat's home so I left early at 0700AM.  She and I spent all day gathering things up that we think we need and of course ate out.  Nice to have the time with her.
     Guess I will just keep going to Cabin Creek till something looks better.  Is to be a little wind in the morning, that will be different.  Write if you can.   donald
Nov 9th, thru 16th, 1999
     My machine has been getting hot and shutting down, so I hope I can finish this.  Guess it's time to go to a P3, huh. hehehe
     Monday,  Jim came down and we went to Cabin Creek.  Jim killed 2 the last a beautiful Mallard drake that his dog Woodie made a great retrieve on.  Not many ducks for the kind of day it was, but at least we didn't get skunked.  I think Jim enjoyed himself.
     Yesterday Harold and I were at Cabin Creek for the morning hunt, but just nothing flying and beside that I was about half sick with a cold.  So we quit early and he went Deer hunting.
     Went to the Dr and he put me on meds that should take care of this cold.  Least I hope so.  Don't think I will do much more then just stay around the house tomorrow.    donald
Nov 17th, thru 21th, 1999

     Just nothing happening as far as hunting goes.  Did go with Jeff on
Thursday down to Monie Bay, but there is just no amount of divers yet.
Had a great day boat riding and saw most of the hunting area on the
South side of the bay.  There was a crowd coming from Pa. and Jeff
wanted to find something for them to hunt, but just not much luck.
Weather is to be just to nice while they are here for puddle ducks and
not late enough for the divers.
     Did go down to Deals Island on Saturday afternoon with Eddie
scouting and am trying to learn how to hunt Widgeon.  It's not my
favorite duck, but it is the one that we are allowed to shoot and seems
to be a few more each year, so I got to learn how to hunt them.  Is
going to be very little Snow goose hunting this year.
     Pat is in Nashville with Dawn and her kids.  They went down to see
the Christmas Lights that are supposed to be so great.  Also to see a
showcase for one of her favorite artists.  Miss her.  Granny and I are
ok cause I stay GONE.  Pat's to be home Monday!
     Delaware season opens Monday and maybe things will look a little
better.  Eddie and I are going over to Hard Scrabble today and set it up
with the Snow dekes and duck dekes in the pond.  Going to set all the
Snow dekes around the pond, that way if Bill or Jeff or both come and
set there dekes it will look like a new flock of geese feeding.  Anyway
with the Snows the way they are, no young, I figure I better stay next
to the pond in case a ducks flies by.
     Hope things pick up.   Write if you know how.   donald
Nov 22nd, thru Nov 27th, 1999
     Not much hunting going on because of the fog.  Five strait days of no visibility.  Did manage one Greater Snow at Hard Scrabble one morning.
     Pat and Dawn got back from Nashville ok.  Grandson of mine tried his hand at 'bungy' jumping.  Guess the insanity just keeps being passed along.  Granny and I made it through without killed each other.
     Nov 26th,  Friday afternoon, Eddie, Jeff and I tried the impoundment at Deal.  Weather was great for duck hunting.  We did see lots of ducks and even had 3 or 4 come close enough to kill, but no one touched any.  However, I did learn some more and next time I WILL kill one.
     Nov 27th,  Saturday, Eddie, Jeff and I met at Hard Scrabble and were hopeing for the wind the weather man had promised, but it didn't happen.  We saw very few Snows and a few ducks.  By 0900AM i think we were all ready to call it quits, but i told them I wanted to stick it out till 1030AM.  Boreing, but at 1005AM I told Jeff here he comes.  Jeff through I was kiding and I kept telling him, but he didn't see it till it leveled off at about 80yds, from about 400yds up, when it honked.  It swung out over the field and cupped up again and came right in.  Told Eddie to take him and he killed it at 30yds over the dekes.  The one single Greater Snow made the day.
     A man gave me a deer tonight, so I now have vension again.  Eddie and I will take the dekes up over at Cabin Creek in the morning.  Guess I will stay with the hunting at Hard Scrabble next week.  At least it looks like it will be clear enough to see.  Sorry about not write more offen, but just doesn't seem to be time.  Ha, and that's all I got.    donald
Nov 28th, thru Nov 30th, 1999
     Nov 28th,  Sunday,  Eddie and I got the dekes up over to Cabin Creek  Pat roasted a big turkey. I ate 'to much' and went to bed.
     Nov 29th,  Monday,  Daybreak found me at Hard Scrabble, but the wind the weather man promised didn't start till to late. I stayed till 0900AM but never fired my gun.  Well, I can't believe it, but I painted up 2 dozen Buffies so I can shoot something! Hell, I figure if we go and kill 10 Buffies, at least I will have duck to eat, even if they are small. Tomorrow I am painting Brant. I figure if the weather gets pretty, like they say it's going to, I might be able to kill 2 Brant and the Buffies.  Man, when I think of all the money I spent on Mallard dekes it makes me sick.
     Nov 30th,  Tuesday,  Daybreak found me at Hard Scrabble, but again the wind was not what it was supposed to be. I did kill and Greenwing Teal when a flock circled the pond and broke the 50yd range. Saw one other flock of Mallards. Weather
man is calling for the wind again in the morning and it is cold, in the 20's, tonight.  Maybe they will fly in the morning. I will set
over by the pond and hope for ducks. The Snows are all old birds and just not decoying, to damn smart.

Dec 1st, 1999
      Well the wind was finally blowing at daybreak!  The ducks flew! I was home by 0800AM and had killed 6 Mallards.  The first was a single that suddenly was there and fell in the middle of the pond.  Sunny broke ice to go get it and started back on a different path, but quickly went back to the path she had broken out.  An they tell me dogs don't reason!  Sure looked like she did.  It was a Mallard drake.
     She had just dropped it at my feet when a pair came and I swung with them hoping they would cross, but had to take the drake on the way out.  While Sunny was out in the pond getting second Mallard drake there was a Mallard hen that quacked just as she started to land along side Sunny.  I shot her about 5 feet over Sunni's head.  Sunny tried to bring them both back at once, but couldn't.  Again while Sunny was in the middle of the pond getting the hen I had 3 come and back paddled over her head to land.  At 45yds I had enough pattern to kill 1 and break a wing on the other.  Sunny went for the cripple first.  They turned out to both be Mallard drakes.
     Things got a little quiet and it was about 10 minutes before the next came.  A single Mallard drake that circled twice.  It was now good and light with the sun coming up at the top of the trees across the field.  I was sure it could see me and I took it at 45 yds over the pond.  It fell in the middle and I reshot it, but Sunny still had a time catching it.  By the time she got him back the sun was up good and we were on the way to the truck that was parked about 50 feet away behind the trees.  What a great hunt.  It makes up for some of the days with nothing.  Course I love to go even if I don't kill anything, but I do like to see something.  Looking forward to tomorrow.
     When I got home I fixed Pat and I some of the best venison sausage that we have ever had, on toast with an egg on top.  Bad for my heart, but O so good.  Roast duck tomorrow!   donald
Dec 2nd, thru Dec 5th, 1999
      Dec 2nd,  Daybreak found me at Hard Scrabble at the little pond waiting for a duck.  No wind, no ducks.  Did at least hear one quack over in the refuge.
     Dec 3rd,  Met Jeff at the Indian River boat launch at about 0100PM.  I showed him were the best place I knew to kill a Brant.  We setup to hunt, but the weather was FAC and fisherman everywhere.  We did at least see a few Brant and hope to kill them in the morning.
     Dec 4th,  Eddie and I met Jeff at the ramp at daybreak and we setup hoping the fisherman would stay away from us.  Weather was still warm, but we at least had a little wind.  Not much flying and fisherman everywhere again, but we did have one flock of about 50 Brant come right into the dekes.  We all unloaded our guns, but killed nothing.  There were 2 singles that came into the dekes and Eddie killed one, Jeff the other.  Mine never came.  Only 2 Brant, but a great morning.
     Went to a Randy concert that night and stayed till 0100AM, don't know how long he kept playing.  Nice to be with Pat.
     Dec 5th,  Eddie and I moved the mounts from Hard Scrabble to Hurlock for the Md opener.  Jeff is coming in the morning and we will see what is happening at Hurlock.  I know there is plenty of Swans and some Snows, but the temp is still warm.  Supposed to rain and I don't know just what to expect.  Will let you know what happens.   donald

Dec 6th, 1999  Daybreak found Jeff and I at Hurlock  Hoping for a
Snow to fly out over our heads.  We could hear them sitting in the
refuge, but also heard the first group go out the other side of the
refuge.  However as they began flying out we suddenly heard some heading
out our way.  I had no idea how many were left in the refuge so when
they were overhead at about 45yds we shot and each got one Greater
Snow.  I think we both felt like we had really done something.  It's
going to be hard to kill any this year!
     A little later we had some more come out our way as the refuge help
started shooting over them to chase them out of the refuge.  As they
came over Bertha got one but Jeff's was only crippled.  We tried one
other time, but they were really to high.
Rained enough to have water running down the crack of my ass and I also
had a Doctor's appointment so I was done at 0830AM.  Jeff stayed a while
but with the weather 'rain' the Snows just didn't fly.  Great morning with
Jeff.  So glad we didn't get skunked.   donald
Dec 7th, thru Dec 12th, 1999
     Dec 7th,  Daybreak found me at Hurlock waiting on the thousands of
geese that were sitting in the refuge.  They came out in two waves, but
all to high to kill.  None paid any attention to the dekes.  Lots of
Swans decoyed.  Spent the rest of the day shucking oysters.
     Dec 8th,  Not a breath of air moving before daybreak so I decided
to sleep in.  Got the boat ready to go Brant hunting with Eddie tomorrow
after his Dr. appointment.
     Dec 9th,  Eddie had a Dr. appointment this morning and then we were
going Brant hunting, but he saw all the Snows at Hurlock and wanted to
stay here.  Ha,  We didn't even get a shot! A 'shitload' there, but all
smart white birds.  I will be glad to see the duck season open on
Monday!  I will be going to Scrabble in the morning to the little pond
for ducks, cause it's supposed to be a rainy day.  Maybe they will
fly.
    Dec 10th,  Daybreak found me at Hard Scrabble waiting for a duck.  Wind
in my face and the only ducks I saw just would come in.  Course I only saw one
flock of about eight.  Wind is supposed to come around to the NorthWest and blow
for tomorrow.  Bill is coming and we are going to try the Snows one more time. HA
Maybe a new setup out in the middle of the field will work.  Should.
     Dec 11th,  Got to the field to find that Eddie was not there and headed to
see what was wrong.  Nothing, but that he had slept in.  That's twice this year
he's messed up when I had other people coming.  Anyway, we were setup after the
geese had flown out of the refuge.  I stayed for a couple hours to watch them fly
but not decoy.  I left Eddie and Bill in the field in hopes of a goose decoying.
     I went to the field to check on them at 0100PM to fine they had just taken
up the dekes without killing anything.  Geese still flying everywhere but no decoying.
Think we have all learned that it's just not going to happen this year.  Eddie
and I will set the dekes out at Cabin Creek this morning in hopes that there are
some ducks using the creek.  Sure glad to see the duck season open back up.  donald

Dec 13th, thru 17th, 1999
     Dec 13th,  Daybreak found me at Cabin Creek surrounded by Canada geese,  The creek was full!  Saw one large 'maybe 40 ' Mallards go up the creek to Bond's Pond at first light and then just had to listen and watch the geese as they swam around in the dekes.  Once the sun was up, which by the way you never see when hunting Cabin Creek blind, I had what at first I figured was a Woodie and then realizing that it was the middle of Dec it most be a Greenwing, come down the creek.  As it went over the dekes I shot over the heads of lots of Canada geese and killed it.  The damn Canada geese only fly about 50 yds and sat with others.  Sunny retrieved what turned out to be a female Woodie.  Latest one I have ever shot.  Tells you something about how warm it's been.
     The Canada geese swam right back into the dekes and it was again a continuous flock of geese, thousands and thousand.  About 0830AM I think I saw a flock of 4 more Woodies come up the creek high, but I tried them anyway, course I didn't kill any, but I did make the geese fly again.  Course only about 50 yds and then they swam back together.  About 0900AM they started going to the fields and put on a great show.  I stayed till 100AM but no ducks.
     Dec 14th,  Sunrise found me truck hunting in an attempt to pass shot a Snow.  They came out over me, but high and I tried but killed nothing.  It rained most of the day and I got some huneydues done.
     Dec 15th,  Sunrise was complete fogged in.  Weather man was saying that it could stay all day.  Was going to try ducks with Jeff in the afternoon, but with the fog I canceled out.  Did ride up to the Hurlock setup and found one Snow setting in the dekes which i killed.
     Dec 16th,  met Jeff and Bill at the ramp at Dames Quarter down at Deal Island.  Met some other folks and we all headed out into Monie Bay for a chance at a Can.  Weather man a promised us 15 to 20 the West.   But we setup on FAC waters.  We saw Cans, but the wind never did blow and by 1000AM we had had it.
     Took my boat into the impoundment it the afternoon.  My third trip in and I was ready to kill something.  We had shots at Wigeon and a pair of Northern Shovelers.  Killed 1 Wigeon and Jeff killed his first Northern Shoveler.   I killed nothing.  But had a great time.  When we got back the the ramp I was supprised by Bill's wisdom cause he tried to stand up on the side of the seat in my round bottom boat to get out.  Jeff and I were sure he was going overboard, but instead he fall in the boat on my dekes.  Crushed a few, but at least he didn't hurt himself.  I had angina at attempting to do anything, 'long day', and was glad to have Jeff to do things to get ready to go home.  Did fine this morning that the boat was not on the rollers and looks like it broke the trailer.   O well its old like me and I will just shift to the other new one.  Bet Pat has consided that also.  Was a great day but I knew I would never make the bell in the morning.
     Dec 17th,  I got out of bed at 1030AM cause I was hungry.  Think I could have stayed another hour or so.  Man was I beat.  Couple of the guys, 'Jim and Ed',  that were down to Deal Island hunting were going to stop by on there way home for some oysters and did so at about 1230PM.  We rode out to the Hurlock pit so I could show them around and found something moving in the mounts.  Jim loaded his gun and walked into the dekes.  As he was going into the dekes Ed and I could see that what we saw was a Swan, but when it jumped to fly a Greater Snow also jumped and Jim downed him.  I think it was Jim's first Snow and I will put it on a board so that it can go hunting with us.  It had taken one small pellet before and was poor so he wouldn't have been much good for eating.  I think it was his first Snow and was so glad it was setting there for him.
     Jeff called this evening and said I could say "I told you so" .  He went to Monie Bay in the morning and then the Nanticoke River to a spot that I told him I figured was the best and they saw lots of ducks and even killed some.  He's going the same place in the morning and I bet he kills his Can.  Hope so anyway.  Course now everyone will know my spot, huh.
     Eddie and I will try the Cabin Creek lease in the morning.  That's what old folks do!  Hope we at least see some.  Could even be good being Saturday and everyone out hunting.  Will let you know.
Dec 18th, 1999
     Daybreak found Eddie and I at our Cabin Creek lease.  Canadians everywhere. No ducks mixed in with them.  We stayed till 0900AM watching the Canada geese fly over the dekes wishing we could shoot just one.  Never saw a duck.
     Spent the rest of the day with oysters.
     Jeff stopped by on his way home and said they had killed a couple even without any wind at all.  I think he was really impressed with Al's layout boat.  Al had killed a big old bull Can that Jeff said had feet almost as big as his hand.  I wish they had had some weather to go with the hunt.  Jeff and I will try them again about the first of the year.
     Hope everyone is more ready for Christmas than I am. Ha.  We still got a week. huh.  donald

Dec 20th, thru Dec 31th, 1999
     Dec 20th,  Monday,  Daybreak found me at Hurlock waiting for the Snows to come out.  Had two shots with Bertha as they came out and killed two Snows.  Found both to be fat and as good a shape as they get.  Skinned them for mounting.  Spent the rest of the day shucking oysters.
     Dec 21th,  Tuesday,  Daybreak found me agian waiting for the Snows at Hurlock.  Shot two times as they came out killed nothing.  Did have one that went back into the refuge crippled.  I had seen one in the dekes yesterday and decided to wait and see if it would come back.  When the refuge man started shooting at the Swans it came and came right to the mounts.  I used my alto and shot three times drawing feathers from his ass each time, but he went back into the refuge.  Came home with nothing.
     Dec 22th,  Wednesday,  Daybreak found me at Cabin Creek with thousands of Canadians.  No ducks.
     Dec 23th,  Thursday,  Herby and I tried the Buffies with the dekes I taken the time to paint. We went to Clay Island and there was plenty of Buffies.  I shot at them 19 times and killed one.  Also got a Black, which an easy shot.  The Buffies just wouldn't decoy and most shots were with them flying with the wind at warp 10.  Did knock several down but only the one dead.  Again HELL with Buffies!
     Dec 24th,  Friday,   Eddie had off and we went to Cabin Creek. I just can't talk him into anything else.  Course if I laid block all week I guess I wouldn't feel like doing much either.  Still no ducks.
     Dec 25th,  Saturday,  Eddie and I had a rerun of yesterday, even with the wind blowing and the creek with ice on it.  Just no ducks there!  Christmas was wonderful with all the family and of course I ate to much.
     Dec 27th,  Monday,  Daybreak found me at Hard Scrabble at the little pond waiting for a duck.  I had seen them in the pond yesterday.  First light brought a flock of about seven and they circled over my head.  Sunny broke and they began another circle.  As they did three more came across the pond with Sunny out on the pond and I shot at them but shot behind them.  Loaded and shot at the flock as they went out over my head and missed again.  It was over and I had done nothing but scare a lot of ducks.  Sunny didn't make any points either.  Damn dog!  Went home and painted the dekes that i had painted into Buffies into Blackheads.  they look great.
     Dec 28th,  Tuesday,  Awoke to FAC winds and I just stayed in bed.  Met Jeff, 0100PM, at the Nanticoke River ramp and we headed on the River.  Man, did we run some ducks!  Setup without a breath of air moving and hoped they would come back.  Had two single Lesser Scaup and managed to kill one of them.  All those ducks we had jumped and none came back!
     Dec 29th,  Wednesday,  Passed Jeff and Ky  in the cove as Craig and I had came out in my boat from the other side of the River. We went down the shoreline about 300yds and setup before daybreak.  Wind was NorthWest at 15 to 20 kts and the ducks flew good.  Marsh ducks that is.  Not many divers.  Why?  Jeff and his guys knocked one Can down, but didn't get to retrieve it.  They left about 1030AM.  Noticed his boat shineing in the bright sunshine.  Bet Ky thinks we we pulling his leg about seeing all the Cans!  Craig and I figured we would make a day of it.  Marsh ducks were flying even if the divers were not.  We killed three Greenwing Teal and Two Gadwall.  Missed a few and had a great day just watching them fly.  The damn bearings in one side of the boat trailer went just as we had gotten close to the ramp, so I decided to leave the boat and take the trailer home on the back of the truck.  Then bring the other trailer down to get the boat home.  Craig wanted to have another day on the River shore anyway.
     Dec 30th,  Thursday,  Craig and I were setup at daybreak and today there was a few divers flying.  However they rafted up about 200yds out in front of us.  Craziest thing was that even through the wind was blowing 15 to 20 kts out of the SouthWest the marsh ducks just did not seem to be there.  We both really missed seeing them, but the Cans in the sunshine took me back in years.  We quit early and ended up with two divers.  I missed a Can hen that came right into the dekes.  Just wanted her to bad, I guess.  Craig headed for Pa. with plans to return for the last two days of the season and set on the river shore.
      Dec 31th,  Friday,  Eddie had off and we ended up over to Hard Scrabble.  Killed one Mallard drake at daybreak and was then supprised by having 3 single Snows decoy to us.  All 3 were flying alone, course we saw thousands flying in flocks, and we found them to be poor.  More then likely gimps from the refuge, but they were sure fun to shoot.  We saw a flock of about 8 Mallards go into the pond as we were leaving so we will be there again in the morning.

 Go to year 2000 
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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CONTENTS OF WATERFOWLING DELMARVA
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