BilletHead

Looking forward to the report, Road trip food? Eating while driving and I am sure you are not reporting all this from behind the wheel? BilletHead

Well , Shoot Dove and eat dove. I sliced off the breast sides and the Mrs. sandwiched a couple jalapeno slices between the sides and wrapped in bacon. Did not have to toothpick the bacon on as we just packed the grill basket and this secured everything together. The charcoal was hot and a foil pack of chunked seasoned potatoes were already cooking on the gas grill, So we ended up with boneless grilled dove. Made up some blue cheese dip and raw veggies too for anther side. BilletHead

Add then to your life list John, BilletHead

Out there again this morning for a short while. Same place I was yesterday morning and this time I put Mrs. BilletHead in the spot where I shot my limit yesterday. I took a stand about forty yards away. She had me four to one right off the bat and then I caught up and passed her. We got a limit between us and I shot better a than fifty percent ratio. The Mrs. started good but soon went down hill on her hits. I guess I messed things up as there was not near the action I had yesterday but the reliving the past went on between us saying remember this and that looking towards the old house place. The highlight of this morning happened when the sun began to hit and I was in the sun. I got up and walked over to Pat and asked if she was ready to quit? Out of the South came a pair of birds, I shouted collared doves, they closed ground fast and I told Pat you take the one on the left and I will try for the right bird. We shot at the same time and each of our birds fell! This was Pat's first Eurasian and my second. Both birds were still quite alive as we chased them into submission. With that we did decide to call it a day . BilletHead

I did make that call Wily, right away. Hope your upcoming hunts are good and that new gun gets on a hot streak! BilletHead

Truly amazing day. Hard to beat this for the first of September, BilletHead

I believe that, I have seen that boy. Mine at that age could not be filled. BilletHead

Wow buddy, Now you are talking. In cast iron too! Thanks Griz, BilletHead

I had noting to contribute to this post before season. Really a bit disappointed as no harvest except for some silage. Have made three trips looking for a spot to rest my rear and try to get a bird. So on that third trip yesterday morning I found my friend and landowner and had a visit. Before I could ask he said where are all the doves . I told him I seen a few, very few in his silage field. He said it should be loaded and had not seen any at all. In his defense he is a farmer and busy and they would have to fly into his tractor to realize much was around. He also told me of a millet field that had gone to head before they bailed it. Said there should be birds there and had not seen any there either. So I go check the bailed millet field.. I seen a couple high and going places birds and that was all? Dang I thought. Well I planned on going and will be there birds or not I will get experience another sunrise. Well it was up early, coffee and cereal down I began to load up the truck. Told the Mrs. by as I seen the tears form as this was a work day and she wished she could go. Right before I left I did see MoPanfishers post he was already sitting in the field, crap I thought I was going to be late! When I arrived at the bailed millet field sun was making its way up I could see deer all around. Picked a spot to unload and set up. One of the nicest places I have ever set up but where was the birds? Parked truck and sit down to see some wood ducks buzzing the field. At one time I thought they were really low. Neat to see and then more deer to watch, I could hardly believe what I was not seeing from this hide. The millet field was in an L shape with me in the narrow bend. The millet bales had been gathered in groups for picking up, My views were like this, Started seeing a few birds, high flyers going somewhere but not working my field. Millet Heads all over the ground and bailed up. What gives? The seeds were not completely formed yet. The seeds were just beginning to form in the heads. Still enough to be fed on. Finally one came a bit lower to the ground and I proceeded to wiff my first two shots. Sat awhile longer and began to fidget. I know this farm pretty well. Our son was born here in a tarpaper shack we liven in 38 years prior. As I looked down the field towards where our house was I seen a couple groups of dove flying and dropping down, not coming back up. I walked a bit closer for a better look. Seen more and hustled as quick as my body would let me back to the truck. Picked up my mess and moved. As I was working my way to see what was going on at the next place ran into farmer watering his pigs. Told hi what I had seen and he told me there was a group of fifteen or so working the cut silage field. Said if you don't have luck where you seen birds go to cut silage. What I had seen was a lot next to our old house that was nothing but weeds and dirt where the cattle had beat the spot to death. Dead and living trees surround this little place. Dove in and out of the trees and landing in the sparse weeds. Sparse in places but pretty tall what I call pigweed. Some three foot or better. I took a seat in some weeds within range of one of the dead hedge trees. All birds had left but began to come back. It was on then. My view from the hide, The reward I was given, When a man is alone he has time to really think as he watches the sky. I was a mere less than sixty yards from our old rental house. Much reminiscing was happening. When the Mrs. water broke and I freaked as we loaded up for the hospital. Then the birth of our son Matthew February 14th a valentines baby. Bringing him home and watching him grow. This was a very dinky house with no insulation. Lathing and painted mortar on the inside walls. Wood lapped siding. You could see the cobwebs move inside the house when the wind was blowing from the north. There was one large room we had to keep closed in the winter. Water in a glass would freeze in there. The propane company liked us as we were frequent buyers. The delivery driver and I became friends as he was always there. Our closest neighbors were the house owners and like a second set of parents, Raymond and Janelle. Raymond taught me many things about the outdoors mainly about trapping. The area trappers and coon hunters got enough fur once a week and Friday nights the fur buyer would make a visit to Raymond's house where we could sell our fur. Fun times and visiting. A mini fur trader gathering every week in the minter months. Raymond grew watermelons, good ones and he would sell in town. The days he did not sell he would have Mrs. BilletHead load our truck and she would sell. Two to four bucks each depending on size. We ate watermelon all summer. He would tell us to go to the patch, picka melon and eat the heart out of it right there and repeat until we could no longer eat another! Mat in diapers would play on the little concrete porch. Bare footed and belly showing we would eat melons. Put the slimy seeds between our fingers and pinch until the seed would shoot out hitting Matt and sticking to his bare belly. He would laugh in delight. He hated when you threw a cocklebur on his clothes though . Even after we moved to our now BilletHeadVille we stayed friends with Raymond and Janelle. Even going to Cookeville Tennessee to the National trappers convention with them. The Missouri Trappers convention too. This was once the place where the house stood, My hunt was made just sitting and thinking about the past this morning. As Troutdoorsman said above it is nice to get a bird or two but not for me today. Not this trip. I did not have to although I did. This reminds me I need to get on the phone and call Matt, just to say I love you son, BilletHead

This type of statement makes the hunt. Getting birds is just the icing on the cake. A great post to read as I got ready to try my luck although I was still at the house NOT having to get there early to secure my spot, heck I did not even have and exact spot chosen. Good Post MoPanfisher, BilletHead

All that bragging in one post! Well done John, BilletHead

Nice, I feel about cooked broccoli like Ness does about cilantro but I would eat it to be polite. And it doesn't even taste like soap. I am though trying to appreciate the taste of it. I can eat a whole head of it raw. Same goes for cauliflower. BilletHead

Very tragic and so sad, Prayers sent , BilletHead

He knows Glenn , BilletHead

It will plane up with two people. Just not a fast jump with two. Richard and I have ran some mighty thin water in it . Me at 190 and Richard the same or a little more at times . My 60/40 on a good day with a good current might hit 30 mph me alone. Richard alone in this rig could not keep up with me but I bet he was getting close to 20 MPH on his good days. Ham may have more input but he is a skinny tall dude ! We never tried an accurate test with a GPS in Richards boat.

I hope so Snagged, that and I feel like he is looking over my shoulder all the time. Thinking I should take out the dust rag and wax and get to it. With the friends he has now up there I don't want to make my buddy mad, BilletHead

Are you trying to up the cost? Mojo is free but the honey hole location is going to really up the asking price ! Actually hope the boat has no homing pigeon in it's DNA. BilletHead

This is just a fraction of the good stuff that has come from fishing in this rig. Richard caught his first fly rod hybrid from this boat as did I and Mrs. BilletHead. Actually this boat started our infatuation of chasing hybrids on the fly, Can you see the love this rig will bring? It would be my pleasure to sell it to an OAF member. I am sure Ham has some photos also, BilletHead

If any of you remember my Post on support forum I lost my long time fishing buddy Richard. He had me on transfer upon death on his boats. It was his wish for me to dispose and the funds will be going to his Widow Annette. This will not even touch the outstanding bills but we are going to attempt to make a divot in it. So this is what we have. A 2001 Express all weld boat. It has the gear track . A 2005 Mercury two stroke Jet 20 HP . Sticker 20 Jet on the motor cowling. It is a 25 HP. A trailer too with new tires and a spare. This rig is cherry. Richard took great care and pride in his boats and this reflects it. Always stored inside, wiped down the motor after every trip and a coat of wax on the motor when needed. It is in my front yard and when I looked out this morning I teared up. Richard and I have spent countless hours fishing, laughing and solving world problems during out adventures. I won't lie there was arguing too but always resolved. Besides what you get for this price there will be a million dollars of good mojo free and you will see this in another post after the boat pictures. Ham has fished out of this boat too and Grizwilson knows from seeing Richards other boat on the redfish trip how Richard takes care of his stuff. I had struggled with a price and have reached out to some on OAF for help. This is what I will be asking for the rig. 3000.00. We are talking on the upper end of better than average here and these pictures should reflect that, Any questions just ask. Follow up mojo post coming, BilletHead

Good pictures and racing report John, Jackie almost got to check one off her bucket life list. She had the right lure out but missed a potential strike but getting to touch the nose cone instead of his actual nose is an almost catch . Well done Father and daughter! BilletHead

Quadruple dang for the daughter who out did her dad . She can make dessert for the BilletHead's anytime. BilletHead

I like simple. BilletHead

If it wasn't for needing to help my deceased buddy's widow with some things I would be there. The fish are enjoying the flooded green soybeans, millet and smartweed. Funny watching them swim between rows of green corn stalks too. River ha crested and beginning to fall fast. By the time I get back it will of all changed. Will never do a scouting trip without the fly rod again, BilletHead

I am in MoPan's camp here. Depends on what state you are in. These places may have more game and fish thus can support a more liberal harvest. You sometimes MoCarp take pictures out of context for your benefit. Take the ducks here. Some duck hunters pile each of their limits into a single picture. There is not State that allows more than seven ducks per person, Missouri six. If it is legal and you want to do it, do it just do not waste it, BilletHead

Another good one!, I actually thought of you today. River is out of it's bank and flooding into the duck marsh and making some nice backwaters. I took my wanabee duck boat and little surface drive unit for a spin. The carp (common) and buffalo were wallowing and feeding like a heard of pigs. Did not take the fly rod. My thought was "What would Drew do" HA! I could just see you stalking the big scaled fishes with your kayak, BilletHead