BilletHead

Are you going to stay in the blind all day or take a break at camp Schell sometime tomorrow? Marty

Windy, windy, windy. Just opposite of yesterdays south wind. Hit a pond that has been rested for about three weeks. Geese were not even looking but the ducks were. North wind so Pat and I set up on the North side where there was a small break out of the wind. Set up and made a hole right in front of the blinds. Pat has finally got the stink off as far as ducks go. Good shot on the geese but not to quick on getting on the ducks, not so today as they were right in our faces and she whacked some. We got six gaddies and two mallards. Mallards flying with the gadwall. Just finished gadwall fajitas. A couple of photos from this morning, Marty

Beautiful Duane. You are right about finishing off the year that way. Pat and I fought the wind on the praire. White caps on the ponds today. Got a goose early and right before picking up at 10 o'clock a big flock of mallards checked us out. We seen them a long way off fighting the wind. They were almost stationary at times in the wind. Two fell for us. We will be starting off the Next year tomorrow on a pond bank I am sure. Marty

Pat thinks the Summerfresh market on the West side of ElDorado Springs market might have small bundles. If not I have a bunch here you can have if you can't find any. I even deliver. I know they let you pick up dead wood around the campgrounds but I bet it is pretty picked over. Just let me know, Marty

You all have a good time hunting up there Duane. Stir them up and maybe I can get a shot or two as they fly by going South. Remember I am close and if you need anything while camping give us a ring. I am thinking I may take Pat to a pond that has been resting for three weeks. It isn't close to the road so I don't know if it is being used or not. Might just scare off roosting birds and nothing after that but a nice sunrise and mild weather, Marty

Solo hunt this morning. Only one duck and it landed in the decoys way before shooting light as I was adjusting decoys and off it went. Later on geese going from place to place and my little set up they wanted nothing to do with. I knew it would only take time before the pond hopping birds would start milling around. This place is another I have been watching and birds were there yesterday so surely they would be there again? First group wanting in badly coming in low but they had to rise over the power line then a long glide into my face and I dropped two. A short wait and a trio did the same and I ruined one of there days. Picked up and headed back home. Really no place to hide so I had set up on a point and put some big foots to break up the layout. A picture of the set up and the reward, Marty

Watermen and everyone else, The recipe comes in a box, high mountain brand you can get about anywhere. Ducky's sample was the original. We use cajun, pepper and garlic too. Just do as it says with whole muscle meat. I use a Bradley smoker and yes it is idiot proof, good thing too. Taking it off at the right time helps also. Get your meat uniform in thickness. I do one quarter inch thick. I also made a jerky board. Measurements are 10" long, 6" wide. Made 1/4" rails on the sides. I made this to fit a goose breast side pretty perfect. A very, very sharp fillet knife rids the rails as you hold the breast flat. Take off a slab, remove and repeat. Do as the instructions tell you to. 1/4" minuminum 24 hrs set time with the mix. I do up a batch one Evening go a full 24 hrs plus the next night. So about 36 hours or so. Set the smoker for 210 degrees and smoke time 2 hrs and 20 minutes. I have only tried hickory so far. After 4 hours start to check for doneness. You don't want it hard but pliable. I think a dehydrater or oven would work fine too. Here are some board pictures. I used maple for my board and soaked it in mineral oil. My buddy Brad and I talked of making a plastic one from a cutting board. Dado blade, taking out the slot. would be easyer to clean up. Marty

It was pretty funny peeking over the dam. Thinking where would be the best place to set up and hide. And most importantly how to look like mud and hide. I think they will be safe until a big rain, Marty

Way to go Duane, Brad, Pat and myself got four geese this morning. Pretty tough as they are getting smart and the duck flight really sucked this day. We did hear some others shooting this morning to the South West of us. On the way home Brad and I checked out some other places for the future.Pat on the camera. Plus todays haul. Brad is on the way home so I may go solo in the morning. Found where some of them are going, Marty

Duane, You have my numbers and e-mail. I will fix you up. No big secret just good eats. Nice to see you and your friend too. Brad and I were worried if you and your bud got to eating it on the way home it would be gone and MonaChari would miss out. Glad she liked it, Marty

We all get to share posts and pictures of our hunts. I like to see what we do with them afterwards too. Seen photos of Duane's poppers before. Well here is Pat's and my dinner. Pan seared gadwall with a romaine salad. I washed mine down with a cold fat tire. A full belly I have. I won't be dreaming of Santa and his reindeer but of birds big and small cupped and comitted. Merry Christmas to you all, Marty and Pat

Way to go guys, and bands for a bonus. Taking a few days off here. Starting again early this next week. Marty

I will get her some. Once they get cold they stay cold and she thinks it is funny to put them on me at bedtime! Marty

She is a good spotter also. She says look over there, I say where and she responds Everywhere! Beginning to be a bit bossy too. I say slow down we have plenty of time and she responds we have to be ready. Need to figure out how to keep her toes warm. So far that is the only complaint. Marty

You can also say sweetheart it would not be polite to not accecpt a freebee! Really honey the hunting is secondary,

Neat report duane, I figured you were on the prowl because you hadn't posted. Next time you go to Schell I will deliver some goose jerky to you. Only twenty minutes or less from the house, Marty

Told Pat you all said not to let them be. So up at 4:30. 5:00 put a batch of goose jerky in the smoker, loaded the truck with decoys and blinds. Soon after that we headed out. Got set up and proceeded to enjoy the morning. Left the duck decoys at home because geese was the bird of the day. Stellar hunt. Birds all morning. We even let some land, ten foot from our blinds. Seen more ducks this morning than we have any morning. Home by 9:30. Pictures as follows. Birds flying like this all morning. A couple of the set up. Pat and our birds. She shot real well this morning. Marty

Don't lnow about Shawnee but I would bet it is good around four rivers. I did see a guy who posted on follow the ducks on the DU website from Rich Hill who has been doing well. I stay here close to home and don't talk to anyone but you fellows. Marty

yep the red dog is still there, two other ones from time to time. You think the dog looks tuff you should see the guy in the trailer! I have had a conservation with him a time or two, just be sure and be upwind when doing so Marty

ok then I have figured out a place to park. Close to that creepy old trailer where the dogs try to eat my tires when I drive by. And yes the birds are still there. But you all know the best laid plans of mice, men and Marty have a way of going wrong. The pond to the East is farmed by some friends and I am the only one there. Could of been leased in the past though? Marty PS I just noticed in the first photo there is a swan at the back just to the right side. I seen him yesterday but did not know I got him in the picture this morning.

Guess that is where I should take Pat in the morning? Hummmm? I may have to drive over there this afternoon and figure out where to park. Not me to the North of there but If I recall right Pat and I were just to the East on the South side of the road. Do you know where that pond is Bird Watcher? Bet you do.. Boy our paths have crossed I am sure of that. Marty

I have a friend coming next week for a little hunt or two. Shall I save this place, let it rest and take a chance of someone or something messing it up or save it? This pond has a pump that will send it's water to a larger lake and it may be drawn down. I still have places to fall back on too. I am getting giddy just thinking of it. Marty

I will see if I can figure out how to PM you, Marty

Come on over and harass them. I really think this will help the pond hunting. Marty

Thank you for the blessed rain here. Our ponds and lakes have been so dry here. I got a couple of inches here at home. Quite a bit North and West of here. ...THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVERS IN MISSOURI... LITTLE OSAGE NEAR HORTON AFFECTING VERNON COUNTY MARMATON RIVER NEAR NEVADA AFFECTING VERNON COUNTY .HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH OCCURRED OVER THE LITTLE OSAGE AND MARMATON RIVER BASINS YESTERDAY HAS CAUSED RIVER LEVELS TO RISE. Good news for four rivers. These two rivers come together in that area. I am sure the Bates county drainage ditch will be pretty full also. I did some recon on places I hunt and the water on the ponds that drain large areas were full and up in the grass. A few ducks and a big load of geese were tails up feeding and very happy. Pretty muddy for tha cattle farmers but the crop boys will be happy as the irragation lakes fill. A true blessing for the food chain of the chased and chasers, Marty