BilletHead

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

Priceless my friend. Yep here's to Dads for sure. Wondering myself about the cold weather. we are getting much needed rain here today and more tonight.. This might fill the ponds finally. I have a friend coming down from St. Louis to bum for three days next week. Need to find where the birds are without running them off the roost ponds and lakes and share my luck or lack of luck with him Marty Oh and good photos too. you look like a great team.

Birdwatcher, You speaking of your dad brings back some neat memories. How I miss my pop so much. Our family moved from So. California in the Winter of "77" I was a junior in high school. Both of my parents were from North west Missouri but me So Cal born. Dad had polio and wore braces on both legs. He could walk with them and a cane on flat ground. We had not hunted before. Kids in school talked of dove hunting. This we did the first years. We would get him off the road in fields in a lawn chair. I would walk the milo fields keeping them stirred and we would both get shots. When getting back to him he knew where each of his birds had fell. I was the bird dog without a nose but we managed to find them. Now we dicided to duck hunt. The pond where Matt and I were is the pond where dad and I hunted, or sorta hunted at that time:) we had an old jeep commando . We would drive down an old road, across a ditch and then up to this pond behind the dam. Dad would get out and lean againt the jeep as I would circle around and sneak up on any ducks maybe get a shot and hope they would fly over dad. We did not get much but had fun. We also got a bright idea to go to Schell Osage and try to get one of the ADA blinds. We got it two times. Back then they rented decoys, we did and we did not get any ducks but one goose someone sky blasted a long way off and it sailed into us. Getting teary eyed now. We would fish some on Truman. The ADA ramps were good too. Got him into the boat. We would fish when we could. Mom told me his best trip was when we made some jug lines. Mom said Dad thought he was good help as he could grab the jugs with his cane as we went after them. Dad has been gone about ten years now after a long battle with lukemia. Thank you for jogging some memories and cherish each moment you have together. I wish I had done more with him, Marty

Way cool Fins, Looks like your folks have a little bit of heaven down there. Specks to boot! Nice story and thanks for sharing, Marty

A picture tells a thousand words sometimes. I had the pleasure of taking my Son out this morning. He is a great family man with little time to do much else. Up early when the rest were sleeping soundly. Got set up and not much going on. Three flocks of ducks high and going places. Heard the geese on roost ponds making noise but not flying off them. Finally seen a group of eight a long way off, again going places other than we were. Sun up pretty high peeking through the clouds. Had to get up and move a bit and wouldn't you know it a lone duck did a dive bomb and quickly flew out. Got hunkerd back down and told Matt fifteen more minutes as he and his family needed to get back home. No sooner than I said that a lone canada, way up and I mean way up was booking it North. I gave a call twice and that thing turned inside out and came our way, still up there. Another call and it cupped its wings coming almost straight down. As it closed the distance I said Matt its all yours. It was and down it hit the water. A retrieve as it floated to the bank with a grin back to the blinds. Thanks for a good morning my Son, Marty

Neat rig. If we get a big freeze I may try a float somewhere. One time many moons ago when things were froze I fished some holes on the Sac below Stockton, ducks everywhere! Marty

Sounds like a tasty meal Duane..A fellow needs to get creative with waterfowl. I see you are up early. The son and I are up getting ready to go. Little trailer is loaded and hooked to the ATV. I wish you all luck this morning, Marty

Sounds like a neat hunt. Great photo of the ladies too! I am going to take the son Matt out in the morning. Hoping for a hunt like I had yesterday for him to enjoy. How are goldeneye for eating? Marty