Desperate measures part two

[BilletHead]

     I hate ice,

  Really , really don't like it. Makes things hard..  This brings us to todays hunt. Not the place where we broke ice yesterday. Birds have been using this place even froze solid. Seen some there yesterday. Smaller pond. Light in the Eastern sky as we got there, no hurry as geese were not in air first thing. Got set up and as Mrs. BilletHead was adding grass to the blinds I broke a small hole next to the bank to put four floaters in. The rest were full bodies on the shore stringing into the field,

 

        Right as we set down in the layout blinds we ban to see ducks, lots of ducks and I was surprised. Mainly big flocks up high and traveling south into the strong wind. Four mallards flew over and gave us a look. I called and they turned and began to work. Five passes and a final cup and down they came and Pat shot a drake. Bonus as I had no idea we would have ducks today and landing on an ice hole? Go figure. A bit later geese began to fill the air from two directions. We had set up a bit offset between two large roost lakes. First group to see us there was no hesitation it was wings set all the way in a nice long glide right in front of us. We let them have it two dead on the ice with a third in a sail over the field to finally drop dead and hit the ground. AS the Mrs. did the long distance retrieve I grabbed the rod and reel to work on the two on the ice. I got mine and she got the other. Three down half way there. A bit later more birds coming and the Mrs. got another. Retrieved two more to go. Really windy by now and the remaining ice was getting pretty punky. A pair came by and circled and set up. I told Pat I would take the lead bird and she would take the other. In the came and we both connected. My worst fear happened. When hitting the ice they both broke through. No matter how hard I tried The  topwater plug would not pull the birds onto the ice to be pulled out.  Here is where desperation came in. Loaded everything up to drive home and get the kayak. Plans were made on the way home on how to do this. What would we need? Kayak, paddle, rope, life jacket and a careful approach. Home and kayak loaded the drive back. Back at the driveway unloaded the ATV again and tied the kayak behind to be pulled back to pond. I asked Pat if she wanted to ride back there in kayak? Are you crazy she said you will hit and throw cow crap on me on purpose . So back at the pond we got things ready including a rope on back end of kayak. I told her if I couldn't get turned around you will have to pull me backwards. I got inside the yak and proceeded to crunch ice with the paddle. Rock the kayak to crack ice and paddle forward and repeat. All the way to the middle of the two birds,

    Picked up my bird first and what do you do? You look for a band   What did I find? .

 Grabbed other bird and As I was trying to turn about face I heard the Mrs. say I got this and in reverse I went at high speed right to her feet. Oh did I have a band? Well yes I did!

    Back to the truck and loaded up for home again.       

  Got everything cleaned then a meal started reported band through the data base.   Female banded on 7-30-2013. Hatched in 2012 or earlier. Banded in Churchill Manitoba.  Good day with the best of company. 

  BilletHead

   

[JohnP]

That's awsome Marty, congrats.

[Johnsfolly]

Congrats Marty! Persistence paid off for you and the Mrs☺!

[slothman]

Banded bird! Sweet bonus! Congrats. 

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Great read.  You are a true conservationist.   You reap what you sow,  and you are sowing quality seeds.   Good job to you both.  

[Ketchup]

Man i love reading stories like this. Way to figure it out guys. Theres a few ponds i pass daily that have 50 or so geese. Wish i was into waterfowl like i was in the mid 90's.  

Congrats to you both. 

[Ron Burgundy]

I really enjoy reading your hunts , congratulations on the band!

[JestersHK]

Nice job Buddy!  You kill all dem geese!

[Johnsfolly]

In Eastern MD, lots of field hunting for geese. think I may even sent BH a photo or two from my last trip. No reason to bother breaking ice when the birds are in the fields. Now getting permission to hunt where the geese are is a much different issue! I believe that some of the leases get passed down through estate wills !

[BilletHead]

1 hour ago, Johnsfolly said:

In Eastern MD, lots of field hunting for geese. think I may even sent BH a photo or two from my last trip. No reason to bother breaking ice when the birds are in the fields. Now getting permission to hunt where the geese are is a much different issue! I believe that some of the leases get passed down through estate wills !

Send photos, make me drool.