Hard Season finally pays

Soilman

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
I've been trying to get my boykin, Jesse, some actually hunt/retrieval time experience this year, but we've not had much luck. We don't have any really decent spots nearby, the weather has been uncooperative, and my shooting at the few birds we have had a chance at, has been less than stellar. Well, I was sure fate had once again stepped in to ruin our last day hunt. The place I'd planned to hunt up in Warren County became unavailable. I thought about going over to family land in Bladen County, but I was just too pooped after work yesterday to make the drive.

I'd scouted a beautiful beaver pond in the Croatan one afternoon last weekend. Not much sign of ducks, or of folks hunting it, but I just couldn't imagine such a beautiful waterhole not attracting some ducks. So, I made the decision to make a rather long walk in to this untested site.

We made it in with plenty of time to spare. I heard a few "honks" from some geese upstream. "Well, that was something unexpected" I though. We waited, but no ducks at shooting light. It was a good while before any ducks showed up, and when they did, they came and went before I had a chance to even get my gun up. After another long wait, I decided to walk over to a "pinch point" in the pond, where the land on either side was closest to each other. Suddenly, here came the geese. I missed the first batch, but dropped one in the second batch. It fell about 10 feet out in the water. Jesse went after it, but it was still splashing around, and he gave up and headed back to me. By the time he got back, the goose had died, so I sent Jesse back. He grabbed the goose by the wing, and hauled him to shore. Not a fantastic retrieve by any means, but he did his job and I am very proud of him.
Jesse's Goose compressed.JPG

Sorry folks. I've wasted over an hour trying to get the photo to post. Can't do it from my computer or a hosting site. Something has changed.
 
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CountryRN

Twelve Pointer
The picture is showing now. That dang bird is bigger than the dog. I bet it was a good time watching the pup bring it back in.
 

dunno

Spike
I know what you mean with not being blessed with good local hunting spots (mostly just a good wood duck hole). I have a boykin (just turned 2) as well that I am trying to get hunting experience with, and there have been a some days this year where we have gotten skunked.

So I decided to roundup some guys (last week) and went to Arkansas to hunt public land. She did more retrieves in those 3 days than she has her whole life.
 

Hydemarsh

Six Pointer
I know what you mean with not being blessed with good local hunting spots (mostly just a good wood duck hole). I have a boykin (just turned 2) as well that I am trying to get hunting experience with, and there have been a some days this year where we have gotten skunked.

So I decided to roundup some guys (last week) and went to Arkansas to hunt public land. She did more retrieves in those 3 days than she has her whole life.


that was a smart move. hope you had fun.
 

Soilman

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
The good thing is, our season isn't really quite over with yet. Goose season is in for 2 more weeks, and since I've found their roosting site, I plan to be waiting on them when they fly the next 2 weekends. Another plus is, with geese, I don't have to be in place by 0 dark thirty.
 

JJWise

Twelve Pointer
The good thing is, our season isn't really quite over with yet. Goose season is in for 2 more weeks, and since I've found their roosting site, I plan to be waiting on them when they fly the next 2 weekends. Another plus is, with geese, I don't have to be in place by 0 dark thirty.

I'm hoping me and Peanut will be able to get out this weekend if I don't have to work, either for geese or quail. Hoping to get him on a couple more retrieves before the season ends entirely. Congrats on your last day, looks like a pretty good dog
 

JONOV

Twelve Pointer
I appreciate your situation. I was in the same situation this year, finally made it happen on Thursday.
 
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