Let the (Bird) Hunting Begin

The waterfowl season has arrived, and it's time to hunt duck and geese! Over the summer, Andrew and I outfitted ourselves with guns and gear, and a few days before Thanksgiving (11/23/11) we joined Dan and Fran Sr. at the farm (see homestead at left) for a day-of-it. Unfortunately, although we hunters were primed to hunt, the weather did not cooperate (it still has not!), being unseasonably warm. What we need is cold: to drive the birds south along the East coast; to raise their metabolisms to stay warm, thereby requiring food to feed their little furnaces; and to set them in motion in search of food, flying here and there across water and fields. Without cold, there are small numbers of waterfowl around, and large numbers of frustrated hunters complaining to one another.

And yet...there was no complaining in our blind. Why? Well, we were outdoors in a beautiful environment on the Eastern shore of Maryland in pristine Chesapeake Bay country; we were spending time with best companions; and anything, indeed, can happen when hunting (and fishing)--you just never know, a slow day can prove bountiful all in the window of a minute. Besides. we were hunting--getting into the routine, breaking in the gear, sighting the shotguns--all in preparation for when it will "turn on" big time, and it will, very soon. With winter comes the cold. Guaranteed. Just a matter of when it arrives. So when, not if, is what we're talking about. And let it be formally noted that we clocked in our time this day, collecting points for having been ready, points that accumulate over time and can be turned in later for kills. See, that's the way it works: every hunter (and fisherman) must invest to reap rewards. Today we sat down at the table and anted up. So, now we're squarely in the game.

The "hedgerow blind" in the upper field--our station for the day. Fran Sr. standing

Getting settled. Farmhouse at upper right

Andrew with decoys set up behind

Dan in his element--happiest man around

12-gauge camo pumps: Andrew's Remington at left, Jim's Benelli at right

Andrew and dove shot--taking what presents

Final operating instructs prior to ride around farm's perimeter