Banded Mallard

The morning started off with Mallards hovering over the pit. It was hard to stay off the trigger, but as gentlemen we did. As shooting time came, the ducks thinned out, as it seems they always do, but a couple of teal buzzed us and fell victims to the 5 gun salute.

One loan greenhead gave us a look and fell tits up in the decoys.

As the duck pit chatter turned to laughs and lies a loan hen snuck in over our heads. Already out of range for a few, Ole Randy sent steel flying her way, One, Two, Three shots rang out and much to my pit members dismay, she fell from the sky. It had to be a 60 yard shot, flying away from us with the wind. To be honest even I was amazed at my marksmanship skills. Having no dog with us, I sprang to my feet and started by 1/4 mile hike. The strong north wind pushed her further and further away from us. I could hear laughter from the pit as they watched me run/walk, run/walk. Everyone thought I was nuts for working so hard for a Spoonie, that's what we all though it was, but as I got to her, she still had life in her, "quack quack" I heard and said to myself, " well at least its a mallard". The diving game began. After running my arm elbow deep 6 times I snatched her up and what to my eyes did appear? A BAND !!! Everybody hunting heard my shouts of joy and thought I was joking, but ooooh no. I had got me a banded mallard. Made My DAY!

We ended up with 3 Mallards and two Teal, not a bragging day number wise but what a memory. My son got to see his Dad act like a kid again, well actually that happens alot, BUT, It was a GREAT day with family and friends.

Safe Hunting Boys,

Randy