I'm going to group Jeff's first two hunts together, then give the third hunt it's own posting.
DAY 1, 12/07/2010
LOCATION: Reservoir Pit, Waldenburg, AR
TEMPERATURE: 27 degrees
WEATHER: North wind 8-10 mph, clear and sunny
KILLS: 1 drake shoveler
FRIENDS: Jeff Estes, Tad "tadpole" Williams, Ryan "IronGrip" Bianchini, HR Hunter
Notation at top of journal page reads: Ryan "Broke Weak"
I invited Tad and Ryan up for the opener of the second split of Arkanasas season. The fields froze up overnight, which made for major problems. The birds were sitting on the reservoir and not moving very much at all. Ryan hadn't pulled the trigger on a bird, so he had the first chance on the first bird in the decoys. It happened to be a "hollywood" some three hours into the hunt. We had agreed not to shoot any bootlips, but Ryan "broke weak". The bird fell some 200 yards away. I ran Hunter on the blind, and he lined it, returning with Ryan's trophy...and, his first bird of the season.
DAY 2, 12/11/2010
LOCATION: Reservoir Pit, Waldenburg, AR
TEMPERATURE: 42 degrees
WEATHER: Southeast wind at 10-15 mph and cloudy
KILLS: 1 drake green wing teal
FRIENDS: Jeff Estes and HR Hunter
I had been struggling all week trying to kill birds over Magellan. I forgot him on Wednesday, and we killed 4 limits (editors note: Jeff, you do realize you had only one thing to do TAKE HIM HUNTING.) Birds have been flying sky high, and hitting a particular field for 5 straight days. I'd estimate roughly 10,000 birds, maybe more. When the birds left the reservoir, we all knew where they were going. I managed to get 2 teal in the decoys, getting one of those on the strap. It has been a tough week for the clubs pits on the farm. If you weren't West of the reservoir, you were not going to pull the trigger much.
Check back later this week for the final hunt for Jeff and Magellan.
-Justin
Monday, March 7, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
"That First Bird"
This was originally written shortly after this hunt, in March 2008. It's hard for me to believe it's been 3 years since this hunt took place. I've seen Trent since this hunt and from what I can tell, this hunt got him started in the outdoors. I've done alot of things related to hunting, by all accounts, and this stands as one of my proudest memories. I can only hope my own daughter, Lila, one day gets to experience this with me.
That first bird, do you remember yours? I do. Young jake, 4" beard, never gobbled, stepped into a rye grass plot just like my daddy told me he would. Nothing about it sounded "turkey", more deer hunt than anything, but it was my first. I'll never have another one, and, just as assuredly, I'll never forget it. No matter how 'happenstance' me actually killing him was.
Earlier in the week I got a phone call from one of my very best friends. His question was simple and one I had hoped to receive, "Hey, whatcha doin Saturday?"
"Nothing man, gotta wedding to attend but that's it."
"Well, you wanna go on a youth hunt?"
My response was all he needed, "Keith, you know danged well I do....what time and where?"
My responsibility was to help the young man kill his first bird. Keith? Well, he was going to film it (he does that a good bit), and needed someone to "coach" the fella while sitting beside him. I took that on, but never could I realize the impact something like that could have on a kid.
Trent, well he's 12 years old, and Keith teaches his Sunday school class. That pretty much sums Keith up. He always gives more than he receives, stays straight on the Lord's path, and rarely asks for much in return.. That's probably why he has my utmost respect, and always will. I didn't know Trent but it really didn't take long to realize what a nice, respectful young man he was. Quick to jump into a story, even quicker to listen, and answers with "yes sir" and "no sir". I don't ask for that, quite frankly, it makes me a bit uneasy because I'm not that old, but after today, I'm quite certain the country could use a few more Trent's. Let me tell you, he was cool as a cucumber and deadly as a snake. There was about 10 minutes worth of strutting, spitting and drumming in which this ol' Tom made his presence felt at 20 yards. I know of absolutely no other kid Trent's age that could have stood the pressure -- not sure I could have back then either.
The turkey came up on the side of Trent in which he'd have to move too much to get a shot, so I just made sure he stayed still. And, he did, all the time the gobbler was mere feet in front of Keith allowing for some full framed footage.
We struck the longbeard right when we pulled up, catching Keith and I with our pants down, literally. My excuse was too much coffee, and I figure Keith had Dr. Pepper or some other junk. We circled into position and waited. This turkey wasn't too fired up, gobbling sparingly, but enough that if the hunt ended with no shot fired, I would have called it a blessed morning. Fortunately, I don't have to worry w/ that:
This ol' boy cut a distance of a few hundred yards in minutes. Looking over at Keith I saw him give a "he's coming" signal. Refocusing, I looked back and saw that big head bobbing.
My question was simple enough, "Trent, you see the turkey?"
"No sir."
"Trent, he's right there....you see the......."
"OOOH, wow."
And there he sat, for several minutes, strutting and drumming. At one point a couple of crows started fighting and he HAMMERED. I felt it in my chest and heard the breathing of a young boy quicken.
I gotta tell you, at about the 10 minute mark I was getting worried, as was Keith. The gobbler eventually stepped behind a tree, and I told Trent, "it's now or never......take the shot."
For five minutes afterwards, he couldn't speak.
After giving "the account" on film, we packed up and headed home. With Keith and Trent talking it over, I managed a photo:
Pretty sure we both agreed we would love to be Trent's age again, careless with only the outdoors to worry with.
This was Trent's first turkey hunt, his first gobble, his first strutting bird, his first turkey kill. Quite honestly, he could stop today, brag about this hunt, and he would have seen, heard and lived more turkey than 90% of the population walking this earth. But, I hope he doesn't. Instead, I hope he tells every waking soul, and I hope my friend calls me next year for another youth hunt.
Truly, the world needs more "Trent's":
That first bird, do you remember yours? I do. Young jake, 4" beard, never gobbled, stepped into a rye grass plot just like my daddy told me he would. Nothing about it sounded "turkey", more deer hunt than anything, but it was my first. I'll never have another one, and, just as assuredly, I'll never forget it. No matter how 'happenstance' me actually killing him was.
Earlier in the week I got a phone call from one of my very best friends. His question was simple and one I had hoped to receive, "Hey, whatcha doin Saturday?"
"Nothing man, gotta wedding to attend but that's it."
"Well, you wanna go on a youth hunt?"
My response was all he needed, "Keith, you know danged well I do....what time and where?"
My responsibility was to help the young man kill his first bird. Keith? Well, he was going to film it (he does that a good bit), and needed someone to "coach" the fella while sitting beside him. I took that on, but never could I realize the impact something like that could have on a kid.
Trent, well he's 12 years old, and Keith teaches his Sunday school class. That pretty much sums Keith up. He always gives more than he receives, stays straight on the Lord's path, and rarely asks for much in return.. That's probably why he has my utmost respect, and always will. I didn't know Trent but it really didn't take long to realize what a nice, respectful young man he was. Quick to jump into a story, even quicker to listen, and answers with "yes sir" and "no sir". I don't ask for that, quite frankly, it makes me a bit uneasy because I'm not that old, but after today, I'm quite certain the country could use a few more Trent's. Let me tell you, he was cool as a cucumber and deadly as a snake. There was about 10 minutes worth of strutting, spitting and drumming in which this ol' Tom made his presence felt at 20 yards. I know of absolutely no other kid Trent's age that could have stood the pressure -- not sure I could have back then either.
The turkey came up on the side of Trent in which he'd have to move too much to get a shot, so I just made sure he stayed still. And, he did, all the time the gobbler was mere feet in front of Keith allowing for some full framed footage.
We struck the longbeard right when we pulled up, catching Keith and I with our pants down, literally. My excuse was too much coffee, and I figure Keith had Dr. Pepper or some other junk. We circled into position and waited. This turkey wasn't too fired up, gobbling sparingly, but enough that if the hunt ended with no shot fired, I would have called it a blessed morning. Fortunately, I don't have to worry w/ that:
L to R: me, Keith, Trent
My question was simple enough, "Trent, you see the turkey?"
"No sir."
"Trent, he's right there....you see the......."
"OOOH, wow."
And there he sat, for several minutes, strutting and drumming. At one point a couple of crows started fighting and he HAMMERED. I felt it in my chest and heard the breathing of a young boy quicken.
I gotta tell you, at about the 10 minute mark I was getting worried, as was Keith. The gobbler eventually stepped behind a tree, and I told Trent, "it's now or never......take the shot."
For five minutes afterwards, he couldn't speak.
After giving "the account" on film, we packed up and headed home. With Keith and Trent talking it over, I managed a photo:
Small talk on the walk out from a successful hunt
The terrain we were hunting in was some of the finest turkey woods I've seen in a long time, unmolested by loggers, but laced with some of the most dog-awful hills and ridges a man could ever hate to happen upon. About the time Keith and I had enough, Trent shot out and started running, bird in tow. What makes a kid run for no good reason anyhow? I looked at Keith, and he nodded saying, "I know".Pretty sure we both agreed we would love to be Trent's age again, careless with only the outdoors to worry with.
This was Trent's first turkey hunt, his first gobble, his first strutting bird, his first turkey kill. Quite honestly, he could stop today, brag about this hunt, and he would have seen, heard and lived more turkey than 90% of the population walking this earth. But, I hope he doesn't. Instead, I hope he tells every waking soul, and I hope my friend calls me next year for another youth hunt.
Truly, the world needs more "Trent's":
L to R: Keith, Trent, me
I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed participating in the hunt itself. Here's hoping all the youth's have a successful weekend, if not in birds harvested certainly memories made.
Have a great weekend, Justin
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
"Magellan Hunts with the Infamous Don Miller"
***My only hunt with Magellan occurred between Quinn and Mark's hunts, and is documented here: My Morning with Magellan - the Day the Canvasback Search Ended***
When the idea for having Magellan and the Traveling rig landed in my lap, there were a few people and places I knew I wanted him to hunt with. Mark Blake, known on MsDucks as "Don Miller" was one of those people. I remember the first time I met Mark. It was between Christmas and New Years. I had traveled over to hunt with a friend, that was a member of Mark's camp in Turkey Scratch. For whatever reason, I got over there later than expected. When I finally pulled up, I jumped out of my Cherokee, and let Gauge air. Somehow he slipped up behind me without me knowing and kindly introduced himself. I had my back turned and when I looked over my shoulder, the dude's appearance scared me to death. Mark played football at Mississippi State and still carried much the same build. Couple that with a bushy beard and bald head...well, those that know him, know what I'm talking about. I've sinced talked to him both online and off about everything from dog training to duck calling. In that time, one thing has become apparent - he's a killer. I knew Magellan would see alot of action. Later, when I announced my plans for Magellan and the rig, I made a promise to myself to not ask anyone to take him. I wanted everyone to do so under their own volition. This did nothing but cause anxiety. I found myself watching my email constantly, hoping folks like Mark, Ty Willaims, and Pat Pitt (to name but a few) would want to hunt with him. As you can see, Mark and his bunch (who just so happened to be accompanied by Ty) did Magellan right. Here's Mark's stories
DAY 1, 12/03/2010
LOCATION: in and around Sidon, MS
TEMPERATURE: 37-50 degrees
WEATHER: Sunny, West/Southwest wind at 3-5 MPH
KILLS: 15 greenheads, 2 mallard hens (by mistake), 21 Gadwall
FRIENDS: Mark Blake, Ty Williams, Jeff Reeves, Jack Heath, Drake Thornberg, Jason Singh, Trey Wright with Chief SH to retrieve birds.
We got set up with decoys out an hour and a half before shooting time. Several times before legal shooting time the hole filled up with ducks. We knew it was going to be a good hunt. Early on it was fast and furious, with mostly gadwalls, but at the sun got up over the tree line, the mallards started working. We hunted until 12 p.m. but lacked 4 ducks for having a full 7 man limit. Regardless it was a great hunt, and at one time I think I saw a smile cross the lips of Magellan. The days total bag was 38 ducks - 17 mallards and 21 gadwall.
When the idea for having Magellan and the Traveling rig landed in my lap, there were a few people and places I knew I wanted him to hunt with. Mark Blake, known on MsDucks as "Don Miller" was one of those people. I remember the first time I met Mark. It was between Christmas and New Years. I had traveled over to hunt with a friend, that was a member of Mark's camp in Turkey Scratch. For whatever reason, I got over there later than expected. When I finally pulled up, I jumped out of my Cherokee, and let Gauge air. Somehow he slipped up behind me without me knowing and kindly introduced himself. I had my back turned and when I looked over my shoulder, the dude's appearance scared me to death. Mark played football at Mississippi State and still carried much the same build. Couple that with a bushy beard and bald head...well, those that know him, know what I'm talking about. I've sinced talked to him both online and off about everything from dog training to duck calling. In that time, one thing has become apparent - he's a killer. I knew Magellan would see alot of action. Later, when I announced my plans for Magellan and the rig, I made a promise to myself to not ask anyone to take him. I wanted everyone to do so under their own volition. This did nothing but cause anxiety. I found myself watching my email constantly, hoping folks like Mark, Ty Willaims, and Pat Pitt (to name but a few) would want to hunt with him. As you can see, Mark and his bunch (who just so happened to be accompanied by Ty) did Magellan right. Here's Mark's stories
DAY 1, 12/03/2010
LOCATION: in and around Sidon, MS
TEMPERATURE: 37-50 degrees
WEATHER: Sunny, West/Southwest wind at 3-5 MPH
KILLS: 15 greenheads, 2 mallard hens (by mistake), 21 Gadwall
FRIENDS: Mark Blake, Ty Williams, Jeff Reeves, Jack Heath, Drake Thornberg, Jason Singh, Trey Wright with Chief SH to retrieve birds.
We got set up with decoys out an hour and a half before shooting time. Several times before legal shooting time the hole filled up with ducks. We knew it was going to be a good hunt. Early on it was fast and furious, with mostly gadwalls, but at the sun got up over the tree line, the mallards started working. We hunted until 12 p.m. but lacked 4 ducks for having a full 7 man limit. Regardless it was a great hunt, and at one time I think I saw a smile cross the lips of Magellan. The days total bag was 38 ducks - 17 mallards and 21 gadwall.
Sunrise over the hole - photo courtesy of Ty Williams
Day 1 post hunt photo - courtesy of Ty Williams
Day 2, 12/05/2010
LOCATION: in and around Money, MS on Leflore County Hunting and Fishing Association
TEMPERATURE: 35-40 degrees
WEATHER: sunny, with a hard North wind at 15-20 MPH
KILLS: 2 greenheads and 1 gadwall
FRIENDS: hunted by myself with Chief SH
With unusually low water, I've been reluctant to hunt the LCHFA. Even with a mud motor, there are mud flats and stumps that will hang you up. The morning started with my "unnamed hunting partner" no-showing on me. I basically ended up dragging my 1542 War Eagle some 400 yds to my duck hole. Not a fun experience! Most of the ducks wanted the open water on the local WMA. I did manage to get a group of mallards in the timber hole where I doubled on greenheads. Later, a single gadwall made a fatal mistake. All in all, it was a miserable experience. After picking up the decoys, I drug the boat back to the landing. I won't be back until we get another foot of water!
THANKS to Mark and the fellas for taking Magellan out...as you can see from the second day, it's duck hunting and not meant to be easy.
I hope everyone enjoys, check back often, Justin
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