Thread: Game bird diary for all

Originally Posted by Woody

Reporoa is on a retricted bag limit and short season again this year. However, not to be deterred we went into the creek and gave it a shot. High cloud and very high ducks but I managed to call a few in.
Attachment 87061
Thor (my young GWP) and Burl (my old GWP) in the canoe as we paddle up the creek to our peg.
Attachment 87062
Waiting waiting.
Attachment 87063
Nice retrieve by Thor from heavy flooded cover.
Attachment 87064
Waiting for the next one.
Attachment 87065
Checking their work.
Not so many birds this year, but weather is a factor too.
There is an old female swan that uses this area for nesting; been here for many years. How she has survived I do not know, but she called in and said hello a couple of times. Of course, I do not shoot her; she is lovely to see; seems to know she is safe here and flies within a few feet of me quite unconcerned. She brought in two of her cobbers Sunday night as well.
I set two short step ladders in the mud and lean on them, standing in chest waders. Miss a few when my feet get stuck in the bud and prevents me from turning and swinging the gun quickly.
We had half a dozen for our efforts, so no complaints and watching the dog work is the greatest buzz for me, especially in the beautiful environment that surrounds. Dabchicks, teal, spoonies, geese, swallows, hawks, shags, trout, eels,, swans, canadas and all manner of insects make the place magical. Don't need to kill a lot to appreciate one of the finer things in life.
Lastly, drying and cleaning my 20 gauge and ammo. Attachment 87066

Very nice side by side a friend has a hulgu one and its his go to for gamebirds he reckons it leads better. Really should get one of my old timers going there should be a dispensation for 12 gauge bp proof guns like there is for muzzle loaders.