So, I was able to get my BT blind on and take young Anka to the marsh. This would be her first shot at duck hunting and my first shot at identifying and shooting teal.
It was mostly a voyage to get to know the boat,the blind, how to blend, how deep the water is, and how well Anka would or would not like this duck thing.
She acted kinda squirrely at her HZP, giving me my first fail. We retested and got a 179. Anyway, she is kinda a diva.
It really turned into a long day. I had company, but it was 90 degrees and little wind. I did install a couple of 12 volt plug ins so we had a couple fans blowin.
Anka started out less than stellar. In her defense she didnt see birds fall, had not really jumped off the boat in deep water, and never had knotty weeds like this. I am not at all ashamed to say that she needed so.e help in the start.
But the highlight and reward for our patients came at the end of the day.
My friend and I both knocked down 2 teal that were not finished. Anka dove off the boat and swam the 40 or so yards to the first duck. She had no trouble catching it and quickly brought it to me.
I met her at the bow of the boat and she gave up the bird. I moved my hand gently along the side of her head, whispered "ready.....Back!" And away she went! She searched that area ,you could see her following the track. We saw the duck and Anka was on its tail!!!
During this time more ducks came in, but I told my buddy not to shoot. I wanted her to be successful on this duck.
She searched for 5 mins or so and a duck came in that I just could not pass up!
I lifted up and let the 7s fly! Down came the bird. Anka came off the search, picked up the 3rd bird and brought it to hand.Again, I ran my hand along her face(fyi, I was doing this because the water was deep and the weeds thich. I didnt want to cause her to panic. Dumb, right?)
I again told get "ready....back!" She swam about 10 yards and looked back at as if she was confused and began to swim the wrong way.
I gave her a minute, put my waders back on( I was pretty much down to my skiveys because of the heat. Barefooted and all!) and jumped in the water with her. U took the gun hoping I didnt have to use it.
I quietly told her "hunt dead" and walked. She began to search and again hit the track of the way ward duck. My buddy told me he thought the duck went into the willows. I walked that way, but I could see Anka still searching with an a national point or head dunking.
I called to her once more and she came to me willingly. As she rounded the mound of weeds, I saw that she had found the duck!!!
I cant tell you how proud I was of her. She brought it to me, allowed me to take it. But I knew she wanted to take her prize to the boat.
I was full of pride as I watched her swim to the boat and load up on the ladder.
It was a great day!
