Oh the duck hunting sucked, sorry cyber scouters, you can move along…did not even pull the trigger... Did have 2 groups over the deeks and I should have shot...but anyways back to the story....

I head out yesterday morning with high hopes. Scouted this lake/area Saturday afternoon, I have not hunted this area in 7 years. Saw a ton of GWT scouting, should have known the teal would move on. I digress again, back to the story...

So I head out yesterday morning thinking I'm fully prepared. Nope. 16 degrees it was I think when I headed out, breaking ice on the way there no prob done that before... Get to spot, get deeks set out, getting wet of course, get out of water, get to my momarsh and I could barley walk, my waders are frozen solid that fast! Dang, thought they were gonna crack!



I look at my boat, it is all frozen.



Then I look at my motor, it is frozen. I'm thinking dang, hope this baby starts and gets me home.



Everything was frozen..







You know its slow when you are taking pics of decoys. lol. So I say I'm gonna finish my coffee and try and get out of here alive.



So I get everything packed, and I go to start my motor. On a warm day, it starts first pull. Cold days, it can take 2 or 3 pulls. It starts best with no gas, full choke, then slowly feather the choke off till it idles with choke off, can't do it too fast it will die. So I give her a pull, it starts first pull sweet!! But I'm kinda in a hurry, I kinda want to get to a safe place soon, so took the choke off too soon and motor dies. Crap!! So I give it another pull and this happens..



Incredibly, it started on that pull, I took that pic at the ramp! I think the duck gods were watching out for me!!

That looks way to miserable to be in, at least you made it back with all body parts. The heater felt nice as I slept in on Sunday morning.

So lucky/awesome it started on that final pull of that rope! You have better luck than me! Lol. I too had several dekes freeze, and my waders froze too. Made it hard to walk when I got up. Very weird feeling. Hahaha, but still had fun. And don't worry, I too didn't fire a shot, but did drink a thermos full of coffee.

The big man upstairs must have been looking out for you!

That's a neat little boat.

Braver than me, we did the marathon walk in. I was too scared to take my boat out. Glad everything worked out Guy.

Woah

I bet that was a long boat ride back to the ramp. Seconds turn into minutes when you're praying the boat doesn't break down. :P

I thought I was crazy being up north yesterday. No thanks!!!

Hardcore.

Incredible how often that craziness seems to happen while hunting! What an experience and story!

Anytime you make it back, the duck Gods have shined favorably upon you.

Nice story! Bet it felt good to get back to the ramp.

Cyber scouter here... disappointed in thread.

This fella needs some Kleenex...


Glad she started! Would have made for a long day.

BTW how far from the ramp were you?

A little over a mile. I could have paddled back if I had too, really did not want to do that.

^^^ Yep.

Misery loves company

rough day! I've been there before, the cold makes everything more difficult