Our day started off like any other day at the club. Guys running around getting their gear together and getting ready to head out. As the first ATV's get fired up I look out side and I see BlackJack sitting on the seat ready to go. See BlackJack is my lab and he loves to hunt. He has no problem going with whoever is ready to leave. He just wants to make sure he gets to go!



So, we get our stuff together and head out. Everything was frozen and normally I will not even go out. When it is frozen up at our place you might as well sleep in! We went anyway and at 9:30 I told my member that we had 1 Mallard Drake and that nothing was flying yet. So we decided to go in and have some breakfast. I knew about 12:00 when it started thawing out the birds would start flying just as they did the friday before.

About 11:45 I went down to one of our lakes to see if it was thawing. Sure enough it was and there were 3 groups trying to come in. I went back got 2 members and we headed out alittle after 12:00. The birds were coming in group after group after group. By 12:45 we had close to 10 birds. BlackJack and I just got back in the blind after picking up 3 Mallard Drakes and we just could not beleive how well the birds were working. About 5 minutes later I heard BlackJack make a welping noise. I went to grab him and he died! I rushed him to the Vet in Honeygroove and the vet confirmed that he had died and most likely from a heart attack. I cried and cried! He was very special and retrieved 5000 plus birds and countless pieces of firewood, sticks, bumpers etc...

Came back to the lodge around 2:00. I told my guys that BlackJack would want us to finish out our limit. So we went hunting. We were done by 3:00. We ended up with 14 Mallard Drakes, 1 Mallard Hen, 2 Teal and a Spoonie.(Shot because one of my members wanted a Spoonie Drake to mount) The whole time I was crying softly knowing my best friend had just died!




We ended up shooting around 49 Ducks that afternoon. MOst all were Mallard Drakes with 3 or 4 Hens and a few Teal Mixed in!



It was a awesome hunt!

Then saturday I buried BlackJack on top of one of our pimple mounds(Roasting areas for ducks) The pimple mound was on Horseshoe Lake. I wanted him up high on top so he can watch over the place and watch the birds come in during the morning and in the afternoon!



I left on his grave my calls along with my 2 bands that he retrieved for me with the ducks! I will miss you BlackJack!

sorry for your loss brother.

nice tribute

RIP BLACKJACK.

He went out with his boots on, and died doing what any self respecting duck hunter would want to be doing when called up.

I know it is tough none the less. Sorry for your loss. I too watched my lab have a heart attack.

Black jack went with his best friend at his side, and doing what he loved. He must have been special in the Lords eyes as well.

Sorry to hear that. SOunds like a great dog.

Pintail, your story made ME all misty eyed!! congrats on a great day, and I feel your loss. I know he will be sadly missed, however fondly remembered......

Man, i am sorry for your loss.

Prayers up for you and family

I couldn't imagine what that must be like. I am very sorry for your loss but at least he passed doing what he loved. It also looks like you gave him the proper burial he deserved.

They never live long enough. RIP Blackjack!

Thanks Guys! It has been hard.... He had more want to than any other dog I have seen! God works in mysterious ways because I breed him and his pups are now 4 weeks old. So, it looks like I will be keeping 2 of the pups.

im glad yall got back out there that takes alot of love to keep you pushing on. sorry for your loss

Yea... He died doing what he wanted to be doing! He was only 7 years and 2 months old...

I did get back out there. However, friday was my last hunt! I wanted to leave the season with that close! Saturday my members ended up with around 50 again and then also sunday. I went home saturday and needed to be with the family because he was special to them as well. My kids had been crying every since I told my wife friday! They made me a tribute on my door when I got home of BlackJack!

Damn it... that was tough to read.

Rest in peace BlackJack.

When mine has to go, I hope that she is out hunting with me, doing what she loves.

I have seen blackjack work and he has retrieved birds for me. He was a great dog and was always ready to go. Blackjack will be missed. I am sorry for your loss.

Wow what a bad deal.

Thanks Chris25,

He was a machine! I was worried about him as he got older with hip problems etc... I knew all those logs of firewood he retreived would have caught up with him...

Dang...I'm sorry, can't imagine what you are going through.

That is terrible. I am sorry for your loss

sorry man... hope the pups take a bit of the sting away... you can spend the off season getting to know them and see Blackjack in their eyes.

prayers for Blackjack and you and your family.

That was a great tribute to him. He is looking down for sure watching over everyone. I'm sure he will guide those little pups from up above.

RIP Blackjack may the birds be plentiful up in heaven.

Prayers for your family.

Sorry for your loss, they always leave before you are ready. Good luck with the new pups it sounds like they have big shoes to fill.

Sure hate to hear that but it is part of it. Sorry for ur loss my Lab is retired now hes going on 12 so I try not to think about it. Glad you guys did great out there we pass by there when we head "the back way" to Pat Mayse lake. One of these days I'll make a left and come on up to take a look and get some info

I hate to hear that.

Im sorry to hear about your loss. Its always hard to loose a dog no matter how tough you are. They are truly a mans best friend. At least he got to die doing what he loved. Prayers for you and your family.

Not looking forward to that day at all. Like someone said earlier at least he died doing what he loved! Hope all is going well.

RIP BLACKJACK