I want to take the time to run-down my first waterfowl season in 30 years.

I did not get started until after the split this year, of course when I stopped duck hunting, there was no split season.

I had to learn that steel shot and full choke 10 gauge doubles will not kill ducks as good or as far as the same gun with a load of high brass green Remingtons with No.4 lead shot.

I had to absorb the sticker shock from paying $27.00 a box of 25 Steel No.2's, instead of $6.00 or so for thiose same green Remington's.

I had the priveldge of hunting where a retriever, and a damn good one was being used.

30 years ago my retreiver was either a rod and reel with a big topwater lure, or me waitzing my big butt out waist deep in a tank in my blue jeans, breaking ice and staying cold all day.

I had the extreme priveldge of being ibnvited on these hunts by two people whose friendship and acceptance I value highly, Spanky and R.G.C..

I had the honor of being able to spend time in the blind with two young men who hold the future of hunting in their hands, I hope that they continue to be active in the sport, my hat is off to Jordan aka Little R.G.C., and Seth's son, Cooper.

I remember the folks I hunted ducks with 30 years ago, at least 1 has passed on, and most of the others have developed new interests and moved away from both duck hunting but in some cases hunting altogether.

At least one, I am still friends with, all though our lives take us down seperate roads for the most part and we only see each other once in a while.

That is something that I should make an effort at changing.

Apart from those already mentioned, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet and hunt with some really first rate folks.

Sethfish, whom I had met a couple of times before the hunts, is a really neat person to share a hunting blind or a camp fire with.

Parker and Hopedale are both really first class individuals that are excellent additions to a blind or a camp fire.

Larry and his son Matthew fit right into the group and I was glad to have met them and shared the hunt and the camp with them.

I wished Koolie76 had been able to make it back out to hunt with us on Sunday, as he was a welcome addition around the campfire on Saturday night.

Johnny, and I can't remember his last name was there on the second hunt I was on and he added a lot to the group.

R.G.C.'s brother and nephew were out on Saturday for the last hunt, and even though I did not really talk to them, it was good to a see a father and his son enjoying the hunt with the group.

One of Spanky's sons was there for the Sunday morning hunt and it was a pleasure to see the comaraderie between him and Spanky.

In ways I wished I had been able to take pictures of the trips I was on and the people I hunted with, but as I get older, the mental pictures of the hunts I have been on and the companions I have shared a hunt or campfire with, are less painful, than the captured memories of those who have moved on or passed away.

I hope that things will work out so that I can build more memories this next year sharing a blind with those I mentioned above and maybe some new folks.

I don't think there is anyway that I can really express my gratitude to Spanky and R.G.C. for taking the time and effort to provide me the opportunity to go on these hunts.

Man, you been talking about going duck hunting for years, glad you finally made it out.

Randall, it was a honor to have you out this year. You can look in a persons eyes and tell if he has a passion for what they are doing, and I could see it from the 1st time you were there.

I sent you a PM, more memories to come. Thanks for spending a little part of your life with us.

Randal, without a doubt is was a true honor and privilege to make a hunt with you, and to finally meet you.

Since joining the forum I've enjoyed reading your commentary and in-site you add to this forum. While many folks disagree with you, they should take a moment; step back and recognize that in this community we all add value. If everyone sang the same song, we probably wouldn't visit this site.

I am looking forward to next season and hope we can make another hunt together. I'll bring my tent this time. But will allow you to keep on cooking, I truly enjoyed the treats you put together.

Randall,
All I can say is that your welcome and hope we can make more memories for quite a few more years togather. I can say it has been an honor hunting with you this past year as well as everyone else that I had the privalge of sharing a blind with this year. You are a good friend and I am glad that I was finally able to get you to go out with us.
Just wait until next year it is going to be just as fun

Didn't they warn you about the potential for relapse at the DA meetings? Welcome back.

Well CHC now you went and did it. All this time we been on this forum and I didn't know you had it in you. Welcome back to the darkside. I hope someday you will come down to the coast and share a blind with me.

Great post Randall

I would enjoy that immensely. Maybe the weather would be such that while I was duck hunting Lora could be doing some fishing.

Maybe I will get to take you up on that offer some day.

I enjoyed watching you chase the gadwall, run forrest.

CH - congrats on a good year and my the same bug bite you for next year. welcome to club.

I cant wait to meet you! Parker doesn't over sell Friends!

Thanks for that, but the bug never left me, I have a terminal case of duck hunter itch, I just did not have the opportunity and I do not like hunting by myself anymore.

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A DWADR will fix that!!

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??Que?? No Saba???