We intentionally arrived at Carol's blind about 5 mins after LST this morning. I wanted to get a good look at the water (ice) to see which (if either) of the dawgs would hunt with us at opening. It was obvious as we approached along the dike road that the entire wetlands was iced over. The only question was how thick.



As Carol off-loaded her gear from the Jeep into her blind, I walked around in front into the wetlands to check the thickness of the ice. It was at least 1/2" - 3/4" thick and definitely NOT ok for the dawgs to retrieve in. I parked the Jeep in our usual hiding place, left both dawgs in the back inside and walked back to Carol's blind. The whines, cries and canine protests died down after a few minutes.

Carol was all set and ready to go in the blind when I arrived. I came inside and was loading the gun and getting my calls on when out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of a cupped Gadwwall heading our way. I hissed at Carol to take the shot but she was fumbling with her gloves, coffee and a cigarette and said ... "No you shoot" so I stood up and smacked the bird at about 35 yards and back pedaling. If it didn't die in the air, it sure did when it hit that ice at 30+ mph.



I had to use the 12' Joh boat to get to that duck because it fell on the ice in approx 4' of water and I didn't have waders on. I used the oars like push-poles to go out through the ice to recover the bird and get back in. Here you can see the thickness of the ice ...



Within the next 45 minutes we had close to 150 mallards land on the ice or back in the frozen-over groceries 75 yards or further from us. Couldn't get a decent shot or pull them in closer. Needed open water for both. Eventually I managed a single Drake and later a double as they circled once too often close overhead. All three required L-O-N-G push pole retrieves via Jon boat, breaking ice most of the way. When I finally got the boat into water of less than calf-high-boot deep, I got out and pushed it ahead of me over the top of the ice. You may note that I use a 14' extension paint pole for a decoy and dead duck retriever. First the single ...



Then 15 minutes later a double ...



Now you tell me if you think at 68 I'm nuts to retrieve my own birds as I did in conditions like that; or ... if I love my dawgs way more than I should for not allowing them to fight their way through 75 yards of thick ice each way to pick-up mallards three times.

Here they are posing with Carol after we called it a day. You'd think they had done all the work ...

Had you not posted the pics of you in the boat no one would have believed that you didnt send the dogs in!!!! Great pics!

hardcore...

I think the title says it all. Great pics

Great pics Cappy. Well at least you got your workout in for the New Year!

Look carefully at the last pic ... you can see the boat's broken ice path behind Carol out into the frozen-over groceries. We had Pintails, Teal and Mallards landing on the ice this morning ... still anxious to feed on the small amounts of remaining Sorgum and millet sticking up through the ice. It's actually easier for them to feed now than it is when the water is open there.

nice pics cappy

alsome pics be safe

Remi looks pissed in that last picture.

Great pics!

nice pics and storyline. Gotta take care of those dogs

Well if u need anyone picking up ducks holla at me ill pick up as many ducks as u can kill as long as i get to shoot a little. I live about 6 miles from ur place, or shoot come hunt with me sometime I have some decent spots.

same here... im not exactly sure were your wetlands are but i live in ivanhoe and me and outlaw have been retrievin ducks together better than most dogs haha

Outlaw & Berni ... Thanks for the offers. Carol and I hunt ducks strictly for the sake of our two dawgs who live for it. Personally, I couldn't care less if I ever shot another duck. If I told you how many I have killed over a lifetime of hunting them (this is my 55th season!), you wouldn't believe me anyhow. If and when the dawgs can't hunt any longer then I won't either.

i understand i always love hunting when one of our buddies brings a dog its the coolest part to watch them work ... i am still in high school so i cant afford a good retriever but if your dogs ever need some more exercise your welcome to come join us for a few hunts

Yes sir if u ever need a spot holla at us. I just got a lab puppy that's nine weeks so I'm excited about that. That is a acomplishment hunting 55 seasons.

It's better to sit them out with that thick ice. Too much can happen. And yes, your crazy for still doing it at your age. Keep it up Cappy. I always enjoy reading your posts.