Forum member Flyboy accepted my offer of an Oklahoma Snipe hunt for today. I mentioned that we would need to wait until the ground thawed for the Snipe hunting, so Howard in turn offered me a Texas Duck hunt on the way to the River. This worked out to be perfect. The morning started near Lake Ray Bob on a private tank. Widgeon and Gadwall dropped in on us at a steady pace. Two limits taken in short time. My fingers were just too cold to take any pictures during the hunt. There was a layer of ice on my gun and Blaze actually had ice hanging off her coat. But I was not about to get away without the post hunt pictures. Thank you Howard, I had a great time!
After a much needed breakfast stop, we hit a couple spots I wanted to try on the Oklahoma side of the Big Lake. Moving on with no birds I was worried that the birds may have migrated on South ahead of the impending front, but I had felt we should find Snipe. The aviation website I like to reference before duck hunts, showed the front staying just short of the Red River Valley today. The birds should have been there, as well as new ones. Thankfully we did finally find birds. I felt relief considering Howard's hosted part of the day turned out so well. It was my turn.
Birds were really fast and crazy flying. With the lake dropping, there was little cover for them so they could see us coming from afar. Our shot to bird ratio was nothing to brag about for sure. But that makes it that much more fun! Howard Dropped the first Snipe of the day. Realize I had missed, shot behind maybe 6 Snipe just before this picture. And I am supposed to know what I am doing.
Snipe were not as spread out on the Lake as in my past hunts, but they were more concentrated when we found them. We did encounter Walks and Wisps of Snipe one might say.
I ended up with a rather incredible picture. As I was taking a picture of Howard on a mud flat, a Snipe flew across just as I snapped the pic.
Blaze was mostly kept at my side unless needed for a retrieve. But some pockets of cover with wet ground I would send her in to push up any birds.
It was quite the expedition hunt today. Lots of walking and even more shooting.
I wanted to line the Snipe up on a log so we could see them in the picture. It is a miracle we got it. Like dominos, every time one Snipe fell off the log, it started a chain reaction dropping them all to the ground.
Blaze at this point was done. Walking in mud all day is tough for any dog. If she looks mad, it is because she is. This is the look of "Let's go home already".
Well today was the last day of Snipe Season in Oklahoma. We definately closed this season out with a Bang! Big thank you to Howard "flyboy" for going on the Snipe hunt and for the most awesome duck hunt.
John
if it's then one I think it is then it is always loaded up with ducks! 
