Posted By: Sooner N TX
Couldn't find the lake! - 10/01/14 05:37 PM
Got up early Saturday morning. Went to my favorite public duck spot. When I parked, flying insects swarmed my truck lights. As soon as I opened the door, they covered the cab light. If I turned on a flashlight, they were there in seconds; the head lamp stayed in the bag.
So I made my 1/2 mile hike through the woods; dragging my sled, dodging spider webs and slapping mosquitoes. Finally made it to the edge of the trees and where I expected to find a 200 yd field of mud and rocks, I see a solid wall of grass, weeds and small willows. I attempted to make my way through the sea of foliage, hoping that it would peter out and return to the normal field of mud I have come to know and love for the past 3 years.
After 45 minutes and making it less that half way without any signs relief, I gave it up. I rested, drank some Gator-aid and turned around. It took twice as long and required the copious use of a machete to get out. Wind(?) had made most of the vegetation lean towards the lake, so on the way out, it was easier to push over. Now that I was going against the grain, the challenge was increased.
I never saw the lake. I know most of you might say things like "you should have scouted". Well, with the cost of fuel and an hour drive to the lake, this is how I scout. I hunt the morning in a place I know and trust and spend the rest of the day looking of the next spot. Except, on my return to the truck, I realized I didn't have my maps.
Others may say "why are you taking a sled and waders out for teal? Well I use teal season as the test for my equipment. If my waders leak, I want to know now, not when it is 35 degrees out. If my sled doesn't float right or my blind doesn't work right, I don't want it to fail when the big birds are out.
Have to say, worst day in the field. Had less fun than the turkey hunt where Motezuma had his revenge against me.
Ok. I feel better now. Thanks for listening.
So I made my 1/2 mile hike through the woods; dragging my sled, dodging spider webs and slapping mosquitoes. Finally made it to the edge of the trees and where I expected to find a 200 yd field of mud and rocks, I see a solid wall of grass, weeds and small willows. I attempted to make my way through the sea of foliage, hoping that it would peter out and return to the normal field of mud I have come to know and love for the past 3 years.
After 45 minutes and making it less that half way without any signs relief, I gave it up. I rested, drank some Gator-aid and turned around. It took twice as long and required the copious use of a machete to get out. Wind(?) had made most of the vegetation lean towards the lake, so on the way out, it was easier to push over. Now that I was going against the grain, the challenge was increased.
I never saw the lake. I know most of you might say things like "you should have scouted". Well, with the cost of fuel and an hour drive to the lake, this is how I scout. I hunt the morning in a place I know and trust and spend the rest of the day looking of the next spot. Except, on my return to the truck, I realized I didn't have my maps.
Others may say "why are you taking a sled and waders out for teal? Well I use teal season as the test for my equipment. If my waders leak, I want to know now, not when it is 35 degrees out. If my sled doesn't float right or my blind doesn't work right, I don't want it to fail when the big birds are out.
Have to say, worst day in the field. Had less fun than the turkey hunt where Motezuma had his revenge against me.
Ok. I feel better now. Thanks for listening.
