I havent posted much this year but i am bored at work today so i figured I'd throw up some pictures of my year.

overall it was fantastic. Had a great time with friends, both new and old. And of course it was my dog Madison's 14th birthday on Thanksgiving and i was blessed to have another year hunting with her.
The most memorable streak from this year was 22 duck limits, mostly mallards, from 1 location. And in that entire time, we only had competition 1 day. Proof that you can still find high quality secluded hunting if you are willing to work for, and protect your spots.

Season started off well with some great dove shoots as well as a decent Sept. goose season. But it really doesnt count until the ducks get going.
This post got a workout to start the season.



I also tried to get in a little chukar hunting but it was tough. Of course, when isnt it.

I also had some great goose hunts to start the year and was really racking up some jewelry. Including my first banded Aleutians.

But December and November weekends are really reserved for duck hunting and we got after it.




Maddy on the retrieve

I even took my friend from work that hadnt hunted in 20+ years and we got into a few.




We also got into a few nice field hunts in January

And our final weekend of the duck season was nothing short of spectacular.

4 of us hunted almost all day on Saturday and managed to scrape out 28 with Madison making a couple retrieves.



Sunday we split up and i headed to the duck blind, with hopes of a goose shoot in the afternoon.
Bittersweet morning as i realized it could be Madison's last in the duck blind - but i have thought that before . We had a great time and she retrieved all 7 mallards for me, including 2 cripples in the grass and tules.
With #7

With our Limit


Even managed to hop in the pit as well.

The man is a KILLER!

Looks like it was a great season for you. I think the second to the last picture is the best and makes me think, if Madison could talk, there would be some stories to tell.

Excellent post Dave! I especially envy those duck hunts!

However, There is one picture/story missing..........

You troll!

It may be coming shortly.

Great pixels and prose as usual, 'specially the portrait. You need to get bored at work more often....

Have made many clouds of feathers with a BPS and shared many a blind with good company too. Last days afield are indeed bittersweet for those of us that remain in due course....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoIOL9nwX8o

Here is D.Smart in action!

the Goose Chair is his secret weapon......

Nice work as usual D3. Good to see your pup still workin. My lab is just two years behind yours and I understand about the thinking about the last time in the blind.

Very NIce!!!

You won't live long enough to forget that old dog.......what a great beast!