Blizzard Hunt

[RednekF350]

Yesterday I was anxious for the snow to stop for only one reason.
It is the tail end of the resident goose season in my area and I knew that they would be holed up on the open water on the bog near my house during the snowfall.
At 4 p.m. I started the 3/4 mile trudge to the bog from my house and my wife decided to tag along with our springer pup. I was running my son's dog Hank, a year and half well trained yellow lab ducker.

Our springer Murphy was having trouble keeping up in the 2' of snow that we had and soon my wife burned out and took Murph back to the house.
Here he is mugging:

Hank and I pushed on and when he saw the bog he started getting excited. Here Hank patiently waits for the old man to catch up while he eyes the bog for signs of geese.

As we approached the bog all was quiet. Usually, if the geese are there, I can here some chatter from a good distance. The back bog was frozen and no open water is a bad sign. I told Hank to stay while I quietly snuck around the bend to look for open water. He stayed like a statue for ten minutes and waited for me.

I was greeted with this view around the bend but no open water.

As I returned to Hank he still hadn't moved.

I told him he was a good boy and started taliking to him and telling him threre were no geese. Just then, about 80 yards into the flooded timber a group of geese erupted into a loud chorus and a thunder of wings and flew out towards the recently cleared skies.
It was a group of thirteen, a lucky thirteen last night.

Hank was disappointed in me and whined and shook with excitement as he watched our dinner fly away into the sunset.

I have thoroughly enjoyed hunting with Hank and my son this year and shifted gears away from deer a little bit.
We hunted all pine barrens locations and we did well.
I was surprised last night that Hank listened to me just as well as he does with my son in charge.
Hank is an intense hunter who has so much instinct programmed into him that he is an awe and joy to watch.

Looking forward to many good years with good old Hank and Murphy in the pines.

Thanks for viewing.

Scott

 

[imkms]

It's great to see a well trained dog in action, and hank looks the part. He had to be cold sitting still in all that snow, yet he followed his orders. Congrats to his trainers.

 

[LARGO]

Astounding out there! Those bogs always picture up well and the snow accentuated it. I can not believe you trudged out there. Just getting around here was a real beeatch. Thought my old heart was gonna give out a time or two. I just let my dog run free because she had a time of it getting anywhere but she was able to get out to easy trails on the street a bit. In some of the drifting I couldn't even really see her but just for a spot of black or two so I can say your little Springer, and the good wife had heart for even setting paw/foot out the door. I can not imagine that dog having an easy time of it retrieving a shot goose. That would have been a sight to see. Damn fine looking animal by the way. That last shot of him reminds one of something of a scene on the February month of a rural calender. Good shot of the geeses.
Good deal getting out there and bringing us back some photos.

g.

 

[GermanG]

The enthusiasm of a good gundog is the primary enjoyment I get from waterfowling. In fact, I do little if any hunting when I am between dogs. It is not something easily described to non-hunters. My current lab is a better family dog than a hunter, despite my best training efforts. That happens sometimes. I’m working my wife up to the idea of a second lab, maybe even a chessie. She’s opposes to the idea of having two of those beasts in the house but she’s also a sucker for a puppy, and if I can get it into the house, that battle will have been won!

 

[Sue Gremlin]

You probably already know this, but you are truly blessed to have that right in your back yard, a place you can walk to in a few minutes. I love the shot of Hank up to his cheeks in the snow, waiting for you. What a good boy.

 

[Teegate]

Great report Scott! And perfect photo's.


Guy

 

[glowordz]

Hoorah! I was hoping someone would post Pines-after-blizzard photos. And for a bonus, we got picture-book-perfect Hank and Murphy! Thanks for the story and the glimpse of beautiful bogs.

Glo

 

[Pine Baron]

Great pics and report, Scott. What part of the bog doesn't freeze up... right in front by the dam? I know the back bog usually freezes late in the season, but there must have been a hole in the flooded timber on the far side. It's a shame for you and Hank that they got up so far away. Thanx for posting.

John-

 

[RednekF350]

Great pics and report, Scott. What part of the bog doesn't freeze up... right in front by the dam? I know the back bog usually freezes late in the season, but there must have been a hole in the flooded timber on the far side. It's a shame for you and Hank that they got up so far away. Thanx for posting.

John-

Dead center and 3/4 of the way upstream from the main dam was open but empty last night and it was open all during the week. My son jumped a few up front and dropped one Tuesday morning. We had breaded cutlets that night.
Night time is not productive since they come in to raft well after dark.

Yesterday I knew they wouldn't be out feeding anywhere and would be riding the storm out on the water.
With tonight's deep freeze, there may not be any open water for another few days.
Scott

 

[whippoorbill]

Scott,

Thanks so much for this; especially the photos. These are downright breathtaking.

Wondering if any of the roads in Wharton are passable now? I'm thinking about riding up on Tuesday. Carranza Rd. to the memorial, maybe? I'd love to beat around somewhere up there.

Bill

 

[Teegate]

Scott,

Thanks so much for this; especially the photos. These are downright breathtaking.

Wondering if any of the roads in Wharton are passable now? I'm thinking about riding up on Tuesday. Carranza Rd. to the memorial, maybe? I'd love to beat around somewhere up there.

Bill

It looks like we will be having another major storm on Tuesday or Wednesday or both.

Guy

 

[Y-BUC-BILL]

Scott and Hank-Perfect Together

Great Pictures and a great dog.Did you ever think of getting snow-shoes?Scott ,you live in a great area.Don't have to travel far to do something you like to do.Hope we can hook for duckin' next season.Y-Buc

 

[wis bang]

Great pictures! The lab looks very well trained but my wife was looking over my shoulder and she really liked the picture of your springer pup. Something different about the woods in deep snow...