I have learned to never underestimate Waterfowl even when it comes in a small package.
Some of my most memorable hunts have been for Blue and Green Winged Teal, a real challenge for the young hunter.
But by far my most challenging Duck Hunt in memory involved all my shells and The Wilson's Snipe.
Scientists have discovered that this unassuming brown wader can fly nearly 4,000 miles in three days without making a single break for food or water.
And despite their ungainly appearance, the creatures make their epic migration journeys at speeds of up to 60 mph.
Back in the 1960's the Department of Game used to release large groups of Chinese Pheasant on selected Farmland in Western Washington. One such Release Site was located on Smith Brothers Farm in Kent Washington, it had a creek running down the middle of some muddy cornfields and through a couple of Beaver Ponds. The Hunters would have all the Pheasants cleaned out just after Sunrise and the local Ducks were spooked early enough for me to head out after Snipe, (that no one else seemed to care about hunting.)
If you have never hunted Snipe, you'll soon find they are as much fun as chasing Morning Doves but with a literal twist to their flight plan.
Instead of flying straight in and out of the field, they will bob and weave, up and down, many times returning only a few yards, to where you originally kicked them up.
A real challenge for a 14 year old, packing his "hand me down" Winchester 20 Gauge Single Shot Shotgun and his pockets full of a weeks allowance worth of #8 Shot Shells .
Doug
