My Roommate's First Duck

[fishermanjoe]

Took my roommate out to try for his first duck, even better his first kill! We were at lower crab creek and the ducks were flushing a little to far ahead of us due to the crunch of the snow. There was ten min left before shooting hours were over and decided to check out one of the lakes. Turns out there were a ton of divers out there. And one stupid one right next to the reeds about 60 yards out. The bird started to fly and he put the smack down on it. This is where we learned life lesson number one. If you are going to shoot a duck out in a lake bring a dog with an I.Q. higher than 7. My lab would not go out further than 10 yards. So my roommate being the man that he is swam out bare arse naked in 28 degree weather to fetch the duck! Even better he put it in his mouth on the swim back. All in all he got the duck and a warm truck waiting for him. I think this is one of the better first duck experiences i have been able to witness.

[CP]

Retrievers like that are hard to come by.     Your roomy is one bad ass waterfowler!

[Stilly bay]

Im a bit rusty on my diver hen ID... Is that a ruddy duck?

[fishermanjoe]

I have no idea what the thing is.... all I know is that it is not a coot thus it will be good eats! I am looking now to see if i can id it

[fishermanjoe]

Yep ruddy hen just confirmed. Are they rare?

[Michelle_Nelson]

Who needs a smart lab when you have a room mate that will swim out and retrieve your ducks.  

[270Shooter]

Thats ruddy, ive never killed one, dunno how rare they are though. Your budy is crazy

[CP]

In all seriousness, this post has impresses me more than any other on this board.  Your roommate got  out, got it done, and brought home the trophy and he was willing to do whatever it took to seal the deal.  In my book that’s a lot more impressive than stacks of greenheads or lanyards full of bands.

 I wouldn’t have done it.  30 years ago, yes,  …. well maybe.   Good for him, I hope he keeps after the sport.

[carpsniperg2]

That's great! congrats to your roommate! If he will do that for a duck. you might take him elk hunting. No telling what he might do for a bull congrats to him, and way to put out the extra effort and retrieve the duck!

[Fishnclifff]

I did that for a 23in wild rainbow in the Merced river once.

Give him an extra bowl of food.    

Way to go.

[dirty24d]

You want me to do what???  Naah send your buddy..   

[h2ofowlr]

Pretty gutsy to go for it.  He's just lucky that he didn't cramp up and drown for a ruddy duck.  Weird things happen to your body when the water gets that cold.  Had a duck hunting buddy drown in H.S. for doing something of the similar.

[ducksdogsdownriggers]

Great story-too bad your buddy didn't get something better than a ruddy.  Thanks for sharing!  Glad something bad didn't happen.

On a side note... my Lab's 1st live retrieve was a ruddy, so your buddy is in good company!

[jordano]

wow! manin' up for the hen ruddy!
congrats on the first duck!

[Malardman]

Thats a pretty damn good retreiver, no training, not gunshy, anyways good for him for going out and getting that bird. That takes a big SACK! IMO. And he will never forget it!!

[pjb3]

AWESOME!!!
I would have done that too (maybe).
Did he shake off on you?

[Fishnclifff]

      

[1morebuck]

So if ruddy's are not too rare, where is a good area to find em?

[Black Plague]

seems like they are early migrators to me....this year was the first year we have gotten a ruddy that i can remember...