Young Guns Tame Columbia River Greenheads

[T-Rip]

Took my sons down to the Big "C" for some pre Christmas waterfowling. Conditions consisted of a nearly full moon, sub-freezing temps, side-ways blowing snow, and (last but not least) cornfed greenheads. My 2 sons Max (13) and Dominic (10), are coming into their own as wingshooters as their connection ratio is climbing with experience. Max started us off with a double on greenheads - as Dom didn't get a chance to shoot as they were in our lap and dead before he shot - I played the clean up role. As Dom goes and picks them up I mention to Max to watch one might have a band. Dom comes back in the blind exclaiming "Band Boy!", here you go.....1st bird down has jewelry!



Last time Max hunted he got a 14 yr old snow goose w/ a band - and that was on a double as well! Dom and I agree that we are encouraging Max to continue shooting doubles so we can see some more jewelry. The data - banded July 30th 2006 in Alberta Canada - mature drake.

Even with the wind heavey in our face it was just off enough for the birds to set up just off our right shoulders for 20-30yrd shots. We picked up a drake canvasback midway through the hunt and the rest was mallards......they started stacking up in the blind.



Max admires another nice drake -



It was quite a sight seeing bogey after bogey of mallards materialize from distant fields with craws full of corn.....They couldn't get their bills into the water fast enough. After starting up at 7:20am we were complete by 10:04am.







after a little photo session Dom decided to chill with a few of his favorite birds.



Then Max got funny and buried his brother in birds.



We packed up and went home satisfied for the holidays. Time to clean 21 ducks! Check out the corn!





I can still clean 3:1 but I appreciate the boys help when we have a load to pluck!



Ready for the oven! Fresh duck for dinner-







Can't wait to hit it again after Christmas......We hope you enjoyed the story-

I'm sure glad they prefer this to XBOX!



For Dad and the Young Guns..Merry Christmas to all!...We're over and out for now-

[BIGINNER]

AWESOME!!!!!   NUF SAID

[Lightning_Rider]

great pics, congrats on the birds and the band!

[johnsc6]

awesome- way to show'em right

[Yeti]

  Awesome!! They will never forget that hunt!

[General Disarray]

great post and pics.  I've got a 12 year old that is as hooked as they seem to be. 

[Ratdog68]

Nicely done !  Good tale, good pix, and happy mugs on the young guns too... even during the cleaning process.  Congrats on it.   

[carpsniperg2]

More great pics

[MADMAX]

Great pics !!!

[Crispy]

Great shots, as always. Keep them coming 

[Widgeondeke]

nice shooting. bonus band & can. Great times you are having with your boys.

[h2ofowlr]

It looks like you guys had a great shoot.  Great looking pictures.

[haulinbass]

I hope your boys appreciate these moments. They look like they do. One more thing if you are looking for another son were do I put my application in. Good work

[jordano]

This just isn't fair these dudes showin' me up like this! Keep up the great work! Congrats!

[Stickerbush]

wow, thats a lot of green!

[bowtech721]

that is awsome!

[D-Rock425]

Looks like a great day of hunting to me.

[400out]

Lucky kids 

[GWP]

  Hey! You want to adopt another kid? Well, I am probably older then you are, but it is the thought that counts! Great job. Good to see the young ones getting into it. I have not seen many kids out hunting. Excellent! 

[shoot-em-dead]

Not a duck hunter but I must say it looks like fun. Two things I'd like to say- 1. awsome for those boys 2. you forgot to cook that duck on your boys plate

[GWP]

Cooked duck looks pretty red even when cooked with a thermometer. Duck is good, goose is better! Both are red meat. Wife made duck kabobs last week. Brought home twelve ducks and six geese this weekend. Yummy!