The wife and I decided to call around to a guide service to see about a duck or goose hunt after spending the weekend of the 11th walking around with nothing but exercise to show for it. Eagle Lake Ranch was the winner this time, though there were others we considered. As this last weekend was a slow one for them, we decided to try them out. We were paired with another couple and headed out Saturday morning at O-dark thirty after a very good breakfast in the lodge. We were not sure whether we were going to stay there Saturday night or not, though we were both impressed with the lodge and the breakfast they served us. We helped our guide 'Tim' get set up in the cattails, but he asked us to let him set the duck decoys out. The fact he was grinning while putting out decoys in freezing temperatures and snow told me he really enjoyed his work. In short order his excellent calling had birds coming in. Conversation was great, and there was enough birds to keep us busy. It slowed down quite a bit, so we switched to another spot that was already set up by another guide. We were two shy of our limits when we called it a day. If we had hit all that we shot at we would have been done hours earlier, but then again, that is not what it is all about for us. We learned some great tips, and had a great time. We decided to stay the night in the lodge. Dinner was great, and I had an excellent dark beer that they have on tap, 'Irish Death'. Yummy! The only down part was the kennels were not very good, so the dogs stayed in the car, and I went out every two hours to start it and warm it up for them, but all in all, it was a very pleasant experience. Next day was goose!
