Hunt Smart

Was out at one of my favourite duck spots with friends today. we had more than enough opportunities and winged a couple birds that went down and under the current.
the water was so fast and high on the river that it was easy to get swept away. unfortunately we had to give up on a couple cripples because it just wasn't safe.
a younger version of myself might have went in after it in dedication to downed game. we decided to cut the hunt short and stop shooting as it was bound to keep happening.
the older i get the more i realize that life is short. we've lost enough folks to the river and it's just not worth the dinner or the selfie.

just a reminder as we get into the later season. it can get dangerous if you are not careful, if the water is high and it is sub zero, you have a deadly combination.

shoot straight and have fun as we enter some of the best shooting of the season in southern ontario!

This is certainly in the back of my mind every time I go alone, I try to stick to lower risk areas when the weather gets cold since there aren't many people around to hear you scream, you're essentially on your own.

If the water's high and fast and you couldn't retrieve birds why did you go in the first place? Your local conservation authority should have river flow data for most rivers within the watershed on their website that can keep you from having to make a trip to the river to check.

-N.

good point sprite. river level updates are helpful.