Go Hunt Birds Field Staff Opener
Our Southern District opener, began in the same fashion any season opener does, with months of planning.
About six months ago, Marc (Founder of Go Hunt Birds) reached out to the field staff, to see who would be interested in meeting up for a "team" hunt. It wasn’t long before guys were signing up, myself included. In the months that followed the finer details were sorted out. The locations, lodging, transportation, etc.
As the date got closer, it was decided that Madoc would be our home base for the weekend. This would provide a central location, for most of the group, including any team members that would join us from the states.
With about a week before the opener, as always is the case for one reason or another, some of the team had to back out. At the same time it was proving difficult to find a hotel to house us as we had our final number. At that point, Brendon and his family, reached out and extended an invite for us to stay at his parents place. Needless to say, we were all very appreciative and thankful.
The hunt would consist of Marc and Ron from Pembroke, Chris and Sheldon (brothers) from Brockville, Brendon from Madoc, and myself, coming down from Timmins. However, due to work and family schedules, Chris and Sheldon would travel down Saturday morning and meet up with us for the hunt.
Friday morning came, and I loaded up and made the 7 and a half hour drive south, about an hour into the drive I hit a bit of traffic, and assume construction is going on. We come to complete stop and I get a text on my phone, highway is closed. Seems a transport drive fell asleep and went off the road. An hour later we were back on our way, and I was arriving at Brendon’s place around 4:00 PM. We introduced ourselves and then hopped in my vehicle and headed over to the local Tim Horton’s where Marc and Ron would meet us shortly thereafter.
Greetings and handshakes were exchanged and then it was time to get to work. Despite having a great early season, Brendon had been having trouble finding birds on the properties he had permission to hunt, so off we went on a scouting and knocking quest.
The first area we headed to Brendon had seen holding quite a few birds, and even while Marc and Brendon where talking to the owner of the home that sits next to the field, Ron and I could watch the flocks dump in just behind the tree line. Shortly after, Marc and Brendon arrived back at the vehicle, and were informed, that, that particular field was a conservation area, despite the lack of signage stating such.
Brendon directed us to two more farm houses, which he figured would be able to set the record straight as to whether or not it really was a conservation area, or if they knew who owned it. As it turned out, we were given the same information by the other famers.
The next property we headed to, was one that Brendon drives by everyday on his way to school, but hadn’t been able to connect with the owner. As we pulled into the driveway, the first thing we saw were two layout blinds already in the field. Thinking it was a bust we were about to turn around, when we saw two guys leaning up against a car having a pop.
Again Marc and Brendon got out and introduced themselves and before long, they were back in the car. It turns out that the owner and his buddy were planning to hunt the morning, as we thought was the case. Marc explained our situation, and what we as a group could bring to the table to their hunt, and in turn, they exchanged numbers and Marc was told to give him a call if nothing else panned out.
We drove to a few more properties, and talked to some very interesting individuals, including one elderly woman that invited us in to do some chores. But it was decided that we better give the previous landowner a call and see if the offer was still standing.
A quick phone call later, and it was a done deal. We would meet them at the house for 5:00 AM.
We headed out for a bite to eat at the local pub, and got to know one another more, exchanging stories, etc. Then it was back to Brendon’s house where we met his folks. Two of the nicest people I have ever met, not just because of the invite to let 3 strangers stay in their home, but just the way they interacted with one another at the family level, it was amazing, and they took us in like one of their own.
We got settled in and the internet scouting began, Marc brought up the property on Google maps, and got the distances from houses, roads, along with the weather networks latest sunrise time and wind directions. Armed with that information, I got a lesson on "how to build a hunt" The field was marked as to where and how we would setup, and then it was lights out.
The alarms were set for 4:00 AM, but by 3, everyone was already awake. Phones were buzzing, beeping, statuses being updated, etc. and then feet on the floor. The morning was clear and cool, with no wind. We quickly loaded up and headed to Tim Horton’s where we would meet up with Chris and Sheldon, who had been on the road since Midnight. The gang loaded up on coffee and breakfast, and grabbed extras for our hosts, and then headed to their place. They were already outside enjoying the morning, sipping coffee.
Everyone was introduced and into the field we went. We made quick work of unloading the trailer, 7 dozen Big Foots, along with Marc’s 5 dozen Reel Geese Silhouettes. Needless to say the landowner was pretty impressed as they were going to hunt over a dozen redhead shells. The field was a cut corn field with soybean field joining it, and this is where we set the blinds, all 9 of them. The wind was light, only 5KM but it would be in our face. Everyone got to work hiding their blinds, and before long the geese were flying.
The field we setup in, was not a destination field, but rather one they had to fly over to get from the river roost, to the fields they were hitting. The idea was, with so many decoys we would try and run traffic and entice them in, and that we did.
The first wave came and everyone hopped into their layouts and got on the calls, as they got closer, I realize, my gun is sitting outside my blind, along with my blind bag. In all the excitement, I forgot to bring it in with me. Not wanting to ruin the first volley, all I can do is watch through the mesh window as the shot is called. The guys spring up, and the guns roar to life. I watch in amazement as the birds start to drop, and when the dust settles, as guys hop out to retrieve downed birds, I hop out and retrieve my gun and gear.
I don’t have much time to load up and get situation, when the next wave comes in. This time I am ready. The shot is called and up we come. I don’t know if it’s the exercising I’ve been doing, or just the adrenaline, but there was no weeble wobble attempt to sit up in the blind, I sprang up like a well-oiled machine and joined the fray. The new A400 claimed its first bird on that Volley.
The morning continued on in this manner, flock, after flock, leaked off the river and into our spread. By mid-morning, we had 36 birds down, 9 short of our limit, along with two bands. By this time, someone had stopped on the highway to come have a look and a chat, as well as other people the land owner knew, and with all the visitors we called it a morning. The gear was loaded, pictures taken, and land owners thanked. They were extremely happy with the morning, and we were extremely grateful. We made quick work of cleaning the birds and off to Breakfast we went.
Bacon and eggs all around, with the usual telling, and re-telling of the morning events, from each person’s perspective, and then back to Brendon’s house for showers, naps, calling sessions, and video / photo reviews.
The plan for the evening was to head into a little beaver pond that is a popular hangout for woodies. It was described to us as a drive in, walk across a field, and across a beaver dam wide enough to drive on, and line it as the woodies come flying down the narrow creek and right over top of us.
In reality, it was a short drive in, a walk across a field, a chest wader walk through a swamp, a hike through a forest following a deer trail, and finally, we arrived at the beaver pond and creek. We got setup, and waited, and waited, and for a little change of pace, we waited some more.
With about 20 minutes of light left, the birds started to fly, and in turn fall. Everyone got a few pokes in and we dropped a few woodies before making that challenging walk back, this time, in the dark. Everyone arrived safely at the trucks and back to the house we rolled. Chris and Sheldon said their goodbyes as they had to get back home, and would not be joining us the following day.
We got cleaned up, and headed back to the local pub for another delicious meal before turning in for the night. Tomorrow’s agenda consisted of hooking up Brendon’s 18Ft Grizzly center console Jon boat, with a 40HP Merc on the back, and hitting the big water in hopes of a mixed bag of birds.
We hit the launch at dark thirty and made the short boat ride into a little bay that we would setup on. A dozen Dakota mallard floaters and a half dozen Tangle free goose floaters were tossed out, and we hit the shoreline in wait. The morning was slow, but not as slow as we were, we watched a few flocks of ducks work in and out, without us paying much attention, we were late on the draw and they made it out unscathed.
The geese started to move and we managed to lure a few down our way and finished the morning with three geese and another band. We called it a hunt and headed back to the launch to take pictures and load up.
Back at the house everyone got cleaned up, and packed up. Said our goodbyes and extended thanks once again for the generous hospitality and we were back on the road home.
About 30 minutes into my drive, the Journey starts to beep, along with flashing lights. I look down at the dash and it’s overheating. I crank the heat and fan and draw some heat off the engine and it cools down a bit, but I cannot pass anyone or go over 90 without it climbing back into the red. I limp it home, and add an extra 2 hours onto the trip.
The further North I get, the more the temperature drops, A few hours from home it’s now 4 degrees, and the engine running allot cooler.
The next morning I pop the rad cap, and she’s completely drained. Off to the shop it goes!
It was a great weekend, with a great group of guys. Made some new friends, learned some new things, and made some life lasting memories.
Already looking forward to the next team hunt!
The trailer loaded, and ready to go.
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Sunrise on the first morning.
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Day 1 hero shots.
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The boys lining up in the woody hole.
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Second Morning boat ride, crisp air, with a scent of cigar.
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The retriever.
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Brendon's final morning blind
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