Friday, September 21, 2007

Locked, and loaded!!!

This weekend marks the opening of Grouse hunting in Ontario. I love the fall weather, walking down a bush trail, smelling the smells of fall, and hanging out with my dad.
I have been hunting since I was 14 years old. I've never gotten into deer or moose hunting, mainly because of the costs. Bird hunting is relatively cheap, and shotgun shells are fairly inexpensive.

My uncle has asked if I'm interested in duck hunting this year. I think I will take him up on his offer. He has been an avid duck hunter for years, and after his heart attack (on Christmas) a few years ago, he has kind of slowed down in terms of hunting. Unfortunately, he still smokes like no tomorrow, but he has quit drinking, so I guess it's a start. It's funny how people suffer a life altering injury/illness, be it beating cancer, surviving a heart attack, etc., make lifestyle changes for a while, but then return to their old ways shortly after. I see this everyday at work. A good example is a diabetic patient getting educated on the importance of foot care, only to be admitted six months down the road, booked for a below the knee amputation, simply because their sandals have worn an ugly hole between their toes. Sometimes an amputation is necessary, but if the doctor told me I had a chance at saving my foot, I would go all out.

Sorry for that rant, back to hunting. Ducks have incredible eyesight, so you have to be extremely stealthy when you hunt them. There are all sorts of blind that are available to hid behind. My uncle used the kind of blind that you slip into, similar to a sleeping bag. A camouflaged screen covers your face, and when the ducks fly over, you open up, and fire away.
I've been so tired lately, I just hope I don't fall asleep while lying there. Imagine drifting off to sleep, listening to the grass in the fields blowing around, the cool fall air filling your lungs, then suddenly BOOM BOOM BOOM!!
I think I might poo the blind a little....

Wish me luck as I stalk the ever-so-dangerous Grouse and his trash talkin' buddies.

4 comments:

Ali said...

Ewww! Please shower and rinse out your blind before you come home to me - blech!

mr zig said...

well as long as you only poop the blind once it's forgivable... I guess :)

Rock Chef said...

Be careful, I have heard that the Grouse have been training in team tactics, one to draw you fire and then, when your gun is empty, WHAMMO!!!

Have a great weekend!

cmacc said...

You should try the hay bale blind. (I used to sell them, they were a huge hit!)

Happy hunting, post pics!