It’s always a special moment when a waterfowler harvests their first bird. This morning was no exception. The ducks worked well today and the weather was great for gunning the layouts. We deployed the boats as well as the strings of decoys,and already the birds were starting to toll. Her first volley didn’t hit the mark as a group of surf scoters decoyed, however the second flock was a different story. Looking through the binoculars I could see a bird fall before hearing the shot. Then, listening to her excitement over the radio as she shouted, “I got one!”, it reminded me of why I love this sport and guiding people who appreciate the same experiences. We all remember our first bird, mine was a hen bufflehead, hunting out of a stake blind with my father at the age of 7. I can still picture it vividly to this day, and I hope this huntress will through the years as well.
-Capt. Jennings