GreenDrake

Best hunt we ever had. Nephew and I killed 228 before we called it quits. Birds were still flying and coming into our set as we were picking up the dead and decoys. He made a couple shots today that I still cannot fathom.

Though I try to maximize the meat off an animal when processing it, any bullet trauma is cut away and discarded. I think most processors do the same. I do not see where anyone would be eating much lead even if the bullet fragments.

Love the Wensels. I also lived Ben Lee. Miss that ol dude. His videos cracked me up.

Very slow yesterday. The birds again skirted our area and headed somewhere we couldn't identify. We moved to another spot and got 24. The main problem this year is that most all the wheat fields had green undergrowth. They had to cut it higher, and they now look like clover fields. There are a few clean wheat cut fields but I have not asked for permission. Some are just to close to homes, etc to shoot comfortably although it is perfectly safe. I don't relish upset homeowners coming across fields (they do not own) asking what we are doing. We will figure it out. We killed nearly 500 for the season so far.

Pretty good shoot this morning. First spot the birds were bypassing our area and heading out into the wind. Hundreds of birds. We left and went to another spot about 10 miles away. We missed the big early flights but still managed to kill 53.

Decent shoot this morning. Nephew and I got 67. Tried a new spot. Not nearly as many birds flying but it will get better in the next couple weeks. Overall a good weekend. I may gout out for the afternoon hunt to see what happens.

Dixie with Nala as a pup

Great shoot this morning over cut wheat. We killed 115 and ran out of shells. Nephew forgot to bring a case of shells. Lucky we had the shells we did.

BEAUTIFUL pups. Setters are my weakness. One of my girls. This is Dixie

Couldn’t get out all week. Settled a trial this morning so took a scouting run. Hundreds of birds using one of the cut wheat fields. Nephew and I are going to hit it in the morning in hopes of our first big number day. We shall see.

A certified letter to her advising of the attack. Keep a copy for yourself. Dogs get “one free bite”. You need to put her on notice of the dogs vicious propensities. God forbid someone else is attacked and injured, she has actual notice and opens the door for liability for someone’s injuries. I appreciate the family situation. You can say it in a letter as “concern” for her children. If asked why a letter, just say you fo not want the discusdion to turn argumentative.

Decent shoot this morning. Haven’t hit the cut wheat yet as I am saving the first wheat shoots to go with my nephew. We should tally some big numbers. 18 this morning. First quadruple of the season. 4 came in at once 4 shots got them all.

Good shoot this morning. The big flocks are starting to fly good. Killed 25....4 fell in the high grass and couldn't be recovered. I was just hunting over a cut hayfield until thry start hitying the cut wheat. Couple neat looking birds today too.

Back from our travels. Took a drive through all my prime areas. They started cutting wheat today...one field the birds were already in it this evening. Ill give them a coupke days to find the fields in big numbers. Hunted an half hour this evening at a dairy. 4 came in to the decoys sll at once and killed them all. Got a neat white tipped winged one.

On a much needed vacation with my wife. Drive up to Quebec City. The old city is quite beautiful. Resting up for a pigeon fest when we return!!!

Live trap with salt chunks in it. Busted up a small mineral lick. They love salt.

They eat ANY Plywood. We trapped and killed 21 porcupines in 2017. 12 in 2018. They destroyed the sheathing on 2 of the blinds. The problem with using plank is that it is real heavy if you want to be able to build in removable sections.

I was able to get them down to about $600 when I switched to plain lumber for most of the build. I could then justify building several of them. I had it down to completing an entire blind after work in one evening. It was a serious addiction

If you are going to build more of them in the future, you may want to scrap using treated 2x4 for framing with the exception of the sill plate. Much heavier than regular 2 x 4 and since I have used both, neither is holding up better than the other. I stained the interior and they are like new AND mine are open to weather all year. The savings in lumber is huge. I have also build 2 using 2 x 3's.....lighter.....and hold up just fine. I even used plain CDX plywood sheathing on 2 of them and they are fine. I roll on stain every 3 years or so and they held up great. HUGE cost savings if you want to build several of them.

I also use concrete board screws for the sheathing. Bigger flat heads..selftapping...and 100 percent rustproof

Nephew and I went out after work. Tried to beat the weather. He killed the only 4 that came in before we had to hightail it out of there. Broke the ice with his new A5 pigeon gun.

My pleasure.

I place the base on the ground with the top side down. Then slide poles in the holders and put on cross-braces. I used treated deck boards for cross braces as you can place them on the same side of the posts and they are flexible enough bypass each other in the middle. I use structural deck screws to secure them. Once the braces are on I tip it down....with the front of the base and front legs down on the ground....place them where you want them to be when erect,,,then I just lift the base and walk it up. You can usually move each leg around to its final spot. I then level it by digging under the posts until it is level. Once level, tether it tightly. Then I carry the wall sections up and secure them to the base and each other. I have only had one stand blow over as it was in a high wind area and not properly tethered. Piece of cake and no machinery needed. I build the ladder once it is all in place b/c you will get the proper length, etc in the event the ground is uneven. I can now erect one in less than an hour.

Hopefully a blessing in disguise. Playing time in second slot always beats sitting in the first. She will benefit greatly and as soon as she is in the groove and playing, she will forget all about it.

Unless you already purchased the poles, I would never go less than 12 feet now. That 2 feet makes a difference especially if you have some browsing does close by.....less apt to see you if they look up. I've been busted too often in the 8 and 10 foot stands. Ive slowly converted most to 12 feet. Just my opinion. Sucked going through all the work then finding out it was a bit too low.