barry581 (12-02-2014), Dallas dawg (12-02-2014), emma_Dad (12-02-2014), Jeff (12-02-2014), Scoutpout (12-03-2014)
Recently I posted that TEAM TRAD has been mentoring a young woman named Mindy, in regard to her aspirations to become a waterfowl hunter. Her initial day spent hunting geese with us resulted in no birds harvested by her,nthe result of a poorly fitted shotgun. Me gunning Mate John, a certified shooting instructor, subsequently did a proper fitting of Mindy for a shotgun and gave her some tips on shooting that have significantly bolstered her abilities with the Benelli Montefeltro 20 gauge that John let her borrow for our second day afield together. All that said, four of us met in the pre-dawn darkness last Friday to hunt for Canada Geese and we had a grand day afield.
A camo-clad Miss Mindy exhuded great anticipation and enthusiasm as we settled into the blind at zero dark hundred for a longed for second chance on some Canada Geese. I looked over the shotgun Mindy had borrowed from John and readily told her she would take her first Canada Goose during the hunt.
As the sun continued rising in the east, it "kissed" our decoys with warm hues of red and pink casted light, a stark contrast to the 27 degree F ambient air temperature we would endure for the entire hunt, just for a chance to hunt the Honkers.
Me Labrador gundog TRAD stood a focused watch for approaching waterfowl from his platform within our above ground blind. We had decided to hunt over the remaining open water that morning, a likely narrowing opportunity to hunt over water before it solidified with the plunging mercury predicting a certain deep freeze here in our northern latitudes.
TRAD made many frigid water retrieves during this hunt, inclusive of the three Canada Geese taken by Mindy. T'was "firsts" for both o' them. TRAD'S "first" water retrieves on geese during his "first" hunting season. And Miss Mindy's "first" geese taken as a new and upcoming waterfowler. I was feeling like a proud old Dad for both o' them, much as I am sure John was when he saw Mindy connect with well placed shots from the Benelli.
A grand day o' gunning put a huge smile on the face o' Miss Mindy. Many, many great hunts behind us, John and meself could not help but smile as well. We smiled for the joy we saw in Mindy's eyes, we smiled for the outstanding field performance demonstrated by TRAD as he delivered one big bird after another to me hand in classic form. We also smiled because despite having shared many similar hunts, we are still passionate in our love for fowling and likely will be until our final time!
Cheers Mates,
IRISHWHISTLER & TRAD
TEAM TRAD PRO STAFF
DUBLIN DUCK DYNASTY
Joanie Madden, Mary Bergin, Adrea Coor, and Nuala Kennedy, each an Irish whistle goddess in her own right.
barry581 (12-02-2014), Dallas dawg (12-02-2014), emma_Dad (12-02-2014), Jeff (12-02-2014), Scoutpout (12-03-2014)
Looks like a great day!
Awesome, another good day for Team Trad and their new student.
I agree a good 20 gauge is a great gun, my first gun, my first one I was given as mine was a 20 gauge brought me a lot of rabbit, deer and pheasant. Benelli makes some very fine guns, never had the pleasure of owning one though.
Dallas and Jeff,
T'was a very special day afield me Lads. Thanks for ye comments.
Cheers,
Irishwhistler
TEAM TRAD PRO STAFF
DUBLIN DUCK DYNASTY
Joanie Madden, Mary Bergin, Adrea Coor, and Nuala Kennedy, each an Irish whistle goddess in her own right.
Great day of firsts! You give hunting a good role model!
Awesome!!!
wow
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