Play the hand that is dealt you

[res]

Well, the winter storm hit here last night and dumped on about 6" of wet HEAVY snow. I did not go out for the ducks since I was tired from yesterday's pheasant hunt and I wanted to sleep in. (Boy am I a dedicated hunter) About 9:00 we went for a ride to get some snow pictures and see how the back roads had faired. Come to find out I would not have made it to my hunting spot anyway. Quite a few trees in the way from breaking under the snow. I did take Katie with us and the shot gun, ... Just in case...
We passed a small pond on public land that had NEVER held ducks in the past. You guessed it.

[res]

Yup, swimming in the slush and ice. Now that is BRISK baby!!!!!!!!! Maybe she could do a commercial for Nestea!!!!!!!!!!! :D Rick

[Clint]

Great pics Rick! Looks a little chilly. :)

[Brian 45]

Good action shots Rick. I see the wake behind her and don't blame her if she's in a hurry to get out of there.

Just a thought. I still have Alex's old neopreme vest if you'd like it for extended cold water hunting. I'm sure it'll fit your girls, let me know and I'll bring it along next time we get together.

[tashaz33]

Great pictures! Cannot imagine how chilly that would have been!

[rueger's upland skeeter]

:cool: Very COOL! :D

[justintimeforquail]

Wow, wish we could bottle all that cool up and save it for July here in West Texas :D !!! Brrrrrr... Looks like Katie had a blast!

I thought the rule was... You never see ducks on water that doesn't hold ducks unless you leave your shotgun behind :D . Glad ya'll had a great day!

Justin

[res]

Good action shots Rick. I see the wake behind her and don't blame her if she's in a hurry to get out of there.

Just a thought. I still have Alex's old neopreme vest if you'd like it for extended cold water hunting. I'm sure it'll fit your girls, let me know and I'll bring it along next time we get together.

Would you believe I threw it two more times and she was loving it. She had not seen slush and ice before and hesitated to fetch initially. The next couple of throws were no concern at all and she knew she could do it.

I have one neoprene vest and I would be willing to look at yours but the one I have is extremely loose around the neck. It forms a big scoop up front when they swim. I need to go to Cabela's or something and see if I can take her in the store and try a couple of models on her.

I thought the rule was... You never see ducks on water that doesn't hold ducks unless you leave your shotgun behind

Good thing I hid the shotgun in the truck!!!!!!!! :D That is the fun of hunting.

By the way folks, you should grab ahold of Katies fur right now. It is THICK!!!! She is in the house during the day but her undercoat is really heavy and ready for the cold. Labs have two coats of fur and believe it or not I can dry her off with one bath towel. Most of the undercoat never gets all that wet next to the skin. There are many times I wish I could use some of that undercoat. Rick

[Bmac]

Congrats on some nice birds! That water looks perfect!

I'm still waiting here in Mid-Michigan for the birds to show up. This has been the slowest year ever for ducks. The only good hunts have been the result of a couple hours of driving to Saginaw Bay. I was hoping for a good hunt yesterday with the wind, rain and snow plus the fact there were some birds on the water the night before. However it didn't happen, another morning of nothing flying.

[ladylabtrainer]

Very nice pictures. Boy I don't miss the snow at all. :p

[griffon guy]

great pics, I was playin in the snow also this weekend. Took the kids up in the mountains quail hunting(were i had seen about 10-15 covey the day before) didnt see anything flying except a hawk and a crow. The kids had a blast just running in the snow. We did manage to shoot 2 rabbits though and the kids had a blast counting all the mulies we came across.

[hawk4932]

Very COOL pictures. Those labs are bred for that kinda weather and it shows that they dont mind it at all. Great job and great pics.

[Maverick_Brittany]

Great pics and story!! Love to see those cold water retrieves. Awesome dog.

Mav...

[res]

great pics, I was playin in the snow also this weekend. Took the kids up in the mountains quail hunting(were i had seen about 10-15 covey the day before) didnt see anything flying except a hawk and a crow. The kids had a blast just running in the snow. We did manage to shoot 2 rabbits though and the kids had a blast counting all the mulies we came across.
Great to here you are taking the kids out. I am amazed sometimes at the people I hear talking about their hunting trips and when asked about the kids you get a list of excuses a mile long why they didn't take them. Sounds like a really fun trip. Rick

[griffon guy]

My little ones usually are dragging me out if I have an excuse to sleep in. They have their own huntin vests and duck calls too. Cant wait till they get big enough to hunt with me! I still cannot figure out how to post pics or i would.