steve0146 Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 I slipped away from work early this week for an evening flight. I rushed home, grabbed the dog, gun, a pocketful of cartridges and made my way to the estuary. The tide was dropping and due to be low at 8pm. I made the long walk out to the creek and settled down for the flight, which I expected to start in a couple of hours. The midges were eating me alive, getting under my face mask and irritating me. This creek runs through the salt marsh and empties out in the main estuary, a couple of miles down but as the tide drops, it runs fast and any ducks shot, need a quick retrieve. As I settled down, cursing the midges, I turned to stroke the dog and saw a group of three mallard heading toward me. They were coming from an unexpected direction. I waited till they passed overhead; picked the end bird and it fell cleanly to a single shot. It hit the water and was away. The dog does not need asking twice and was soon after it. A good retrieve in the fast water and a lovely drake mallard was laying on the bag beside me. On the report of the gun, a pair of duck crossed the marsh. They were a fair distance out but shootable. The gun went up, but I missed cleanly. Half an hour passed and it was still a couple of hours before last light. I was admiring the duck lying next to me, and from behind a party of eight mallard were making their way along the creek. They were low. As they approached, I moved to get a better position. The ducks saw me and flared in different directions. I selected the nearest and it fell, stone dead, hitting the mud with a splat as the tide was nearly out of the creek now. Two birds in the bag. I have not had much luck at this part of the marsh before, so two ducks were a good result, and I still had an hour of shooting light left. The midges were driving me crazy, so I moved 20yds down the creek. As we were moving, a pair of duck came whizzing right down the channel, heading back out to the main estuary. Catching me by surprise, a snap shot sent the nearest bird spinning into the disappearing water. The dog didn’t see it but as it flapped on the water, she was soon on it. The tide was dropping and had exposed small islands of sand and mud. This would make any retrieves easier for the dog, not that I expected much more to happen. Over the next hour, nothing moved, not even the gulls or a crow. It was now dark and I was considering packing up. As I stood up, a large pack of duck appeared over the top of me, coming out of the darkness. I could see their silhouette but got flustered, and by time I selected a bird, they were gone. Cursing myself, a group of four appeared right over the top of us. This time I was ready. Two shots rang out and two birds fell into the darkness. The tide was now completely out and I knew they were on the mud somewhere. The dog disappeared into the dark and was soon back with another drake. I sent her again but she couldn’t understand why! I don’t think she realised two birds had come down. A few ‘go back ‘commands, and she was off hunting. I had to trust her as I could not see anything. Five minutes later, she returned, duck in mouth. The most successful flight I have had down that part of the marsh. Six shots and five duck in the bag, all drakes strangely enough. A night to remember, and makes up for all the blank flights over the years down there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Well done an excellent flight . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 A fine account of your exciting flight. You must have a fine dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 A very good report on a flight you will remember for a long time , and well done to your fine looking dog for bringing them all to hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 A good report that I enjoyed reading. Well done on a nice bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler12 Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Very good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisdom Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Brilliant report ,it felt I was right next to you it was so well written.Good shooting and nice dog work too.Enjoy the duck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Well done that dog too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler23 Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Good read that, well done, that's a lovely put together dog you have there too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperGoose75 Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 A good read and nice photo's and what sounds like a well earned bag of Mallard mixed with great dog work. Good stuff. That said' rather you than me with all the midges about. I simply do not enjoy Wildfowling in that type of Weather. Hats off to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Well, that had brightened up my Monday morning. Good shooting and good dog work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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