The story of an otherwise successful hunt....

Got up yesterday to the soothing sound of falling rain at 4:20 to meet my friend at the place where we had shot 42 a couple of weeks ago. 

We were hunting a field that is constantly fertilised with vegetable farming waste. A really good spot that always draws them in. We took shelter in a permanent hide but added a camouflage net for more cover and a roof made from an old US Poncho another camo net. 

After putting out the decoys and sentinels we were ready for action at 6:30. 

One and a half hour later the first crow decides to come in. It followed our kind invitation to stay. Soon to be joined under our bench by more of his friends. All the while the rain kept falling, turning our blind into a farly wet affair. Including two hunters. 

By 9am we had 9 birds when a biig lull started. Nothing happened! Afte a good while with no action we decided "one more crow" and call it a day. 

THEN DISASTER STRUCK! HARD! Everybody who is hunting or fishing knows that when nothing is happening you have got to break the routine. As a pipe smoker this means - smoke my pipe to spice things up. This had worked in the morning. I light my pipe, we hear crows. Drop the pipe, start the call - nothing. I light my pipe, we hear crows. I drop the pipe - you get the picture.... Until the birds started to fly.

This time it was to be different because of the abovementioned disaster!!! I had brought two lighters, both were wet and ceased to function. This is a baad sign!! (Question: Is it bad luck if you are supersticious?) I would have none of that so I guzzled down the coke I had brought and was soon due for a little trip into the woods. 5 mins later my blind partner was ready for a trip. And how he broke the spell (don't ask!). Within 5 mins we were up to 15 - he never had time to come back into the blind (LOL!). Business continued until about 11 when we finally finished up with 22. So we brought in the wet decoys, folded up the wet netting, put it all into the wet bags and got our wet selves into the reasonably dry cars.

Now, 22 is not much for you guys, but any double figure day is a good day. We should have gotten more, but while putting away the decoys I found out, why they did not come in as confident as they should. Our blind was not tight enough. I recon they saw movement inside....

The good news of the day: My new SAM FT3 call is brilliant!! My old one was never up to scratch so I asked SAM for help. Something was wrong with it so he kindly replaced it. And boy did it work. A couple of times when we heard not a single crow I gave it a good blast and shortly after they were rushing in. Also managed to pull a few from the trees 200 yards away. I love my new call. Now I can not wait to receive the ordered Gibson Long Range call. I friend of mine has started to build calls and I can also not wait for that one.... My aim is to have two loud calls (SAM, Gibson) and two sweet talkers (DIY and Haydels). Add the SAM MID call and "MR CROW BEWARE!". 

Afterwards we were trying a couple fox holes with the terrier but Mr and Mrs. Fox were out....

Blind, decoys and sentinels when the skies finally became a bit friendlier...

The outcome: 

Drying decoys: 

Hope you enjoyed the story. 

All the best, 
Zeddicus

PS: For those of you who are concerned, worry no more. I had a fresh box of cigars in the car plus a dry lighter.  ;)