I hit my first duck opener in about 10 years or since the moved opening day of deer to the same weekend. I had forgotten how much fun they are.
Found the old pothole right away in the dark and fog, got my dekes set and blind up a good hour before shooting light. Couldn't believe I was able to walk right to it after all these years.
Just before first light a bunch of ducks start flying by and landing in the pond at which time Sage pretty much lost her mind and basically destroyed my blind trying to get at them. I then sort of lost my mind and I must have really scared her as she spent the rest of the morning sitting in the bushes about 20 yards up the shoreline being very still and quiet. I guess you can teach old dogs new tricks!
Anyway it was an easy limit as I ended up with 1 mallards, 4 widgeon and 2 teal and was back at the truck by 9 am!
Sage did pretty well considering this was only her third time in a duck blind, and the first two where pretty desasterous, as she retrieved them all but I wouldn't say it was pretty. The guys set up one pothole over seemed to get a kick out of it though. Her typical retrieve went something like this...........
"Sage dead bird get the dead bird."
As she circled around the dead bird making horrific yipping noises, "Get the bird."
As she gave up, yipping and whineing the whole way, "Hey get the damn bird!"
Back on shore still whineing away, "Ah did you forget something?"
Find stick or rock and toss into middle of pothole, "Sage dead bird get the dead bird."
repeat-
Finally, "Good girl!"
Can't wait till next year