As the alarm rings at 4 a.m., thoughts of how cold it is outside buzz through my head.  With the rumors of an approaching snow storm fresh in the mind, my feet hit the warm floor.  I woke up the boy and we begin the morning ritual of layering clothes to help deal with the elements.  Fresh coffee poured in my mug and a warm cup of hot chocolate poured in his, we walk outside to load up the truck.  We immediately notice that we will not need that extra layer for the first part of the hunt as the temperature is quite comfortable.  Slight overcast helps keep the southern winds close to the ground, keeping the temperatures around 50 degrees.  We know that this weather will certainly change.  A quick check of the online weather forecast cements in our minds the need for that additional layer to be packed in the blind bags. 

 

            Arriving at our hunting location an hour before shooting times starts, we are given the opportunity to discuss a few things before we need to get out and get set up.  The clouds have cleared now and the wind has stopped, indicating that the change is going to happen anytime.  While sitting in the cab of the truck, we discuss things like homework, how to get along with your class bully and the positions of the stars in Orion.  Headlights are fast approaching from behind us, we quickly realize our work is about to begin.  The decoys have arrived with our hunting buddies.  Five dozen ducks, a dozen goose and five swan floaters are going to take a bit of time to get positioned.  Loading up the jet sleds with our gear, donning our watch caps and putting on the waders take only a few minutes.  Trudging across the flats after wading waist deep across the ice covered canal, only silence can be heard amongst the party.  Once we arrive at the blind, we begin the setup.  Because of the moving water, ice has not formed in the main portion of the pond, but the half inch ice around the edges crack as we enter the water.  Duck decoys go on one side of the pond with a few geese encroaching on the landing area only to create a landing zone for other geese that might arrive to join the party.  Swan setup goes on a different area of the pond, a little to the left of the blind.  All set, we relax and wait for the clock to reach 6:53 a.m.

 

            A few minutes past opening time we catch the glimpse of our first flock of ducks.  As the birds notice the group of ducks tucked back in a cove, they suddenly make the turn into the decoys.  We’re excited to get our first shots at the recently arrived Goldeneyes.  As these divers hit the line, they are shocked at the sudden appearance of four hunters from the reeds.  As the shots ring out, we are reminded of the need to increase our lead on divers.  Ten birds come in and ten birds left.  As the, “you suck” comments echo across the pond, the next of many flocks of goldeneyes begin to work the blocks. 

 

            With the rising sun burning off the morning frost, and several goldeyes in the bag, the hunting slows to a crawl.  The morning excitement is burning off just as fast as the frost.  Snacks and drinks are pulled from the blind bags and the coats are coming off.   Geese get up from the lake and sound their arrival to our marsh.  We are quickly enlightened to the fact that they are not going to have any part of us for the day.  They land quietly among the other flocks basking in the sun on the rest area.  Gab sessions and short naps make the time pass quickly, but the sudden drop in temperature perk our enthusiasm.  As we watch the sky darken with the arrival of the snow storm from the north, we see what we have been waiting for.

            The hoot of the Tundra Swan announce their approach.  From all directions the large white flocks begin to dot the dark clouds.  Some flocks fly high, some stay low over the safety area.  Some large flocks line up for approach to the landing area.  With hopes of convincing a flock that we are the area they want to be in, we commence the calling.  Our decoys are positioned in an area easily seen from any direction and from any altitude.  These birds with a brain the size of a walnut begin to educate us.  They turn towards us only to steady their course and return to their original flight path and quickly join the others.  Flock after flock join the already massive resting area populated by thousands of large white birds.  The sound of the group is almost deafening.  Our decoys have attracted a few singles but nothing has come within range of the shotguns.  We have attracted the curious looks from bird watcher, the occasional attention from the flocks of seagulls, the passing flights from crows and several flights of divers, but we have failed in our mission to attract the swans.  As we leave the area after picking up the decoys and policing the area for spent hulls and trash, we see the number of successful boat hunters displaying their harvested swans.  The boy says to me, “Dad, we don’t need a stinkin’ boat, we just have to work a little harder next time, but those are some nice looking birds.”  To me, that is a profound statement from a 10 year old.

 

            It is hard hunting waterfowl from the ground.  Having to check the water depth before wading across the canal, carrying your gear on your back and having to leave hours before the dawn in order to make it to your favorite site, makes for a long day.    Things that are easy are not worth having is what I have always been told.  My boy walks up to me before bed, gives me a hug and says, “Thanks for a great day, Dad.  We’ll get my swan another day.”  Those are the words any dad wants to hear.  It makes all of the effort worth it.  It has never been about the number of birds in the bag but the quality of the time spent with my kids and good friends in an amazing setting like the marsh.  If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. 

 

As the alarm rings, a day of planning the next hunting trip begins.