Admit it, you know you finished this blog post title with "....It's Cold Out". True. It IS C-O-L-D out in what is supposed to be balmy South Dakota. Our temps have been far more like the temps we *thought* we left behind in Pinedale.....highs barely breaking zero, but then there's that wind chill factor. I really haven't even wanted to know what the "feels like" temps are.
But, back to the Title of this post. The real title, is Baby, It's Goose Huntin' Season! Last week, day after Christmas, Sadie and I were scheduled to go goose hunting with another one of the mentors in SD Youth Hunt. Well, like much of the west, we got a little snow and whole lot of wind both on Christmas and the day after. I begged off questioning the safety of my trying to get to town. Sadie said she didn't want to go either if I was questioning safety. Good call girl. Anyways, I couldn't get out to our county road, let alone down to the freeway that was closed from the state line half way across the state. Fast forward to New Year's Day and we have a re-scheduled hunt!
It was a balmy 7* when I left the house to head to town to pick-up Sadie and meet up with the group. By the time I got to town, Rapid City was boasting 14*, and less wind then at home. Off we went to get our field set-up. I have no idea what the temps were when we arrived, it didn't matter, there were decoys to get set up and snow to be dug out for a couple more blinds! By the time we were all done setting up, my bronchitis cough was trying to hack up a lung or two, so I opted to hang out in the truck, with the motor running, where it was warm. Did I mention I was in a warm truck? Kids and other mentors were troopers though; truck read a constant 4*, they all stayed out until a little after 1. There may have been a little horse play waiting for the birds to fly in an effort to stay warm, but hey, nothing wrong with killing a little time while waiting.
I had not planned on staying in the truck, so I did not take a long lens along with me; plus I was in a TERRIBLE spot for taking photos. There weren't a lot of birds flying, but one particular group that did come in had me totally cracking up watching. I was beginning to wonder if the hunters and their guides were sleeping!
No connections were made during the day with any birds, but the kids had a great time - mission accomplished! I'm told after all those birds landed in the decoys, Mr. Guide Sir mentioned that maybe he should have called for shooting!
