Duck Creole...One of my favorites

With summer upon us, it is time to figure out what to do with all those ducks in the freezer.  There are many wonderful options, but this is one of my favorites.  While it is best with dabblers like mallards, gadwalls, woodies and teal (what isn't?), it is also a great way to utilize some of the stronger tasting divers.  The cooking process seems to mellow some of the "gaminess" and makes for a very tasty dish!

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of vegetable or olive oil

2 cups of boneless duck breasts, cut into small cubes

Cajun seasoning of your choice

2 tablespoons of butter

1 cup onion, diced

1 cup celery, diced

1 cup bell pepper, diced

Tabasco sauce to taste

4 cloves of garlic, minced or pressed

2 cups chicken broth

2 bay leaves 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1-14 oz can diced tomatoes

1-8 oz can tomato sauce

1-4 oz can tomato paste

4 cups warm cooked rice

The holy trinity of Cajun cooking...onion, bell pepper and celery

Tony's makes everything better!

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Season duck with cajun seasoning and sear until well browned.  Remove from skillet.  Add butter, onion, celery, and bell pepper to skillet and sauté until onions are translucent.  

Return duck to skillet and add garlic, chicken stock, bay leaves, thyme and basil, as well as Tabasco to taste.  Bring to boil and simmer for at least 1 hour. covered.  Add tomato, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.  Simmer until duck is tender and sauce has thickened to approximately the consistency of marinara sauce.

  Serve over warm rice....

Enjoy a bowl of Creole with family and preferably a good Lab, never forgetting that...

Brown is Beautiful!

One very special morning...

Roux will have to forgive me.  I went hunting without him...

I had the distinct pleasure of hunting with two of my favorite people this Ohio turkey season. One was my good friend Roger, who has become something of a "project" for myself and my other partner and turkey hunting mentor, Tommy. For the last 4 years Tommy and I (as well as some other very accomplished turkey hunters) have struggled to put a bird in front of Roger. There have been many very close calls, and just about every kind of flukish thing you can imagine go wrong (thankfully no misses, however). 

The night before I roosted a turkey that I thought would be in a very huntable spot for the morning. The three of us were there and set up tight to the bird, which miraculously transformed into three birds with the coming sunrise. The birds flew down early, and soon I could see the trio of big jakes coming up the ridge into the decoys, directly in front of Roger. One bird slowed to go into strut, and when he raised his head slightly, Roger laid him out...official time 6:23 AM! Roger's curse is finally broken, with a very nice jake, sporting a nearly 6 in beard. Roger has not had a lot of good news in the last year, so that made this morning even more special.

This will be a favorite photo of mine for the rest of my life...

After photos and a little drive around, we decided to head to breakfast, and then try another spot to fill my last OH tag (I had shot my first bird the day prior, another good story for another day). We were back in the woods by 10:15, and struck a gobbler at 10:20. We quickly set up, and amazingly a group of longbeards marched out of the valley and towards the decoys. Tommy drove them crazy...5 longbeards gobbling simultaneously in your face is very loud and somewhat unnerving! They began to get nervous, and I picked the closest bird to me, rolling him with my 20 gauge and Heavyweight 7s. 10:43 AM. Two flash hunts in one morning. 

More photos, and a stop for celebratory beers followed. Still home before 1 PM!

Tommy and I. I can't say enough good about my friend, on so many levels. This is very special to me, to say the least.

Roger and I with our birds. I can't imagine a better morning. 

Thanks and congratulations to all. Now I can't wait to get back out, trying to "pay forward" the gift I was given for other friends!

Don't worry Roux, I still think Brown is Beautiful.

What's it's all about...

As I sit here, deeply saddened by the fact that waterfowl season is over for Roux and I for a while, I have to pause and think about what a GREAT season it has been.

It's easy to get hung up on bird numbers, and those were great for us this year.  I know my hunting parties took more birds than we have in several years, and my personal numbers were an all time high.  More importantly, Roux had his best season ever, topping 300 retrieves for the year, nearly doubling his career numbers in one season.  Not too shabby for a Brown Dog and a weekend warrior.

Those numbers are fine, but they are not the ones that really matter. Roux and I got the opportunity to hunt 5 states this year, but even that pales in comparison to my favorite figure.  In reviewing our journal from this past season, I learned that Roux and I got to hunt with 52 different friends, old and new, this season!  Sure, most of our hunts were with a core group of close friends, as it should be.  However, we also got the opportunity to hunt with a large number of kids getting started in this great sport of ours, and that makes me very proud.  We also got to hunt with some friends we don't get to see nearly often enough, and many of those have enough experience to fill volumes of duck hunting journals.   We even got the chance to hunt with two international hunters from Malta (see "The Southern Swing" entry).  I was honored to be able to spend time with them and hear their amazing stories from around the globe.

When it comes down to it, THESE are the numbers that really matter.  Expanding our experiences, making new friends, rekindling old ones, strengthening the bonds between close friends, and especially spending time with a great dog...THAT is what it is all about.  

Brown Dog and I bringing in the last birds of the season.

Now, let's start thinking about Argentina!  

The Southern Swing...with a Mediterranean Spin!

For the last 8 or 9 years I have packed my bags at the end of Ohio's waterfowl season and headed south, following the ducks to one or more southern states for one last hunt.  I have had great hunts and made great friends in Tennessee, Missouri, and Mississippi.  This has affectionately become known at my household as "the Southern Swing", and I look forward to it every year.

This year, Roux and I continued a tradition started last season by heading back to my home state of Mississippi and joining Ramsey Russell at Willow Break Hunt Club north of Vicksburg.  I was interested to learn on our arrival that we would be joined later in the week by two of Ramsey's friends and clients from the Mediterranean island nation of Malta!  Seems Ramsey met Stephen and Patrick, international hunters and bird collectors, on a Russian duck and capercallie hunt, becoming fast friends.  These gentlemen had booked a successful Alaskan King Eider hunt through Ramsey, and were returning to Malta with their trophies via the Great State of Mississippi.  (I was reminded of Charlie Daniels' "Uneasy Rider"..."I wonder if anybody would think I'd flipped if I went to LA, via Omaha"...but who am I to judge?)  Even more interesting to me was that they were heart-set on shooting Mississippi Wood Ducks to add to their collection.  Now, I think we take these gorgeous birds for granted, and they are no more common on Malta than King Eiders...so I suppose it all makes sense.

When they arrived in camp Tuesday night (several days late due to notoriously uncooperative Alaskan weather and flight delays), greetings and toasts were made to a successful upcoming hunt.  It was amazing to me how quickly bonds were made and common ground was found among hunters who called their homes thousands of miles apart, despite obvious language barriers.  (I must admit, however, that their English was MUCH better than my Maltese!)  I knew they were comfortable with us when Stephen gave me crap for snoring too loud.... I didn't hear anything.

Over the next several days Ramsey and I got to hunt with Patrick and Stephen, and were impressed with their comfort (and success) shooting borrowed shotguns.  Certainly, a targeted bird was in dire straits anywhere close to these guys!  They collected and marveled at the beauty of our gadwalls and ringnecks, taking several to add to their trophy rooms.  Interestingly, Patrick had never taken a Canada goose, and one obliged him by dropping in a cypress break at his shot.  They took photos and videoed all aspects of the hunt.  It amuses me that Roux and I will be featured in these guys' vacation films, shown back in Malta, but we were happy to help.  

Trophy Gadwalls and Ringnecks headed to Malta!

Mississippi Mallards and Gadwalls!

Finally, after several days of trying different locations, we got them into the wood ducks, with each of them collecting several of these highly prized birds for their collections.  They could not have been happier.  I was thrilled Roux-ster and Ramsey's Lab, Cooper, were able to help them retrieve their trophies.  

Patrick and Stephen with their trophy Wood Ducks!

As the hunt progressed, I was amused to see how quickly they adapted to hunting "the American way" and I knew they were going to fit in when I heard "up yours" and "that's what she said" in heavy Mediterranean accents!  I nearly doubled over laughing!  It was my pleasure to meet these true sportsmen and I'm honored to call them friends and brothers in this great sport of waterfowling.  As always, Ramsey was a gracious host, and Brown Dog and I appreciate his hospitality.  We are already thinking about next year's "Southern Swing"!

Even the Maltese know...Brown is Beautiful!

Firsts are special

Duck hunting is a great pastime on so many levels, but I think one of my favorites is getting to watch "firsts".  A kid's first duck, a puppy's first retrieve, a first double (or even better, triple)...they are all special.

A couple of weeks ago, I got to experience "firsts" over and over.  My old college roommate, Laurence,  and I try to hunt together every couple of years, and we were overdue.  When we were discussing where to go we decided to go somewhere he had never been. My buddy is a longtime duck hunter, with puddle ducks galore to his credit.  Big water duck hunting, REALLY BIG water duck hunting, however, was a different matter.  We decided to hit the Atlantic Ocean for sea ducks, and contacted my buddy Jeremiah Brooks of Ocean State Outfitters.

Roux and I set out driving from Ohio, and met up with Laurence at the Providence, Rhode Island airport.  Soon enough we were settled in at the hotel, prepping for the next day in the salt.

The next morning, the "firsts" began. Jeremiah set us up in his boat blind, next to some large rocks at the mouth of a bay.  I got to watch my buddy drop his first sea ducks, including a beautiful drake common eider and a stunning old squaw drake as well as a common goldeneye.  I even checked a first off my list with a great old squaw drake, a bird that has eluded me on three other sea duck trips.  Roux was a workhorse, fighting tidal currents and submerged rocks to retrieve our prizes.  I couldn't have been prouder.

Happy Duck Hunters!

My (and Roux's) first Drake Old Squaw!

The second day was a continuation of new experiences.  Laurence got an opportunity to shoot divers

out of a 2 man layout boat, dropping his first bluebills and buffleheads ever.  I was lucky enough to get my first greater scaup, a species we don't get often at home.  Jeremiah and his wife showed us some real New England hospitality that evening, home-cooking a true surf and turf of steak and steamed lobsters...we ate until we could barely stand!

Day three was an unique experience for sure, just as Jeremiah had promised.  We climbed out of the boat and climbed up huge rocks in the bay, sitting a good story and a half above the water, watching longlines of eider decoys bob up and down, well below us.  Shooting was festive early, allowing us the unique opportunity to shoot DOWN on incoming eiders.  Laurence got to shoot his first scoter, as well as collecting a banded hen eider.  To say he was excited doesn't do it justice!  Brown Dog had a blast, retrieving sea ducks and even his favorites, Canada geese, which got "just a little too close" to our hide among the rocks.

Roux surveying his domain

Banded eider!!!

We wrapped our trip up by eating one last huge seafood meal, and reluctantly packing for the travel home.  Many memories and many firsts on a very special trip with a great friend and a truly professional guide.  It was a thrill to know every species my buddy took on this trip was one he had never shot before!  We have already decided to continue the "firsts" theme this summer...with a trip to Las Flores Argentina with Ramsey Russell's getducks.com!  All new territory there for sure!!

Next time you plan a trip, consider something you haven't done before and remember...

Brown is Beautiful

Mexican beaches, great food, and DUCKS! The Perfect Couples Getaway!!

For my 20th anniversary to my wonderful wife, I wanted to do something special. We wanted to do something a little different for us, and something we would both enjoy. Long story short, Ramsey Russell with getducks.com hooked us up with a great trip to the Mexican Pacific coast, which just happened to also offer great duck hunting! We invited two other couples to share in this little piece of heaven.

The resort was beautiful, and we were greeted to our view of the Pacific from our balcony...



We spent the late afternoon and evening enjoying the sites and a walk down the beach



Did see some birds but we were looking for something bigger



For the next 4 mornings, we were treated to some of the best duck hunting I could imagine, within 1.75 hours of the resort. Limits for all of us every day, and generally within 1.5 hours. We were often back to the resort before our ladies had finished breakfast!

A few select pics....












Regarding birds, we were able to shoot quite a mixed bag.  We shot lots of shovelers, teal (all species), wigeon, pintails, bluebills and even some black-bellied tree ducks.  



The rest of the day was spent either sightseeing, shopping with the ladies, or just doing NOTHING at the pool. I NEVER get to do NOTHING, so this was a special treat! 



Evenings were for enjoying the UNBELIEVABLE sunsets and eating amazing seafood.....





Not sure which sight is more beautiful, but then again, I'm biased...



We returned home reluctantly, for sure. It was an unbelievable trip on so many levels. Certainly it wont be the last time...

A quick word on security/safety in Mexico. The American media and the Dept of State would have you believe you cant safely poke your nose off the plane anywhere in Mexico. At least where we were in Mazatlan no one even looked at us sideways. We encountered plenty of other Americans and Canadians who wouldnt go anywhere else... The shops, resorts, restaurants were very friendly and safe.

If you are looking for the perfect couples trip (and to get in a little duck hunting too), look no farther!!

Why I hunt with a dog...

This makes my third season hunting with my own dog.  I know many of you have far more seasons than that with your dog(s) under your belts, and could probably do a better job of writing this than me, but here goes nothing...

Having a dog has given me a way to enjoy this sport year-round.  With a dog the season never really ends. You can justify all kinds of excuses to get out of the house because of a dog. Training days with friends in the spring and summer, trips to a local lake to swim, hunt tests, and many other activities start to crop up on your personal calendar that you might not have otherwise considered.  Don't forget the opportunity to rationalize all kinds of new gear, in the name of your four-legged companion either!  Dog blinds, stands, ladders, collars, vests, training gear.....ahh, the life of a gear-junkie!

Having a good dog helps secure invitations.  Word of a good dog spreads quickly (be careful, the inverse is also true!), and often you may get calls to hunt and it may not be that important to the inviter that you go or not.  "What time can Roux be ready?" is frequently asked of me...I try not to get offended.

Dogs provide endless photo opportunities.  Some dramatic, some comical, but there is always a dog picture to be taken.  Im certain I have missed some shooting chances at birds because I was shooting photos of the dog instead.  He just takes it in stride...much like my kids do when my wife breaks out her camera.

Roux even graciously allows me to have my photo taken with him every now and then

Dogs recover game that would likely be lost otherwise.  This is REALLY why they are there, isn't it?  While we all strive for birds feet-up and dead in the decoys, we all know sometimes this just doesn't happen.  This is where a well-trained dog earns his keep.  I have seen my dog, and many others, pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat time and again, finding birds humans would have never come close to.  This also becomes a great source of pride for the owner as well.  The last weekend of our first split provided two such instances for me:

First, my partners and I lightly knocked down a drake mallard that sailed l-o-n-g into thick weeds in a flooded crop field.  We had a decent mark on the bird, but knew our chances of chasing a lively duck down in that stuff were slim.  I looked at Roux and he had a line on the bird, but I knew his line of sight was hampered by the brush in the field.  I sent him out, and he stopped, looking back for direction, after about 175 yards.  I kept casting him back, until he was just a small brown speck to my old eyes.  One more cast and I saw him whip his head around, staring into a patch of smartweed about 30 yards wide.  He dove in, and the weeds shook for a minute, and he emerged with a fat and very much alive drake in his mouth.  We all stood and applauded!

Nice job, Roux-ster!!

The following day,  two friends and I hunted a lake from a boat blind tucked way back in the reeds.  Roux's view in front of the blind was severely hampered by the vegetation, but we made the best of it.  Midmorning, one of my friends knocked down a goose, which splashed down about 60 yards from the blind, off the left front corner.  The goose's wing was broken, but his legs sure weren't!  Another partner was able to smack him on the water pretty hard, but the goose was still cutting a wake for the main body of the lake to our hard left.  I lined Roux as best I could and sent him, figuring he would either run the goose down, or we would pick him up in the boat if not.  He hit the water, looking for the bird, and once he got to the edge of the decoys, picked him up about 50 yards or so farther out.  What ensued was a great race.  Roux managed to slowly close the gap on the bird, eventually getting within 6-8 feet well over 100 yards or more from the blind.  The goose attempted to dive, but was caught by the wing tip by a very determined brown dog.  Roux slowly began spinning the goose back toward the boat, bettering his hold by a few inches every chance he could.  He pushed the big bird all the way back to the blind, proud as a peacock, saving us a long chase on a lake with electric motor use only.  With the headstart the bird had, we might never have caught up.  To say I was proud doesn't come close...

Goose thought he could out swim the Brown Dog.  Silly Goose.

A dog has taught me that there is so much more to this than just shooting ducks and geese.  There is the pride you have when your dog does something spectacular.  There is the humor and embarrassment when your dog does something not so spectacular (a certain NY skunk comes to mind).  There is the look on his face when you drop a bird, and he is bursting to be sent and retrieve the prize.  There is also that look on his face when you totally muff the shot and he glares at you like, "seriously??".  There is the smell of wet dog, that is usually not desirable, but becomes a welcome part of every hunt.  I could go on and on and on, as I am sure any dedicated dog guy could.

Bottom line, I hunted many years without a dog of my own, but I am not sure how or why.  I also worry about my waterfowling brethren that prefer to hunt without a dog.  I am to the point now, that if my dog is not hunting, I have to think twice about if I even want to go.  To quote my buddy Ramsey, "waterfowling without a dog is like honeymooning without the bride."  I couldn't agree more.

To be sure,  Brown (or whatever color you have) is Beautiful!