ONESHOT
11-18-2008, 07:00 PM
Every year We Waterfowlers read about or see on the news about a Duck Hunter drowning, We invest thousands of dollars in boats motors and decoys as well as firearms and retreivers,add in the vet bills and day to day care of a good retreiver the coast of a good float coat is chump change ! Hence the ???
Back in the mid 70's I was hunting the Brigatine refruge and a flood tide came several feet over the meadow, I knocked down a black duck and the dog Gunner 1st did not mark the bird; I stepped out of the boat and was pointing out the bird and stepped into a salt ditch and went over my head!
I pushed the stock of the 870 down and pushed myself to the serfice and the dog was neer by I grabbed his collar and said Boat the dog swam me over to where i could stand and we both got back and into the sneak box.
The very next day I purchased a stearns float coat from ZUES sport shop and have worn it every day since weather waterfowl hunting or cold water fishing.
The story gets better ! In the mid 80's I was duck hunting the very mouth of Raccoon creek in December The wind came on hard and for some reason I cased my SP-10 and put it on the end of the rock jetty along with my gunning bag, I had a Highbee 12' sneak box with an extended cockpit, As I was picking up the deaks I wrapped a line around the prop and killed the motor. I leaned back to un fowl the Prop and Gunner 2nd my 120lb chessy decided to see if he could help! When the big chowhound came to the rear of the boat the hard wind was able to get under the hull and over we went.
Now im floatind down the big D with a capsized boat and cant see the dog I yelled Gunner and heard a muffled WHOFF ,He was inside the cockpit.the dog dove down and came up along side me. As I attempted to climb up on the hull the box righted itself and floating there was a tupper where dog dish which i was able to bail out the swamped boat with,I got the dog in first and then with the grace of God managed to roll into the boat. The best part was the 15hp E start johnson fired up after some raw gass inthe carb and we made it back alive.
I had that Foat coat and Neoprene waiders on at the time and without the coat I would not be here to relate this story! Im on my third coat now and a very cheap investment considering how you value your life. I own GUNNER 3 rd now and even he has his own Neoprene coat.
GOOD HUNTING : Capt.Mike ie ONESHOT
PS> I would like to add my sencere regret on the recient loss of a waterfowler, My hart felt thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Back in the mid 70's I was hunting the Brigatine refruge and a flood tide came several feet over the meadow, I knocked down a black duck and the dog Gunner 1st did not mark the bird; I stepped out of the boat and was pointing out the bird and stepped into a salt ditch and went over my head!
I pushed the stock of the 870 down and pushed myself to the serfice and the dog was neer by I grabbed his collar and said Boat the dog swam me over to where i could stand and we both got back and into the sneak box.
The very next day I purchased a stearns float coat from ZUES sport shop and have worn it every day since weather waterfowl hunting or cold water fishing.
The story gets better ! In the mid 80's I was duck hunting the very mouth of Raccoon creek in December The wind came on hard and for some reason I cased my SP-10 and put it on the end of the rock jetty along with my gunning bag, I had a Highbee 12' sneak box with an extended cockpit, As I was picking up the deaks I wrapped a line around the prop and killed the motor. I leaned back to un fowl the Prop and Gunner 2nd my 120lb chessy decided to see if he could help! When the big chowhound came to the rear of the boat the hard wind was able to get under the hull and over we went.
Now im floatind down the big D with a capsized boat and cant see the dog I yelled Gunner and heard a muffled WHOFF ,He was inside the cockpit.the dog dove down and came up along side me. As I attempted to climb up on the hull the box righted itself and floating there was a tupper where dog dish which i was able to bail out the swamped boat with,I got the dog in first and then with the grace of God managed to roll into the boat. The best part was the 15hp E start johnson fired up after some raw gass inthe carb and we made it back alive.
I had that Foat coat and Neoprene waiders on at the time and without the coat I would not be here to relate this story! Im on my third coat now and a very cheap investment considering how you value your life. I own GUNNER 3 rd now and even he has his own Neoprene coat.
GOOD HUNTING : Capt.Mike ie ONESHOT
PS> I would like to add my sencere regret on the recient loss of a waterfowler, My hart felt thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.