I have just returned from region 8 with Fowlanguage from the last Waterfowl hunt of 2014:
I had the time of my life, met some great people, and got to spend some time with my good friend Fowlanguage.
Oh yeah… killed some ducks and geese too.
Yes it was an excellent early Christmas present Fowlanguage gave me. Promoted to number Two because of the absence of one Foxton Gundogs
who was feting his Smart, Strong, and Beautiful Wife: Cedar Cowgirl on her birthday week-end. Which meant I knew I was not only under Fowl's spot light but Foxton's as well.
The trip started as always with a lecture on let’s say the itinerary and code of conduct.
“Now Biggyun a lot is expected of you on this trip so you need to shut the F#@k up and listen.” Got my attention as it always does.
“First thing you are in charge of making sure everything in this truck that we need gets to where it needs to be when it needs to be there:
Second thing you have to do that without me telling you:
Third thing you need to make sure that the things I forget are remembered:
Fourth thing you need to leave your f@#ckng cell phone in the truck or I am going to shoot it:
Fifth thing we will be shooting with some directors and very experienced hunters so you need to shut the f@#k up and listen for the whole trip:
Sixth thing your are in charge of making sure everything else gets done that I have not mentioned:
And Lastly you are not the rookie on this trip:
Are we clear?” Fowl growled!
Ohh…” and sly sh*t eating grin came over that big bearded face: “Do you think you can do all that and be on time?”
Note: The lecture was actually 68 minutes straight: I have just pared it down to the vital bits.
I said “yes…” While I wondered how I was going to be “Shut the F@#k upped and crow to everybody I wasn't the rookie.”
Well Old Fowl got that big mischievous grin on his face and said “Good!” And in a gentle tone he only saves for his friends “He asked how are you?”
I knew he was concerned about me and part of this trip was to get me away from the scene. I am going through a separation from my wife.
We had planned a trip this Christmas back in the spring to visit her parents in New Brunswick. She kept the plans but naturally uninvited me.
What made matters worse was that my daughters 13th birthday was on the Sunday and I would of course not be there for that either. Although
the separation is for the most part amicable it is not without its angst and tension. Add the season to it and was a bit of a trial.
So with a heavy heart, a need to vent and ,I have to admit a bit of revenge for the lecture in my mind, I took advantage of Fowl’s offer and
talked out the bullshit and blues of my life as I knew it. When I was done I think I actually saw a drop of blood drip from Fowl’s ear.
But back to the Hunt: We arrived at our destination Thursday evening and unloaded the truck. Fowl had packed it in such a way that the first
thing you had to unload was the spare tire. I hefted it out and leaned it against the truck. Working hard because I wanted to go to bed I had
most of the truck unloaded when Fowlanguage came up and said: “Biggyun where is my spare tire?” I did not even look when I pointed against
the truck and said ‘right there!” I felt a poke on my shoulder I looked around to see fowl’s quizzical face and his eyes looked at me and then to
his right. I followed his gaze and there rolling slowly down the road about 100 meters away was the spare tire.
Now being in my forties meant I was smart enough to think before I ran down the street to chase the tire. “Was it accelerating, was it going to
causer any damage, could I even catch it?” All answers came back no! So Old fowl and Biggyun watched as the tire wobbled and weaved through
picnic tables, a gap in a hedge and around a BBQ to finally flop down to rest on a lawn. We had a great big laugh and then Fowl growled at me
“Go get my tire…”
The next morning we woke up early to see the first flight and then spent the rest of the day driving hundreds of kilometers find every goose in
that particular part of region 8.
As usual I learned a ton about water fowling, driving dump truck, Big game hunting, Allocation and the Guides, commercial fishing, farming,
and parenting. I had a blast. And in the same vein we were able to develop a plan of attack on hunting the geese.
It was around Brunch when Fowl’s phone started buzzing and ringing:
Fowl looked up from his liver and onions and said “Go for Dale:”
