Going the gauntlet. 2012 Brant season

[Crazy_Farmer]

I've chased after brant a few years now, but never quite made it out every single day of the season, whether it was because of too much wind, being sick, or anything else. But the stars aligned this year and I managed to be out for all 10 days. Needless to say, I was up by 430am every morning and going to bed by 8-9pm.

I think I kept track, and it was something like 80hrs I spent on the water in 10 days. But it was probably one of the most enjoyable seasons with not alot of birds around but a respectable amount with a few skunked days to make those days they do come in all worth it.

The opener. We were first out, had to clear logs all the way to the ramp, we had first choice, decided to go left, birds all went right. Too late to move or we'd be corking everyone else.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/P1050142.jpg

I did get a fellow hbc member in action going to pickup a downed bird.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/1-35.jpg

The 2nd day was the sortof day brant dreams are made of. Good wind, some solid waves and rough water, rain and more rain (I need to get laser eye surgery, could barely see through my glasses) and the brant just kept decoying. After limiting out within an hour after legal before we could start pulling decoys we had 2 different pairs and a flock of 5 come right in and land. And in all the action I found my little old camera had slipped off the bench and into 3" of water. The one day I could get good decoying photos, the camera goes for a swim. What are the chances

4 man limit

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/1-30.jpg

And then another skunk day. But a buddy came and took some photos from long range.

Us

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/1-29.jpg

Bryans rig(punt damn near disappears with the angle and colouring)

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/IMG_6096_edited-1.jpg

[Crazy_Farmer]

Then Todd and Matt got into them on the next day.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/27.jpg

I hunted with the biologist for 2 days and on the 2nd we sat for pretty much 10hrs on the water, I managed a single juvie that came in mid way through the day, and at the very end before packing up we had a three do it right. Somehow we only knocked one down, and luckily the other two flew off and then circled back into us, and out of nowhere a new pair decoyed into the set and we knocked both down to finish our 4 bird limit.

When we started to pull the decoys, the wind and waves picked up, the clouds came in and it started snowing like crazy. We were the only rig still out there in the crazy weather but it was all worth it. Smile says it all. Bird on the left is HUGE mature female. Headed for the wall.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/1-27.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/2-25.jpg

These comical guys are always around making funny noises, and sometimes making you drop to the deck when you think they're brant coming haha

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/1-34.jpg

[Crazy_Farmer]

I had the fortune of hunting with another member and we managed to bring two brant on board. Old punts sure have alot of cool history, even neater to hunt out of them.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/1-33.jpg

And the closing day of the 2011-12 season, and last day of brant season.

We hunted over some reconditioned old school decoys. 1960s-70s that were fixed up. They actually floated and looked really good out there and set up as singles in the pocket. Worked excellent.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/1-32.jpg

A cool comparison of two mature birds. How different the colouring can be

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/2-26.jpg

I would like to thank milwaukee tools for creating a heated jacket. Two batteries a day was a nice way to keep warm, though Kelly I think I may try your method next year hahahah

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/IMG_0557.jpg

Salt water can be a pain in the ass with steel. Just surface rust, oil will take that off but just think how your whole gun would do un protected.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/IMG_0540.jpg

[Crazy_Farmer]

And the decoys washed and tucked up away on the shop wall. They`ll sit there for another 355 days till next march 1st.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f52/Crazy_Farmer/3-18.jpg

[fowlweather]

Beautiful man god job

[Ian F.]

There is no cure my friend, none whatsoever! Great words and I'm sure your everyone will agree, that one picture of you is the best I've ever seen!

I've already got 6 days booked for next year, lets hope Hydro doesn't need to build a second school!

Ian

[Dano]

Thanks for sharing the pictures!
Dan

[f350ps]

Well done Adam!!! Altough there wasn't the best showing bird wise that was probably one of the most enjoyable seasons we've had in a long time, lots of good laughs! I'd really like to get a copy of the pic you took yesterday of the whole crew, thanks. K

[branthunter]

Great story of a fine season Adam----and lucky you to be out there in a snow storm .

[popsy]

Thanks for posting pics and story Adam. Sounds like you all had a great time. Maybe next year I will be able to partake.

[Crazy_Farmer]

Kelly PM me your email and I'll send a fullsize file. Phils quite the joker in the pictures hahaha. Tried to find a good one of him but in 6 photos but they were all bad hahahahah

[SHAKER]

Thanks for the pics..... I miss not being out on the chuck chase'n them #*%@'rs. If anyone says' they've got Brant figured out then they're a lie'r or totally insane and need to be locked up in a nut house!

[heyblast]

A season to remember for sure, thanks for sharing. I have to wonder if there may be a few more decoys next season.

[f350ps]

Kelly PM me your email and I'll send a fullsize file. Phils quite the joker in the pictures hahaha. Tried to find a good one of him but in 6 photos but they were all bad hahahahah
Gottem, thanks Adam! Looks like a line up for Americas Most Wanted, what an ugly bunch! K

[stillwater]

Wow,was I at the same party??? The pictures look great and make it look so easy. lol I also did 10 days and can't wait to go back to work tomorrow for a holiday. Shaker is 1/2 right, Herbie & Ron do have it figured out but they should be locked up lol.
Adam can I also get the pictures would love to see Phildell Castro... B

[Crazy_Farmer]

Bryan If you figured out how to send Private messages send me one with your email. Just click my username an hit send private message.

Fidel's a cooc in all the pictures haha

[kyleklassen]

glad you guys had a good season.

[SHAKER]

Wow,was I at the same party??? The pictures look great and make it look so easy. lol I also did 10 days and can't wait to go back to work tomorrow for a holiday. Shaker is 1/2 right, Herbie & Ron do have it figured out but they should be locked up lol.
Adam can I also get the pictures would love to see Phildell Castro... B

Why would I be half right.... no sane person can figure out what Brant are going to do!

[fowl language]

shaker, you have to know herby and ron to understand.....fowl

[Foxton Gundogs]

Havent hunted brant since the 70's but you guys are doing BAD things here, with "retirement" stareing me in the face I'm getting the itch again, being a "rookie" all over again apeals to an Old Guy HMMMMM:confused::):-D

[SHAKER]

lol.... I'm with foxton, I might have to make my way out on the water again? Got 4 of them on the wall I guess a couple more couldn't hurt.

[SHAKER]

shaker, you have to know herby and ron to understand.....fowl

Probably don't need to... Just knowing they're Brant hunters should be enough eh fowl?