The Waterfowlers Fear of Chest Wading

[longshot]

Well this morning was my last day for waterfowling until the fall. I set up on a grass field between a potato and corn fields. The geese moved early on and everything was going great.. until the last bird of the day. I coach a single in nice close.. BOOM, right in the neck.. i couldnt take a follow up shot as i didnt feel like raining pellets on the road i was near, but the goose still hit the dirt.. i get up to go get it and it finds its second life and flew right into the potato field... then died. Great.. water levels are higher then ever. I start trecking out into the middle of the potato patch to get the goose and it was all good with water about 6 inches from the top of the waders.. i started to not look at the ground through the water anymore, then it all went wrong. I took one more step and didnt feel ground, quickly tried to pull myself back but it was too late.. in a split second my waders were full and i was going under in a hurry.. i held my breath and realized there was no easy way out. With my head completely under the water i still didnt feel ground.. i stayed calm, let go of my new wood semi auto, unclipped my waders and swam up and moved back to the chest deep water.. after finishing coughing up swamp juice, i unlayered and left my clothes on the water surface and dove back down a few times to find my gun. Thats when i realized it was about a 5 foot drop!! Anyways, if this ever happens to anyone, i recommend not trying to fight to the surface.. just hold your breath and calmly unclip your boots and worry about the gun later.. i can see how if i reacted any differently the situation couldve been much worse. At the end of it all, i did get my goose and found a $5 bill on the soggy walk back... so i guess it payed off, lol.

Longshot jr.

[ruger#1]

Well this morning was my last day for waterfowling until the fall. I set up on a grass field between a potato and corn fields. The geese moved early on and everything was going great.. until the last bird of the day. I coach a single in nice close.. BOOM, right in the neck.. i couldnt take a follow up shot as i didnt feel like raining pellets on the road i was near, but the goose still hit the dirt.. i get up to go get it and it finds its second life and flew right into the potato field... then died. Great.. water levels are higher then ever. I start trecking out into the middle of the potato patch to get the goose and it was all good with water about 6 inches from the top of the waders.. i started to not look at the ground through the water anymore, then it all went wrong. I took one more step and didnt feel ground, quickly tried to pull myself back but it was too late.. in a split second my waders were full and i was going under in a hurry.. i held my breath and realized there was no easy way out. With my head completely under the water i still didnt feel ground.. i stayed calm, let go of my new wood semi auto, unclipped my waders and swam up and moved back to the chest deep water.. after finishing coughing up swamp juice, i unlayered and left my clothes on the water surface and dove back down a few times to find my gun. Thats when i realized it was about a 5 foot drop!! Anyways, if this ever happens to anyone, i recommend not trying to fight to the surface.. just hold your breath and calmly unclip your boots and worry about the gun later.. i can see how if i reacted any differently the situation couldve been much worse. At the end of it all, i did get my goose and found a $5 bill on the soggy walk back... so i guess it payed off, lol.

Longshot jr.

Glad your safe. It could of been another missing persons file. You should also carry a knife, so you can cut yourself out of your waders. The guy that drown on the Chilliwack river didn't have a chance. His waders held his legs up. He was wearing a chest belt.

[Dano]

Glad you're ok! Thanks for sharing the story.

[Surrey Boy]

Good advice, thanks for posting.

[gmachine19]

Glad your okay. The main point to take here is not to panic. And maybe wear a pfd next time?

On the other hand, I don't believe that the recent death in Chilliwack river can be blamed on the waders. The air inside is not enough to keep the legs up of a conscious individual forever. That water was just too strong. And please don't try to cut yourself out of the waders. U might cut yourself in the process.

I have taken a dip in the vedder once before. Completely submerging my head. Scariest moment of my life but I managed to calm myself down and pull myself up the bank. 3rd time I almost drowned so I finally learned my lesson and go out with a pfd everytime I go.

This guy busts the wader myth out of the water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYwG52p4yjs


Did you ever get your gun back?

[ruger#1]

Glad your okay. The main point to take here is not to panic. And maybe wear a pfd next time?

On the other hand, I don't believe that the recent death in Chilliwack river can be blamed on the waders. The air inside is not enough to keep the legs up of a conscious individual forever. That water was just too strong. And please don't try to cut yourself out of the waders. U might cut yourself in the process.

I have taken a dip in the vedder once before. Completely submerging my head. Scariest moment of my life but I managed to calm myself down and pull myself up the bank. 3rd time I almost drowned so I finally learned my lesson and go out with a pfd everytime I go.

This guy busts the wader myth out of the water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYwG52p4yjs


Did you ever get your gun back?

He was stuck up against the river bank with his legs in the air. He was found that way.

[guest]

Great to hear our Fellow Waterfowler is OK. I commend you on your focus and calm over the ordeal, that could be a harsh one for many.

Very good news your OK ........ 5 bucks ...... two Tims coffee and donut. Bonus !

Sounds like you had a good shoot ta-boot !

CT

[mcmullmar]

WOW way to stay calm. Not sure I could of. Glad you are ok.

[wos]

Glad u are OK did you find your gun?

[longshot]

Yup got my gun back aswell. Took 3 dives to find it