After much contemplation. Wingdinger and I have decided that we will take TWO winners duck hunting with us this season. We will give the 1st winner the hundred bucks award, and the 2nd winner will get to come along and hunt with us.

It very, very hard to make a decision, especially since we feel like we know so many of you that we have never met, but here is the lowdown.

FIRST PLACE - wheeless621. We decided that having done a tour in Iraq, and being a student, while trying to raise a family is tough. I too am a veteran, and know what it is like to try to work, go to school, and still try to balance a young family. I think the hunting trip would be a nice breath of fresh air for you. 

SECOND PLACE- Redbirds07. Wingdinger and I have a soft spot for coaches/teachers, and know how tough it is for them to get out during the season. We also like the idea of introducing someone to waterfowling. 

Let me say that this was really hard for us, and was much harder than we ever could have imagined. We wish we could get everyone that entered out with us, but maybe something else will come up to give other opportunities.

Thanks for the entries, and have a great season.

Sincerely,

Wingdinger and Duckwhacker.

I have duck call that cost hundreds of dollars, but I mostly use a Haydel's Varitone double reed (about 12 dollars), and a wigeon/pintail/teal whistle. They Haydel's is pretty much brother-in-law proof if you work with it a little bit.

Just remember this when it comes to duck calling - the least amount you call, the better.....especially early season.

I don't use e-collars on any of my dogs. E-collars are especially difficult on Chessies because they actually have a layer of fat that covers the nerve endings on the skin. This is part of what makes them so resistant to cold water, and electric stimulation.

Laverne is 3 years old, and really had a good season retrieving ducks last year, I just want her a little more steady for those rare occassions that we get caught out in the open retrieving ducks, and the rest of the group is in the blind. It never fails that is when a big flock of birds will cup up into the spread.

So far so good with the method I am using.