It was a late morning in January as we finished off the last drop of Folgers in the thermos and huddled closely in the 2x4 Blind. We were freezing and each hunter was hoping the next chair over would surrender the cowardly, "should we call it?" The scout faded like a memory and all hope had been lost of seeing geese cupped up on our spread.
In order to avoid being the first to say, “let’s head to the house,” I challenged the blind to some calling lessons. I would love to say that I was the instructor, but it would be a lie. Our guide, John, can really hammer a goose call; sometimes I think he has more than one tongue hiding in there. Regardless, before long he accepted his role as teacher and class was officially in session. I wailed, laughed, and dang near sprained my diaphragm (if that is even possible), but my calling was still subpar at best. As we were googling diagrams that bring back memories of visiting the Ear Nose and Throat Specialist and using much more elaborate human anatomy terminology than one might expect in a goose blind, I was beginning to make some progress. Each cluck, moan, and odd noises in between had me one step closer to main street in Stuttgart. While the guys on the end had maneuvered from laughing to annoyed with heads bowed either scrolling social media or praying that my calling lesson would subside, the silence of the sky was broken by a booming honk as two huge honkers were sitting down for a snack 15yards in front of the blind. Just like that, the judges erupted. I graduated from beginner to advanced as my wailing on this short reed instrument brought mother nature into our snare.
Because of experiences like this, my favorite game to hunt (this list is limited to what I have actually pursued in the field) would have to be waterfowl. Followed closely by turkey. I am also a beginner coyote hunter, and if I am being honest, beginner is still generous. This list is not random or based off of my weapon preference or the time of year. My enjoyment in the field is a direct result of the interaction with the game. I love seeing the pursuit become the harvest as calling techniques force a reaction from creation. I love when the lead goose almost breaks his neck turning back to a beautiful call from the hunter or a gobbler leaves his daily agenda to check out that pretty hen purr that came from a camouflaged musician at the base of a nearby tree. For me, hunting is about mastering deception. Instead of injecting myself on their usual path, I prefer to trick them into coming to me. The pursuit is the most rewarding part of the process!
Most stories following this plot end in everyone surprised the birds actually came in and they flyoff safely towards the horizon. Sadly for these giant honkers, we were ready and with two shots and a high five, they folded ready for a retrieve. Some may call it luck, I call it superior calling.
