South Dakota Ducks

Posted on November 28, 2003 by Shannon Nardi 

October 2, 2002
Jason and I flew to Fargo ND and Justin and Steve drove.

I knew it was going to be hard for Justin and Steve driving with not much sleep and getting there about in time to get up and go hunt, but that was the plan. We were back at Prairie Sky Ranch and things were lined up well.

Oct 3, 2002
Tackett and Steve got in about midnight. We all got up at around 5:00 am and headed for a little pot hole that Lyles Rudder had sent us to. Not many ducks flying this morning and we only had 2 retrieves. We sat for an hour or so then decided to move. Tom walked down the bank a little bit and thought it might be a better spot. We picked up all our gear and started walking down to reset and here they came. Ducks. It never fails when you move something happens and you can't cover it. Tom and Justin had a fun morning though, a lot of cutting up and dog talk. I love all this stuff because it is real. Two guys sharing their passion for ducks and dogs and sissy coffee.

It was so slow we called it a wrap and headed in. As soon as we loaded the truck a big group of ducks came into our hole. Go Figure!!!

We all got a great nap this afternoon. Tom and I went grocery shopping and came back to go out again this afternoon. Lyles took us to a hole much like a timber hole. It was very rainy and misty but a beautiful spot. We were about to experience the Wet Labrador that Justin keeps inside his thoughts on hunting. We all felt really good about the hunt that was about to begin.

The ducks just kept coming in and they were very close. It was the first time I felt that they were right on top of me. It was way cool. The sound was beautiful to me. Lyles shot a banded Wood Duck Drake and Petie retrieved it. The big debate of who's band it was had begun. Lyles because he shot it or Tom's because Petie retrieved it. (Tom got the band at dinner that night from a flip of the coin.) Dogs had a great time today as they competed for the retrieve. It was a blast watching them. The view from behind them was great. I felt as if I was right in the middle of this one. The boys got their limits and a wonderful show was done. It was so much fun. As we gathered the decoys I waded out into the middle of the hole to take some pictures. The ducks came in like helicopters. I felt as if I was in the eye of a storm. They were all around me. It was amazing and I really cannot even describe it. They just lit all around me as if I wasn't there. I still haven't figured that out. It was like getting a personal present.

It was a wonderful day and a wonderful shoot and I couldn't ask for anything more.

I think that these guys will talk about this one for a long time.

Oct 4th, 2002
Big rains this morning. We stayed in and just cooked a big breakfast. Connie our host was a lot of fun. She taught me how to use her assume stove and I made pancakes and bacon. We sat around and chatted all morning. JT locked his keys in the car after breakfast and guess who was in the car. Yep Yella Dog. He tried to get her to unlock the door but to no avail. Actually we think she lock it in the first place. Steve saved the day and off to interviews we went. They were so funny this morning. I only wish I could use half of it on air. Those two were a riot together. Tom left after the interview and headed home. We prepared for an evening hunt with just Justin and Yella. This evening turned out to be our first show. Justin and Yella's first hunt alone together. The sun came out and it was colder and windier. I decided to shoot the PD150 from across the lake that we were set up on . Justin hated it because I was in a line of his shot sometimes and it frustrated him when ducks came in. I got some cool stuff though and I was hidden behind a tree. He and Yella had some neat stuff happen and conversation between them was incredible. They got their limit and we were headed home for dinner. It was a long day but a great one.

Oct 5th, 2002
I organized all my tapes this morning. WE viewed footage and the stuff was wonderful. Thanks guys. It was a brisk morning. We shot Justin's interview in a nice location. JT got frustrated with me as I seem to ask him question over and over again. I knew I would need the same sort of thing for two different shows. We made it through and all is well. We shot a lot of Broll of buffalo and horses that were on Prairie Sky Ranch. It is a great place to hang. Would like to come back here and not work just play.

Can't complain about Waterdog so far. It was a great shoot and a piece of cake.