Category: hunting

duck season at last

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Well, it’s finally here- DUCK SEASON! This is definitely one of my favorite times of year. Fall is in full swing- the leaves are changing and tree lines everywhere have become so colorful, they look like they were painted on a canvas. I love the cool crisp mornings that give way to afternoons with some of the best temperatures for enjoying the outdoors. There is also something about getting up early and getting into the duck blind before sunrise, being able to see your breath and catching quick glimpses of ducks darting through the air before it’s light, and hearing them on the water mere yards from where you stand. Adrenaline starts pumping, and you know you only have minutes before you can pull the trigger and start the hunt. Not to mention the rush you get when you make a perfect, clean shot and the bird folds, falling to the water with a loud splash. I know that moment is just as exciting, if not more so, for the dog you have with you in the blind. That’s their chance to jump straight in the water and make their retrieve- exactly like they were bred and trained to do. But, as we all know, it quite often does not go quite so smoothly! I am sure I will have plenty of stories about Dixie, my dad’s black lab, as the season goes on.

In light of this years duck season, and since I won’t have a hunt to write about until Wednesday, I decided to do a recap of past years’ hunts and how much fun I had on all of them. Even when it was 11* outside… Or when I went for a accidental totally voluntary swim in 35* water. You better believe I was wide awake after that little swim! There’s nothing like dumping 5 gallons of icy water out of your waders. My dad has definitely not let me forget that one.

Enjoy the photos!

Early morning view over the decoys
Dad, Dixie, and me after a rainy morning

Through the marsh grass

Green Wing Teal

Taking a little snooze when things get slow…

Even this mallard’s fall couldn’t break through the thick ice!

 
Dad and me. Awesome morning.
 
Our loot from the morning
My first pintail!

getting things started

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Well Hello! Welcome to the bright side of the road– a girl’s blog about hunting, fishing, cooking, and the outdoors. Blogging is something totally out of my comfort zone, and as a first timer, I beg you to bear with me! You can see a little more on this on the About page. I figured I would first give you a little insight as to why I decided to embark on this blogging adventure with such an unusual theme…

I am a twenty something living in the glorious Lowcountry of South Carolina with my big puppy of a dog Marmaduke, and with a love for the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing! While it may come as a shock to a lot of people (ahem.. of the male variety, in particular), hunting is one of my favorite hobbies and pastimes, and comes without the influence of an older brother. That’s right! The fam is just my dad, my mom (who isn’t exactly a hunter, but she supports us and we love her nonetheless!), me, and our 3 dogs, all with personalities as different as you and me. I do the vast majority of my hunting with my Dad, and we spend quite a bit of our father/son daughter time in the woods, fields, and ponds taking in Mother Nature and enjoying the bounty that God has provided for us on Earth. There are also a great many hunting and fishing adventures with my main squeeze and our dear friends that provide some of the best times I’ve ever had and memories I will never forget.

From the heart of South Carolina, down the coast, and all the way down through Costa Rica to Argentina, I will look forward to, document, and reminisce about all things I do hunting and fishing. Cooking is also one of my favorite things to do, and being able to use the game and fish makes meals that much better- How much more fresh and organic can you get?! So, I will even post the recipes I use to cook and create delicious meals using our fare from those adventures.

With deer season in full swing, and duck season finally here, I thought this was as good of a time as any to get this started. Through photos and stories I look forward to sharing everything with you!

Marmaduke and me enjoying some fresh air!
The Johnstons!
A little retrieving practice with Dixie