I borrowed the title for this thread from a story in my first
journal/game register. That story is dated January 6, 1991. It
is a reflection on the 1990-'91 season, one that in some ways was
similar to the one that has just ended for me.
After my final hunt of each season I go through something emotional that is difficult to explain. I feel sadness that it has ended coupled with a sense of satisfaction. I have usually had my fill and yet at the same time I wish it wasn't going to be eight-and-a-half months until I get to do it again. And I realize that each season that ends could be my last. Today I left the house knowing that at least for this year this would be my last hunt.

The next time the battle wagon hits the water the weapons will be rods instead of a shotgun. This old boat has shared many days with me.

I turned this bird so the wind would ruffle its feathers.

All of the horses were wearing blankets today. I had to break ice to bail the water out of my boat from the rain yesterday. It never got above the mid-forties but I spent much of the day paddling the boat and was comfortable with a light shirt and thin sweater.

The only place I found birds on solid ground was along the edge of the polo field. Unfortunately they knew they'd be safe if they flushed headed away from the water. I didn't want to knock one down out in the field.

This little corner is at the other end of the opening and well away from the horses. I knocked down one bird here Wednesday and one today. They were the only birds from each day that I didn't shoot from the boat.

This paint is my favorite of the horses. After seeing the animals throughout the season I can distinguish between most of the horses and cows. That's probably because I spend as much time paying attention to them as I do looking for snipe.

I am positioned so the wind will push me to the mat. My shots would have been closer and easier if the birds were on mats like the one in the background with cover. Instead they were on ones that were barren so they could see approaching predators. I was thankful my left barrel is choked full.

Laying on this mat is the first bird of a double. Well, not really a true double because bird number two didn't flush until my first shot. Still, I had two dead birds down and two empties in the chambers at the same time.

This is the second bird of the pair.


I wanted to show this mat because it looks like part of it has been mowed. I did that Wednesday of last week while trying to find a bird. I cleared it holding one end of my push pole and swinging it as hard as I could. The other side looks the same way.

My final group photo for the 2009-2010 snipe season. Like every season I have some great memories of the days. I enjoyed the company of all those I hunted with and only wish we could have done it a few more times. I was lucky to have been able to shoot a new gun and I'm proud to say that I recovered every bird I shot. I feel blessed in so many ways.

After my final hunt of each season I go through something emotional that is difficult to explain. I feel sadness that it has ended coupled with a sense of satisfaction. I have usually had my fill and yet at the same time I wish it wasn't going to be eight-and-a-half months until I get to do it again. And I realize that each season that ends could be my last. Today I left the house knowing that at least for this year this would be my last hunt.

The next time the battle wagon hits the water the weapons will be rods instead of a shotgun. This old boat has shared many days with me.

I turned this bird so the wind would ruffle its feathers.

All of the horses were wearing blankets today. I had to break ice to bail the water out of my boat from the rain yesterday. It never got above the mid-forties but I spent much of the day paddling the boat and was comfortable with a light shirt and thin sweater.

The only place I found birds on solid ground was along the edge of the polo field. Unfortunately they knew they'd be safe if they flushed headed away from the water. I didn't want to knock one down out in the field.

This little corner is at the other end of the opening and well away from the horses. I knocked down one bird here Wednesday and one today. They were the only birds from each day that I didn't shoot from the boat.

This paint is my favorite of the horses. After seeing the animals throughout the season I can distinguish between most of the horses and cows. That's probably because I spend as much time paying attention to them as I do looking for snipe.

I am positioned so the wind will push me to the mat. My shots would have been closer and easier if the birds were on mats like the one in the background with cover. Instead they were on ones that were barren so they could see approaching predators. I was thankful my left barrel is choked full.

Laying on this mat is the first bird of a double. Well, not really a true double because bird number two didn't flush until my first shot. Still, I had two dead birds down and two empties in the chambers at the same time.

This is the second bird of the pair.


I wanted to show this mat because it looks like part of it has been mowed. I did that Wednesday of last week while trying to find a bird. I cleared it holding one end of my push pole and swinging it as hard as I could. The other side looks the same way.

My final group photo for the 2009-2010 snipe season. Like every season I have some great memories of the days. I enjoyed the company of all those I hunted with and only wish we could have done it a few more times. I was lucky to have been able to shoot a new gun and I'm proud to say that I recovered every bird I shot. I feel blessed in so many ways.

