doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Getting close.....

Destry, as well as shooting I fly fish and tie my own flies. The flank feathers of a Carolina Wood Duck male are always refered to as Summer Duck in the pattern. We don't see Carolinas here in England except for the odd escapee from a collection; however, we do have a large breeding population of Mandarin Ducks. It's illegal to shoot those, and quite rightly, although the odd one does get shot by accident (not by me) and the flank feathers of the male are almost identical and I use them as Summer Duck substitute.

Interesting collection of old fowling pieces. I never used to bother with a camera but now always carry a cheap digital to record hunting pictures. Lagopus.....

Great pictures. I took my duck boat out for a ride yesterday on our marsh in central NY. The first BWT have arrived,the first migrating ducks to come through our area. Some of the late broods of woodies are still flightless. The mallards are starting to flock up, I jumped a group of 22 off of one hole. Two immature bald eagles were watching over the place.
Bought a grade 1 10ga LC Smith this spring and plan to drop a few with the old piece. Like all waterfowl hunters I am getting excited. Thanks again for posting the pictures.

Destry, how did you get to know Russ Bickel? From pigeon shooting? I know he follows the pigeon shoots here in Pa, and lives not too far from me. Besides being a good shot is also a good gunsmith and a first class gentleman.

Did yOu just bite that ducks head off ?

Thanks Destry for the information and I'll start using the Kent Matrix!!

Destry, Sorta off this topic, but a few weeks ago you posted a search for Federal 12ga. #2. I just came across 2 1/2 boxes of Federal Duck and Pheasant high brass #4's. Not in a box and not #2 shot, so don't know if they are 1 3/8oz either. Any interest, let me know. Randy

Lagopus,
Wish I'd have taken more pictures years ago as well. So many friends and good hunts that I can now only see in my minds eye. I always save those feathers off summer ducks for fly tying friends. Sent the last bag I'd saved up to a decoy carving / fly tying buddy just recently.

JDW,

I met Russ through our mutual friend Don Kaas. Don set us all up on a goose hunt together several years ago and we've been good friends ever since. You are absolutely correct, he's a fine shot and even finer gunsmith, a gentleman without peer.

Craig,
That Smith 10 gauge sounds like a fun one, I'm sure it will be a great duck gun. I've wanted a big bore Smith for years but just never could find one that was exactly what I'm looking for.

Randy,

Thanks for thinking of me but I believe all the duck and pheasant stuff from Federal was 1 1/4 ounce. Shoot them up, they were pure murder as I recall. Do you ever come down for the Michigan Antique Arms shows at Novi? If so, let me know, I'm usually in on a table with somebody.



Regards,
Destry

Pleased to see you sparking on all cylinders, Destry.

King,

Definitely firing on all eight.

We hauled the main duck boat across the river on Sunday for some repairs to the blind. I've got to get my Barnegat skiff out of my friends barn loft and do some minor work on it. Decoys are ready to load, plenty of ammo in stock for both the 12 and 10 gauges, calls are tuned up, guns clean and ready.

I've even been on a big spring and summer diet, have dropped 50 pounds so far. With my newly rediscovered former figured I'm even wearing my old shooting jacket from early college days. Filson wool vest I got with goose guiding money fits just like it should again too. Tried the old LL Bean loggers pants that mother bought me in high school, need to get another 10 off for those yet.

How's your gunning shaping up? Won't be long till the blackduck season opens in your neck of the woods I'd imagine.


Regards,
Destry

More like 5 cylinders.