Finally made it out for a hunt. Due to family matters dating from late July, and settling estate matters, this was the first time I’ve been out during the MI AUG-SEP season (FYI: we have two, including FEB-MAR). So, since I didn’t have time to gather proper foliage for my portable blind, I opted to this old stand-by, a clump of trees on the island, as indicated on the photo. So, without a proper blind, I returned to a favorite spot known however, to be populated by educated bandits. However (again) this time we (Larry the Master Machinist (LMM), AKA “Old Honker,” and I) were armed with two secret weapons, Buffy Bat and the new whirly. I had an iPhone video clip, but couldn't figure out how to put it on this post. Perhaps someone out there can help on this.
EDIT: Due to assistance from Big Honkers, here is my poor quality video: https://youtu.be/UQRHY6zlbMc
Along with many of you out there, I was initially not partial to mechanical gadgets used to confuse our adversaries, but after using them a few times, I have become a believer in their effectiveness as one tool for bandit befuddlement. LMM, a retired metalworking teacher is a master machinist. I refer to him as “der Meister.” He has taught most of the current machinists in SW MI at one time or another and thus, has the full resources of the fabulously-equipped Lake MI College’s Tech Center at his disposal. He assisted me immeasurably in constructing these two items. I will tell you more about the Buffy Bat and whirly projects in a different posting. On to the Hunt!
LMM and I dropped seven: four are shown resting beneath the location’s “Lifeguard” sign; one “crashed and burned” in distant brush, with two floaters. One floater is almost poetic, as it is shown with the moonlight reflected in the foreground. Time for a haiku:
Moon glows--still water;
Mechanical monsters flap;
Two bandits floating.
Sorry, couldn’t resist. When we decided to leave, the TBC stood at five. But, ever-vigilant LMM upped the TBC while standing guard as I went to get my truck to load up. Seems I left the speaker going and two more uneducated crows dropped by to take a look with LMM standing there. He got both of them! Doncha love it!
So, a late but successful start to the season. Will try to get out a couple of times before the end of the month. Good hunting!
-- Edited by Old Artilleryman on Sunday 10th of September 2017 10:31:16 PM