All duck hunters know the rigors of their pursuit. Cold, windy and birds suddenly appearing out of nowhere. Sometimes they drop, most often they keep on flying. But duck hunting the marshes of Dorchester County is Nirvana for any die-hard duck hunter. Do so and be prepared for falling in holes, tripping over grasses and getting humbled by ducks flying at Mach 1. Best also you have a shoulder to lean on as you navigate from boat to blind and Argo to blind. And, you’ll love every minute of it. Even more rewarding are your much-earned bragging rights: seeing your fellow brethren grimace whilst you recall every toll, wing shot and splash. They hate you for it b/c they weren’t there with you. “Can you take me next time?” is the perpetual question.
The Hunters of Maryland recently hosted such an outing for its Members and friends. Pictures and text are still being exchanged days afterwards. What does that tell you? Well, it tells you those hunting that day – all day – means they simply can’t stop thinking and talking about it, emblematic of a memorable day afield. And what a day!
It all started with beverages and dinner the night before at the Hyatt in Cambridge. Wake-up call was brutal. Arrived at the lodge o’dark thirty and called into The Outdoorsman Radio Show – WCBM 680 AM – hosted by Allan Ellis. Amongst our group this day was Senator Jack Bailey from St. Mary’s County who serves as the Senate Chair of the bi-partisan Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. The good Senator informed Allan’s audience about the importance of the Hunters of Maryland representing the policy-related interests of Maryland’s hunting community in the Halls of Annapolis. The fact that Senator Bailey is the ONLY Senator amongst Maryland’s 47 State Senators who hunts – and those in the House of Delegates could probably be counted on one hand – underscores, accordingly, the “absolute necessity” of having a strong voice for Maryland hunters. Stand by for a PERSPECTIVE on this website of anticipated hunting-related legislation during the 2021 Session of the Maryland General Assembly which begins on January 13, 2021.
We divided into two groups this day. One group hunted open water while the other hunted deep inside the marsh. It was 30 degrees and 30 knot winds. Perfect conditions! The exchange of text reports and pics were never-ending. One of the positive things about social media. Following our respective hunts, it was breakfast time at the lodge. Some had to leave while others couldn’t be dragged out of there before the afternoon hunt. So many blind sites to choose…so, the two afternoon groups were treated to different sites within the marsh. Sitting on buckets in the mud and pulling the trigger…well, it ain’t easy. But, then when is anything about duck hunting ever easy?
When the day was over, we feasted on shucked oysters, ahi tuna, jalapeno duck poppers and grilled Sika deer burgers as we listened to the sounds of Sika deer bugling all around us. Senator Bailey said it best: “This was a world class duck hunt” and he was not wrong. By the time each of us got home late that night, it was good night Irene. Remember how Ralphie in “The Christmas Story” is lying in bed on Christmas night dreaming of shooting ducks on the wing with his Red Ryder BB Gun…well, that was each one us that night reflecting on what an incredible experience we had that day winter duck hunting in Dorchester’s marshes.
In closing, our sincere appreciation to Sean Fritzges for helping make this memorable day one for the ages! Thank you Sean!
