Our mission today was to change her luck. I was a little more than worried. Her dad had pumped her up. He knows how much time I put into divers and, the passion I have for hunting them but, this season has been odd to say the least, hence the apprehension.
My worries were soon forgotten as I set the longlines, with birds trying to get in before it was even shooting light. It seemed a perfect scenario as we waited for shooting light and birds kept popping in. As shooting light came and went, the only birds coming in were hens. Honestly, it wouldn't have bothered me one bit if she had shot 7 hens, considering it was her first bird ever she was after. Her dad on the other hand, asked her to refrain and hold out drakes only. I heard Cheyenne ask her dad "why just hens dad?". To which he explained, "if we let the hens go they can make more birds for next year". With that answer, Cheyenne answered 'OK". So, drakes only it would be and, he set a distance for her that the bird would have to be within.
A couple of drakes did manage to sneak just inside the mark without being shot at but, eventually, one drake make the mistake when Cheyenne was ready. Boom, one report for the little gun. The bird was flat on the water as if it had been stoned in the noggin.
I honestly don't know who was most excited her or her dad.
Kodi sprung into action and quickly returned Cheyenne's bird to her hand. After handing the bird to her dad, she held her hand up, palm down and turned to me and said "look at my hand Mike". She was trembling. With that sight came a flood of memories of my own childrens' firsts and the excitement that came with them. I knew instantly the feelings that were going through her dad's mind at that exact moment.
Cheyenne was not only able to get her first duck but, also, her second and third , before she had to leave for a birthday party. I took her and her dad to a land access point and Cheyenne left with a big smile and her 3 ducks.
Kodi with Chey's first duck.
The happy hunter, her dad and the quarry.
The smile says it all.
Of course, the hunter with her take for the morning.
A diver hunter is born.
