Nebraskaland

52 Nebraskaland • December 2020 MIXED BAG Hopefully, a magical moment will happen to you at least once or twice during your lifetime of hunting. You'll get invited to a top-secret hunting destination you've always wanted to go. When this happens, keep a few things in mind. If at all possible, don't turn it down because it's bad timing. You might be making a silent declaration that you have better things to do than go to the mecca of waterfowl hunting. Your invitation may be permanently revoked. Do your best to drop everything and go. Bring some sort of payback. Jerky, the host's liquor of choice — something. You definitely won't be able to pay your host back, but you'll certainly show your host you understand how reciprocation works. Personally, I always bring a camera and try to spend time taking pictures — for this publication and for the host — just to show my appreciation. Then I send my results as soon as I can. Don't invite anyone else. This is not a time to ask if your buddy can go. The host invited you. Hold off on asking if your son or daughter or 89-year-old grandpa can go. Your ticket is for one. Never go back alone. This should seem obvious, but I'm convinced now it's not. Recently, a mutual friend allowed me and a buddy to fish a lake where he had permission. As soon as we got off the lake, my buddy was so excited that he proposed the idea of bypassing our other friend and asking the landowner ourselves. "Not a good idea," I told him. "You just don't do that." As irresistible as a good hunting or fishing location might be, this idea is never OK. And you definitely never tell yourself, "He won't care," and go back yourself. If you ever have to look over your shoulder while hunting or fishing, you know you're not in the right place. Try to do it their way. This is not the time to break out your newest duck call (unless they ask) or direct where to take the fishing boat as soon as you arrive. Be patient. You'll have your chance to offer suggestions. Remember, just be happy you got in the door. Leave when they leave. I take this tip directly from my travels as a Nebraskaland photographer. Unless there's an emergency, you're with the group. If they stay all day, you do, too. There should be no special trips to take you back to the truck. On the Ashland hunt (pages 22-29), I found myself in the middle of a prairie midday bloodtrailing a deer one of the guys had shot the night before. It never even occurred to me to do anything different. I was along for the ride. If you can follow these simple steps, maybe, just maybe, you'll get invited back. And if not, be really happy you were invited in the first place. There is a long list of people who would love to be in your spot. FOR YOUR TOP-SECRET HUNTING INVITATION By Jeff Kurrus PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS When invited to a new spot, like this duck blind near Beatrice, help where you can. Stay as long as your host wants and be a good hunting partner, and you might get invited back.

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