December 2020 • Nebraskaland 27
again. They have their system. They know who's calling
and who's calling the shot. They know who's cooking, who's
putting out decoys and who's assigned to the homemade
airboat to retrieve birds or open up a hole skimmed with
ice.
Geese are their preference. While they killed several
mallards, the ducks were an afterthought. I've hunted with
duck hunters who travel the entire Central Flyway in pursuit
of greenheads and would never be able to comprehend this.
But you know what? This crew could care less what those
guys think. They're after Canada geese and, quite frankly,
they didn't invite you in the first place.
They did invite me, however, and I remain very grateful.
Through my years of working for Nebraskaland Magazine,
the people I have met and the memories I have made and
witnessed are immense. The Summit Lake ice-fishing cook-
out of 2010 ranks right up there with the coyote hunting trip to
the Sandhills with Chris Pokorny in 2012. The quickest turkey
hunt I ever covered was with then-18-year-old Brad Cheloha
of Columbus, and one of the longest was with then-63-year-
old Lloyd Warren of Beatrice and his son, James.
My memories of this day near Ashland, less than 15
minutes from my house, as an outsider are just as special.
From the airboat ice breaker to the indelible image of the
retriever walking the dead goose through the decoys, I'll
never forget this day.
If not for the images I was able to capture, but for one more
reminder of how thankful each of us should be if we have
someone to hunt with.
N
Thanks to Andy Mink of Complete Retrievers. Learn more
about his dogs at completeretrievers.com.
