10/20/71 Indian Summer. To Northwest Bay by 1 p.m. Not a single duck as we ran into Judy’s bay which was a harbinger of what was to come. We ran every little bay for about 8 miles without seeing a bird. We set up in Trappers Cabin Bay while Wayne ran over to Bog Bay. He shagged one bunch of about 15 bluebills over us and we got one. That was it for the day. Wayne has patch over one eye and sees poorly out of other. He keeps going as tho nothing was wrong. What a man. We all suspect, and fear that he will get involved in a serious accident killing himself and God knows who else. Not a very happy situation.
10/21/71 Indian Summer. On to Bog Bay where we set up and got 3 bluebills by noon. On to Lost Creek where we cooked lunch. Not a shot fired at a duck. I got a partridge. Back to Happy Shack by 3:30. I went partridge hunting and got three. A sad situation when partridge are as plentiful as ducks. We kid a lot among ourselves but it is a tongue in cheek deal. Opal the most frustrated. Wayne should be. This could well be his last fall of hunting.
10/22/71 Indian Summer. We gave up! It wasn’t easy. We went thru the usual movements of duck hunting. Up at 5 a.m., on lake by 6:30 (way before daylight), ran about 15 miles to a new location for us - Alexandria Bay. The sunrise was gorgeous as was the Indian summer day which followed but hunting lousy. We got 3- 2 bluebills and a butterball. A big conference at 10:30, after a shotless 1 ½ hours, and we decided to call it quits. On way home I shot a rabbit! That brought our 3 day bag up to 4 partridge, a rabbit and 8 ducks. We did not see a mallard at any time. I can thank the Red Gods that the blood in my eyes doesn’t prevent me from seeing the spectacular beauty around me as is does for Opal. Poor Wayne, he can’t see at all. What a stubborn, tho great, character he is to try and continue this hunting which is hopeless in more ways than one. Jill and Lisa off to Constantine where they attended a “meeting” conducted by an itinerant preacher. Lisa came home alone. Said she, “think Jill got baptized. I didn’t need it. I got saved!” It would be funny except for what it will do to their thinking.
10/23/71 Indian Summer. By 1 p.m. I was off for Sandpoint where I spent most of day. A clear, warm day. Light east wind. I shot 3 partridge and saw several more. My standards have shrunk. On many occasions in “olden days” I shot 3 deer on same island. Well, I never enjoyed it more which is what counts. Vivian Sutch out for visit in evening. A great gal - she likes us!
10/24/71 A lazy day. We worked on our finances for about an hour, long enough to learn that we are sound. If we don’t run into any unforeseen heavy expense we can live darn well on what we are getting, even save a little for something special. To inspect Seegert’s development at Spring Lodge. What vision that hard working man has! They are clearing acres of muskeg in preparation for drag line operation to start this fall. Good Luck!
10/25/71 Layna took Buck to Grand Rapids so he could pick up his Volkswagen. I had considered going until I learned that Bernice, Dale, Lisa & Jill were to be along. I stayed home. Sorted out my drawers of Coast Guard files and threw most of it away. Put my diaries in order. Arranged tools in basement. I am almost ready for a project!
10/26/71 Layna has been talking about new floor for our kitchen for some time. This morning I said “I would be glad to do it but it will have to be tile. I just can’t handle linoleum.” We shopped for tile at Rainy Lake Lumber and at Tollesfruds but no pattern suited her. We then went to Andersons and walked out ½ hour later after agreeing to have them install linoleum for $200. No outbreak from me when we got home but it wasn’t easy. I am becoming a saint. We had planned to go to island but when we stopped at Buck’s at 2:30 learned that Timmy was to play football at 4:30. I went there instead. They got beat by Eveleth 36 - 8 but Timmy ended the season in a blaze of glory. He made the four last tackles - and good!
10/27/71 Rain began during night and it was a steady downpour all day. It quit about dark after dumping 1 ½ inches. At 4 p.m. I went to landing and bailed out Larson. On to island and bailed out Cadillacs. They needed it. Wind howling at 20 mph. Rain almost done.
10/28/71 The Judys and I had planned to leave for NW Bay at 10:00 a.m. Well, trip not too bad weatherwise but same old story, or worse, concerning ducks. They just weren’t . Home at dark, damned near frozen. A hot drink, good supper, dominoes and much conversation lamenting the dearth of ducks. Now what to do? Common sense said “Let’s pull out dock tomorrow and hit for town.” Well, not much common sense in this frustrated trio. We decided to make one more try tomorrow. Showed a small ray of intelligence when we decided to get up at 6:00 instead of 5:00!
10/29/71 Day not a complete loss. We saw a helluva big bull moose on shore. That is, Opal and I did. Wayne blinked his one eye in the general direction and saw nothing. Christ, but my heart goes out to him on occasions like that! Back to cabin by 1 p.m. to pull out dock and close up for winter. We were at car, well loaded, by 4:30. For the first time Wayne acknowledged how bad his sight was “One of you drive in the interest of safety.” Opal did. We were rather quiet on way home, each must have been thinking about what the implications were.
10/30/71 Jim Banks called in a.m. “How much do I owe you?” “How about going hunting tomorrow?” It was like old times. We made a tentative date, depending on weather. To Buck’s in p.m. to help him on his new method of marking buoy locations. It is a good idea, one that the Coast Guard should understand. It is certain they never understood mine - maybe I didn’t either. Harry bought Bruggeman’s place on Bigfork. He is thrilled. Last summer he caught a 3 ½# bass off shore. I am sure that is what cinched the deal.
10/31/71 At 5:30 Bern, Harry and Arlene came for partridge dinner. A gourmet feast for sure. Harry, a picky eater, ate 1 ½ breast. On to Rev. Anderson’s at 8:30. Much good talk, I had been warned by Layna and Harry to be on my very best behavior and I am afraid I wasn’t very good company. Virgil loves to talk (it is his profession), and he says things that were they said by Harry I would say “Oh, B.S.!” This is particularly true concerning outdoor subjects. He is a self styled ecologist, conservationist along with being a great hunter and fisherman. Maybe I resent his being so damned sure of himself on these subjects. None the less, it was a fine evening - He doesn’t bother me that much.
11/1/71 Jim Banks here at 7:00 a.m. as per agreement. Layna had made breakfast for us and it was like old times to sit and shoot breeze with him. On to NWI to pick up gas for today’s hunt. There were deer tracks on yesterday’s snow in flower bed. Said Jim “We don’t have to go far for a hunt.” I stood where I could see along west side of island. In a few minutes a doe and two fawn went sailing past on east side. I ran after them as far as the oil drums, about 150 yards. They were ½ way across to Keyes Island. I steadied myself as best I could on an oil tank and started to shoot. I got the doe and one fawn with the 5 shots in gun. It was 8:15. My record is unbroken. I have shot at least one deer every year since I was 13 years old.
11/2/71 To island in p.m. Light rain. REA power off. I cleaned out deep freeze, oiled kickers and on back to Buck’s at 5:30. We plan to pull buoys Thursday - it is going to be one helluva cold job.
11/3/71 Got my gear ready for tomorrow’s buoy job. If I get cold, it won’t be because of lack of preparation.
11/4/71 Buck, Cliff Blais and I off for buoy job at 9 a.m. Buck had pulled 7 at this end of lake. He has rigged up a good deal, ratchet and all, to handle chain. Light SW wind when we left but it increased in velocity and swung to SE. DAMN. Buck wrenched back badly on buoy in Brule Narrows. We left 5 buoys in at Brule Narrows but pulled out rest to Rabbit Island. Mighty glad to get into Christianson’s cabin. Mighty worried about Buck. To bed early.
