10/13/74 Jim Kimball’s account of our opening day duck hunting came out in today’s Sunday Tribune. One thing stood out loud and clear. He enjoyed my company. Well, the feeling was mutual. I am flattered. Judys called to ask about duck hunting. I told them I would call back. What a chain of thoughts ran thru my head after that. How about Wayne’s sight? He can’t possibly shoot, won’t even get a license? How about Opal’s health? She has been sick off and on all fall. Has the thought of hunting given her a temporary lift which will let her drop if all doesn’t work out well? How about my pee pressure? Many minor questions - cost of license, for instance - to be used maybe once. There was one factor that over weighed everything. It was the urgency I detected in Wayne and Opal’s voices when they propositioned me. all three of us fully realize this very well could be our last hunt together. I kid myself not when I say I have a deep sense of responsibility (and obligation) where they are concerned. I called back and said I would go Tuesday.
10/15/74 Layna took me to Judys at 9:00 and we were off for the ducks soon after. Stopped in Fort Frances for licenses - $36.00 worth. In a grand rush to get hunting. Not a shot in an hour so off to Lost Creek. Set up in bottom end and got one bluebill. Moved to mouth and got one more. Nuts. “Tomorrow will be different,” says Wayne. I wonder.
10/16/74 Wayne and Opal firmly convinced that if ducks weren’t in their area they had to be in Go-Go Bay. Not a damned bird in bay. We set out decoys nevertheless and I shagged the surrounding area. Damned few ducks took off and none to decoys. My whole trip made worthwhile by seeing a shrike carry a dead mouse and plant it in crotch of willow. To put frosting on cake, I saw 3 otters! Wayne was kidding us about spending too much money on licenses. He didn’t buy one. I said “Ya, but look what we are saving on shotgun shells.”
10/17/74 The alarm saved our lives. It didn’t go off so we got another extra hour of sleep. As it turned out, we could have stayed in bed until noon - or later. No ducks, period. We went back to Happy Shack, ate lunch, closed up place and off for home at 2:00. Olive and Layna to Republican meeting and Gerald and I sat and chewed fat for couple of hours. As I have known for years, and had no reason to change my opinion, he is a high class bullshitter.
10/18/74 I checked my .308 and learned, after 10 shots, that the front mount for scope was loose. Is that why I missed two deer last fall? Cliff Moe and I made date to go to Black Bay next Monday and scout for deer. Both feel that this well could be last year of deer hunting in that area (where else?) for both of us. National Park Service feeling its oats. They have issued a map showing in black the off limits for hunters. It runs close to our hunting grounds.
10/19/74 Took .308 to Totem Pole and had it bore sighted. Brought it home and shot a few rounds. Think I can hit a deer, if he stands still long enough. Karen and Robin, along with Gene, came at noon. Layna had lunch ready. Our pregnant daughter is truly beautiful.
10/20/74 Robin and I to island in a.m. We pulled out Edwards boat so down to one Cadillac in water. The summer is almost over. Robin wanted to give Oberholtzer’s a last look so we went. Ted Hall there. He plans to stay on island all winter to prevent bank from selling it to Sam White, or anyone else. He has his eye on a few dead trees on surrounding islands to be used to keep him warm. A little inadequate. Moes, Gene and K & R here. Layna put on big duck feed after. GOOD! K & R left at 5:00. She is really blooming!
10/21/74 Cliff picked me up after lunch and off we went for Black Bay. Cautious as always, he suggested we leave car at Curtice dock and go by boat - our boat. We did, arriving at 2:00. We were in woods soon after. At 2:30 I heard a shot. When I went to camp, learned he had shot a nice doe. We went after it with Pug and had a good scare when plane flew low over us as we crossed meadow. Took deer to Norway Island after dark and hung it in fish house. Both of us a bit apprehensive as to repercussions of airplane seeing us. How much did they see and who was it?
10/22/74 Slept in (for us), had a leisurely breakfast, and out for wood. Cut two good Pug loads. To island after lunch where we skinned out deer and cut it up. We divided it equally. This is 3 years in a row that Cliff and I have put an October deer in our freezer.
10/24/74 Left Falls with Judys at 9:00. We were at Happy Shack by 10:30 and off for ducks by noon. A portent of what was to come when Opal and I knocked down a big green head and he escaped in weeds. We saw practically no birds. Am I thru duck hunting - not for just 1974, but period? On way home, we picked up one goldeneye and a bluebill.
10/25/74 Opal shot one butterball. We made lunch in Marshalls Bay and didn’t even put out decoys! We had had it. Wayne trying to be cheerful thru it all and doing a fair job.
10/26/74 Both Opal and Wayne with stomach aches, possibly brought on by lack of ducks. We decided no more trips to Happy Shack and closed place for winter. Left about 9:45. A heavy load, even brought back 21 decoys. I ran boat and glad the winds were light.
10/27/74 Layna and I to island for check. Everything OK. Home in time to watch New England squeeze by our Vikings in last 3 seconds of game. Cheryl Skurkis came about 1:30. She stayed for supper and on until 8:30. She loved to talk but also a good listener. We were flattered that an 18 year old girl would spend that much time with the old folks.
10/29/74 Cliff over in a.m. to make hunting plans. Told tale of woe concerning National park boys cutting trail right through his butcher shop! He was sad! He has been one of my best friends for over 40 years. Each of us have characteristics that bothers hell out of the other. All in all a very strong bond of affection, however. His basic selfishness, possibly the result of having no kids (or vice versa) has burned me at times. I seldom feel sorry for him. I do on this deal. His prize 10 acres of deer crossing violated.
10/30/74 Left Daveys at 11:00 in our car, Layna driving. We stopped at Orr picnic grounds for lunch prepared by girls. On to Duluth where we checked into Holiday Inn. Called Karen at 4:00 and over to their place for a drink and short visit. The six of us then to Pickwick for dinner. I out rassled Harry for check. On to the auditorium for the Folklorica. A great performance - every bit as good as in Mexico City.
10/31/74 Stopped at Karen and Robin’s land on Cloquet River. Daveys interested. Home at 12:30, packed my gear and off for Black Bay. Cliff and I took Pug out to Brooks’ trail and dropped a few more trees over it. It won’t stop any hunters but it gives Cliff a bit of satisfaction. Full of plans for tomorrow.
11/1/74 Snow didn’t begin until daylight but then it came down in wet globs. A miserable 3 hours on stand. Nothing. I realized there was no use to stay. Scope snowed full. Peep sight, too. Gave up and off for camp. Stopped at Cliff’s butcher shop and learned he had killed a 4 point buck. We went for Pug and tote and brought deer out before lunch. Out in snow again until dark. Nothing. I wore my slicker under red jacket. It kept me dry.
11/2/74 Another wet day. Helluva time keeping scope reasonably clean. No need. I saw flash of big deer. Not sure if it was a buck. Followed Brooks trail. Quite a development. I played real cook by frying liver and onions and boiling potatoes. Cliff has ½ a stomach but eats twice as much as I do. Not complaining - just telling.
11/3/74 Some signs that deer have been crossing meadow so I set out to watch it at daybreak. Never had it so good. Took an old chair out to sit on. On to Cliff where I learned he had passed up a doe and two fawn. A 4th deer came soon after and he thot it a buck. A case of mistaken identity. It will be good chewing, however. Ran kicker to Buck’s landing, walked to Buck’s, had a drink and he took me home. A glad reunion with Layna.
11/5/74 I weighed the meat brought in yesterday and found I had 85# of prime venison. At present prices - not bad! I cut it up in eatable portions and Layna wrapped same. It looked so good that we had steaks for lunch. Election day and the Republicans (our party) took a helluva beating. Watergate and the economy did the trick. The Democrats have the ball, hope they can run with it.
