Interesting story re this honker triple. Note that only four honkers are in the pile and daily bag is five. Decoys were set in the cut corn and the dogs and I were hiding just inside standing corn. Deeks are set out about fifty yards and I try to use the wind. I was unable to follow the second bird when it fell as I was already on the third. But I was almost certain it fell in the standing corn to my left. Another flock was already coming in so we held tight. Easily took a double and I was done. Had to run down the first bird but rest were dead. I gathered up the other three and a couple of decoys for a photo op. It's almost useless looking for downed birds in the standing corn. The dogs don't like to be out of sight (and yes it is very easy to get disoriented in that stuff). But gave it a shot anyway. We were in there about twenty minutes when suddenly I was face to face with a HUGE black bear not ten yards away. I screamed at the dogs and they were to me immediately. I bet that bruin's skull was twenty inches across. Fortunately, he did an about face and quick exit. The buggers are always in the corn and very destructive. And they are not in the least bothered by my shooting. I've had them snitch geese from the pile while walking the dogs to a nearby slough. I carry a couple of slugs in the chest pocket of my upland vest for just this reason. But I was done shooting so gun was still back at decoys. That could have been a real mess! Won't make that mistake again. I kept the dogs at heel and got the hell out of that corn ASAP. One honker isn't worth it. Stepped into the cut field and there's the dead goose laying in the stubble face down. They can be hard to see when they land like that.
Sorry for the derailment. My daughter landed in hospital last night after her first seizure. I needed the diversion. Seizure took out her brother fourteen years ago. Seizures probably would also have eventually taken my epileptic wife had not a car accident done her in ten months after we lost Wes. So this is not unexpected. But heartbreaking nonetheless. Good thing I didn't go back to Africa this year. I had a feeling something would come up. Sigh.
