Wrote my dad an email this morning asking his opinion on which day to hunt this week based on the front coming through.
Below is his reponse. You can truly see the passion he once had for chasing waterfowl.

James P,
I may have had a suggestion at one time, but I don’t remember all the angles !
I know that goose hunting in the rice fields is always better the day before , or morning before, a norther come in because the clouds are low and the south or south east wind is strong and the birds are low. After passage, the sky clears and the geese are on oxygen. I was told this by Marvin Tyler that owned and ran the Blue Goose Hunting Club in Altair. Hunt geese before the norther, not after !
For ducks in the marsh, my favorite is a blue bird morning, a day or two after the norther passes, west wind around 10-15 knots, usually after 9:30 – 10 AM – after most fair weather duck hunters have already left the marsh. You might not see a duck for an hour or two, but usually around 10-10:30, looking to the southwest, you might see what first appears to be a distant thin cloud approaching , as it gets closer, you realize it is Sprigtails , with long necks of white and brown spying down at your spread ! If you listen carefully, you might hear the bulls clacking in unison, like an airborn orchestra !
If you have matured beyond the knee jerk urge to pass shoot , and can stand the pressure for one, two, sometimes three passes , with them often 10-20 feet straight over the blind, you will be rewarded with the supreme experience of shooting sprigs in the face – no not 5 feet, but 30-35 feet – straight on – feet down, strung out like so many well trained soldiers marching in a victory parade ! Anyone can pass shoot, but the real sportsman does not shoot until all is in proper order – The way it should be done by real men !
Someday (usually a little later in age ) , most hunters will understand, it is not how many animals or birds you kill, but how you played the game and how you respected and conserved the game animals you seek, and all the great moments you spent with friends and family in God’s wonderful outdoors !
( I think the old outdoor writer in me may have resurfaced unexpectedly !!! )
Sorry for the long dissertation on matters that I know you already understand, but some of you hunting buddies may not, but hopefully will someday !
Please don’t use up all your vacation days now, there will be a stronger calling to the marsh for you in December & January, when the hair on the back of your neck will stand straight up, and the cold blasts from the north will beckon you to the great coastal marshes to witness, and be part of, the ancient mystery of migration !
I am much older now than “ When I wore a younger man’s shoes”, but the recall is vivid, and each and every blast from the north still calls me outside to stare at the approaching front and feel once again the cold wind on my face ! Then it takes my mind for a ride, to a wonderful grassy point and a sunken box blind, where good friends and black dogs will always stay young, because there, time stands still ! And the ducks will always fly fast and often !
Good hunting !
I Love You,
Pops

Is your dad related to Robert Ruark?!

That's awesome.

This brought chills to me. What and awesome email. I think id have to print it out or ask him to hand write it and have it framed

"GreatNess" .... Thats what I calls this post ....

Pops couldn't help himself to wax poetically 'cause he's so passionate. Great post!!

James P: you gotta take him with you!!!

incredible read! be sure to get him to hand write something like this for you and have it framed and matted. Will be an incredible family heirloom.

Great letter, sent chills! I had to forward it to my Dad & my buddy who shares the same passion as I.

Simply put.............

Thanks for sharing!

I had to share it on my site. Copied the link over to here.

I was ables to git it on mines FaceBookin' Wall !!!! Who needs 'putor school ????

Thank You both for sharing !!!!

X2 on handwriting/also any stories

This brought me back to a time when my dad and I hunted. Back when his mind was still good. Now, the old man being 83 is in the first stages of alzheimers. If I could get those days back of hunting and fishing with him I sure as hell would.

Thank you for the good read. Spend as much time as you can with your "pops".

Man we need a like button like they have on Facebook lol this is a great post and I'm thankful that I am still young and get to hunt with my dad as much as possible. I cherish every second of it

sent from my evo using tapatalk

Bad ass made me think bout the hunts I had as kid with peaple that aint no longer around.

Is your Pa related to B.M. Barrelcooker?

Great read

x2 on hand written and framed

man this touching letter is really getting around.......i just got it in an email from a co-worker with the title that read "a must read if your a true sportsman"

I'll forward it tomorrow bro, it's on my laptop at work.

Yea i got it in a email also, from some dude named James??? haha, Looks like the Ole man is famous. good read but he always has good stories

Forking know it alls!!

Got it. Thanks Jordy.

Whats sho-nuff neat 'bout this ... is the fact that it reaches folks in different ways ... folks that don't even hunt git a message from it !!!

Give yore Pops a Big Ole HighFive fo me !!!!

There sure is greatness i n that read, alot of hunting wisdom and poetic all in one shot.