Florida Cracker
12-22-2007, 08:27 AM
I'm posting this in the public forum so all can see and maybe glean something for themslelves from this event. Below is a post I made on Southernairboat.com detailing the events of an afternoon in the marsh with some great people and a not so great situation. Not mentioned in the post is Joe (Duckmanjr), who was instrumental in getting contact with John (Stumpknocker) while I worked on getting help out to us.
If your here as a visitor or non-member, I would encourage you to get off your wallet (if you can) an join up. I have had pleasure of meeting and making friends here that have been truly rewarding, especially John and Emily. Also, I count all of the members here my friend, even though I've not met most of you. I'm sure that the members here, had they been given the chance to, would have responded like the incredible folks at Southernairboat.com did.
Anyways here's the post:
Where do I begin, maybe at the lessons learned. PEOPLE ALWAYS FIRST. STAY CALM, PRIORITIZE. Communications is key and expect the unexpected. I two set of hunters out seperated by a quite a distance, but only enough of the same communication to monitor one. We were relying on cell phones to keep in contact with the other group - NOT RELIABLE. HAVE A FULLY CHARGED CELL PHONE OR THE MEANS TO CHARGE ONE WHEN OUT. Be prepared - when dropping off hunters, make sure they have a means of signaling and warm clothing WITH THEM, even if warm initially. DON'T TELL YOUR WIFE YOU DROPPED AN 8 YEAR OLD CHILD OFF IN THE MARSH WITH HER FATHER AND LEFT THEM TO SET UP ELSEWHERE. I know there are other lessoned learned and unfortunately still some yet to learn, hopefully not the hard way. HAVE A GREAT CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, MANY YOU HAVEN'T EVEN MET OR KNEW OF, LIKE THOSE HERE ON SOUTHERNAIRBOAT.COM AND ON UNITEDWATERFOLWERSFL.ORG.
Let me tell you, we had an incredible time yesterday. I met a new friend and his beautiful 8 year old daughter at the ramp for an afternoon duck hunt, her first ever. While preparing to launch we noticed a young man waiting for an opportunity to hunt on Saturday and asked if he would like to join us. A terrific young man he is (Jason, age 21).
The ride out to the marsh was fabulous, Emily was counting lizzards, and totaled 31, she was excited to say the least. We popped into the marsh and it was alive with birds. I picked out what looked like a good spot for dad and daughter to set up and a blind was established.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h302/jm777/Emilyshunt12-21-07001.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h302/jm777/Emilyshunt12-21-07002.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h302/jm777/Emilyshunt12-21-07003.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h302/jm777/Emilyshunt12-21-07004.jpg
Went off to set up in second location with Jason. I got him set up and the hunt was on. I found out the cell phone means of communication was ineffective and went tocheck back on John and Emily. Backed at their blind 5 birds were on the water, one more and it would be Emily's turn with her 410. The joy and excitement beign displayed by both was priceless.
Headed back toward Jason, and he was nearly limited out. He finished up, recovering 5 (1lost). He too was absoultely exstatic. He only started hunting about 3 years ago and had never shot a limit before. He said it was his best experience ever. We swapped postitions after a brief training session and I soon limited out, also losing one. Things going well to this point.
We pick up the dekes and are heading back to pick up John and Emily a little after 5, plenty of daylight left at this time. At idle something didn't sound quite right, but not sure, throttled up fine and took off. Started losing power, max RPM's dropping and notice no oil pressure, I shut it down. Did a quick check found nothing obvious and tried to restart, got to get dad and daughter out of water! Won't start, dead in water. Try to reach John to tell him, no can do. Call a friend of John's and tell what's up and to keep trying to get a hold of him to advise of situation. Contact is made, and from then on I'm able to call him directly to update situation. Other initial phone calls mad to Gary Wood (Froggigger1), John C, Sniper, and WIFE. Start trying to pull boat through 4 1/2 feet of hydrilla toward cut, clear hydrilla and water is now deeper, back in boat on paddle and signaling with whistle (BTW - have good one with you always, didn't actually help here, but was glad it was a quality one capable of making lots of noise).
When I contacted Gary and told him of the situation, he did not hesitate to respond even though he just got home from being offshore fishing all day. It was amazing how fast he got there. Two hunters (division of forestry guys from ST. Cloud. The operator's last name is Blackman, I believe. I can't recall the other man's name) in a mud boat are heading toward same cut, I signaled them with headlamp and they come our way. Advise John of our contact with the mud boat and tell him we will soon be under tow towards them. I call John C to update him and he tells me DUMP THE BOAT, GET THE GIRL. We disconnected the boat swapped myself with one the one of the guys on the mudboat. We get to John and Emily and they are both as happy as I have ever seen anyone, focusing on the hunt not the stranded situation. Both are loaded into boat and taken to the levee. Head back to airboat and swapp out again with the other gentleman from the mudboat. During this time I get phone calls John C, Sniper and Dakota (who was contacted by Big Daddy). Things are happening fast. Gary gains access to drive down levee and I signal him with head lamp. Drops boat in water and is to up in no time. Jason and I load up and are taken to levee. Gary heads off to levee where John and Emily are. Picks them up and brings them back to us. It's now 7is and Emily needs to be to here mothers by 8. Gary drives them to ramp and off they go, but not before I get a great big hug (from Emily).
While on levee, I get a call from BEAR (Jerome Cruz) of the Indidan River Ariboat Club. He advises he is on his way with tow strap and come-a-long. Gary returns and we head out to tow boat to levee. Tie off to airboat and pull boat back in. The Indian River Airboat Club Calvary arrives and a tow strap and come-a-long are attached to the airboat. In no time the boat is high and dry on levee grade. They even brought a trailer with them to load my boat up on. We ended up though, heading back out to pick up my ride and trailer, so as not to have to load, unload, and load again. Calls made to MY WIFE, John C, Sniper, and my mother (who happened to call, while I was broke down).
Said good-bye to Gary at my vehicle, forgot to get John's guns out of his boat, off to south Vero they go.
Drive back to airboat and again with the incredible assistance of the three guys from the airboat club the boat is trailered. Handshakes and good-byes.
All along the way, the mudboat guys, Gary, and the club guys - no one would take anything to show my appreciation. WOW
Back at the gate, John has returned to pick up his personal effects and is absolutely stoked. I'm greated with one of the biggest bear hugs you can imagine. I can't say everything he told me, but he described this day as the best, then second best day of his. Second only to the birth of Emily. Then we realize his guns are still in Gary's boat, so now off to south Vero to him.
Jason stayed with me the entire time, when he could have bailed. What a great young man he is.
Had a very difficult time with the drive home, trying to stay awake, but praise God all made out safe.
I want to thank everyone who was involved in this event. What a great bunch of folks we have here. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
And Meryy Christmas everyone.
John
BTW - I CAN'T BELIEVE I LEFT OUT THE BEST PART EMILY SHOT AND RECOVERED HER FIRST EVER DUCK - A GREAT LOOKING RINGBILL DRAKE
If your here as a visitor or non-member, I would encourage you to get off your wallet (if you can) an join up. I have had pleasure of meeting and making friends here that have been truly rewarding, especially John and Emily. Also, I count all of the members here my friend, even though I've not met most of you. I'm sure that the members here, had they been given the chance to, would have responded like the incredible folks at Southernairboat.com did.
Anyways here's the post:
Where do I begin, maybe at the lessons learned. PEOPLE ALWAYS FIRST. STAY CALM, PRIORITIZE. Communications is key and expect the unexpected. I two set of hunters out seperated by a quite a distance, but only enough of the same communication to monitor one. We were relying on cell phones to keep in contact with the other group - NOT RELIABLE. HAVE A FULLY CHARGED CELL PHONE OR THE MEANS TO CHARGE ONE WHEN OUT. Be prepared - when dropping off hunters, make sure they have a means of signaling and warm clothing WITH THEM, even if warm initially. DON'T TELL YOUR WIFE YOU DROPPED AN 8 YEAR OLD CHILD OFF IN THE MARSH WITH HER FATHER AND LEFT THEM TO SET UP ELSEWHERE. I know there are other lessoned learned and unfortunately still some yet to learn, hopefully not the hard way. HAVE A GREAT CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, MANY YOU HAVEN'T EVEN MET OR KNEW OF, LIKE THOSE HERE ON SOUTHERNAIRBOAT.COM AND ON UNITEDWATERFOLWERSFL.ORG.
Let me tell you, we had an incredible time yesterday. I met a new friend and his beautiful 8 year old daughter at the ramp for an afternoon duck hunt, her first ever. While preparing to launch we noticed a young man waiting for an opportunity to hunt on Saturday and asked if he would like to join us. A terrific young man he is (Jason, age 21).
The ride out to the marsh was fabulous, Emily was counting lizzards, and totaled 31, she was excited to say the least. We popped into the marsh and it was alive with birds. I picked out what looked like a good spot for dad and daughter to set up and a blind was established.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h302/jm777/Emilyshunt12-21-07001.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h302/jm777/Emilyshunt12-21-07002.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h302/jm777/Emilyshunt12-21-07003.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h302/jm777/Emilyshunt12-21-07004.jpg
Went off to set up in second location with Jason. I got him set up and the hunt was on. I found out the cell phone means of communication was ineffective and went tocheck back on John and Emily. Backed at their blind 5 birds were on the water, one more and it would be Emily's turn with her 410. The joy and excitement beign displayed by both was priceless.
Headed back toward Jason, and he was nearly limited out. He finished up, recovering 5 (1lost). He too was absoultely exstatic. He only started hunting about 3 years ago and had never shot a limit before. He said it was his best experience ever. We swapped postitions after a brief training session and I soon limited out, also losing one. Things going well to this point.
We pick up the dekes and are heading back to pick up John and Emily a little after 5, plenty of daylight left at this time. At idle something didn't sound quite right, but not sure, throttled up fine and took off. Started losing power, max RPM's dropping and notice no oil pressure, I shut it down. Did a quick check found nothing obvious and tried to restart, got to get dad and daughter out of water! Won't start, dead in water. Try to reach John to tell him, no can do. Call a friend of John's and tell what's up and to keep trying to get a hold of him to advise of situation. Contact is made, and from then on I'm able to call him directly to update situation. Other initial phone calls mad to Gary Wood (Froggigger1), John C, Sniper, and WIFE. Start trying to pull boat through 4 1/2 feet of hydrilla toward cut, clear hydrilla and water is now deeper, back in boat on paddle and signaling with whistle (BTW - have good one with you always, didn't actually help here, but was glad it was a quality one capable of making lots of noise).
When I contacted Gary and told him of the situation, he did not hesitate to respond even though he just got home from being offshore fishing all day. It was amazing how fast he got there. Two hunters (division of forestry guys from ST. Cloud. The operator's last name is Blackman, I believe. I can't recall the other man's name) in a mud boat are heading toward same cut, I signaled them with headlamp and they come our way. Advise John of our contact with the mud boat and tell him we will soon be under tow towards them. I call John C to update him and he tells me DUMP THE BOAT, GET THE GIRL. We disconnected the boat swapped myself with one the one of the guys on the mudboat. We get to John and Emily and they are both as happy as I have ever seen anyone, focusing on the hunt not the stranded situation. Both are loaded into boat and taken to the levee. Head back to airboat and swapp out again with the other gentleman from the mudboat. During this time I get phone calls John C, Sniper and Dakota (who was contacted by Big Daddy). Things are happening fast. Gary gains access to drive down levee and I signal him with head lamp. Drops boat in water and is to up in no time. Jason and I load up and are taken to levee. Gary heads off to levee where John and Emily are. Picks them up and brings them back to us. It's now 7is and Emily needs to be to here mothers by 8. Gary drives them to ramp and off they go, but not before I get a great big hug (from Emily).
While on levee, I get a call from BEAR (Jerome Cruz) of the Indidan River Ariboat Club. He advises he is on his way with tow strap and come-a-long. Gary returns and we head out to tow boat to levee. Tie off to airboat and pull boat back in. The Indian River Airboat Club Calvary arrives and a tow strap and come-a-long are attached to the airboat. In no time the boat is high and dry on levee grade. They even brought a trailer with them to load my boat up on. We ended up though, heading back out to pick up my ride and trailer, so as not to have to load, unload, and load again. Calls made to MY WIFE, John C, Sniper, and my mother (who happened to call, while I was broke down).
Said good-bye to Gary at my vehicle, forgot to get John's guns out of his boat, off to south Vero they go.
Drive back to airboat and again with the incredible assistance of the three guys from the airboat club the boat is trailered. Handshakes and good-byes.
All along the way, the mudboat guys, Gary, and the club guys - no one would take anything to show my appreciation. WOW
Back at the gate, John has returned to pick up his personal effects and is absolutely stoked. I'm greated with one of the biggest bear hugs you can imagine. I can't say everything he told me, but he described this day as the best, then second best day of his. Second only to the birth of Emily. Then we realize his guns are still in Gary's boat, so now off to south Vero to him.
Jason stayed with me the entire time, when he could have bailed. What a great young man he is.
Had a very difficult time with the drive home, trying to stay awake, but praise God all made out safe.
I want to thank everyone who was involved in this event. What a great bunch of folks we have here. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
And Meryy Christmas everyone.
John
BTW - I CAN'T BELIEVE I LEFT OUT THE BEST PART EMILY SHOT AND RECOVERED HER FIRST EVER DUCK - A GREAT LOOKING RINGBILL DRAKE