IT WAS GETTING LATE within the season right here in Minnesota, and many of the potholes and swamps I hunt had been frozen over. I ought to have stopped sooner than I did, however I wasn’t able to stop searching. So I went searching for open ponds to leap shoot. Once I noticed one crowded with greater than 60 buffleheads—my favourite duck—I couldn’t assist myself.
I parked and snuck across the pond, however the geese flew off with out presenting a shot. Then they circled again. I killed a mallard and a pleasant bufflehead. The greenhead landed with a thump on shore, however the buff had dropped within the water. I used to be wading in 3 ft of water after I stepped off a ledge and plunged into the lake!
My flooded waders began to drag me all the way down to the underside. I’m a lifeguard and a powerful swimmer, however it was all I may do to catch my breath. I actually thought I used to be going to die.
Fortunately, I had held onto my gun. As I sank, I shoved the shotgun barrel into the gentle mud and pushed myself to shallower water. Gasping, I crawled ashore and stripped down earlier than climbing into my automotive and rushing house for a sizzling bathe.
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This story initially ran within the Diehards challenge of Out of doors Life. Learn extra OL+ tales.
