I'd rather go hunting with Sarah Palin...

What is up with these stupid polls??? 50% of those polled would like to watch a football game with Senator Obama compared to just 47% for Senator McCain... That's about as ignorant as more Americans would rather have a beer with President Bush than John Kerry... So here's what I think, stop dumping on one another and get damn clear about how you intend to lead our country because unlike me, there exists a drove of voters who are balancing the two choices (well three if you want to count Ralph Nader)... I can't stand looking through the websites looking for relevant material to better educate my students on our ever changing world and find an article about the two month waiting period for Sarah Palin's frameless glasses or Michelle Obama's rise to the best dressed celebs... But nevertheless, I would love to go hunting with Sarah Palin and I wonder if she's a better shot than the Rabid Maine Outdoorsman...

Old buddies, new game... well at least for me...

So the plans have been put into action, on opening day I will be in central Maine next to my great friend, the Rabid Outdoorsman... Somehow, he's convinced me that I need to be on freshwater for the opener and over the past few years he has managed to send me pictures of his efforts... Usually, I'm sitting at school only to receive the photos around noontime and this year, I will be part of this effort... Not will I even worry about the first sea duck, nor will I complain about the two hundred mile trip the night before... This is about our passion for duck hunting, and I look forward to the comparative versions that will grace our blogs on October 2nd... Stay posted and take care...

Downeast Duck Hunter

Balancing life... as duck season approaches...

If you want something done ask a busy person... Yup that's my adage, I figure that the more I do the more gets done and then all goes well, but I've been hit with a unique opportunity that deserves some consideration...

I have been offered a part-time job after school working with kids from a different age group than I currently teach. I would head over to the elementary school and act as a counselor for mainly junior high kids and focus my efforts in the outdoor arena. Apparently the program endorses snow shoeing, cross country skiing, tennis, and other activities. The pay is $20 an hour and I would get about 6 hours per week. This would translate into $480 per month for about 8 months at the total estimated sum of $3840 before the taxman.

Here's my rambling thinking as of right now:

1) six hours a week is still six hours away from family which would then affect my weekends especially with my hunting seasons barreling around the corner
2) I'm not sure that $20 an hour is worth my time especially since I'm constantly in the works with the business of life
3) The money would be nice, but what honestly would it go for... towards a new car, home improvements, a bigger motor for the Duckforce???
4) My personal economy is well, I've adjusted my life around the increase in fuel and heating oil and I'm not sure if adding another job would better suit my personal utility, i.e. happiness
5) I wouldn't mind doing outdoors activities and sharing those with younger kids, plus get paid for it...
6) I would throw every paycheck into this isolated savings account and let the money grow, I have multiple incomes right now and this would be the only way I'd consider this to avoid nickel and dime economics
7) Work, more work, then home

So here I am, trying once again to figure out how to balance my world and as my favorite time of year approaches, another option gets put in front of me... I suppose opportunity is knocking but is there a price for this one???

It's getting closer!!!

October 1st should be a national holiday, well at least in Maine... I figure our wonderful governor can have August 12th be the official fart in church day so why shouldn't I be able to have "Duck Season Begins Day"??? Nevertheless, I posted several key goals for the upcoming season and here's how I've done thus far...

Goal #1- Get ready to chase some puddle ducks particularly teal and wood duck
So far I've managed to clear opening day for central Maine with the Maine Outdoorsman and it looks like wood ducks are going to be our target... I couldn't be more excited, the sea ducks can wait until opening weekend... and I've gotten back in touch with one of my old buddies, Rod Bass, and he absolutely wants me to chase some inland ducks with him in our neck of the woods... Double Bonus, Goal Complete!!!

Goal #2- Scout inland waters
Not the first minute nor do I possess the time to even think about that one right now... Lobstering still occupies my weekends and teaching is killing my weekdays... Throw in a new family and this one is shot... Please refer back to the first goal and I think my scouting my end up being with some maps and my phone... Goal sort of but not really complete...

Goal #3- Hit opening day with Rabid, the Maine Outdoorsman
Ready to take a personal day for October 1st and drive down to Augusta... Goal just a leave slip away!!!

Goal #4- Take a kid out on junior hunt day to promote our sport...
It looks like I won't have the time to pull this one off which is too bad... I've got everything ready, but I'm thinking of all those days that I wish I could be out of the lobster boat and wonder why I passed up that pay check... I've got to keep on working until the gear is brought in and September still is a great month for lobstering... Goal not met, but I just might still make it happen...

Goal #5- Get published!!!
I found my article on the front page of the Duck Hunting Chat Online Magazine and am currently waiting for my stipend.... Apparently, I've scored a nice duck call and it's in the mail!!!

So as far as I can tell, I'm working on a 4 out of 5 or at least 3 out of 5... Not bad and I suppose I'll have to drum up some new goals to challenge the inner core of my duck hunting being... Take care and remember "less than three weeks"...

The Down East Duck Hunter

My first article!!!

My little girl's first duck portrait!!!

Yep, I decided it was time to try my luck in the outdoors writing venue and my first ever submission was accepted!!! You can check out "The Early Bird Gets the Worm. Not So..." about a strategic hunt for Maine eiders in the middle of the day...

The Downeast Duck Hunter's first article

God love it!!!