The Duck Hunter

It was a Saturday morning and the weather forecast was cold and snowy with winds from the northwest.  Perfect day for duck hunting, Mac thought.  Cold weather and northern winds move ducks south.  That was enough motivation to hop out of bed and get dressed.

When Mac arrived downstairs to the kitchen, his father, Tad had already eaten breakfast and was outside loading the gear into the pickup truck.  It was a short ride to the hunting grounds but too far to carry all the decoys, guns, ammunition, and other goodies needed for a good morning hunt.  Mac grabbed a bite to eat, put on his waders, and he was out the door.

Tad yelled, "Where ya been? The ducks are flying.  They're not going to wait for ya.  Get in the truck.  Let's go."

Tad and Mac drove down the road only a mile or so to the dirt road that leads to their hunting marsh.  Upon arriving at the parking area, they began unloading the gear.  A gun, shell bag, and 30 or so decoys can be quite a haul through a wet, marshy terrain.  Luckily, everything has shoulder straps to make the trek a bit easier.

When they arrived at their hunting blind, Mac began spreading the decoys with a small skiff that is kept at the marsh.  A skiff is a small one or two man boat with two pointed ends.  The pointed ends allow the skiff to move through the marsh weeds more easily.

Mac always enjoys placing the decoys into the water in the dark.  It not always easy to see exactly where each decoy is floating and decoy placement can be very important to hunting success.  Too many decoys in one place and the ducks may feel blocked and not set into shooting range.  While on the other hand, if the decoys are not placed in lines, the ducks may pass them up entirely.  It's always a proud moment when the decoy set works.

After placing the decoys, Mac and Tad hunch into the blind and wait for the sunrise.  It's a very peaceful and tranquil time of day.  In time, all the quiet seems to erupt into noise and motion as the sunlight starts to appear.  It's perhaps the best part of the hunting experience for Mac.  Shooting some ducks or missing some ducks is a great time, but it's the outdoors that brings Mac back time after time.  It's an experience he doesn't want to miss on a cold, windy morning in November.

1. What does Mac enjoy placing in the water in the dark?

Ammunition

Blinds

Decoys

None of the above

2. According to Mac, what makes a loud obnoxious sound in the morning?

Dad yelling.

The alarm clock.

The dog.

All of the above.

3. What did Tad and Mac need to carry to the hunting blind?

Guns

Ammunition

Decoys

All of the above.

4.  A skiff is a

gun rest.

long pole used to set decoys.

small boat.

None of the above.

5. Hunting success can sometimes depend on

decoy placement.

who is sitting to your right.

the type of shotgun you use to hunt.

All of the above.

6. When Mac woke up, his father was loading the .

7. The weather forecast for the morning hunt was and snowy.

8. If too many decoys are placed in one place, the ducks may feel .

9. When the sunlight appears, all the quiet seems to erupt into noise and .

10. Mac was hunting during the month of .