The last day of the season has mercifully arrived. We have scratched out 301 ducks for this season compared the 350 in 2001-2002, 820 in 2000-2001, and 803 in 1999-2000. It has been fun, and work at times. Most enjoyable has been the time spent with old friends and the opportunity to meet new ones. My new dog, C. J. has replaced the old one, Taxi, physically. But she hasn't erased the memories. I think C. J. is going to make me an excellent retriever and she is already a good companion.

We chose hole 13 again and found it to be ice free this morning and since it was a blue bird day, we had great expectations for a good hunt today. It didn't happen. One Mallard drake, made one half circle and fell in the hole and got shot. We referred to him as the last duck of the season.

Again, we enjoyed Edith's duck gumbo over rice and called it a day a little early to get packed and on the way back home for the season. I want to thank Mark Billings, David Breedlove, and Wes Wright for their help this year. Mark loaned me his boat and motor for the season and it sure helped having two boats this season. Mark pulled his boat back behind his pickup. David pulled my two four wheelers behind my Suburban, Wes Wright pulled my boat and motor behind my duck van, and Emily and I sacrificed and flew back to Harrison is my Beech Baron airplane. I certainly couldn't do it all without my friends and I appreciate your help.

I hope everyone has enjoyed my attempt at writing and showing pictures of the 2002-2003 duck season at Winchester in Dumas, Arkansas. I personally look forward to doing it again next year if the good Lord is willing.

More later,