a story about the Drakeslayers

[loc9fisher]

i don't know if any of you have ever heard of a group of local guys who call themselves the "drake slayers". if you haven't then listen to my tale.......

on the saturday before the late goose season ended, i was heading out to a favorite public spot i frequented this year on the mississippi. at about 3:30 in the a.m., i was unloading my kayak (yes, im low tec, i have to paddle) at the public access. i was running a little late this morning but i figured with the weather, nobody else was as stupid as me. i had just about gotten my kayak unstrapped when a pickup towing a boat pulled in front of me. i notice the driver get out an start walking towards me. at that point i paused, knowing that he wanted the spot i was going to paddle for, i thought about just loading my stuff back up and heading for home. sure there are other spots i could have gone to, but the spot we both wanted was the good one.

as the gentleman walked up to me we greeted each other with friendly good mornings. he kindly asked me where i was headed, and i told him "probably back to bed because i know you and i are headed for same spot, with you having a motor there's no way i can beat you up to it." i couldn't be upset, all's fair in first come, first serve. to my suprise this kind man says "no no, you were here first. we won't take your spot. we can go someplace else."

i was in shock. this kind of thing doesn't happen at the public access between 2 hunting groups. i didn't know what to say. i asked this man how many he had in his group? he said 6, i was by myself. i asked if he minded if i joined them for a morning hunt since he was kind enough to give me first crack at the spot he could have easily and fairly taken. he said he didn't mind. again, i was in shock. this group of 6 hunters, all friends or family, were kind enough to let me join them on one of their last hunts of the season.

"Enter The Drake-Slayers"

these 6 guys were the nicest bunch of guys i think i have ever met. they were all excellent hunters. i enjoyed talking with each one of them. they were all very kind and more than generous. they planned on hunting all day, so they came prepared. stove's, cooler with pop and water, breakfast, lunch, and snacks in between (while i had a can of dew and some pop-tarts).

what happened next ill never forget. as they're cooking breakfast for themselves like they had planned, one of them handed me a plate of food. i tried to give it back until all of them had eaten first, but they insisted i eat.

i probably was bugging the dump out of them because i kept thanking them over and over. i appreciated what they had done so much it was all i could do. i had nothing to give back in return.

these men called themselves the drakeslayers. i hope i am fortunate enough to run into them again. i just wanted the rest of you to know about the kindness of this group. its the only way i know how to repay them for their what they did that day.

thank you very much to all who let me join them that day, josh and shane (sorry fellas, im terrible with names and those are the ones i remember), the 2 brothers, the brothers younger sisters boyfriend who goes to msu mankato, and of course the funny guy who ran after the geese.

thank you drakeslayers..........kris (the guy in the kayak)

[big drift]

ya know itis great to hear about things like this iinstead of all the negative talk. and Kris congratulations on meeting some new friends in the blind this is what duck hunters some of my favorite people.

big drift

[Tour. Pro 175]

Great story! Sounds like a great bunch of guys.

[jblabsnduck]

There are nice guys out there. We have done the same thing before out where we hunt. It makes more sense to join up than to have people trying to call birds off each other.

Good to hear you had a good time.

I think I know one of those guys.

[Sartell Angler]

I agree with big drift...it seems like all you hear about on these forums is the conflicts between waterfowlers...competing for spots, skybusting, shooting too early, calling other's birds......its really refreshing to see a story like this on here and I enjoyed reading it more than any other post in a long time. I think more of these stories need to be put on here when they occur because I know it happens more than people think. Sometimes, the most enjoyable hunts are those you collaborate on with total strangers-- it is very likely that you will end up with a hunting buddy or two you never would have had.

S.A./wdw

[IceHawk]

This is a remarkable story of true sportsmanship. Story's like this is truely what our sport is all about. Makeing friends, respecting others,and appreciateing the land and water we are privelaged to hunt on.

[lumbertick]

Great story, there are a ton of guys out there like that...it's good to see them getting some recognition!

lt

[Duck-o-holic]

Wow! You got me... after reading the title, I was expecting to read a story involving some kind of atrocity. It is nice to read that this kind of generosity and kindness is out there. If every sportsman followed this "Golden Rule", we wouldn't have all of the problems that we hear about and see in the field and on the water. Makes me think of times that I didn't go out of my way to make things easier for the guy next to me. But it also reminds me of the times that I did.

Duck-o-holic

[loc9fisher]

to be honest, if the roles would have been reversed, i don't know if i would have been as kind as these guys were. but i can say that in the future i will be. the drakeslayers really changed my way of thinking.....for the better......loc9

they also have a HSOforum for all to see drakeslayers dot com

[duckbuster]

This is a GREAT story and it would be nice to hear more of this kind. It would be a wonderful thing if this type of attitude could be taken into consideration in our every day life. Unfortunately in our country today it's me first and everybody comes next.

[Benny]

If I remember correctly the Josh you were refering to has a famous father.

I ran into him out at the deer rifle sight in at Beaverbrook gun club.

He and one of his pals were out there to try and get his pal to shot left handed when he is right eye dominant.

I helped them get it done so the guy was hitting the black at 50 yards shooting totaly left handed, left eye.

Josh was a nice guy, friendly and not to errogant being who his father is.

Benny

[tealitup]

I was out on the Mississippi last year when a guy had his motor die and was drifting. I towed him back to the landing and he was greatful -- even offered me money - I declined. Well when the morning hunt was over for me there was a fresh McDonalds breakfast waiting for me.

I did what any of us would have done, but was impressed that he went out of his way to "make it up."

While we were eating a flight of 10 mallards came by - we both got a double. It was a great day. One of those that makes you think hunters (true hunters) are some of the best guys to be around; both in the blind, as well as, in life.