5.32am overhear discussion between post toilet trip 5 year old and her mother. 'Is dad taking me duck shooting today?" "i don't know have you asked him?" "He said he would. Can we go now?" "No it's still the middle of the night go back to bed" " How come when he goes fishing and hunting by himself he goes when it is dark but i'm not allowed?"

 

6.30am Repeat of 5.32am conversation. Whisky decision still not going down with rest of body.

 

8.15am Managed to hold out this long. Shower, coffee breakfast pack the truck, organise extra clothes, food, drinks etc and off by 10.30 to a farm up by work for a look around with five year old in tow. Quietly chuffed that she is this keen to come out with me. Only expecting to have an hour or two before Alex (Alexandra) gets bored or wet and cold and wanting to come home.

 

After catching up with the farmer for a bit we drive through a few races to see what is around. Most birds seem to be holding in the middle of open paddocks with therain that's been about and are almost impossible to stalk in on.

 

*****t rarrr!

 

All good except i don't see a couple of mallards out abit wider than the rest (amatuer) which puts the lot up a bit early. 4 shots and 3 down i then hear RARRRR from around the corner. A bit late but she thinks she is great guns!

 

we shoot next door to work to see if anything is over there. No ducks but a lunch stop is in order. Out with the .22 and i draw a blue square on an ammo packet to shoot at. After going over the safety rules and getting her to repeat everything i set things up. Alex isn't quite big enough to put the butt on her shoulder but manages to look throught the scope and get a finger to the trigger. Half a packet of ammo later and one excited kid (2 if you count me) has managed to get a few in the bullseye and most on the target.

 

I'm thinking of heading home but apparently we are here to shoot ducks so shoot ducks we must.

 

Next two are a couple parries about 600 metres down a paddock. Weather now drizzling, wind gusting 30 knots and about minus 2 degrees. Given the option to stay in the truck or come, we both stalk down the paddock to pop out behind a lump of dirt. Strike two parries and another top effort from the kid when she jumps through the fence and grabs one by its neck to throw back through. First time she has ever wanted to grab one. Better than a duck dog i am thinking!

 

The greys and mallards are back on the ponds as we go past on the way out - it would be wrong not to try so back around the bush we go. This time they are a bit further back so both of us have to creep up and over some thick bush tor to get close. Fully impresses at how quiet she can be when she needs to be, i leave Alex up the hill al little to ku,p shoot from lower down.

 

After running back to the truck for another couple of rounds for a finish off shot - Strike 3 more to round off a closing day limit. Awesome!

 

Great bonding day had by both of us. not back home till 3.30. Fully impressed with how much kids listen and understand much more than you expect them too. Get them out therewhile you can no matter how old they are!