Decoy Inn, History 2005 by E. Dennis Zahrbock
E. Dennis Zahrbock hosted three hunts from October 6th thru October 16th. The following is an account of what took place.
First, it should be noted that Tom and Jim Eidsvold informed E.
Dennis that they had the “best opening ever” 10-days prior. There two
groups (total of six hunters) shot about 90 ducks in three days! So
anticipation was high for this years hunt.
Tom Clemens, Dave Wilson, Darrell Schmidt, Bill Kingsberry and E.
Dennis left Rice Lake, Wisconsin at 7:00 AM on Thursday morning Oct 6th. They
met up with John and Erick Miller at Grand Forks at approximately 2:00
PM. The Miller group had driven from Mpls via I94. Our group drove to
Duluth and then took Highway #2 to Grand Forks. We were able to reach
the “border” at Pembina at 3:00 and crossed the border at about
3:30….unfortunately one of our group was detained as he has the exact
same name as a Minneapolis Felon. After some investigation and an
intense interview he was allowed to enter Canada. We arrived at camp at
7:00 PM and enjoyed a dinner put together by Bernie and Rhonda.
Oct 7th marked our first day of hunting. We departed the
Decoy Inn at 5:15. The winds were strong from the South-Southeast. Tom
Clemens and the Millers set up on the east side of Bluebill Bay and
E.Dennis and his group went to Bombardier Point. The morning was slow
for ducks with total bag of less than 10….including spoonbills! But he
excitement was a flock of 11 snow geese coming in at about 20 yards
above the E. Dennis Group. Darrell Schmidt “tripled” and Dave Wilson,
Bill Kingsberry and E. Dennis shot another “five”. We left the Marsh at
about 12:30 PM with 8 geese and 3 teal.
Oct 8th had a slight southeast wind so we headed for
Clair Lake. After a 45-50 minute row (in the dark) we arrived. Tom,
Darrell and Bill took the point on Bluebill and E. Dennis, John, Erick
and Dave entered Clair Bay. Shooting was slow as it was a “blue bird”
day. Total bag of ducks was again less than 10 and no geese. We enjoyed
a dinner of “grilled goose breast” compliments of Erick Miller and Tom
Clemens.
Oct 9th marked the last day for Group #1. We set up on
the Long Arm and enjoyed a good hunt. We bagged six green wing teal and
several spoony’s. No geese. After the group left for home, Tom and E.
Dennis rowed to Johnson Lake to check it out for action in the days to
come. Arriving in camp that evening were Lynn and Paul Koob and Jim
Luedke.
Oct 10th found a mild south wind and “fog”. We rowed to
Johnson Lake thanks to a GPS marking. We rowed the length of Johnson
Lake and set up on the South Point. As soon as we arrived a large flock
of Snow Geese flew over at 20 yards…unfortunately only two guys had
there guns loaded. Three geese were dropped. The morning continued with
a great shoot. We totaled five geese, five mallards and several other
ducks before our return row. Some very nice Green Heads were in the bag.
Oct 11th found us heading for Jimmy’s Point and the next
point west. The shoot was slow as not much was flying. We only shot
about five ducks in the group. Smoked Goose was the dinner of
choice….even though it was a bit rare.
Oct 12th found us back at the south point of Johnson Lake
and again a heavy fog. We had a great shoot and headed back to the
Decoy Inn at 12:00 noon. The guys left at 1:30 for there return to Rice
Lake. New to camp that afternoon were Mike Arends and his friend
Lamar. Returning for his second year was Dan Lochman and his friend
Charlie Chrisler. And finally Ed Brunner (the Judge) and Roger Branham
arrived.
Oct 13th found a very strong wind so we planned on taking
four trips in the “tracked Polaris” to get to the boats. Trip #1 went
fine but trip#2 found the “Polaris” having a transmission problem three
quarters of the way to the point. Everyone had to walk to the boats and
Tom and E. Dennis had to spend the day getting the “rig” out of the
Marsh and to Portage for repair. Fortunately Jim Eidsvold’s six wheeler
was able to pull the “rig” out and was able to “ferry” the hunters
home. The good news as that both the Arend’s group and the Lochman
group “limited out” plus shot three or four geese. Brunner and Branahm
didn’t fair so well as they were left the four man boat so didn’t go
anywhere. They attempted to decoy the “landing area” but only shot two
ducks.
Oct 14th found us rowing to Johnson Lake once again. The
Clemens, Lochman and Chrisler group shot five geese, five mallards and
several other ducks. E. Dennis, Brunner and Branham shot about five
ducks with only two keepers. Arends group had went to the Long Arm and
only got three ducks.
Oct 15th found us absent Mike and Lamar as they headed
for Western North Dakota for a week of Pheasant hunting. Clemens and
Zahrbock headed for the first bay East of the landing. A south wind was
gusting at 20-30 MPH so we were not unhappy only going a few yards into
the Marsh. Clemens, Lochman and Chrisler shot about five keepers and
Zahrbock, Brunner and Branham shot two plus several Spoony’s. The real
thrill was Roger Branham showing a beautiful Red Head which he intended
to mount. We won’t mention the three snow geese that cruised over their
heads about 30-yards up with none falling. The hunt ended at 9:00 AM
and we were all able to be on our way home by 11:00 AM on the 15th.
Conclusion: A great 9 days of hunting. Nothing spectacular and
nothing bad. A great group of guys and a great time was had by everyone.
