I dub thee "Bog Devil "
 

In honor of Destry's "Swamp Angel"...I had a very fortunate opportunity of an invite to Delta marsh in Manitoba to shoot ducks ,not being an avid duck hunter I struggled as to what to gun to bring ,it had to be a sxs no doubt ,and remembering the few boxes of 12 gauge 2 3/4 tungsten matrix #3 shot along with some bismuth #6 I scored a few years ago it had to be a 12 gauge ...I then remembered a fine set of 32 inch vulcan steel bbls I got in trade from Mr .Hornacek ,and remembered they were a very close fit to my already restored grade 2 -2 frame ten gauge ...the pressure was on to fit them up between paying work ,I cut it so close I never even got to shoot the gun other test fire before I got on the plane!

To say I was happy with the gun,my new friends and my stay at Sports Afield lodge would be a drastic understatement ,the lodge is steeped to the rafters in history hosting the likes of Clark Gable ,Babe Ruth ,King George V,and many many more ,the guides at the lodge were top notch -all local Metis and their wives cooked incredible meals in the kitchen ....the Bog Devil ,well he spoke for himself ,over and over again !!! I shot the gun better than anything I own !!! (on ducks that is ,the afternoon I spent chasing woodcock with a 9lb 32 inch gun was embarrassing to say the least )

a couple more ...

and the lodge ...

and i'm not sure if this has ever been posted here ...Clark Gable(holding his parker ) shooting on Lake Manitoba ,with Jimmy Robertson 1940

Very nice

Outstanding story and photos Chris - thanks so much for sharing! The images are great - especially the duckboat filled with bag, the icy scene setting decoys, cattails, and the smokey pipe! And of course the proper gun for it all! We are eagerly awaiting similar conditions and opportunities down here on the Chesapeake - praying for just enough cold and snow sometime soon.

chris looks like you done well...great pictures great storey andstepping in the foot prints of some really famous people....love the name of the new duck gun...charlie

That's good stuff. A great lodge with a lot of history, shooting ducks with a Parker, enjoying a great smoke at the same time, I bet that is one hunt you will remember for the rest of your life. If I ever find a gun that I can shoot that makes me want to name it the"Clay Devil. If I ever find one I can shoot that is. Thanks for posting.

Thanks for sharing all those great pictures for the rest of us “commoners” to enjoy and appreciate. What a wonderful outing that looks to have been. Often the places we go and the people we meet can trump the bag we take.






.

"trump"? Thought we were going non-political here. In this case, I think it should be applauded

I that a Peterson I spy?

A duck hunters idea of heaven. All those ducks and all that history of hunting them . Only wish that the clubhouse walls could talk.

When I think of duck hunting,the image of your experience is what comes to mind as it should be. I can't think of anything better than hunting out of a small boat, tucked into the cattails, with flights of ducks working a well planned decoy spread, with a nip in the air and then roar of a trusty gun. Even Ruark could not write a narrative better than that. Then, que the black lab to make the retrieves. Wait, where is the dog? Damnit you were so close to the actual acme of duck hunting in the perfect setting and with pinnacle accomplishment of limiting out on big ducks. Oh well guess you will just have to go back and get it right.:)

What an awesome and magical trip and a great story even without the dog part. It was good enough. That is also a great name for that gun. Looks like you created a great marriage of parts and a bond with that fowling piece. Sometimes things and events just come together and make magic. Glad that was one of those trips for you.

Thanks for sharing.

It sure is,my favorite ...and its perfect !!!...my host and myself smoked to our hearts content and drank a few drams in front of the lodge hearth rule is if the guests are like minded fill er up !!! ...to be honest I smoke very seldomly but I do enjoy it

Nephew, if anyone deserves an adventure like that, it is surly you. Enjoy many more like it and thanks for the great pics.

Love the photos and what an awesome experience. Thanks for sharing!!

Canadian man
 

Chris what a cool thing for you to be invited to step into History and to shoot some ducks with a classic gun, eat well, enjoy an historic lodge and smoke a good pipe. I am fortunate in the fall I return to my pipes and enjoy them. My sweet wife likes them so much I get to smoke in the House!!! Warm months I'm relegated to back porch and garage with my Oliva and Rocky Patel cigars! Best to you I enjoy your posts. As a kid in the 1950's my parents took us to Canada and we saw every Province. Then about 5 years ago I did a great motorcycle trip from Vancover up to Jasper, down Columbia Ice Field parkway then through Kamloops gold rush country. Camped in those wonderful Ca campgrounds and ate bumble berry pie every chance I got!!

Chris, what chokes did your 32 inch have?

Hi David ,the barrels were originally full/full ....on the advice of a waterfowl guide and friend I reamed the right barrel to a tight modified ....it was great advice !

What shells were you shooting thru those tight chokes?

I was running 2 3/4 tungsten matrix # 3 shot and 2 1/2 eley bismuth #6