Bands.....
 

I decided that, in my declining years, my waterfowl bands needed a more honorable string than a braided piece of nylon cord. Ordered myself one of those swanky hand plaited leather lanyards from a young fella here in Michigan. Sat down this morning to start swapping them over, only to realize I've finally got more than one lanyard will hold. Had to get ahold of the fella and order a single drop for the goose sized ones.

I had a profound thought while I was working the pliers, profound at least for an old uneducated duck hunter like me.

"Waterfowl bands are a funny thing. They're just little pieces of metal, but they mean so much to a fowler. That particular jingle they make when you put your lanyard on is music that will turn away the darkest of moods. But even beyond that, they are literally an abacus by which we can count the very best days of our whole lives."

I can certainly relate! With my long time hunting partner recently departed, I am deep into the reminiscing mode now.
This stuff is our touchstone to the past!

Thank you for sharing Destry. Beautiful lanyard!!



Bobby

If anybody wants one of these just message me for the boys phone number.

Profound thought of an old uneducated duckhunter
 

"Waterfowl bands are a funny thing. They're just little pieces of metal, but they mean so much to a fowler. That particular jingle they make when you put your lanyard on is music that will turn away the darkest of moods. But even beyond that, they are literally an abacus by which we can count the very best days of our whole lives."[/QUOTE]

Nicely stated.

Destry, as a LONG TIME waterfowl hunter here in NH I have shot my share of birds, but have only shot two that were banded. Most of my birds are beaver pond birds, early woodies and teal and some late mallards and blacks, perhaps it is because of where I have hunted, I do not know, but I envy the banded birds that your have a shot.

I've been lucky, that's for certain.

Honorable is the man that displays reverence for the game he pursues.

I tend to remember the dog that fetched the banded bird and the hunt each time I look at them. I like to engrave their names on the inside then re-roll'em. I stopped carrying mine a few years ago. A friend broke his lanyard and dumped several into knee deep water (very churned up muddy) and deep, soft salt marsh mud underfoot, gone forever!

My original lanyard was stolen, so I definitely feel for anybody who lost their bands. But I enjoy wearing them too much to stop.

Yes they have a very special meaning to us old waterfowlers.

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
I am not a waterfowl hunter, I chase grouse and pheasants.
For me it is the collar bell for each dog. Many years ago I bought a string of brass sleigh bells and each puppy gets their own bell. And each one makes a unique sound.
The collars and bells sit on a shelf with pictures and like you if I am feeling down all I need to do is pick up a collar and the memories flood back.
These I will have forever.

I ended last season with a 9 year 482 duck streak without a band.
My last banded duck fell on a hunt with my now deceased friend Larry (RIP) in the Vanderbilt Marsh.
Maybe the streak ends this year! :)

Bands
 

I to had my original lanyard full of bands stolen as they were in my truck. Started to run an add and say keep the truck just mail my lanyard and calls back no questions asked. Had to start over but have only gotten about half what I had, they seem a little tougher to get these days. This lanyard I got a couple years back from RW Coolidge, very high quality.

my 52 years of waterfowl hunting bands, when i cant hunt any more i will have them and my mounts to look at and remember the good times.

What are the guidelines for new topics in this forum? I can't seem to find them.

Thanks in advance.

Never shot a banded duck. The only bands I have are from Hunt Test passes, lol.