It was a very early January morning and the light had not yet reached the skyline. It was a oddly mild temperature for this time of year but pleasant in a duck boat. We started for a position in the bay and with lack of flash lights flickering, noticed the spot we were headed for was already being occupied.

We simply turned the boat and headed for a different location. We set out the decoys in our normal fashion and began waiting for the shooting hour to begin. Faintly in the darkness we saw the other hunters approaching our blind. We thought to ourselves with the utmost disappointment, what the heck do these guys want.

We sat uneasy as the one hunter began speaking in what seamed like a very impatient tone saying, "We were out here yesterday and the whole bay was filled with boats, everyone was courteous and everyone got geese. I returned dialogue as everyone else was taking his speech to offense. "No problem that is how we hunt as well, and you will have no problems with us," I returned.

"Thank you," the man said gruffly and returned to his setup.

The others in our group began grumbling and carrying on about the tone of the stranger.

After shooting light surpassed the geese began filling the area and the other blind began to call. One of our hunters started calling as well. "Stop," I persisted, the geese had committed to the other set up and began circling. "Lets let these guys have these ones."

Grumble, Grumble, was what I heard from the others in my group, and almost at that very moment shots came from the other blind. Two geese were subtracted from the flock. At that moment my comrades, I'm sure began to resent asking me to go.

Then like clockwork here comes the next set of honkers, and to our surprise the other hunters did not call to them. I said to my group "ok boys these ones are ours."

We began calling and the lock-up was perfect, four feathered monsters were flying only inches above our spread and after our array of shotgun fire only one had left.

"Wooh and Yea haa, was the sound we heard from the other blind across the way. We reported back with a big "hell yeah".

At that moment we realized these guys were some of the best and most ethical hunters we have ever seen in a duck blind, and we were happy to be sharing the bay with them on that fine day.

Flock after flock of duck and geese alike flew, and after limiting out the other hunters once again come over to our boat. "You guys were a pleasure to hunt with," the once gruff man stated in a new friendly tone.

"We would love to share a bay with you guys any time," we exclaimed happily.

We finished out the day with our limit and our hearts were filled with happiness and fulfillment knowing that there are some hunters out there with some decency and the courage to develop new relationships with other hunters.

Somewhere along the lines of all our hunting ground being taken from us and the population increase of hunting pressure, we seemed to have lost our way in the since of relationships with our hunting and fishing brethren. The basket has truly been spoiled by some bad apples. We used to welcome hunters into camp and now we try to distance our selves from them. Everyone is trying to beat each other to the trophy.

Little reminders like this hunting trip needs to take place more often to remind everyone why we are out there, and even what makes us good hunters and good people.

So if you happen to see any of your fellow hunters out there don't hesitate to stop and create a possible new friendship, and don't let the sour apples spoil your basket.