Bucket-list Nebraska duck hunt thrills six Elite anglers

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Veteran LIVE cameraman Jake Latendresse (above) is also a successful waterfowl guide in Nebraska. His two vocations collided recently with an Elite Series duck hunt on the North Platte River at Prairie Rock Outfitters. The following are some scenes of the great hunting and camaraderie between Elite anglers and cameramen.
Veteran LIVE cameraman Jake Latendresse (above) is also a successful waterfowl guide in Nebraska. His two vocations collided recently with an Elite Series duck hunt on the North Platte River at Prairie Rock Outfitters. The following are some scenes of the great hunting and camaraderie between Elite anglers and cameramen.
From left to right: James Overstreet, Ryan Livingston (guide), Brandon Fein (guide), David Mullins, Caleb Sumrall, Lee Livesay, Jim Ronquest (RNT-V), Jason Jetton (RNT-V), Jake Latendresse, Patrick Walters, Bill Lowen, Stetson Blaylock and Steve Bowman.
From left to right: James Overstreet, Ryan Livingston (guide), Brandon Fein (guide), David Mullins, Caleb Sumrall, Lee Livesay, Jim Ronquest (RNT-V), Jason Jetton (RNT-V), Jake Latendresse, Patrick Walters, Bill Lowen, Stetson Blaylock and Steve Bowman.
Follow along as Bassmaster photographer James Overstreet gives you a bird's eye view of this memorable hunt.
Follow along as Bassmaster photographer James Overstreet gives you a bird’s eye view of this memorable hunt.
Chimney Rock on the left is a famous landmark early settlers used to guide their travels west.
Chimney Rock on the left is a famous landmark early settlers used to guide their travels west.
When you are are in the middle of basically nowhere, you have to bring everything you can in the form of trailers filled with decoys.
When you are are in the middle of basically nowhere, you have to bring everything you can in the form of trailers filled with decoys.
Then it's all hands on deck setting dekes and getting ready.
Then it’s all hands on deck setting dekes and getting ready.
But the work goes quick
But the work goes quick
As long as everyone pitches in.
As long as everyone pitches in.
Even the cattle complete the picture. But those are not decoys.
Even the cattle complete the picture. But those are not decoys.
The cattle share things with the waterfowl, like a big old harvested corn field.
The cattle share things with the waterfowl, like a big old harvested corn field.
The hunters spend the day below ground in a pit.
The hunters spend the day below ground in a pit.
The results were good even though David Mullins and Stetson Blaylock had to make a few retrieves on their own.
The results were good even though David Mullins and Stetson Blaylock had to make a few retrieves on their own.
Off in the distance, Chimney Rock sees a ton of waterfowl pass its way regularly.
Off in the distance, Chimney Rock sees a ton of waterfowl pass its way regularly.
And in slow times, which wasn't often, everyone scans the horizon.
And in slow times, which wasn’t often, everyone scans the horizon.
Or they sit back and enjoy the warmth of a cozy blind. Bowman might actually be asleep. But more likely working on his phone.
Or they sit back and enjoy the warmth of a cozy blind. Bowman might actually be asleep. But more likely working on his phone.
Geese were constant.
Geese were constant.
At times fast and furious.
At times fast and furious.
After a quick hunt with four hunters and two guides a 5-bird limit of Canada geese came fast and furious. From left to right: Ross Juelfs, James Overstreet, David Mullins, Steve Bowman, Stetson Blaylock and Ryan Livingston.
After a quick hunt with four hunters and two guides a 5-bird limit of Canada geese came fast and furious. From left to right: Ross Juelfs, James Overstreet, David Mullins, Steve Bowman, Stetson Blaylock and Ryan Livingston.
Then it all had to be picked up.
Then it all had to be picked up.
And the geese kept piling.
And the geese kept piling.
These next images were all shot from the truck going down the highway that parallels the North Platte River.
These next images were all shot from the truck going down the highway that parallels the North Platte River.
Most of the river is frozen, but there was enough water for ducks to rest on the ice and loaf in the water.
Most of the river is frozen, but there was enough water for ducks to rest on the ice and loaf in the water.
With all that on the river, the other side of the road was full of geese and of course cattle.
With all that on the river, the other side of the road was full of geese and of course cattle.
And where there are ducks hunters will follow.
And where there are ducks hunters will follow.
Including this bald eagle feasting on a duck on top of the ice.
Including this bald eagle feasting on a duck on top of the ice.
The bag limits daily were full of greenheads the most-sought-after duck in most parts.
The bag limits daily were full of greenheads the most-sought-after duck in most parts.
From a grand view, the landscape looks cold and barren. Perfect for cattle with some waterfowl mixed in.
From a grand view, the landscape looks cold and barren. Perfect for cattle with some waterfowl mixed in.
And the occasional whitetail deer.
And the occasional whitetail deer.
Even the deer couldn't go far without having waterfowl in the way.
Even the deer couldn’t go far without having waterfowl in the way.
Eat day a group of hunters would start in the dark.
Eat day a group of hunters would start in the dark.
Putting together all the trappings for a perfect hunt.
Putting together all the trappings for a perfect hunt.
Getting the dog ready.
Getting the dog ready.
Setting out decoys.
Setting out decoys.
And creating the perfect look for passing waterfowl.
And creating the perfect look for passing waterfowl.
With temperatures close to or in the teens, a heater was a welcome sight.
With temperatures close to or in the teens, a heater was a welcome sight.
Until you put your gun too close to it and it burns the stock.
Until you put your gun too close to it and it burns the stock.
Jim Ronquest is a world champion duck caller and host of RNT-V, but he's also a waterfowl expert.
Jim Ronquest is a world champion duck caller and host of RNT-V, but he’s also a waterfowl expert.
His show is highly sought-after among waterfowl's.
His show is highly sought-after among waterfowl’s.
There's always a set of eyes pointed toward the sky.
There’s always a set of eyes pointed toward the sky.
Sometimes the action slows enough to warrant a change of scenery. But not often.
Sometimes the action slows enough to warrant a change of scenery. But not often.
It's easy enough to move to the next best place.
It’s easy enough to move to the next best place.
Gather it all up.
Gather it all up.
Tote it back to the truck.
Tote it back to the truck.
Then repeat the process.
Then repeat the process.
And just like that, the change proves fruitful.
And just like that, the change proves fruitful.
Then it's pick em up again.
Then it’s pick em up again.
Gathering up the day’s fowl would fill up a truck. From left to right: Patrick Walters, Steve Bowman, Lee Livesay, Caleb Sumrall and Bill Lowen.
Gathering up the day’s fowl would fill up a truck. From left to right: Patrick Walters, Steve Bowman, Lee Livesay, Caleb Sumrall and Bill Lowen.
Every blind should be filled with fun, feathers and food.
Every blind should be filled with fun, feathers and food.
No matter how many fowl hit the ground or water, they just kept coming.
No matter how many fowl hit the ground or water, they just kept coming.
The hardest thing to do on hunts like this are to unload and call it a day.
The hardest thing to do on hunts like this are to unload and call it a day.
Even if the turkeys haven't left the roost yet.
Even if the turkeys haven’t left the roost yet.
David Mullins, Brandon Fein, Jim Ronquest, Stetson Blaylock, Blake Fisher, Steve Bowman and Jake Latendresse.
David Mullins, Brandon Fein, Jim Ronquest, Stetson Blaylock, Blake Fisher, Steve Bowman and Jake Latendresse.
There was a handful of ducks for everyone. From left to right: David Mullins, Stetson Blaylock, Jim Ronquest, Bill Lowen, Lee Livesay, Steve Bowman, Caleb Sumrall and Patrick Walters.
There was a handful of ducks for everyone. From left to right: David Mullins, Stetson Blaylock, Jim Ronquest, Bill Lowen, Lee Livesay, Steve Bowman, Caleb Sumrall and Patrick Walters.
The hunt with all its cool scenes
The hunt with all its cool scenes
With an eager retriever and a hard-working cameraman
With an eager retriever and a hard-working cameraman
Was fun and rewarding for man
Was fun and rewarding for man
And retriver.
And retriver.