Inaugural "Rendezvous" big success!

I had an idea to gather some hunting buddies and have an old-fashioned, back to basics tent camp/hunting weekend. A "rendezvous" (as it's being referred to - for future years). What a grand time this past weekend was. Dad, brother Jason, Uncle Fran, Cousin Gerry, Kenny "Kahuna" Koepsel, Bill Dudi and my close friend from college, Jim Sickels. It was a rainy weekend up at Buckhorn State Park in Necedah, WI (near Mauston), our long-time deer bow hunt spot, but the rain was merciful and only doused us in our sleep.

Special "thank you's" go out to Jas who did most of the organizing and Jim, who did most of the cooking with Jas. We ate like kings.

Click on READ MORE! for a slew of photos.

Duck hunter Jason

Uncle Fran (hidden to the left) and Jim in their duck blinds. The day before, Jim bagged 2 of 3 birds.

Uncle Fran (left), Cousin Gerry (middle) and Jas talkin'.

I did not set up this picture. That flask is full of port wine...belonged to my great grandfather, Frank Ircink.

Molly (right) and Zol, my brother's American water spaniels. Always on the alert.

Jas posing during the duck hunt.

Ger and Uncle Fran in deep thought.

Jim made the most delicious duck appetizer. Can't tell you what he did exactly but it tasted as good as the best steak you've ever had.

The consummate beggers.

Drying out our clothes.

Jas making sure his gun is loaded.

Jas acting stupid.

Jeff acting stupid. (That's me in case you didn't know.)

Jas with his new headgear courtesy of the Kahuna.

Jim and I under the mess hall tent.

Ducks taken on Saturday morning. 2 for Jim and not sure who got the third.

Kenny ("Kahuna") telling a bowhunting story. I've hunted with Kenny since I was a senior in high school. My dad...since he was a young man. Wanna know anything about bowhunting? Talk to Kenny.

Uncle Fran's in need of some additional bowhunting equipment. Want bowhunting equipment? Talk to the Kahuna.

The back of Kenny's van. You should see his house. It rivals Cabela's.

Jim and Jas relaxing.

Cleaning ducks.

Breakfast time! Jas brought way too much food (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Eggs, bacon, pancakes, homemade maple syrup, hash browns, toast, coffee, orange juice. For dinner - hamburgers, venison steaks, duck, cranberries (courtesy of Mom), potatoes, chicken (beer can chicken to be more precise), corn....it was a sin.

Jim, Jas and me.

Uncle Fran and Kenny continuing their conversation from out behind Kenny's van....

I think Bill Dudi is in the back. Can't see him. He's gonna be pissed - he wanted copies of pictures and he's not in any of them.

Jim's tent. Looks like an ad for Coleman's.

Uncle Fran, Kenny and I stayed here.

Jason's tent.

Dad and Kenny chat about old times.