Hewlett Packard Ranch 10 mi. N/W of Merced Jan. 6 - 8, 1978 Met Bill Hewlett, Sherm Chickering and John Young at San Jose airport as flew to Merced in one of the company Sabrejets. A car was waiting at the field and we reached the ranch in time for an hour's pheasant hunt before dusk. Pheasant cover is minimal on most of the 6500 acre ranch - the bulk of it in improved cattle pasture. Some small patches of cattail as planted willows near the clubhouse constitute most of the pheasant habitat. Birds were up ad down the creek that passes the house. We killed a few pheasants but mainly enjoyed the walk and watching the great flights of sandhill cranes headed for some roosting area to the west. About dusk Otto Miller drove in and later Dave Packard. Drinks served in front of a cheerful fire in the living room. Jan. 7 Coffee and sweet rolls before going to the duck blinds. I went with Bill to the "Hewlett pond", Sher took the others to "Packard pond" adjoining. Heavy fog as daylight began to break up at 8:30 and then an even denser fog rolled in at 9 oom and persisted all day. Duck hunting was