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    New boundaries drawn for Ashby State Goose Refuge, Grant County Minnesota (January 22, 2009)

    The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will modify the boundaries of the Ashby State Goose Refuge in Grant County later this month, according to game refuge order 461. The refuge will be made smaller, as requested by local citizens, after the proposal was heard at a public hearing last September.ashbyrefugenewsreleaselowres

    Grant County residents had submitted a petition containing about 60 signatures asking that the DNR abandon a portion of the Ashby goose refuge. It cited landowner desire to hunt geese within the existing refuge.

    The Ashby refuge, as originally created by the DNR in 1971, was intended to help re-establish Canada geese and encompassed 3,170 acres. The new boundaries will reduce the size of the refuge to 1,450 acres, but will still include the wetlands most important to geese.

    The vacated portions of the refuge, which include both Sumstad and Pelican Creek waterfowl productions areas, will be open to goose hunting in 2009 during established seasons. The remainder of the vacated refuge is privately owned. The Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Trespass Law requires that hunters obtain landowner permission before hunting on any private property.

    For more information about Canada geese, state goose or waterfowl refuges or wildlife management, visit www.mndnr.gov. Questions regarding the Ashby State Goose Refuge may be directed to Kevin Kotts, DNR Glenwood area wildlife supervisor, at 320-634-0342

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    Photobucket

    Posted on 22nd January 2009
    Under: Minnesota Department of natural resources, waterfowl hunting | No Comments »

    2009 Michigan Application and Drawing Timetabel

    press release: Michigan DNR

    Hunt                                   Application periode                    Results posted online

    Spring wild turkey                Jan – 1 , Feb – 1                                   March- 2

    Bear                                            May – 1,  June – 1                               June -29          

    Elk                                               May - 1,   June – 1                              June- 22

    Fall wild turkey                    July – 1,     Aug – 1                               Aug -17

    Anterless deer                      July – 15,  Aug  – 15                              Sept- 1

    Reserved Waterfowl           Aug – 1,    Aug – 28                                Sept- 23

    Posted on 19th January 2009
    Under: Bear Hunting, Turkey hunting, elk, waterfowl hunting | No Comments »

    Waterfowl Migration Update- January 2009

    mmmw22Migration Update – January 12, 2009
    Late December storms continue to provide excellent shooting opportunities in the southern portions of the Central and Mississippi Flyways. After struggling through mild winters the past few seasons, waterfowl hunters in the south are rejoicing in increased duck numbers, bag limits and activity.

     

    While hunters in the north may have been disappointed by the early departure of waterfowl, ducks are, as they should be, in the deep-south for the winter and Arkansas once again wears the crown, “Duck Capital of the World.” After nearly a decade of above average duck activity in Missouri, winter finally arrived in the “Show Me State” and waterfowl numbers were up 84% over 2007 through the month of December.

    Goose hunting in the north slowed drastically through the holidays as snow continued to accumulate – forcing geese to move below the snowline in search of food. With only a few weeks remaining in the general waterfowl season, now is the time to begin planning for Spring Snow Goose hunting.

    MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY:

    Late December storms and freezing moved ducks and geese into the deep-south for the first weeks of the New Year. For the first time in nearly eight years, snow, ice and continued freezing temperatures have pushed the bulk of the mallard population south of Missouri and southern Illinois. Mallard numbers are good to excellent in western Kentucky and Tennessee, Arkansas and west-central Louisiana at this time. Heavy snow accumulation in the far north has moved Canada geese well below the snowline and late season goose hunting in the far north was fair at best – limited to areas with cooling lakes and strong local populations. From Arkansas to Louisiana white fronted goose and snow goose hunting is good to excellent – providing excellent hunting when duck activity slows or bag limits are filled.

    CENTRAL FLYWAY:

    Snow continues to pile up on the prairie, with areas of North Dakota having received over 40-inches of snow this winter – which will be welcome relief to wetlands this spring. While small pockets of Canada geese remain along the Missouri River corridor in both North and South Dakota, the bulk of dark geese have moved into Nebraska and Kansas and eastern Colorado. Mallard distribution has varied greatly in the southern half of the Central Flyway, with numbers average for this time of year from Nebraska to the Gulf Coast in eastern Texas. From Oklahoma south, gadwall, teal and pintail continue to fill the primary bag. Redhead numbers are at their season peak in coastal regions of Texas, with weather the primary role in hunter success.

    PACIFIC FLYWAY:

    Dangerous weather conditions, flooding and ongoing precipitation in Washington curtailed hunter activity the first week of the New Year along the Columbia basin. Hunter success on coastal areas increased dramatically with the weather and hunter success on divers and seas ducks was good to excellent. In Oregon, widgeon and mallard numbers are fair to good for this time of year, with goose numbers below average. In California, waterfowl numbers are good to excellent in the Sacramento Valley with teal, pintail and mallards providing the primary bag limit. In southern California, teal and pintail numbers are good to excellent and goose numbers average for this time of year. While populations are good to excellent, hunter success varies with the weather (as it always has).

    ATLANTIC FLYWAY:

    Late December storms increased duck numbers significantly in Massachusetts, Delaware, and New Jersey. Black duck numbers increased dramatically in all areas along with mallards, widgeon and diver species. Both light and dark goose numbers were good to excellent for this time of year and hunter success was excellent through the holidays. In the Carolinas, teal and wood duck numbers are good to excellent, with mallards fair. In South Carolina, goose hunting is good to excellent, with numbers average for this time of year. After struggling with drought conditions the past few seasons, hunters in Georgia are faced with high water conditions and ducks dispersed into recently flooded areas. Teal, wood duck and ring-necked duck numbers are good to excellent at this time, with all other species fair. In Florida, ring-necked duck and teal numbers are good to excellent at this time with gadwall fair.

     

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    Posted on 17th January 2009
    Under: Hunting, waterfowl hunting | 1 Comment »

    Quacker Attacker Custom Calls !

    logoHey everyone its Eric, I just wanted to take a minute to tell you about Quacker Attacker Custom Calls!! I blow one of his goose calls and I absolutley love it !!

    Todd Alofs is a Custom Call maker from Hamilton Michigan. Todd built his first duck call in 1985. He built his first goose call in 1989. Todd has been a Tool & Die maker bandedduckcallsesince 1981. This might explain the rigid quality control that all his calls face before they are allowed to become heirlooms to pass down in the family for years to come. Born and raised in West Michigan he has been hunting waterfowl for 30 years and “passionately pursuing” waterfowl and the art of calling since 19minimag380.

    Contact Todd through his website for all your waterfowl call needs www.quackerattacker.net

    Also  check www.callingducks.com  for rankings and calls. Todd’s calls are ranked up there with all the others such as GK, Grounds, Zink, Manns, and other customs. Quacker Attacker Championship calls are the real deal and will make a great addition to your laynard

     

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    Posted on 17th January 2009
    Under: Apparel, waterfowl hunting | No Comments »

    Hunting Made Us Closer

    Written By: Erin Domka

    I have always enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, camping and fishing, but before I met my husband David, I never really had any interest in hunting.  When I met him, he made his passion for hunting clear right from the get go.  I didn’t really think much of it.  But through the years he has continued to get me involved with all of his adventures.  And every year I find myself getting more and more involved, not because he is asking me to, but because I want to.  Spending time with him and doing something that we both love has made our relationship much stronger.  Hunting and the outdoors has always taken up alot of David’s spare time and by allowing my self to open up to new and exciting things it has allowed us to connect in a deeper way.  So my advise to all of you out there is, keep an open mind and try new things.  You never know what you might find out about yourself and how your life and your relationships might benefit.

    Posted on 7th January 2009
    Under: Deer, Fishing, Hunting, Preserving Wildlife, Turkey hunting, Uncategorized, Whitetail Deer, elk, waterfowl hunting, wild hogs | No Comments »

    My Son’s First Gun!

    Written By: Erin Domka

    This Christmas my husband and I decided to get our oldest son his first gun.  He is only seven and although he is not quite old enough to hunt himself, we thought that it would be a good idea for him to get comfortable with his gun before he went hunting.  I could not believe the response from people when I told them.  I fully expected people to say the memorable line from The Christmas Story, “he will shoot his eye out!”  But instead everyone was very excited about it, even those that don’t believe in hunting. 

    I think times are changing.  People seem to be putting aside their differences and trying to find a common ground.  Everyone I come across can see my love for the outdoors and instead of making their own opinions of it, they are excited that whatever it is that we are doing, we are doing it as a family. 

    As for my son Nicholas, he was more than excited when he opened his Christmas gift.  My husband couldn’t wait either, he made sure that it was the first gift he handed out.  I look forward to many great hunts with Nicholas and that gun and when it is time for a bigger one, I look forward to passing that gun on to our three other children.

    Posted on 5th January 2009
    Under: Deer, Deer Anatomy, Hunting, Preserving Wildlife, Uncategorized, Whitetail Deer, waterfowl hunting | No Comments »

    A few tips for you rookie waterfowl hunters

    Making a good shot is one of the great joys in waterfowl hunting.  Everything else – scouting in the off season, building blinds, setting decoys, calling, getting a flock to put their feet down in your decoys is what your building up to with all the hard work associtated with waterfowl hunting. 

    How do you become a good shot? How can you turn misses into hits? What can you do to improve your accuracy and hold your own with more seasoned shooters in the blind or out in the field??

    Good shooting is a mix of coordination, concentration and confidence. Good shooting is more instinctive than mechanical. It’s a skill that is honed by  coaching and lots of practice, similar to other athletic endeavors.

    Here’s a list of some tips for becoming a better shot the next time you and your buddys are trying to stack em up!!

    Tip No. 1: Make sure your shotgun fits.

    Before buying any shotgun go through the motions, dont worrie about looking weird in the sporting goods store, practice swinging the gun to your shoulder, most sporting good stores have mounts all over, pick a mount and swing the gun like your going for the shot, make sure the sights are comfortable and the gun is the right length.  And alot of people dont think about the 25 degree mornings and how many layers they have on and wonder why there missing that honker coming feet down into the spread..as you increase the layers of cloths, your range of motion changes, so just a few things to think about when your looking at buying your new shotgun

    Tip No. 2: Practice shooting in the pre-season.

    Theres alot of hunters out there that think they can pull their gun out the weekend before opener and head into the field and put the smack down on some geese or ducks…. you might be hunting with one in your group.. hes usually the guy swearing alot.. complaing about the sun in his eyes.. or his sight must have been knocked around on the hike in…. But what it comes down to is being ready.  One of the best ways to get ready for opening morning is to dove hunt in the off season.. keeps you on your game trying to drop thoese tasty little guys out of the sky, but if you live in Michigan like I do thats not an option… damn hippies, so the next best thing is to grab a few boxs of shells and head out to the shooting range or to an open field with some buddys and shoot the hell out of some clays, you would be suprised once opening day comes and that first flock comes in feet down that you wont have a problem dropping what your after. 

     

     

    Don’t get in a hurry.

    So many hunters rush taking a shot, which most of the time result in seeing the butt of the bird as it flys away…..  Take your time… many hunter think if they dont quick shoot the birds will flare and you will miss your oppurtunity, but thats not the case at all, be patient pick your bird aim and let er rip!! When hunting out of a layout blind hunters tend to pop out of their blind uncontrolled and try to shoot throwing them off balance, when your in your blind keep your right hand on your gun and your left hand on the door, when your ready to take the shot lift the door with your left hand sitting up, dont worrie about the right door that will open with your body as you sit up, grippen your gun picking out that duck or goose and squeezing the trigger, you will find that you limit out alot more if you can learn to control your movements when your going for the shot.

    Shoot one bird at a time.

    I know Im guilty, ecspecially when the birds are right in your face and you just let the bb’s fly at the flock.. then I sit back scratching my head when I dont see a bird drop…. and in the heat of the moment its a hard thing to rember, when I first started hunting waterfowl I didnt have someone tell me that,  I figured the bb’s spread out.. and theres alot in there. I should be wrecking a few at a time.. hahha no.. you need to pick out a bird and stick with it, imagine that its the only bird in the sky, and once you see it bounce off the ground, swing and go for another.. dont take your eye off that bird till u know its down.. Ive lost a bird or two that way, thinking I rocked it then swinging to go after his buddys only to look back and watch the goose that I could have swore was dead fly off… not a good feeling




    Tip No. 5: Shoot the trailing bird in a flight.

    Take the last or highest bird in an incoming fight. When ducks or geese are about to land, most hunters focus on the closest, lowest, easiest shot, and two or more hunters wind up shooting at the same bird.  while others flare off and get away, Instead, take a trailing bird with the first shot. Then your shotgun will be in the right place to shoot flaring birds on the second and third shots. Also, you’ll have the braging rights with your buddys because you dropped the birds know one else could shoot.. 


    Tip No. 4:



    Tip No. 6:
      Don’t stop swinging

    Stopping the swing with the shotgun is one of the most common reasons for missing ducks and geese. You have to follow through with your shot! next time your on the golf course.. try stopping your swing mid way and see what happens, it screws up your timing and coordination. The same thing happens when you stop swinging your shotgun. Keep the barrel moving after firing. follow thru and you will see more birds drop to the ground !!

     

    Just get out there and try it, you can read books, tips, watch videos but intill you get out there and learn for yourself you wont know what there talking about.. it takes thoese miss’s on easy shots that you should haved dropped that bird,  takes getting busted by a flock coming right in, takes learning the decoy spread and what works with the wind condition.  am I calling to much? or not enough? am I flagging to much and their flaring?? But it will be the funest learning experience you will ever have !!!!!



      

     



     


     

    And the Biggest tip…..

    Tip No. 3:

    Posted on 23rd July 2008
    Under: Hunting, waterfowl hunting | 1 Comment »

    The Banded Bird Constitution

    Its a dilemma as old as goose hunting itself: a banded bird claimed by more than one hunter.  How do you decide who is the rightful owner of the band if the bird was possibly tag-teamed?  Never again will you let someone take advantage of you, or your band, because you didnt know the rules.

     

    FOREWORD

     

                These rules are definitive and binding.  The following will ultimately state the rightful owner of the band beyond any further questioning.  By reading and/or possessing this Constitution, you officially forfeit your prior right to argue, and agree to concur to the statutes within its determining factors.

     

                These articles are designed to be considered in the order presented; the case listed first will take precedence over any other cases beneath it, unless otherwise stated.  Only in the instance an exception is established or the article does not apply, shall one continue to the next article. 

     

    ARTICLES:

    (1.1)         If the two claiming hunters are using different size shot, the rightful owner will be determined upon cleaning of the bird.  The hunter whose size pellets are found in the bird is the just owner.  If the bird is to be mounted, refer to 1.3

    (1.2)         If no pellets, or both different sizes of pellets, are retrieved; refer to 2.1.

    (1.3)         The duty of pellet retrieval is now in the hands of the taxidermist.  He should already be familiar with this Constitution.  In the rare case that he is not, present it to him.  Upon his reading, he is officially bound to concur to the clauses (refer to Foreword).  The taxidermist must keep and make present the crucial shot pellet.  Upon presentation of this determining piece of evidence, the rightful owner will pay the taxidermy cost.  A generous tip is imperative, as well as, understood.

     

    (2.1)         2 or more eyewitnesses testimonies will resolve the dispute if, and only if, they reach a unanimous decision on which of their buddies made the killing shot.  If even only witness disagrees, all testimonies are void, unless one of the witnesses was filming the kill sequence.  In this case, refer to 2.2.  If  there was no video camera present, continue to 3.1

    (2.2)         In this instance, either hunter can challenge the witnesses rulings.  Until inspection of the video tape all further testimonies will be suspended.  If all witnesses concur after review of the tape, the ruling stands.  If just one is indecisive a hung-jury results, and no decision can yet be ruled. 

    (2.3)         A video ruling CAN later be overturned once the video has been edited and reviewed and a larger screen (slow-motion is a plus). This act requires all the eyewitness who were present at the time of the kill, as well as, 3 additional outside viewers to all agree unanimously.  The 2 hunters are not allowed to vote, but are allowed to plead their cases to their peers (slow-motion again very crucial).  If a unanimous decision is reached the winner is allowed to permanently string the band upon his lanyard. 

     

    (3.1)         If the tag-team kill took place between a guide and a guidee (paying customer), the guidee claims the band, unless other previous arrangements had been discussed beforehand. 

                *Note:  guidee and guest are not one in the same.  Guests

                are defined as INVITED, while, guidees are defined as

                PAYING.  Therefore guests are NOT protected under this

                guide/guidee clause. 

    (3.2)    If none of the previous laws have resolved the band

               ownership dispute, the hunter who treated for ALL of the

                mornings sausage biscuits, coffee, beef   jerky,

                Butterfingers, Dr. Peppers, honey buns, PowerAdes, and

                necessary

                tobacco products takes ownership of the band by default. 

    (3.3)     If for some completely unknown reason you did not stop

                for gas station munchie food before daylight you should:

                            a. Be ashamed of yourself

                            b. Admit that you are hunting un-Americanly

                            c. Refer to Article 4.1

     

    (4.1)     Whichever hunter is wearing the most facepaint at the time

                 of tag-team   kill acquires the band if Articles 3.2 or 3.3

                 do not apply.  If facepaint was not being worn during the

                 hunt, (again un-American) continue to 4.2.

    (4.2)     The final determining factor to ensure that the proper

                 hunter obtains his benefit of wearing the band around his

                 neck like the gold medal that it truly is, must be postponed

                 until the bird-banding information has been received

                 through the mail.  Both hunters shall guess where the bird

                 was originally banded.  This act must be documented,

                 signed, and witnessed.  Upon learning the location of this

                 crucial determining factor, the hunter whose guess was

                 closer prevails.  In the case of a tie, which is defined as

                 both hunters guesses having less than 100 miles of

                 difference in distance, refer to 4.2 Discrepancy

                 Amendment I for the Fairness Clause.

     

    (4.2 Discrepancy Amendment I.)

                To establish a Fairness Clause in 4.2, a 100 mile cushion is

     allotted to cover the size of the city or province where the bird was banded.  When the hunters distance guesses have less than this required 100 mile pad, Exception 1-A will take precedence over Article 4.2. (continue to Exception 1-A)

     

    (4.2 Exception 1-A)

                To fairly validate the Fairness Clause of 4.2, Exception 1-A states that a witnessed 2 out of 3 tournament of Rock, Paper, Scissors will be required to finalize the winning hunters right to permanently sport the band around his neck.  At this point, the unluckier of the hunters shall:

      

    a.       Congratulate his buddy

    b.      Understand that he can never again dispute the Constitution’s decision, as doing so shall result in:

                Purposely never again being saved

                any coffee or hot  chocolate.

                Being required to pay for all the gasoline

                until his lesson is learned.

                Being stricken to the bad side of the blind

                indefinitely.

                Being denied SHOTGUN privileges in the

                truck until  further notice. (refer to The

                OFFICIAL Rules of  Shotgun for

                verification)

    c.       Realize that he should have shot straighter and sooner because in the sport of goose hunting, you do not get a medal (metal) for second place!             

                          

    Posted on 23rd July 2008
    Under: Hunting, waterfowl hunting | No Comments »