"WATERFOWL NOTES"

Make The Off Season Productive

The April, May, June, July, August n and September newsletters will cover the ten (10) parts of waterfowl hunting that can be corrected, improved, upgraded or repaired. This month Distance.  June – Calls & Transportation.

1. Pattern
2. Penetration
3. Distance
4. Calls
5. Transportation
6. Action Decoys
7. Field Decoys
8. Bags
9. Dress
10. Cooking

“The shotgun shell hasn’t been developed that can compensate for poor shooting skills or the inability to get ducks into shooting range.” – George Secor, Delta Waterfowl Spring 2005

DISTANCE

The best method to determine distance is with a range finder. The time to use the range finder is to set out  decoys. Waterfowl are in range for just seconds, determining distance with a range finder, putting it down and picking up your shotgun – the bird is gone.

Practice Distance

(1.) Mark off 50 yards, 40 yards, and 30 yards. Place a spinning wing or landing decoy. Shoulder your shotgun and sight on the decoy. What size is the decoy? Size of a penny, a dime, a dot. Write it down. Go over it until the size and distance are second nature.

(2.) To check your knowledge, put out a decoy – step back what you feel is 30 yards (mark), 40 yards (mark) and 50 yards (mark).  Measure the exact distance with a range finder or 100-foot tape. If you are off over 5 yards, practice until you get the distances correct.

(3.) Practice shooting clay pigeons at 40 yards. If you shot ducks standing, stand. If you shoot sitting, get a chair and practice sitting. If lying with a backrest (for geese) then practice laying on a backrest at 20 to 30 degrees off the ground. However you hunt, then practice shooting at that position.

Learn Size by practice

(4.) Inflate a balloon with helium to the size of a duck. Tie kite cord or very light weight fishing line (4 pound or less) to the balloon. Tie knots with a strip of red or bright orange ribbon in the line at 10-yard intervals. Tie a balloon at 50 yards, another at 40 yards and a third at 30 yards.

Mark off on the ground 30 yards away, 40 yards away and 50 yards away. At each location site the shotgun on each balloon. Determine the size the balloon appears at that distance. Write it down.

(5.) When you have finished, do something else for an hour – shoot clay pigeons or repair decoys. Start under the balloons, walk to a spot you believe to be 30 yards, mark it. On to 40 yards, mark it and on to 50 yards and mark that spot. At each spot sight the balloons with your shotgun to the size you remember. Now, check your knowledge by marking off the distance with a range finder or 100-foot tape. If you are off over 5 yards, practice until you get the distances correct.

Repeat these two these two exercises until you are comfortable that you can pick out ducks and geese at each distance plus or minus 5 yards.

NOTE: At Wal Mart in the Stationary section is a yellow box containing balloons and a bottle of helium.  Or, if you have access to a bottle of helium, balloons can be picked up at party stores, etc.

Duckngoose.com carries three species of balloons – mallard drake, snow goose and Canada goose. We also carry the snow goose size snow and blue kites.

DISTANCE WHEN HUNTING

If hunting from a blind or spot over water. When the decoys are being put out it will normally be dark, no way to use a range finder accurately. Instead use string (decoy cord works well). Have a roll string marked at 15 yards and 40 yards.

The 15-yard mark is the closest point from the shooters to the first decoy. The 40 yards is the farthest distance from the shooter to the furthers decoy.

Tie it off to the center of the blind, or some other stationary object. Go to your right, at 40-yards drop a goose decoy. Next, straight out front, at 40 yards drop a second goose decoy, then to the left 40-yards and drop a third goose decoy. Based upon or shooting distance & penetration 40-yards is the longest distance that we can consistently kill waterfowl for most hunters.

Any duck or goose that lands at the outside edge of the spread could be in our killing zone. But if we spread decoys outside this zone the ducks and geese that land outside the spread aren’t harvest material.

Canada, spec and snow decoys both field and floating are available as singles. If you have all 3 species in your area try using a snow geese straight out front and Spec or Canada geese at the right and left. If 4 to 6 goose decoys are placed at these farthest points. The goose decoys will resemble a small family group.

Height with hunting

The use of balloon decoys and kites is an excellent method. Wind is a factor but as a general rule a balloon or kite flown to 30 or 40 yards is very close to that height.

Balloons filled with helium can be used on still and low wind days and kites on high wind days. The balloon decoys are made in Drake Mallard, Canada Goose and Snow Goose.

Farm Form Kites are snow and blue. We don’t recommend flying Canada kites much off the ground. They resemble a hawk at 30 to 40 yards, fly them off poles around 10 yards.

Balloon decoys can work in any hunting situation, water or field. To anchor, tie the decoys or a stake on upwind side of the spread – water or land and tied off 30 yards and 40 yards of line. Depending on the placement (distance) from the hunters. The balloons can be used to determine what the duck or goose size resembles at that distance.

CALL-IN SPECIALS

Because of the time required to make price changes on the duckngoose.com web site “specials” will be in the Waterfowl Notes each month for call-in orders - Just pick-up the phone and dial (281) 821-3795.

This May – for all call-in orders over $ 100.00 the U.S. freight is zero – free.

CALL IN SPECIAL FOR MAY

The Coast package – a windsock sling, 150 Windtamer Snow Goose Rags (Ready to Hunt) on fiberglass rods and 6 snow alert heads and 12 snow feeding heads – all for one price with zero U.S. freight cost. - $ 257.00

The Central package – a windsock sling, 130 Windtamer Snow Goose Rags (Ready to Hunt) on fiberglass rods, 20 Windtamer Blue Goose Rags (Ready to Hunt), 10 Windtamer Canada/Spec Goose Rags and 6 snow alert heads, 6 brown alert heads, 6 snow feeding heads – all for one price with zero U.S. freight cost. - $ 257.00

The Midwest Package – a windsock sling, 120 Windtamer Snow Rags (Ready to Hunt) on fiberglass rods, 10 Windtamer Blue Goose Rags (Ready to Hunt) on fiberglass rods, 20 Wind tamer Canada/Spec Goose Rags (Ready to Hunt) on fiberglass rods and 6 snow alert heads, 6 brown alert heads and 6 snow feeding heads – all for one price with zero U.S. freight cost. - $ 265.00.

The Canada Package – a windsock sling, 150 Wind tamer Canada/Spec Rags (Ready to Hunt) on fiberglass rods and 6 black alert heads and 12 black feeding heads. – all for one price with zero U.S. freight cost. - $ 265.00

NOTE: For Canada hunters, please call for reduced freight rates.

Description of May Special Items:

WINDTAMER Goose Rags – 30 x 30 inch heavy plastic made into wind socks with black fiberglass ¼” x 24” stakes. Non-Shine plastic, twice the thickness of normal Texas Rags. Detail design and wind resistant.  When puffed up by pulling full of air will stay “puffed” with no wind. Rag will last for five (5) or longer seasons, fiberglass stake will last indifferently.

Windsock Sling – Black, made of special fabric that drains and ventilates windsocks. Designed like a firewood carrier. Lay sling on the deck of an ATV or the ground, stack decoys on it like cordwood, cinch down both ends and carry your decoys like a duffle bag or on your back like a knapsack or just stack on an ATV or trailer. Holds 170 Windtamer decoys with 18 to 24 with windsock heads.

Texas Rag Windsock Heads – Can be permanently mounted on 3/8” dowel rods or carried in a “Head Bag” and placed on decoys in the spread after the spread is in place. Heads are durable, last for years, come in white (snow & blue), brown (spec) and black (Canada). Two designs – alert and feeding.  Place feeder heads on the down wind side of the spread and alert heads throughout the body of the spread to add realism.

Repeat - Call In Specials for April are good for May

Weston Deluxe EM-2 Meat Grinder – Electric, designed so that steel shot passes through rather than getting hung up and damaging the rotating blades. Perfect for chili meat, spaghetti meat, sausages, meat loaf and hamburger. - $ 110.00 per each  (U.S. freight included).

Jaccard Deluxe Meat Tenderizer – 48 stainless steel blades produce incredibly tender meat. Enhance the penetration of marinades. Dishwasher safe. Eliminates pounding with half the effort and mess. - $ 27.00 per each (U.S. freight included)

15” Barbeque Tongs – Not the normal tongs. Allows the pickup of large pieces of meat and vegetables on the grill with out dropping the load or scorching your hand. - $ 12.00 (U.S. freight included)

10” x 11” Wire Basket –Open and place in  large or small pieces of meat and vegetables, close the lid. Turn over; never loose any ingredients and/or cooked food. Great for grilling goose stakes, fajitas, hamburgers. $ 20.00 (U.S. freight included)

Kabob Basket – Includes skewer frame and 6 skewers. Flip waterfowl kabobs all at one time. No burned fingers or lost food into the fire. - $ 25.00 (U.S. freight included)

Kabob Skewers – Package of 6 extra skewers for Kabob Basket. Load extra skewers to save cooking and prep time. - $ 6.00 (U.S. freight included)

Rib Rack – Holds 6 slabs of beef ribs, 12 slabs of pork loin ribs, non-stick, size enables use of for roast or smoking an entire large goose or turkey. - $ 16.00 (U.S. freight included)

Meat Press – inch-by-inch steel plate with wooden handle. When grilling breasts, steaks, etc. place the press on top and reduce the cooking time. - $ 15.00 (U.S. freight included)

Meat Thermometer – 5-1/2”, instant read pocket model with temperatures from 0 to 220 degrees, plastic case with pocket clip. - $ 8.95 (U.S freight included)

RECIPE

SNOW NOODLE CASSEROLE

4 ea snow goose breasts, debone, skinned
Water, divided
Cider vinegar
1/2 lb extra wide egg noodles
1 tsp salt
1 Tbls olive oil
4 slice hickory smoked bacon, diced
1 lb fresh mushrooms, stems removed, sliced
1 cup white onion, chopped
2 tsp DNG Waterfowl spice
1 tsp Serendipity
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 tsp honey
2 cup Gruyere cheese, grated
1 cup toasted pecan pieces
1 cup saltine crackers, crushed

On a flat working surface tenderize the breasts with Jaccard deluxe meat tenderizer. In a non-conductive bowl place breasts, cover with water plus 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar. Refrigerate; change water every 20 minutes until water runs clear. Pour off water; pat breasts dry with paper towels. On a working surface cut meat into 1-inch pieces. Check and remove any shot pellets. In an electric meat grinder grind cubes into hamburger size ground meat. In a pot pour water; bring to a boil. Add salt and noodles; cook noodles to al dente. In a high sided skillet heat oil over medium high heat. Add bacon; cook until crisp. Add ground goose meat and brown; crumbling it with a wooden spoon. Remove meat to casserole dish. Add mushrooms and onions; cook until tender. Add mushrooms and onions to casserole dish. Sprinkle dish with Waterfowl spice and Serendipity. Deglaze skillet with wine, scrape up brown bits with a wooden spoon. Stir in stock; bring to a low boil. Stir in cream and reduce heat to low. Stir honey into sauce until combine. Taste. Adjust seasonings. Drain noodles and add to casserole. Pour sauce over top and stir and toss to mix and combine casserole. Top with cheese, toasted pecans, and crackers. In an oven bake casserole at 375 degrees F until cheese is melted and casserole bubbles. Yield: 4 servings.

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21302 Old Ranch Road
Houston, TX 77073

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