"WATERFOWL NOTES"

Make The Off Season Productive

The April, May, June, July, August and September newsletters will go over the ten (10) parts of waterfowl hunting that can be corrected, improved, upgraded or repaired. This month Calls and Transportation. July’s newsletter Action & Field Decoys.

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

CALLS

For ducks and geese there are literally thousands of calls. From $ 6.00 to hundreds of dollars. Each call sounds different, depending on the person blowing the call.

Practice tapes - Obtain a cassette training tape. The tape is best suited for learning to call. The tape players are inexpensive, portable and can be used to record practice. Disc players are more expensive and most do not allow for recording your practice in the field. The videotapes and DVD’s are nice to watch, but inside your home or garage is the worst place to practice. Practice outdoors; the sound is what the waterfowl will hear. A good all-round tape can be found at Haydel’s Game Calls in Louisiana.

Duck Calls – Regardless of the manufacturer, first purchase an instructional tape. Listen to the tape. Purchase two inexpensive calls – a single reed and a double reed. Most callers find the double reed call easier to blow and make a sound similar to a mallard hen. Most single reed calls are louder and give more range. “The Original” Duck Commander Duck Call by Duck Commander, and a couple of calls by Haydel – Redleg Mallard Call and The Deceiver Mallard Call (double reed). Another very good double reed is Yentzen Duck Call.

Duck Whistle - Make a purchase of a duck whistle. Even if you can’t blow a call it takes very little time to learn to blow a mallard drake, pintail and teal whistle tone on a whistle. A good one is the Morwhistle or the  “Wingsetter” 8-N-1 Duck & Quail Call. Again get an instruction tape to learn the calls of the ducks.

Canada Goose Calls – There are two type Canada goose calls, short call and flute call. Both take practice – lots of practice. If you can learn the cluck and mone, those two calls will help the most. A couple of calls to check out Tim Grounds “guides Best” Goose Call and Tim Grounds Half Breed Goose Call. There are many many more, but get one that has an instructional tape.

Snow Goose Calls - are mostly short calls similar to duck calls - some are loud and some are milder and quieter. Purchase a couple and work a little with each. The one that sounds the best and is the easiest to blow should be your primary call. A couple of calls to check out Big River Snow Goose Call and Glenn Scobey Snow Goose Call.

Mouth Snow Goose Call – the very best snow goose call I’ve heard. It is similar to a mouth turkey call. Fits in the top of your mouth. Keeps hands free, and has the best mummer call possible. It can be loud or soft, easy to control. If you have trouble with a mouth turkey call, forget this call. Contact Carraway Calls at 281-383-3165, Goose Master Cat # GM 160.

White Front (Spec) Calls - There are lots of white front calls on the market. – if you are not lucky enough to have an experienced guide make you a spec call from a varmint call, purchase the Chien Caille Spec Model KM12 call. It appears, at least to this hunter, the easiest to blow and make the two note spec call. Not many waterfowl callers can make good snow sounds and spec sounds on the same call. Own and learn on separate calls.

Cleaning Calls – The call has two parts the stopper (and parts) and the barrel. The stopper contains the reed (metal or plastic), the wedge block (wood, plastic or cork) and the tone board section of the stopper.

When at a sink, first stop up the sink. Remove the stopper section from the barrel. Run cold water over and between the reed and tone board. If a piece of trash is between the reed and tone board, clean it with a piece of dental floss (with zero wax) similar to flossing your teeth.

At the end of the season the call should be cleaned completely. Remove the stopper section from the barrel. With a fine point felt pen mark the location of the reed at the wedge block. Remove the reed and wedge block. Wash all parts with mild soap and water. Wipe off the parts with paper towels. Place on a few paper towels on a flat surface and allow parts to air dry overnight. Put the call back together. The next day reinstall the reed then the barrel. Blow the call to check that it has been assembled properly. Make any adjustments. Place the call where it will not get hot and/or subject to moisture. Your sock drawer is a good location. If you have several calls use several clothing drawers.

TIP: Purchase an inexpensive duck call. Blow it to see the sound with  hail call and come-back notes. Take the call apart. Mark the reed  in relation to the wedge block with a fine felt tip pen. Replace the reed and wedge block, move the reed slightly forward, then slightly back of the mark. Practice calling. Adjust the reed and “call.” Keep this up until the call has the sound you like. This practice will help you to understand the difference the reed adjustment makes on the tone of a call. It will also allow you to take a call apart and put back together any call.

TRANSORTATION

THE DUCK BOAT

There are a multitude of boats. They break down in the basic categories -  the boats to take the hunter or hunters to a spot, boats to get into tight spots to wade hunt and the ones that are used to hunt from.

Some travel boats are light and fit in the back of a pick-up or on top of a SUV or van – canoe, pirogue, kayak, Jon boat (small), and semi-v boats. These boats can be “motored” by paddle, trolling motor, or small gas outboard. There are big boats that go over large water to hunting locations; most of these are not classified as “hunting boats.”

There are hunting boats of all kinds – layout boats, sculling boats and sneak boats. These boats are normally toed to the area to be hunted with a larger boat. The multiple hunter boats are normally a large Jon boat, a special built boat and a platoon boat.  These boats can be motored by large outboard motors and in some cases an inboard-outboard combination.

One Lake Boats - Most types and sizes are dependent on where the hunting takes place and the number of hunters in each type boat.  Platoon boats can make very good blinds. If you are going to hunt the same lake or inlet all season and have a place to store the boat on the water, the platoon boat is your best option. It can be camo treated, has the space for numerous hunters (depending on size), allows for large storage for decoys, coolers, etc. and it is very stable.

Tight Place Boats – Boats used to get across inlets into wade hunting locations. There are several special boats, most can be found in ads in waterfowl magazines. For the average hunter or pair of hunters, an aluminum canoe or a 14-foot aluminum Jon boat can be found almost any day in the want adds of most newspapers. Most are in good shape and at a very reasonable price. A small gas motor 5 hp or less and/or a trolling motor is perfect for getting back into closed inlets and sloughs. Both can be slid or even a couple of hunters lift and slide them over the levies. Remember to get a couple of extra shear pins.

Trailer Boats - Quite a few boats can be converted from pleasure and fishing to “duck” boats with a blind. Avery and others make attachable “blinds” for quite a few boats. Your boat should be designed to carry the number of hunters, decoys, bags, life jackets, and guns with floatation cases. Be sure you have a radio or cell phone – charged, extra gas, and area maps before every hunt and always leave world where you are planning on hunting, the route of the boat and the hour you plan returning. The trailer is greased, spare tire is filled, trailer jack is complete (not missing something) and lights are working. For a trailerable Duck Boat contact Gary Bender. He can give you tips on building, converting or he can supply you with a boat. Never turn down experience. Contact Gary at gary.bender@houston.rr.com.

ATV

Transportation for field hunting is primarily by ATV. Some areas of the country, the land is dry enough to drive autos and trucks with trailers to the hunting spot. But in most cases, hunting fields are grain fields and most of the season the fields are wet and even muddy.

The very best ATV is the large 4-wheel drive. When looking for an ATV it should be 4-wheel drive, and it should be 450 or larger. The times I’ve used a 6-wheel Polaris Ranger, it is amazing. The Ranger can carry 6-hunters into the field plus equipment through and over a muddy field covered with pockets of water and low levies. It also will pull a trailer filled with everything that is necessary for a hunting party of eight - including hunters.

Goose hunting and some duck hunting requires many decoys and there are several methods to transport them from parking spot to spot to hunt. Backdrop racks added to ATV will add quite a bit of ability to carry items to the hunting spot. But the items and decoys required for most hunts with 4 to 8 hunters requires a trailer.

FIELD TRAILER

A 4 foot-by-6 foot trailer will carry the goose or duck decoys required for every hunt. The space carries 12 bags of field decoys or the equivalent in boxes, etc. The trailer is designed to move across any field dry or muddy; levies or flooded. The frame is 2x2 steel with sides that are 12-inches high on all sides. The front is solid (to prevent mud from ATV tires from getting on trailer contents. The sides and rear are mesh to allow from drainage when trailer is tilted back. The tong is 30-inches long made from 2x2 steel with a 2-inch ball attachment. The two tires are 12x18 same as ATV tires. They are set under the trailer next to the outside edge at the middle of the trailer. There is no axel to hang up on levies. The bed is treated plywood.

4-inch to 6-inch PVC pipes (24 to 30 inches high) can be added to carry poles and stakes. They can be placed at both front corners of the trailer, standing on end and secured to the mesh sides with cable ties.

A bench seat can be built to fit over the center section (tires) of the trailer to haul two to three hunters.

A camo tarp can be used to cover the decoys in the trailer and held in place with bungee cords. The decoys can be left on the trailer from the first day of the season until the end of the season.

Two to six hunters can ride on the trailer from the parking area to the hunting spot with decoys guns, shells, coolers and blind bags.

The DNG Field Trailer – designed specifically for waterfowl hunting.

Size: 4-foot by 6-foot with 12-inch high sides
Floor: Plywood floor,
Frame: 2-inch square tubing with 1-1/2-inch square tubing used to frame the sides.
Sides: 12-inches high, front solid, sides and rear steel mesh
Color: Black
Tires: (normal ATV front)
Tongue: 30-inches

A Plus - The wheels are under the bed of the trailer to make it stable and mud from tires is thrown at bottom of trailer not on the trailer contents or clog fenders.

A Plus Plus - Placement of the tires make the bed of the trailer waist high to most hunters. Easy to remove bags of decoys, yet high enough that the front solid side prevents mud thrown by the ATV getting on the decoys.

A Triple Plus  - Tong is long enough to hook up under an ATV with rear deck. Allows the trailer to be backed-up and turned without hitting the rear of the ATV.

An Extra Plus - The best part of the design is NO AXEL. Nothing to get hung-up or bottom out in a field. The tires are mounted on frame-work on each side leaving the bottom clear.

With a trailer designed to carry ALL the decoys and other hunt items – bags, shell bags, coolers, shotguns, etc., all the extra stuff can be placed on the ATV, to include your dog if so desired.

For the hunter that can keep the trailer at the camp. Perfect – load it at the first of the season, cover with a camo tarp. No more loading and unloading on a hunt by hunt basis.

For the hunter that trailers to hunt each time. A 16-foot lightweight trailer is perfect. Hook the ATV to the trailer, park on the trailer and carry both to the hunt. Back off and away to the location. Finished, just pull up on the trailer.

Price:  $ 550.00 plus shipping. Call 281-821-3795 or 281-914-3179 for price on shipping.

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

FREE

CALL   IN   SPECIALS   FOR   JUNE

Canada Goose Turbo Wing – This decoy offers the same features as a motorized spinner, but is powered by Mother Nature in the form of 5 to 30 mph wind. A windsock type decoy with molded head allows it to self right into the wind. Works with our graphite or ½-inch metal conduit (not included).  $ 29.00 (U.S. freight included)

PVC Blind Booklet – Build a 4 foot by 6 foot two man blind built from ¾-inch schedule 40 PVC. This blind material cost less than 30 dollars, can be built as a portable blind and carried in a duffel bag or can be built in place and left through out the hunting season.
$ 16.00 (U.S. freight included)

Lewis Flip Top Blind Booklet – Build a 4 foot by 6 foot two man blind from ¾-inch metal conduit. Recommend it be built and carried to place it is to be used. Light weight. The top is so designed that the blind is approximately 4 foot high. With the flip of your hand the top flies back and you are shooting. Perfect for ground deer and turkey blind.
$ 16.00 (U.S. freight included)

Glenn Scobey Snow Goose Call – Wooden, easy blowing, makes the high notes and the mummer. Can’t go wrong. $ 30.00  (U.S. freight included)

Sweet Chipotle Season-All – A dry shake spice. 8 ounce plastic container with built-in shaker. Great seasoning to add spice to any Tex-Mex dish, meat or as general shake spice. - $ 7.00 per each (U.S. Freight included)

Serendipity – A dry season salt all-spice. 3.7-ounce plastic shake container. The very best of the season-all spices. $ 7.00 per each (U.S. Freight included)

DNG Bar B Que Spice – A dry combination of spices for grilling waterfowl meat, pork or beef ribs. 6-ounce plastic shaker container. - $ 7.00 per each (U.S. Freight included)

Dave’s Peppa Royale – 5 oz liquid glass bottle container. Used in places “you use to use” Worcestershire sauce, A1 sauces, Tiger sauce, etc. The 2001 Fiery Food Challenge winner. Spicy not hot. Couldn’t be made better. - $ 9.00 per each (U.S. Freight included)

COOKING EQUIPMENT  CALL-IN SPECIALS

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 per each (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 per each (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 per each (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 per package (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 per each (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 per each (U.S. freight included)

RECIPE

CHIPOTLE MARGARITA GOOSE

6 ea snow goose breasts, deboned, skinned
Water
Cider vinegar
Beer
Serendipity
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2-1/4 Tbls Sweet Chipotle Season-All, divided
1 tsp DNG Waterfowl spice
1/4 tsp chili powder
Olive oil, divided
2 Tbls butter
2 clove garlic, minced
2 ea green onions, chopped
2 jig Tequila
4 Tbls Triple Sec
4 Tbls fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp Dave’s Peppa Royale
6 cup cooked white rice, hot
6 Tbls fresh cilantro, chopped

On a flat work surface tenderize breasts with a Jaccard Deluxe Meat Tenderizer according to directions. In a non-conductive bowl place tenderized breasts; cover with water plus 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Refrigerate; change water with vinegar every 20 minutes until water runs clear. Pour off water. Cover breasts with beer; cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove breasts and pat dry with paper towels. On a flat working surface place breasts; run with oil and sprinkle with Serendipity on all sides. In a bowl mix flour with 2 tablespoons of Chipotle seasoning, Waterfowl spice and chili powder. Dredge breasts in flour mixture. Place breasts in the DNG Rib Rack; place rack on gray charcoal fire. Cook until flour is browned and meat is medium rare, about 5 to 7 minutes – depending on temperature of coals. In a skillet heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Melt butter in hot oil. Sauté garlic and onion until tender. In a bowl mix tequila, triple sec, lime juice, salt and Peppa Royale. Remove breasts allow to set for 5 minutes, keep warm. Deglaze skillet with tequila mixture. Stir in ¼ tablespoon on Chipotle spice until combined and slightly thickened. Stir in remaining butter until melted and combined, about 1 minute. Slice breasts into ¼-inch thick slices, across the grain, and serve over a bed of hot rice. Pour sauce over goose and rice. Sprinkle with cilantro for garnish. Yield: 4 servings.

DNG spices win again at the “Memphis In May Cook Off – The Pork Contest.”  Last year it was the DNG Bar B Que spice, this year DNG Waterfowl spice was used on lamb to win the “Any thing but” category. All DNG spices can be found in the Food Section of duckngoose.com.

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