"WATERFOWL NOTES"

SCOUTING

There are three types of scouting.

• Finding waterfowl for the next day’s hunt
• Determining a goose feeding design
• Finding a lease for the next season

Preparation for scouting requires that you have a map of the area that shows roads, lakes, etc.; a second map that shows property lines with the name of the property owner. Some form of this map can be found at the county office. A GPS, a compass, binoculars, a notebook and pen. A cell phone isn’t absolutely necessary but it sure helps, especially when trying to talk with and/or set up an appointment with a field owner while you are looking at the field.

The Area

If you do not know anything about the area. The very first thing is to contact the state fish and game office. Ask questions about the area. Get the phone numbers of game wardens that are assigned to that area. Call the wardens and ask – Where are the roast ponds? Do they know of any property that can be day leased? Prop[erty that can the leased for the season? Do they have names and contact numbers of people that could help with this information?

Ask about public hunting. Get all the information, days and times. Where to pay for permit and cost. Where to sign in. Are there special conditions, if so where to get a set of rules and guide lines. Many a hunting fine has been given because hunters broke a law that they had no idea were in the books. Different states have conditions that they feel are important in harvesting waterfowl. Mistakes are very costly and will ruin an otherwise great hunting trip.

How to Start Scouting

The price of gas is high and should be a consideration in your scouting. By now you should have some idea where a roast or rest area is located. Go to this location and start. Most roads run north-south and east-west. Drive with a purpose and pattern. Drive in a circle around the potential area working in a square pattern around your starting point.

If you see snows in flight, travel with them until they land either in a water rest area or field to feed. Mark all locations on your road map. Scout from a distance with binoculars, watch how the birds react and where you need to set. Never get close and chase the birds out of the field or water.

TYPES OF SCOUTING

(1) Finding Waterfowl for teh next day's hunt

Scout your field, pond or flat. Look at it from the viewpoint of the waterfowl. Ducks like quite, smooth and still water. Geese like the center of a grain field. There are many times they will have eaten the field to one end or the other. You must set up where they will eat not where they have eaten. They will start feeding in the middle of a field, working into the wind, then moving around to feed the entire field. They don’t like telephone lines, they will stay away from a road about 200 yards to land, then they might feed right up to the edge of the field. They will stay away from high grass, bushes or trees 100 to 200 yards.

Your set up will also depend on a number of location conditions and number of hunters. If you are hunting from a boat or blind there are only a defined number of places.  If you are using the boat or boats to get to a knee high flooded timber, the size of the opening and surrounding trees determines the number of hunters for good concealment. If you are hunting a field and the field is muddy and covered with pockets if water and you have no sleds. You will need to set up on a high area – levy, ditch, fence line, etc.

It does no good to set up in mud or where the hunters have very little chance of hiding and are uncomfortable. An uncomfortable hunter is a poor field goose hunter. Hunter movement is one of the big no-no’s of concealment.

When hunting fields in camo, set up 40 to 50 yards downwind of the decoy spread. But the hunters MUST be camouflaged to blend in with the vegetation. Any thing else will flair the ducks and geese. Depending on the wind, the birds should drop down and fly over the hunters on their way to the spread.  If you have placed the spread with no Landing Zone, the ducks and geese will aim at hitting the ground in front of the spread (on the downwind side).

The ideal condition is to be in close proximity when geese pick up in the evening and fly back to a roast. This gives you the location of the roast and the field the snows were feeding. You can mark it on the road map with a GPS reading, look up the property owner on the owner’s map and mark it with a GPS reading. Mark a second GPS reading where the vehicles will be parked; you must be sure that where the vehicle or vehicles will not block farm work. A third where the entrance to the field is located. Many an ATV has run off into a drainage ditch because the driver made a mistake on where to leave the road and enter the field.

If you cannot get permission to hunt that field, look at the fields between the feeding field and the roast. If you find one or two that look similar and are growing or have grown the same grain. Mark them and contact the owner or owners to see if you can gain permission to hunt one of the fields. With a good decoy spread and even better concealment, you stand a better than average chance of  drawing a flight or two to venture into shooting range.

When scouting a field look for possible concealment. Concealment means looking over the field you are hunting to see what natural vegetation or conditions are available. Remember that snow geese are weary of roads, buildings, and utility wires. The spread is best set up near the middle of the field and 200 yards from roads, buildings and utility wires. Look for natural conditions, rock piles with high weeds, levies with vegetation, low areas that have high weeds, hay bails, farm implements. Anything natural or that snow geese see every day during migration is a help in concealment.

2. Scouting to determine the Snow Goose spread

This type scouting isn’t done enough; it is very important.  Driving around to find a field of feeding snows can start as soon as you have finished your hunt. This is important, a good number of snow goose hunters feel that they have “the spread” that works. Don’t be fooled, there is no one or two or even a dozen decoy spreads that work all the time. There are some layouts that appear to be better than others for certain wind and weather conditions. However, there is NO SUBSTITUTE for copying a field of feeding snow geese. NEVER try to remember all you see, always write every condition down. Even if you are off a yard or two that is better than not knowing at all and assuming you know what the birds want. ASSUME can be broken down Ass-U-Me, to assume makes an ass out of you or me. Don’t assume Do record –

a. The design of the feeding snow geese
b. The number of snow geese in the field
c. Number of snows to blues as a percent, example 5% blue 95% snows
d. The distance apart of the feeding geese, example 3 feet, 6 feet, 10 feet, etc.
e. The number of feeding heads to alert heads as a percent, example 2% alert to 98 % feeding

If you have white front geese in the area, you will notice that as a group they do not feed mixed with the snows. The specs will be in the same field but at a distance from the snows.

f. The design of feeding white front (spec) geese
g. The number of specs in the field
h. The location of the specs in relation to the snow geese
i. Distance between specs
j. Percent of specs of feeding to alert heads

If you have Canada geese in the area, you will notice that as a group they do not feed mixed with the snows. The Canada geese will be feeding in the same field but at a distance from the snows. Early in the season when the Canada geese first come into the same area with the snows, small groups of Canada geese will mix in the snow spread.

k. The design of the feeding Canada geese
l. The number of Canada in the field
m. The location of the Canada geese in relation to the snow geese
n. Distance between the feeding Canada geese
0..Percent of  Canada geese of feeding heads to alert heads

3. Scouting for the next waterfowl season

Drive around this season for the area that is targeted for next waterfowl season’s lease. Determine what fields or pond / fields are good and in the flyway. Where the rest ponds are located. Where geese are feeding. The only concerns are will the roast ponds be in the same place next year and will the farmers be growing the same type grain the next year.

Waterfowl use the same flyway year after year, unless there is a change in agriculture practice (no food) or there is no water. These two conditions will move the flyway for that particular year.

Always ask the farmer that owns or is sub leasing and farming the field his plans for the coming year. Some land is farmed with rice one year, then beans the next then not farmed and left in grass and weeds for a season. Some fields are ploughed in the middle of the season, at the same time past weather has many days of heavy rain. Do you want to hunt half the season in ankle deep mud every hunt?

Also, some crops aren’t harvested until several weeks into the waterfowl season. There could be an extra cost if you want water on part of the field. How close is the next hunting group to the property you want, check further with the land owners around the plot you want. You might still take the lease but it could look good only on days the land around you is not being hunted.

Where other hunters are located is important, if you are in an area where the best hunting is on a southwest wind, the roast ponds are south and also the field or two to the south of you is hunted almost everyday of the season. Well you can decide if you feel the spot is worth hunting. My experience is if the geese drop low coming over other hunters to get to your spread, a lot of sky blasting is done. A large number of days your hunt is ruined.

TIP: Typically snow geese eat early in the morning and again late in the afternoon. Ordinarily they return to the same field until the food is exhausted or hunting pressure pushes them elsewhere.

A pending storm will very there feeding habit, very little else outside of lack of food and hunters

In between eating, geese rest in a field while others eat midday. They also go to water and/or a rest pond. Geese use large bodies of water – bays, lakes, and ponds to “spend the night.” The apparent fear of predictors – coyotes, fox and other 4-legged predators pushes snow geese to the water. They feel safe. 

Finding Potential Hunting Areas – Lets Make A Check List

Contact local tourism office in the area and state fish and game office. Develop a list of questions to ask.

1. Hunting pressure – Check with the State Game & Fish department, and the local game wardens.
2. Snow goose concentrations – Check with the State Game & Fish department, they will know the refuge managers phone number and the local Game Warden will have up to date information.
3. Other waterfowl concentrations – Check with the State Game & fish department to find out Duck (what species), White Front Geese and Canada geese
4. Land restrictions – Some areas and states have vastly different laws, fines and local rules, it can be expensive to find out in hindsight.
5. Best hunting days and months – State Game & Fish departments have these records for the past few years. Getting a copy could cost a few dollars but it will help set your hunting dates.
6. Roast and staging areas – State Game & Fish departments can give the names and phone numbers (and email addresses) of the game wardens in the area. 
7. Normal arrival and departure dates of snow geese,  (8)
8. Local outfitters in the area, address and phone numbers – If all else fails, you can hunt with an outfitter.
9. Permits, license and stamp requirements – The state game & fish department can give this information and tell you where, how and how much each cost.
10. Availability of accommodations and meals – Motels (do they allow dogs, can you use the motel washer and dryer), restaurants (especially restaurants that will be open at 4 AM for breakfast.)
11. Fuel – gas stations or stations with diesel (if your vehicle uses diesel
12. Equipment, shells, and gun smith – It is possible the local or county Chamber of Commerce will have this information.
13. Waterfowl picking sheds – Some picking sheds not only pick birds but package and will hold in a freezer until you are ready to leave for home.
14. the internet waterfowl message boards – Check DU and other internet sources to see what local hunters say about the waterfowl in the area

Accommodations – Once you select the area and time of the hunt make reservations, ask if they have restaurant, freezers to keep game, rooms with refrigerators, microwave, coffee, barbecue area, laundry facilities, kennels (if you plan on having a dog) or pet rooms. A lot of time areas of waterfowl hunting either have all the amities or can put you in contact with all of them.

Roost Ponds - When scouting, and this works for hunters with a seasonal lease spot or the hunter that hunts areas. Find the roost ponds. That way you will know where the snows are roosting at the night.

Insurance - The farmer’s insurance may require him to have any hunter on his property have a certain dollar amount of insurance and hold the farmer harmless. Some insurance eliminates any hunting on the property unless a family member or farm employee. Check with your insurance company to find the type and cost insurance possible for you and other members of your group. See if there is a form that you and the farmer can sign that allows hunting without formal papers faxed or mailed.

Maps – Are essential to help navigate within the hunting area. Without good maps showing gravel and dirt farm roads you will spend way too much time driving around. Obtain a good road map of the area you are planning on hunting the coming season. Then get a topographic maps and landowner maps of the same area.

Road Map – Pick up a more complete road map from a local map firm. Call the tourism office for the name and location that the most complete map is available. The maps should identify roads, rivers and major bodies of water. Road maps are available from local map outlets, tourism offices (tourism offices can give you the name of places to obtain the best maps), On the road map place the roost areas, gas stations, major farmhouses, lodges, cafes, stores etc.

Topographic Map - On the topo map mark off the roost ponds and the bounds of the separate farms. List the crop, snow geese feed on grain and once that is gone grass roots. Though I’ve had a good hunt in a picked cotton field, geese look for a grain field.

Landowner Maps -  Show the land base broken down by quarter section and lists the land owner with in the quarter section. The maps can be obtained at the county offices or Rural Municipality Offices.

Street Pilot – Lowrance iway 500c or 350c, or Garmin Street Pilot 13 or c330, or Magellan Roadmate 760 and 360. Though expensive ranging from $ 1,000 for the Magellan 760 to $ 400.00 for the Garmin c330. Each give a detailed street map with GPS reading of your location. They are portable and can be moved from car to car. Powered by either a 12-volt attachment or a number of AA batteries.

LAND OWNER’S HUNTING PERMISSION

There are government owned lands that by state permit you can hunt, however most grain fields are private owned land. Once you locate a field or a few fields you would like to hunt. Go to the landowner in person, give him your complete (first and last name) and where you are from and where you are staying. This will open the conservation with the first things a landowner will ask. Tell them you are in the area snow goose hunting and would like to hunt on his property.

Tell him you intend to pick up all trash, spent shells, close and latch all gates. Show him a trash bag you will be using and inform him you drop it in the trash hopper at the motel. Ask if the farm has any particular rules or conditions that he expects to be followed. Ask if he or anyone in his family eats snow geese. Inform him that after the birds are cleaned you will drop off a couple – assuming that you and your party are successful.

Show concern for the farmers property, assure him that you are hunting out of layout blinds or backrests. That you plan on hauling the decoys and gear from the location that the vehicles will be parked to the spot in the field that you plan on  hunting. Does he have any reservations on the ATVs. Where does he wants you to park the vehicles. If he still will not let you hunt, ask if he could recommend a friend that might allow hunting. More and more hunters have leased their property or have liability insurance that doesn’t allow hunting.

But, if you plan to hunt the property tell the landowner the approximate time you will be on the property and the time you plan to leave. If you are not going to show up for some unknown reason, contact the farmer and let him know as soon as you know.

Set Up – Once you find the field late in the evening that the snow geese are feeding, mark off the exact spot in the field where they are feeding – do not disturb the feeding geese. With a pencil (pen) and paper mark the basic design of the feeding geese. You will need to put out a spread similar to the feeding geese.

GPS – After marking on a road map, using mileage from an intersection written on the map. Set the location with a GPS. There are any number of units for around $ 200.00 that will give the GPS reading and location. The one thing you don’t want is to set up in the wrong field. It’s embarrassing, but worse its illegal and you could be subject to large fines. Most gravel roads and grain fields look alike at dark-thirty in the morning. A ground fog can keep you lost till hours after daylight.

Be Observant

How are you getting into the field, where to hide the ATV, where to park the vehicles? Is there a ditch around the field? If so, where is the entrance from the road to the field.

Is there brush or high weeds near the road and field? That will be a good place to leave the ATV.  You will need to drive the ATV out of the field and walk back to the hunting location but you don’t want the presence of the ATV to cause geese to flair from the field.

What is the distance from the entrance to the middle of the feeding geese? Look around to determine if you can see some land mark to help with location and distance. Write it down, 5 am is no time to question the distance.

On the topo map mark the entrance with an “E.” Place an “X” at the middle of the geese. With a compass take a reading of the line from the entrance to the “X.” Write the reading along the line. 

Distance in the dark appears different than in the light. So, the best determination of distance – written down – makes the next morning in the dark much easier. Many a hunt has been closer to the road after daylight than in the dark.
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Can an ATV pulling a field trailer move across the field? If the answer is yes then there will be no reason to cull any decoys and all the hunters will be able to ride to the hunt. If the field is muddy and only the ATV can make it across the field. Now the ATV will need to make several trips and if close enough the other members of the group can walk in while the guns and bags are carried on the ATV.

Is the field dry or wet?  If the ground is wet and muddy the hunters will need to decide on if sleds are needed or back rest and ground mats or layout low profile blinds.

 Draw a layout of the field, entrance into the field and next day’s spread. Unless it rains between that time and the next day of the hunt. A flashlight in the morning aimed at fresh goose poo poo will appear to be florescent.

Where are the vehicles to be parked? They need to allow for traffic to pass, even on a farm road. They need to be a half-mile away. You want no shot to fall on the vehicles and no reason for the incoming geese to flair from the field.

Scouting with an outfitter

Once you have picked an outfitter, check with him to see what time of day he “rides the roads” checking for fields to hunt the next day. Where will he be leaving from? His office, home the lodge? Ask if you might ride with him on his scouting.

If you are hunting with an outfitter and he ask if you want to drive the roads to see where the geese are feeding and where you will be hunting the next morning, take him up on the invite. All people get set in there ways and do things the same way even when there is a much easier way. Good outfitters “ride the fields” every afternoon, to see which fields the geese are feeding. The good outfitters have 50,000 plus acres of private land to hunt and don’t shoot the same fields day after day.

MAY CALL IN SPECIALS

U.S. Freight FREE on ALL orders exceeding $ 100.00
(Reduced freight out of the U.S.)

Call (281) 821 – 3795       We accept Visa, Master card & American Express

All Wind Decoy Kits – The ultimate windsock decoy. Replaces most ground field goose decoys – full body, shells, silhouettes, and some windsocks at a less price per decoy. Box contains 12 each polyester goose bodies, 12 each 24” x 3/8” hardwood stakes, 10 feeding heads and 2 alert heads. Also included are the screws and plastic washers. To assemble a small Philips head screwdriver, either battery operated or manual and 30 minutes of you’re time or less. Available in Snow, Blue, Spec and Canada. -  $ 38.00 per box of 12

Headless All Wind Kits – Box contains 200 each polyester goose bodies, 200 each 18” by 3/8” hardwood stakes. Also included are the screws and plastic washers. To assemble is done with a small Philips head screwdriver, either battery operated or manual. Available in Snow goose.  - $ 140.00 per each per box of 200

Goose Magnet Landing Decoy – injection molded polystyrene head is highly detailed and extremely durable. Wing struts are injection molded ABS which is impervious to heat and cold. Body and wings are made from Ironhide (Ironhide is a strong spunbound fabric that wears like iron). True to life feather coloring. Body is a windsock to keep decoy facing into the wind. Works extremely well on ½” metal conduit or graphite mounting poles. Available in Snow, Blue, Canada and Spec. - $ 23.00 per each 

IT Suite – A poncho-style garment, lightweight, made from 3D material in 3 camo patterns – Max4 (best for waterfowl hunters), Realtree Hardwoods Green and Advantage Timber. Built-in hood, facemask and individual cuffed sleeves. The hunter’s personal concealment suite. Is carried by stuffing the suite into the head. Very easy to carry the 1.8 pound bag. Wear what you want to any hunt, even bight orange coat. Slip into the IT suite and blend into the vegetation. One size fits most.                $ 90.00 per suite

Ski Mask – One hole, white, acrylic stretch non-scratching material. This mask doubles as camo when wearing a white parka, plus helps prevent cold air protects your face. Roll up when not in use and use as a knit cap.                                           $ 7.50 per ski mask

Duckngoose.com Camo Cap – Camo baseball style cap. 5 panel, high front, black – Duckngoose.com logo – on Shadowgrass. One size fits most.           $ 15.00 per each cap

Duckngoose.com White Spread Cap – White baseball cap. 6 panel, medium high front with teal color Duckngoose.Com logo.                                                 $ 15.00 per cap

THP White Curtain Cap – White baseball style cap with white screen that you can see through but geese can’t see your face.                             $ 9.00 per white curtain cap

Rubberized Parka – Muy Granda - white, rubberized outer (Lo Shine) (6XL) Fits a 250-pound hunter wearing a parka. Easy to clean, hang on a fence and wash off with a water hose.                                                                                      $ 30.00 per Rubberized  Parka

Cloth Parka  – (3XL) White, poly/cotton  one size fits all – largest white parka available.                                                                                              $ 25.00 per cloth parka

Snow Goose CD by Hunting Snows – Tract #1 if a feeding flock and track #2 is a small flock calling. Another CD by snow goose hunters. - $ 16.00 per CD 

Snow Goose CD by THP – The best snow goose tape of the sounds of snow geese on a roost. Professionally recorded and edited by professional goose guides and long time hunters. Also available in CD for a few dollars more. - $ 10.00 per CD

Strong Built Ground Blind – Aluminum frame, Gore-Tex waterproof fabric sides, bottom and top, with built-in comfortable one-man seat, foot top flipper to flip top to the rear. Available in camo patters of Corn Stalk and Real Tree. Set up dimensions 48” x 45” x 34”, lightweight 25 pounds, Fold Up (transport) dimensions 49” x 33” x 7”, Easy open peep hole in top and back. Can be set up in a couple of minutes in the dark of early morning. This blind is equally good for turkey and deer. $ 162.00 per each

DNG Waterfowl Spice – Developed by waterfowl hunters to give old or young ducks and geese that “I want more” taste. - $ 6.00 per 6-oz shake plastic container

DNG Bar B Que Spice – Developed by a multi-winner of Bar BQ contests to spice any meat. - $ 6.00 per 6-oz shake plastic container

COOKING EQUIPMENT  CALL-IN SPECIALS

Call (281) 821-3795                 We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express

NOTE: Purchase any two (2) items in BLUE and receive an additional five (5 %) percent off

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

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. –
$ 11.00 per each

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. $ 19.00 per each

Kabob Basket – Includes skewer frame and 6 skewers. Flip waterfowl kabobs all at one time. No burned fingers or lost food into the fire. - $ 24.00 per each

Kabob Skewers – Package of 6 extra skewers for Kabob Basket. Load extra skewers to save cooking and prep time. - $ 6.00 per pack of 6

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. - $ 15.00 per each

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. - $ 14.00 per each

Meat Thermometer – 5-1/2”, instant read pocket model with temperatures from 0 to 220 degrees, plastic case with pocket clip. - $ 8.95 per each

RECIPE

CHEESE & GOOSE NOODLES

1 cup grilled white front goose, cut into ¼-inch pieces
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup green onions, chopped fine
1 tsp Dave’s Peppa Royale
1 tsp Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 pkg (6-oz) cooked very fine egg noodles
1 cup baby Swiss cheese, grated

In a mixing bowl combine goose bites, cottage cheese, sour cream, onions, Peppa Royale, rum and garlic salt. Add noodles, toss to combine. In a greased 2-quart casserole, fold out noodle mixture. Sprinkle top with baby Swiss cheese. Bake 30 to 40 minutes, until casserole is hot and bubbly at 350 degrees F. Yield: 6 servings.

RECIPE

PECOS GOOSE SALAD

4 ea white front (spec) breasts, deboned, skinned
Water
Cider vinegar
Texas Lime Marinade
Olive oil
Canola oil
8 ea corn tortillas, cut into 1-inch strips
2 head romaine hearts, washed and chopped
2 ea purple onions, sliced 1/8-inch thick
2 ea medium tomatoes, peeled, diced
2 ea avocados, peeled, pitted, sliced
1/2 ea fresh lime, juiced
2 ea poblano Chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded, sliced thin
1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup Mustard-Lime Vinaigrette
Fresh cilantro, chopped

On a flat working surface tenderize breasts with a Jaccard Deluxe Tenderizer. In a non-conductive bowl place breasts and thighs, cover with water plus 1 tablespoon cider vinegar. Refrigerate, change water with vinegar every 20 minutes or until water runs clear. Pour off water and replace with marinade. Refrigerate, marinate 4 hours to overnight. Remove breasts from marinade; discard marinade. With paper towels pat breasts dry. Wipe breasts completely with olive oil. Over a gray charcoal fire grill breasts about 3 to 5 minutes each side or until medium-rare. Remove to a flat working surface. Allow to rest 5 minutes. Slice across the grain in ¼-inch thick slices. Cut the slices into bite size pieces. In a saucepan heat peanut oil over medium-high heat until oil reaches 375 degrees F. Fry tortilla strips until crisp, about 2 minutes. Remove strips with tongs or a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. In a mixing bowl toss together the lettuce, onions, and tomatoes with 1 cup of the Vinaigrette. Toss until well mixed. In a bowl place avocado slices, pour lime juice over slices, be sure all sides of avocado slices are “washed” in lime juice (you may need more lime juice). Divide the salad mixture evenly among 4 salad bowls. Arrange 4 tomato quarters around the edge of each salad. Arrange goose on top of each salad, alternate with avocado and poblano slices. Sprinkle about ¼ cup cheese over each salad. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over top. Garnish with tortilla strips and cilantro. Yield: 4 servings.

RECIPE

LIME MARINATED GRILLED SNOW GOOSE

4 ea snow goose breasts, deboned, skinned
Water
Cider vinegar
3 ea fresh limes, divided
2 tsp Dave’s Peppa Royale
½ tsp Cajun Chef’s Green Hot Sauce
2 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbls brown sugar
1 cup whipping cream

On a flat working surface breasts are tenderized with a Jaccard Deluxe Tenderizer. In a non-conductive bowl place tenderized breasts; cover with water plus one tablespoon of cider vinegar. Refrigerate, change water with vinegar every 20 minutes until water runs clear. Remove from water and pat dry with paper towels. Discard water, Place breasts in a zip loc bag. On a flat working surface roll 2 limes to “juice the lime”, cut in half. In a bowl squeeze limes, whisk in Peppa Royale, hot sauce and garlic until combined. Pour marinade in zip loc bag. If more liquid is needed add water, ¼ cup at a time. Seal zip loc bag, refrigerate. Flip bag every half hour to be sure all parts of breasts are marinated. Remove breasts from marinade and place meat on a dish; in a saucepan pour in marinade. Heat marinade to boiling; reduce heat to low and whisk in brown sugar and whipping cream until combined, smooth and thickened. Keep warm. On a charcoal grill over gray coals about 3 minutes each side, until meat is medium-rare. Allow to stand 5 minutes, to allow juices to settle. Cut 1 lime into 8ths for garnish. Slice across the grain in 1/8-ich thick slices. Serve with lime sauce and lime wedges. Yield: 4 servings.

RECIPE

TEXAS LIME MARINADE

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 Tbls fresh cilantro, chopped
2 Tbls DNG Waterfowl spice
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried ginger
1 tsp red pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt

In a bowl combine all ingredients. Add waterfowl. Cover; refrigerate 4 hours to overnight.

RECIPE

MUSTARD – LIME  VINAIGRETTE

1 cup Olive oil, cold
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
6 Tbls white wine vinegar
2 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbls fresh lime juice
1 Tbls DNG Waterfowl spice
1 Tbls fresh sage
Salt to taste
Red pepper to taste

In a blender combine mustard, vinegar, garlic, lime juice, Waterfowl spice and sage. Pulse to combine. Taste.  Season with salt and pepper. With blender on low, slowly, in a steady stream, pour in cold oil. Taste. Adjust seasonings. Refrigerate until ready to use.

The winner for the March drawing is John Greathouse, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Runner-up is Malcum Gorde, Blythewood, SC. Congratulations to both. The Give-A-Way for April is a pack of Waterfowl Game Tags plus a discount sheet good for 6 months on all Duckngoose.com items.

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