"WATERFOWL NOTES"

SCOUTING PART 2 of 2

There are three types of scouting.

1. Finding waterfowl for the next day’s hunt
2. Determining a goose feeding design
3. Finding a lease for the next season

There are some items that are necessary for all types of field scouting.

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 your 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 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 roost ponds? Do they know of any property that can be day leased? Property that can the leased for the season? Do they have names and contact numbers of people that could help with this information? Do they have list of guide services that they know are run properly?

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 was on the books. Different states have conditions that they feel are important in harvesting waterfowl. Mistakes that lead to state and/or federal fines 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 roost or rest areas are 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-up. Never get so close that you chase the birds out of the field or water.

TYPES OF SCOUTING

1. Finding waterfowl for the next days hunt (in May newsletter)
2. Scouting to determine the Snow Goose spread (in May newsletter)
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 the waterfowl’s feeding habit, very little else outside of lack of food and hunters

In between eating, most geese rest in a field while waterfowl new to the area eat midday. They also go to water and/or a rest pond. All waterfowl 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 ducks and geese to the water where 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. Waterfowl concentrations – Check with the State Game & fish department to find out Duck (what species), Snows, 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. Roost 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, but most ducks and geese look for a grain fields – rice, wheat, barley, corn and peas.

TIP: The refuges from Canada to the Gulf Coat put out feed for the waterfowl on their fall migration. Over the years they have made the major food change to agricultural foods, so look for them in grain and pea fields..

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 you can hunt by state permit. 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 name (first and last) and where you are from and where you are staying. This will open the conservation with the first things a landowner will want to know. Tell them you are in the area waterfowl 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 – not thrown out on the side of the road. 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 waterfowl or if the family would like part of the bag limit. 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. Cover with a camo cover and park next to high weeds if possible.

What is the distance from the entrance to the middle of the feeding geese? Look around to determine if you can see some landmark 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 finding the set-up location 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.

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

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 

Wabbler – Drake Mallard floating decoy with built-in motor and counterweight. The decoy “wobbles” from side to side creating waves that can move 2-dozen other floating g decoys on the zero wind days. Water resistant motor runs on 1 “AA” battery (not included) and lasts for up to 30 hours.$ 35.00 per each

SILLOSOCKS DECOYS – A windsock type decoy. Available in snow, blue and Canada. It is different from a standard windsock with the set-up. The decoy is two bags – Tyvek on the outside and light plastic liner inside the Tyvek. The head is Coroplast (the plastic equivalent of cardboard). The head is designed with a back brace to keep the double bag windsock looking like a decoy on a zero wind day. The decoy is attached to the ground with a light gauge wire running through the head and coming out at the bill. The decoy is held to the ground with the wire protruding from the bill into the ground. Because of the design, specifically the wire the decoys require the Sillosocks Decoy Carrier. The Carrier can hold, transport and store 120 decoys. All decoys are feeders, 25-inches high, 100 percent waterproof and weighs one pound per dozen. The snows are well defined with pink beak, black eyes and black and gray feather detailed body, the blue has a pink bill, black eyes and a detailed gray body, the Canada has a flocked head, detailed brown body. Should be used as a downwind decoy spaced 5 to 7 yards apart. If used as the main decoy in a spread 1 each decoy per 25 with an alert head should be used. Available are economy snow goose Sillosocks decoys. The economy is a solid white head and a solid white body – these decoys can be painted by the buyer or mixed in with a spread of snows without detailing.

Canada Goose Decoys                        $ 92.00 per dozen
Blue Goose Decoys                            $ 62.00 per dozen
Snow Goose Decoys                           $ 57.00 per dozen
Economy Snow Goose Decoys          $ 37.95 per dozen
Decoy Carrier                                     $ 25.00 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 pounds. Wear what you want to any hunt, even under a bight orange shirt. Slip into the IT suite and blend into the vegetation. One size fits most. $ 90.00 per suite

FUD (Fold Up Decoys) – These 3-D, lightweight decoys attract birds like no other single decoy. A water or field decoy. Natural movement in the water. In the field the unique, full body construction provides a 3-D effect that is a proven waterfowl getter. Each decoy can be posed in a variety positions, feeders, callers, alert with moveable heads. Made from lightweight plastic/foam laminate, tough enough to withstand stray shot. Fold and hook on unique FUDslinger clip (sold separately) and carry over a dozen on your belt for hands free easy transport. Each decoy has a permanently attached stake that acts as a keel in the water.

Canada Goose             $ 30.00 per pack of 3
Blue Goose                 $ 30.00 per pack of 3
Snow Goose                $ 30.00 per pack of 3

DNG Waterfowl Spice – Developed by waterfowl hunters to give old or young ducks and geese that “I want more” taste. Winner in “Other” category at the Memphis In May Bar BQ Contest on lamb. The very best rub for snow goose breast-      $ 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

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

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

FLYING SEAFOOD PASTA

2 ea snow goose breast, cut into bite size pieces
Water
Salt
Season All
1 Tbls Canola oil
1 Tbls butter
1 tsp Dave’s Peppa Royale
1/2 lb shrimp, peeled, de-veined
1/2 lb bay scallops
1/4 cup white wine
1 ea green onion, chopped
1 Tbls brown sugar
1/2 tsp garlic, minced
1/2 tsp red pepper
1/4 tsp dried tarragon
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 jig bourbon whisky
1 Tbls all purpose flour
4 serve cooked hot pasta

In a non-conductive bowl place goose bites, cover with water plus 1 tablespoon cider vinegar. Refrigerate; change water with vinegar every 20 minutes until water runs clear. Pour off water, dry goose meat with paper towels. On a flat working surface wipe meat on all sides with oil. Sprinkle on all sides with Season All. Place on a dish, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In a skillet heat oil over medium heat, melt butter in hot oil. Brown meat; remove to paper towels to drain. In a saucepan pour off skillet dripping, scrape brown bits into saucepan. Pour ½ cup water, wine, goose meat, brown sugar, onion, garlic, pepper and tarragon. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low. Continue cooking until sauce is reduced by half. Pour ¼ cup of sauce into a pan and bring to simmer. Add shrimp and scallops; cook until shrimp is pink – overcooking will make seafood rubbery and tough. Remove from heat, pour liquid back into saucepan. Set pot with seafood aside. Add cream and bourbon. Stir to combine. Add flour and stir while cooking and stir to thicken sauce. Mix in shrimp and scallops. Serve over pasta. Yield: 4 servings

RECIPE

FRIED RICE

1 pkg (6.25-oz) fried rice
1 Tbls butter
2 cup hot water
2 Tbls Dave’s Peppa Royale
1 jar (6-oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 cup cooked shrimp, peeled, chopped
1/2 can (8-oz) canned pineapple chunks, drained, crushed
1/3 each green bell peppers, chopped
1/3 each red bell peppers, chopped

In a heavy skillet melt butter over medium heat. Open fried rice package and set aside seasonings.. Pour rice into skillet, cook stirring about 2 minutes or until golden brown. Stir in hot water, Peppa Royale and package seasoning; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer rice about 15 minutes or until tender. Remove skillet from heat, sprinkle mushrooms, shrimp, pineapple and ham over rice. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff rice and mix mushrooms, shrimp, pineapple and bell peppers. Yield: 4 servings

RECIPE

PINEAPPLE MARINADE

1/2 cup pineapple juice from canned pineapple
1/2 cup water
2 Tbls Dave’s Peppa Royale
1 tsp garlic, minced
1/2 tsp DNG Waterfowl spice

In a bowl stir together all ingredients.

RECIPE

SWEET SNOW KABOBS

4 ea snow goose breasts, skinned, cut into 1-inch pieces
Water
Cider vinegar
2/3 each green bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
2/3 each red bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 can (8-oz) canned pineapple chunks, drained

In a non-conductive bowl place goose bites, cover with water plus 1 tablespoon cider vinegar. Refrigerate; change water with vinegar every 20 minutes until water runs clear. Pour off water; pour Pineapple Marinade to cover. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; refrigerate overnight. Remove from marinade. Thread meat, red bell pepper, meat, green bell pepper, meat, pineapple. Repeat until all ingredients are on skewers. Place skewers in Kabob Basket; cook over gray charcoal fire five minutes on each side or until meat is medium rare. Serve over Fried Rice. Yield: 4 servings

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Houston, TX 77073

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