"WATERFOWL NOTES"

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Sportsmen $$$ adding to economy

During their lifetimes, America’s active hunters and shooters will spend more than 4 trillion dollars, projects the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). The figure, based on NSSF-commissioned research on average lifetime spending by the country’s 40 million active participants in hunting and shooting, illustrates the economic incentive behind efforts to recruit and retain participants. NSSF’s study looked at hunters and shooters’ expenditures from age 16 to 75. Researchers found the average lifetime outlay for firearms, ammunition and other gear totals $20,219.00 per person. When purchases for licenses, lodging, food, fuel, magazines, meat processing, dues, contributions and other associated items are added, the average lifetime total rises to 109,568.00 – Cabela’s Outfitter Journal , the magazine.

Hunting License Sales

NSSF, a new report shows 25 states performed better than the national rate in sales of hunting licenses, tags and stamps in 2005. Altogether, national sales – the main funding mechanism for state conservation agencies – set a new record, topping $723 million dollars. Sales rose 2.8 percent from the previous year, while the number of customers slipped 1.4 percent, from 14.7 million to 14.5 million. NSSA calculates 20.6 million active hunters. The Outdoor Industry Association’s latest estimate surpasses 26 million. A survey commissioned by NSSF and conducted by independent firm Responsive Management, 19 percent of Americans – more than 50 million people – said they have hunted in the past 2 years.

Depending on local laws, non-licensed hunters may include youth hunters – who aren’t yet required to buy a license, hunters at game preserves, landowners hunting on their own property, lessees hunting on land where they reside, active duty military on leave, citizens who hunt only on free hunting days, senior citizens no longer required to buy a license.

In 2005, 14,575,484 hunters purchased 35,609,605 different licenses, tags and stamped totaling $723,712,681.00. However, since peaking in the mid-1980s, hunting participation has been trending downward, mostly attributed to the loss of land access and recreational time. – found in the Texas Outdoors Journal magazine.

Extension of Sales Tax Deduction Includes Boats

“Some taxpayers may be confused because the usual extension of these provisions was not approved by Congress until after the IRS had already printed its forms in November for the 2006 tax year,” said Elain Dickinson, assistant vice president of Boat U.S. Government Affairs.

Some accountants are unaware of the extension since it did not appear on the printed 2006 Schedule A (form 1040). A notice on the IRS Web site, http://www.irs.gov, outlines the so-called extender provisions. It also tells taxpayers that returns with these deductions will not be processed until February 3 to give the agency time to incorporate the lat4est legislation into its processing system for ’06 returns.

“Taxpayers may deduct either sales taxes or state income taxes, but not both,” said Dickinson.

For more on this deduction and other state deductions, you can download IRS Publication 600, which includes sate-by-state tax tables, by going to http://www.irs.gov. Have your accountant look over the deductions and use the more advantages ones on your return. – Base information found several locations.

Waterfowl Seasons are ending, but spring turkey season is approaching

Gillie poncho – IT is a gillie type poncho with head cover. America’s service snipers use gillie type outfits to “hide” and be “invisible” to human eyes. To be “invisible” hunters need the camo that a gillie suite provides. The beauty of the IT suite is cost coupled with the suite folds into the head portion for easy transporting and easy on and off. Wear any cloths to the hunt,  slip the gillie over – hunt, remove the gillie and the “purse” type bag about the size and weight of a football. Offered by Duckngoose.com for $ 90.00

Insect spray - There is another problem in the spring – bugs. Specifically ticks, flies, mosquitoes, etc. There are only a few items that will help you against these pesky insects. Spray down the cloths the night before with a 40% Deet insect repellent. 

A Shell Bag for All Seasons

The shell bags offered for sale by DNG is ideal for making your life easier. The cost of the camo DNG shell bag is $ 15.00. Designed similar to a ladies purse, the bag will hold 4 boxes of 3-1/2” 12 gauge shells, a small flashlight, a zip loc bag with a half roll of T-paper, and a small can of insect repellent. Attach a suitcase ID to the strap with the shells in side – one for geese, another for ducks, a third for upland birds and a 4th for doves. When not in season place the bags in a “dry box” Never worry again if you have the correct shells for the hunt. Just read the tag. And all for less than seventy-five dollars – tags and all.

Insect protection - Rynoskin

Designed to be worn underneath the clothing. This unique concept provides the wearer with comfort, breath ability, stealth movement, and eliminates snags against brushes. Rynoskin will stretch to accommodate all different body sizes. It is ultra lightweight (9-oz) body –forming, cool, and comfortable. Complete protection from: ticks, chiggers, ants, biting flies, buffalo gnats and other biting insects. You won’t feel the insects crawling on or biting your body and your prey won’t smell the insect repellents. Camo design. Cost little less than $ 60.00. See the web site – www.rynoskin.com

Clean Your Choke

Screw in chokes are affected by water, especially hunting in the rain. Most hunters clean there shotgun after they get to cleaning tools after they have hunted in the rain. More than half forget the clean the screw in choke. First remove the choke wipe the threads of the choke, then wipe it with RemOil, wipe the threads in the barrel. Now screw in the choke. If you forget, the choke could and most likely will rust in place. The choke is designed to operate clean. Scrub the choke area with an oversized brass bore wire brush. Run a standard brass brush through the barrel, then a clean rag followed by a light coat of RemOil on a clean cloth.

Shotguns, after cleaning, should be stored in a gun cabinet or safe with the muzzle down. This will prevent excess oils from running back into the chamber and cause a “dirty” chamber. Place a bath towel on the floor of the cabinet or safe to catch excess oil running down the barrel.

Shotgunning: The Art and The Science

The finest Shotgunning advice and knowledge from one of our foremost experts. Brister’s knowledge and his ability to communicate the knowledge make this work the standard in the field. The late Mr. Brister’s chapters on shotguns, shells are full of knowledge- and will be for many years to come. The chapters on forward allowance, shooting waterfowl and other flying birds is impossible to be better. Mr. Brister’s explanation of “bird lengths” is invaluable. (321 pages 6”x9”) $ 18.95 from the Bookshelf 1-800-767-HUNT

If It Ain’t Broke, Fix It

This book by the team of Gil & Vicki Ash, two of this century’s best shooting instructors is for every shotgunner. Worlds champions (any sport) know that no improvement comes without change, even if they have reached the top of the sport. The chapters on how to practice and what to practice can’t be better. A book for every waterfowl hunter. (149 pages 6”x9”) from Osp School. 1-800-838-7533

Snow Goose Call

There are quite a few snow goose calls available to the snow goose hunter. In our opinion one call has become the one that is used to compare all others. It is easy to blow properly and obtain the sounds of the snow and blue goose, the Glynn Scoby Snow Goose call. Offered by Duckngoose.com for $ 27.00 per each – and this is a true bargain. Order 5 calls and pay only $22.00 per call.

HR 1022

They’re at it again, and again. It won’t stop. Ignorance is rampant in Washington. Government officials don’t look at current history – England, Australia or the results of the liquor ban on the public. The gun lobby wants – all guns. They are trying again to pick on a part of the guns and their owners under the notion that they feel they can separate the gun owners into small segments, and then pick us off one by one. Don’t make the mistake the Second Amendment means all guns, not just those for hunters and target shooters. Under HR 1022 a part of the bill states that if the armed forces adopt a certain gun then it is illegal to own – it will become banned. The Model 12 will be against the law, the Benelli Black Eagle, the Remington 1100. How many more could change daily as the Attorney General lists those firearms used by one of the United States armed  forces – Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Federal law enforcement agencies. I will not suppose to tell or recommend what party or which canodate to vote for in coming elections. That is each citizen’s personal choice. I will ask that you look hard at the values and past actions of anyone that gets your vote. Modern technology, has allowed TV to say what is important and discuss if we should have those liberties that our forefathers fought and died for. All we are asked is to vote and understand what each canadate will do once in office – not what he says but what he is projected to do based upon his past record. All gun owners – write and email your elected officials, express your dislike for this and every similar attempt to take yet another “right” away.

RECIPE

Give ‘em H ___ Snows

8 ea snow goose breasts, deboned, skinned
Water
Cider vinegar
4 Tbls bacon drippings, divided
DNG Waterfowl spices
1/4 cup white wine
4 Tbls butter
2 tsp Serendipity
1 ea purple onion, chopped course
4 clove garlic, chopped
1 can (28-oz) peeled tomatoes with green or chile peppers, drained
1 can (14-oz) chicken broth
2 jig dark rum
4 tsp Cajun Chef’s Green Hot sauce
Kosher salt to taste
Red pepper to taste
8 cups cooked white rice
1 cup green onions, chopped
1 cup Swiss cheese, grated

On a flat working surface tenderize breasts with Jaccard Meat Tenderizer. Slice across the grain in strips ¼-inch thick. In a non-conductive bowl place strips; cover with water plus 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Refrigerate, change water with vinegar every 20 minutes until water runs clear. Remove strips and pat dry with paper towels. Discard water. On a flat working surface wipe strips with bacon drippings (about 2 tablespoons). Sprinkle on both sides with DNG Waterfowl spice; rub in with your fingers. On a dish place strips, seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours. In a high-side skillet heat remaining bacon drippings (about 2 tablespoons) over medium-high heat. Brown strips on both sides, remove strips to a dish, and cover with foil. Reduce skillet heat to medium and with a wooden spoon stir in wine. Stir up brown bits. Cook until wine reduced by half. Add butter, Serendipity, onions and garlic; cook until tender. Remove skillet from heat. Place a saucepan on medium heat. Add skillet contents, scraping all onions, garlic, brown bits and liquid into pan. Add goose strips, tomatoes, broth, rum, and hot sauce. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for 2 hours. Taste. Season with salt and pepper. If meat is starting to fall apart remove from heat earlier than the 2 hours. In shallow bowls serve 1/8 of the meat mixture from on over 1 cup of hot rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and cheese. Yield: 8 servings

RECIPE

ORANGE BAR BQ GLAZE

1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup onion, diced ¼-inch thick
2 Tbls fresh ginger, minced
1 tsp garlic, minced
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup Mandarin Orange Serrano Jelly
1/4 cup maple syrup
Kosher salt to taste
Red pepper to taste

In a saucepan heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and ginger; cook stirring until onion is translucent. Raise heat to medium-high and add orange juice, Mandarin Orange Serrano Jelly, and syrup. Taste. Add salt and pepper if necessary; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and cook stirring for 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook simmering, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes until glaze is thickness to your desire. Yield: 2-1/4 cups

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