Archive for the ‘Goose Hunting’ Tag
Anticipation is high as the geese circle the field before cupping their wings for landing. As they approach the decoys and are about 10 feet above them, the guide shouts get them boys.
We all rise and begin firing. As the birds start to fall, a blast from the right explodes just a foot or two from my right ear. The pain is sudden.
The ability to hear takes a few hours to return but it is apparent I have lost some of my hearing.
Up to this point I have never given much thought to the loss of hearing one experiences from loud noise such as gun shots. It just seemed to go with the territory. Reading about it never really hit home.
Following this experience some 15-years ago, I began using hearing protection on the shooting range but had trouble using anything available in the field.
Foam inserts keep falling out and also hinder conversation with companions in the field. Muffs also block some talking and are hot and uncomfortable in warm weather. More recently muffs that electronically block sound at certain levels are more like what I seek. Conservations with companions are possible but they are still bulky and hot under certain field conditions. They work on the range but under hunting conditions they are less desirable.
At a recent Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers Cast & Blast event Lance Kraemer of Starkey Hearing Technologies (www.starkey.com) introduced us to a new ear plug called SoundGear produced by their company. Their company seems to specialize in high-Definition sound enhancement.
The product is an all-digital electronic hearing production item that comes in three styles. The one I prefer is an ear plug fitting in the ear canal. They also make a behind-the-ear model and a custom molded model.
It fits into the ear canals and stays put unlike the problems I experience with foam plugs. The unit is smaller and has a baffle type appearance. A very small (#10) hearing aid battery delivering up to 140 hours of protection powers the electronics. If continuous protection is not required you simply remove the battery from the device and re-install it later when needed.
Plugged into the ear it allows protection from loud blasts such as a high-powered rifle yet allows one to hear normal conversations.
Once home it was imperative that I test it out on the range as I sight-in my rifle for the next week’s hunt of exotics in Texas. It works similar to the electronic muffs I use normally with more comfort and flexibility. The units stay in place unlike foam plugs.
A few days later in Texas, the opportunity to test SoundGear in the field meets with similar success. I even get to test them in rain conditions. They work perfectly. I am sold on this product.
Dr. Bobby Dale, emergency room physician and medical adviser for SEOPA participated in a seminar on outdoor safety. Glenn Wheeler is an EMT with experience in Search and Rescue who also participated.
Doctor Dale finds problems with hypothermia to be a significant risk to the outdoor public. It results in over 700 deaths per year. It develops slowly in a deer stand but a fall into cold water can cause rapid hypothermia. Hypothermia can happen any time of the year when there is a sudden change in temperatures of the surroundings.
Hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature falls below 95-degrees F. The first level of hypothermia has the patient shivering or sleepy. Treatment is by adding clothing and getting them to a warm place. You can also do isometrics to generate heat.
The second level involves a slowness of reflexes and impaired judgment. It also includes shivering and sleepiness. The subject may feel warm and want to shed clothing.
Severe hypothermia results in a loss of consciousness and ridged muscles. Cardiac arrest can occur. It is important to pile blankets on the patient and immediately get help.
In all cases of hypothermia make use of blankets, sleeping bags, warm liquids, build a fire and get into shelter as fast as possible. Group hugs are helpful.
Preventative measures recommended by Dr. Dale include know your physical limits, avoid wearing cotton clothing, (cotton kills) be prepared for a night out if required, get out of the wind and off the ground, carry fire starting kit, have a bivy bag or plastic trash bag at least 3 ml thick and carry a SPOT locater.
SPOT GPS messenger provides the ability to notify Search and Rescue or your family if you are in trouble. It provides your exact location which saves time in getting help to you. They are available from outdoor stores like Bass Pro Shops.
The life you save may be your own.
Like the man once said about art, “I am no expert but I know what I like.” Duck calling is much like that too. There are a dozen different schools of thought on how hard to blow, how to range the call, what calls to make, etc. You can attend dozens of calling contests and find them different. There are the guys who call just for calling contests. There are also those who like to imitate the call of wild birds.
Years of attending contests and working with them have produced an acquaintance with many of the call makers, large and small, that produce the best calls. Mostly they seem to prefer action and volume in the presentations.
There is another approach to duck calls, that of the collector. Waterfowl calling history is rich with interesting characters and their experiences in the field.
It is the latter that led this writer to explore the Sure-Shot Yentzen Duck Call. Any call that has been around since 1959 surely has something going for it.
George Yentzen was a duck hunter from Texas. A baker by trade, he cut black walnut duck calls on a band saw. He and a partner James Fernandez designed and patented the first double reed duck call. They bound the reeds together with rivets. These and a triple reed call dominated calling contests for the next 20 years.
The reed system better controls reed vibration within the tube. It avoids the tiny squeak that sometimes comes with blowing too hard in anticipation of birds coming in with dependable performance.
Once the patent ran out, other game call makers came out with similar double reed calls. Today Sure-Shot makes their duck calls with that same double reed design and issues a lifetime guarantee. The call is a delightful combination of classic styling with attention to tradition and innovation of the founder.
At the recent Southeastern Outdoor Writers Association (SEOPA) meeting I was introduced to the Yentzen call by a rep from Sure Shot Game Calls. He explained that the reeds do not freeze up in the cold. Easily blown, it emits a great sound with no squeaks. He then, and other since, promised that it performs reliably and consistently under all sort of conditions.
The call is a mallard and black duck call. To entice these birds you have to sound like a duck. It is that simple. With the call you can do the quack, the feed call, the comeback call and hail call. These are the four basic calls of mallard hunting.
The styling of this call, it dependability and over 50-year tradition make it like a fine wine. Use it but cherish it as well.
The season of gifting is fast approaching. For some it might include the gift of that first gun for a child. There are some basic considerations in gifting a firearm.
The first consideration is the proposed use. It may be for waterfowl hunting, upland game hunting, sporting clays, trap, etc.
Then there is the size of the person who is going to use it. If it is a woman, the problem is not as great as with a youngster who will continue to grow. It is important to choose a gun that will not beat the person to death with the recoil. Nothing is more discouraging to a novice shooter than being beat up by the weapon.
Shooting like all activities must be fun for the beginner. The smaller the shooter the more the recoil will abuse them. This can be a catch twenty-two situation. The more mass of the weapon, the greater the recoil. The heavier the mass, the more difficult it is to carry and aim.
Recoil, however a genuine problem, is vastly overrated as a problem.
Adolescents and women do not suffer the degree of ills from recoil that men complain about. They are more likely to listen to instruction and have not been brainwashed into expecting a recoil problem. Women and adolescents are more inclined to ride with the push of the recoil. They have good shooting techniques with a flexible shooting stance.
In addition to the gauge of the shotgun, it is important that a weapon fits the person using it. If the stock is too long or too short, the angle of the stock to the barrel gives the individual the wrong sight picture when aiming.
Things like the length of pull or pitch need checking. A gun that fits properly improves the accuracy of the shooter and is an excellent way to reduce recoil. A good gunsmith can help with fitting a shotgun properly to the person who will use it.
Single shot guns cause one to become a better hunter in terms of taking shots that are very ethical and getting into better position to make a killing shot. Because you do not have any back up shots with the single shot, you pay more attention to your first shot. You only have the one chance to make a mistake or drop a bird.
Mentally, if you walk into the field with a single shot, you are thinking differently than if you have a repeating firearm or an over/under shotgun.
The single shotgun is not just for a beginner’s weapon. It is a weapon for the most advanced hunter as well. As we examine the very high end of ethical hunting and it becomes more about the quest than the completion of it. A single barrel shotgun adds to the challenge and teaches one that he does not need a repeater because he is a hunter.
Single shot hunting is light tackle hunting. Light tackle hunting with a small gauge weapon is probably the pinnacle of the sport as well as a good choice for the novice.
Huntable water comes in two categories: open water and ponds. This allows us to have a plan for water wherever our hunt is to take place whether or not it is a place you have been there previously.
A basic set up in a pond situation consists of two bunches of decoys, separated by about 20 to 30 yards.
Set them up with the wind quartering over either shoulder of the hunter. Try to avoid dead away or sideways and never with the wind toward your position.
Unless the wind is going away, the result will be that you will spend most of the time pass shooting. The theory is that birds will land in the gap between the decoys.
Prepare for mallards that are notorious for landing at the edge of a set. With two sets of decoys you effectively establish three landing areas. The idea is to position birds for a shot as opposed to giving them a landing area. Hunters need to know exactly where ducks are going to land.
Good hunters like to use a duck/goose spread in the majority of locations. For a set up on a bank, run about 30 to 50 goose decoys in a kind of rectangle shape just slightly above the blind. Begin just to the side of the shooting position about 15 yards and then run them four or five deep out about 40 yards. That way if the honkers decoy to the edge they are still in range.
Begin placement of the decoys where they come up to within ten yards of the bank. Place the ducks heavy right up to 10 or 15 yards from the blind. Then tail them off out to 60 or 70 yards from the bank. The spread gets thinner until it is just a single line. The result is an L or the old “Diver Hook” with a heavy concentration right in the pocket.
Mallards tend to decoy to the back of goose decoys. The set up is not natural but it works well for both mallards and geese. It is not anything you would see in a marsh, but then you are setting up for a position to shoot. If you are not in an open water situation, you can forget the goose decoys.
Early in the migration run an even number of hens and drake decoys. Later run 80 percent hens 20 percent drakes. The hens lead the migration and the big drakes are the last to migrate.
If planning to hunt geese in an open field keep the majority of decoys behind you. Most open field goose hunting occurs early. The hunter sits on the downwind end of the spread. The spread is a shallow wide horseshoe. Place four or five sentry goose decoys just down wind of your position. It simulates geese that have just landed and are walking their way into the flock.
All of these spreads demand a large number of decoys and some maintenance on them. A tip for waterfowlers is to use a little soap and water and some Armor All instead of repainting and buying new decoys every year. They will be a little shiny at first but after a couple of outings their perfect.
Modern decoys resemble live birds.
By Justin Sieverding
In 1918, Joel Barber began a new era of waterfowl decoys. Barber spent much of his life collecting and showcasing various decoys and even wrote a popular book on the subject 1934 titled, Wild Fowl Decoys. From here on the keystone component of waterfowl hunting becomes the decoy. It is also an authentic piece of Americana. So how did decoys come to be? Their history may go further back than you would expect!
Believe it or not Native Americans first put waterfowl decoys to use over 2000 years ago, possibly the Paiute Tribe of the Southwest. Evidence of these decoys was found in 1924 at the Lovelock Cave in Nevada. Here, archeologists found a cache of 11 waterfowl decoys that resembled the canvasback duck. The decoys cleverly crafted out of Tule reed are thought to have been used on the now dry Lake Humboldt. The practice of using decoys spread throughout tribes and caught the eye of early settlers in the 17th century.
With an abundance of waterfowl available throughout the “New World”, settlers began relying on decoys to improve their chances of luring in waterfowl. These decoys vary in style but were primarily carved out of wood and painted to mock the local waterfowl. Towards the 1800s, waterfowl became a staple food source for growing populations. “Market gunners” began to make their way to the scene by hunting vast amounts of waterfowl and commercially selling them to the public. These market gunners helped popularize the use of decoys and used huge punt guns to take out up to 100 waterfowl at once. Since this was a profitable market, decoys evolved into more efficient and realistic designs to help improve hunting.
After noticing the wide use of waterfowl decoys, companies like Mason Factory and Peterson Dodge began producing an abundance of decoys at the end of the 19th century. These companies used cedar wood and vibrant lead-based paint to produce top of the line decoys.
With no formal regulations protecting the waterfowl, migratory patterns and populations became a point of concern. This led to the Migratory Bird Act of 1918. It brought an end to the “market gunner” era and established bag limits and hunting seasons to help protect the dwindling waterfowl populations. With so many decoys on the market, hunters and the general public began looking at the decoys not only as a piece of hunting equipment but also as piece of art. With the help of Joel Barber and various other collectors, we now view decoys as a brilliant piece of Americana. These decoys can be so collectable, that in one auction a single decoy brought 1.13 million dollars!
While decoys can be highly collectible, they still meet their initial intention of attracting overhead waterfowl. For the past 2000 years and counting, the waterfowl decoy has transformed tremendously. But it has always had the goal of improving a hunter’s chances. Now with 21st century technology, decoys are made of canvas, plastic, and paint to deliver supreme realism and performance.
DOA Decoys (www.doadecoys.com) hand-crafts high-quality waterfowl decoys in Algona, IA. After spending months reviewing the art portfolios of some of the most renowned waterfowl carvers in North America, they stumbled upon not one but two world class, world champion carvers who would combine their unrivaled mastery of wildfowl carving to create the perfect line of gunning decoys.
NOTE: Justin Sieverding has spent most of his life hunting waterfowl in South Dakota and throughout North America. He has a true passion and vast experience in everything related to waterfowl hunting including decoy spreads, bird patterns, scouting and calling.
During a recent seminar on video production by Steve Finch it occurs to me that these elements apply to both the production and judging of what makes a good video program for the viewer.
With more and more outdoors men and women making their own videos for family and friends, making them interesting becomes more important.
Basically, to be interesting, the video (or program) needs an effective message and needs to stay on message. It needs scripting out and not just allowed to ramble. The message should be simple and have great music to be entertaining.
The basic elements of a great video are a great story, education, motivation, and stimulate to action.
In making the program, move the camera and use lighting and audio as well as visual techniques. Once back in the office, combine short (3-5 second) raw images with high energy music. There is a lot of free music available on line as well as video editing programs.
Coyotes have a tough time finding food in winter but wildlife watchers are more apt to see them.
A red fox dives for fleeing mice in field of brown grass. An eagle soars overhead calling to its mate with a shrill scream. A white-tailed deer browses on the edge of a thicket. Canada geese rest in the wetlands. This is Illinois at its wildest.
The woods and fields are alive with wildlife. Nature lovers can find all sorts of birds and animals to watch throughout the county. Especially popular is bird watching and eagle tours. But, other areas can provide equally interesting viewing.
A variety of vegetation and terrain in this area attracts and holds numerous species of birds and mammals. Two hundred and thirty-seven species of birds are resident, migrants, or frequent visitors.
Watching wildlife does not take a lot of expensive gear. Binoculars and some guide books are a good beginning. Field guides assist in identification and help at home when reviewing ones notes from a day afield.
When heading out, be sure to take a notebook. Field notes should include the date, location, weather conditions and animal behavior, along with any unique observations.
Beginners must learn to identify animals and birds by sight and sound. Noting the color, shape and other outstanding observations make it easier to identify species.
Familiarize yourself with animal behavior and favored habitats. For example, deer tend to prefer thick cover until late in the day when they move out into fields to feed.
Learn to recognize animal habitats. This knowledge assists in identification and helps to eliminate species not associated with a specific habitat.
Advanced wildlife watchers learn the calls and songs of mammals or birds. This helps to identify those species hidden in dense cover. By familiarizing oneself with bird songs and mammal calls, one can chase down each sound until he discovers the source.
The direct approach is not the best way to seek out wildlife. Wild animals must always be wary of possible danger and when an intruder comes straight at them it usually signals a threat. By acting disinterested while sneaking a glance now and then, you may be able to observe the unfolding drama of their activities.
It is important to be patient and avoid direct attention to the animal encountered. Appear disinterested. Fiddle with vegetation, look away from the animal while moving slowly closer and you will be able to approach much closer than you would think. Staring at an animal causes them fear and uneasiness. Quick looks are much less obvious and less likely to make the animal nervous.
Some animals such as ducks and geese can become very approachable due to constant association with human activity. Other animals are so skittish that the first hint of the presence of humans sends them fleeing.
Generally, however, the use of patience in observing wildlife works well. It will result in closer views for you and less intimidation for the animal. Watching wildlife can be challenging and educational.
Photo courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Moving into the New Year, many outdoor oriented men and women spend increasingly more time in the outdoors. It may be waterfowl hunting, wildlife watching, hiking, biking, and fishing. Each of these has its own risks. Preventing dangerous situations becomes a top priority.
Although it is tempting to enjoy the outdoors alone, it is not the safe way. Enjoy the outdoors with a friend. Simple actions such as telling someone where you are going and when you’re are coming back as well as watching weather for sudden changes are important.
Know the limits of your physical condition and do not press your luck. Always carry a compass or G.P.S. unit and consult it regularly. Know where you are at all times.
In sports where firearms are used, gun safety is a priority. Always be aware of the direction in which the muzzle is pointed. Not only view the distance from the weapon to the quarry, but also the area beyond it. A good rule in waterfowl hunting is never to shoot a target when your gun barrel is pointing below the horizon.
Hunters must always be in control of their weapon. In a boat or blind it is important to have the weapon in a secure rest with the muzzle always pointing in a safe direction. If none is available, hold the gun tightly with the barrel pointed up and away from the boat, dogs and hunting companions.
When entering or leaving the boat, or blind, be sure the weapon is unloaded and cased.
Hiking is not normally considered to be a risky sport. Each year many people are injured or killed while engaged in this activity. If hiking on a roadway, always walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic. If hiking in low light conditions it is wise to wear bright color clothing. An inexpensive blaze orange vest is a good idea. They are available where ever hunting gear is sold. The orange color will not spook animals you may want to observe and still alert drivers to your presence.
For those hiking in off road areas, a cell phone is a good idea. You never know when an emergency might happen. One person in the group may have a medical emergency such as heart attack, broken leg, sprained ankle, etc.
It is a good idea to carry a whistle and a Space Blanket from camping sections of most stores. The emergency signal with a whistle is three blasts in a row. The Space Blanket is a foil sheet that can be wrapped around the body to keep warm until help arrives.
The whistle is a good idea for each member of your group, adult or child. Affix it to the zipper of a coat. It is vital that everyone understand that the whistle is to be used only in emergency situations.
It is important that children understand that anyone can become lost. They should know to stay put in one location and keep blowing the three blasts until they are found. Knowing help is coming aids them in dealing with the situation and not to panic.
Hikers need to pay attention to the trail conditions. During winter and early spring, paths can become muddy and slippery. It is easy for some one not paying attention to slide down a hill or from a rocky outcropping while observing the scenery.
A small first aid kit can be very helpful with less serious injuries. Small cuts and injuries can be treated in the field making the trek back to the vehicle much less unpleasant. Field treatment of a cut might also prevent infection which could cause more serious problems later.
Early season fishing is often some of the best fishing of the year. But, the cold water temperatures can present life threatening situations for anglers who fall out of a boat. Hypothermia is the sudden loss of core body temperature when suddenly dunked in cold water. Always wear a personal floatation device (PFD.). It will keep you afloat incase you are injured or too numb to swim. Get out of the water and out of wet clothing as soon as possible. If you are turning blue, shivering uncontrollably, then get medical attention right away.
The outdoors is a wonderful world to explore. With some advance planning and care, it can also be a safe one. Just be careful out there.
We have all done it. And we will do it again. You come home from a hard day afield, drop your cased gun and gear off, and go on with life. Later you or the spouse put the gun wherever you store it normally.
Sometime later you either remember you forgot to wipe it off or when you are going out again, you notice rust forming on the metal parts. If you wait too long the problem will be out of control and require re-bluing by a gunsmith.
Sitting with TJ Stallings of TTI Industries following a day of crappie fishing out of the world famous Rend Lake Resort this subject comes up. TJ explains how some of his cohorts have come up with Gun Protect, a firearms cleaning treatment and storage system.
The system comes in a kit for total corrosion protection. The Spray Shield and Weapon Wipe part is for protection, lubrication and cleaning of the weapon. There is a Safe Environment Module to place in your gun case or safe that contains modules that attach to metals for protection at a molecular level. If the safe is more than 20 cu feet you place a module in the bottom and another in the top.
The third product in the kit is a Rifle-Shotgun Cloak. Just place the weapon into the plastic cloak and close with a reusable plastic tie. It provides up to a year of protection from rust and corrosion. Target shooters are also putting ammo in the cloaks for protection of the brass. The theory is that bright jackets eject faster which is handy in the field. They spray it first and them place in the cloak.
The cloak and modules emit molecules to form a corrosion inhibiting skin (CIS) on the metal surfaces.
That is a lot of recovery and future protection for less than 30 bucks. For more information go to http://www.mygunprotect.com.
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