The Mallards and Canadas Arrive

Eastern Nebraska produced in mid November some really nice weather.  It is nice if you want to golf or work in the yard.  None of those things are important.  It is the smell of freshly fired gunpowder early in the morning that fires the blood up.  A frontal movement finally came out of the north with driving winds, rain, and snow mixed.  It came down from the Dakotas.  That was all that was needed to bring in the big birds.  We have all had enough of Gadwall, Widgeon, Pintails, and Teal.  It is the big ducks with their fine looking green heads we are after now, along with the big Canada geese. 

When I was a boy and hunted with my Dad, it was unusual to see a Canada goose, let alone shoot one.  Your limit then was one Canada goose per season.  We always hoped we would have the opportunity to bag one, but it never happened.  Later in life, I hunted in N.W. Missouri southwest of Squaw Creek Refuge for Snows and Blues, and we would periodically have a Canada goose opportunity.  It was very rare that this would happen.  Now, the Canada goose hunting is on the same par in our area with the big ducks.  What is more interesting is we never are able to decoy any snows or blues.  We see them in huge flocks way up in the air migrating south.

Looking Northeast just before shooting got hot.

Up at 4:14 AM the weather was cold and the wind was beginning to pick up.  The front had not gotten here yet, but would be soon arriving.  Gathering at the Big Chicken in Tekamah, Nebraska by 6 AM for cholesterol and coffee, sixteen hunters were ready to hit the blinds and wait for the onslaught that was sure to take place.  It was cold, the perfect weather to hunt ducks and geese in Eastern Nebraska along the Missouri River.

Benelli Super Black Eagle II Realtree Max-4 ?Semi-Auto Shotgun - 10101

This is the gun I shoot. Click on the link or the pic to buy. 

Inside the blinds the weather still had not nailed us, but the clouds that were forming and blocking out the moonlight told us that we were going to be hit is a blast of weather.  This was what we wanted as the birds would either come before the blast or with it when it hit.  Our shooting sticks were loaded up with the big shells and everyone waited patiently for shooting time to start.  In the meantime, birds came and went from the swamp.  Some came and stayed while others landed and took off.  They were the smart ones as they may have been at the blinds before.  You can always tell which are the local birds.  They just circle the blinds staying out of range, and then leave.  It must make their butts ache to fly over the swamp.

HEVI-Shot HEVI-Metal Waterfowl Shotshells

I shoot this shell  Click on the link or the pic to buy.

As shooting time arrived, the birds that had never been at the swamp before or had never had their tail feathers disturbed, were promptly jumped and dispatched.  There is nothing like having a couple of good shots to open the morning at shooting time.  The weather slowly began to deteriorate and the wind started picking up.  With the pick up in the wind came the Mallards.  They were not in big flocks but small groups and there was very little circling.  They would hook once into the wind and then drop like an elevator, feet out and heading to the open water.  The good news was we had some shots.  The bad news was the wind became westerly and the decoys needed to be moved closer to the bank so that the birds would be heading for the calm water.  Our blinds lay on a peninsula that extends north and south right down the middle of our 40 acres of water.  Calm water would be in front of us and the water behind us was starting to form some heavy wave action.

Duke bringing in the bacon

We used three wing duck decoys plus three duck butts that have their heads down.  With two spreads of duck decoys close to the calmer water, this made all the difference in the world.  The next few small flocks came to us closer and gave better shots.  I should point out, we never lose a crippled bird.  Several of our members own really well trained dogs.  I don't know what I enjoy more.  It is either the decoying of the birds or having the dogs head to the water and retrieve them.  When their owners let them out of their pens behind the blinds, on command they are so excited and just jump into the water to gather up the birds.

The Mallards either turned off or we just ran out of birds in our area.  Several of the other hunting spots in the area were getting some shooting, but it shut off for us.  Then it changed.  I remember looking at my watch and seeing 10:15 AM.  The wind was really pounding away, but we were below ground level so it made no difference.  

Here came the Canada geese.  The first flock of 20 to 25 just locked up and started that long beautiful glide into the wind toward the decoys and the open water.  About 25 yards out when the birds were in range, the call went out to "take em."  Sixteen hunters rose and got off at least one shot.  With the wind blowing in excess of 30 MPH, we rose up.  Before we could get our guns to our shoulders, they were riding the wind skyward and away from the blinds.  We only had one opportunity for one really good shot.  That was just fine because we all knew this was the start of a lot of birds decoying to our blinds.

It was a good day.

By 3 PM well before shooting time was to end. we were done for the day.  It can't get much better than today.  

 
Good hunting, good fishing, and good luck.  Hank

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The Elk is in the Freezer

I passed on the mountain states for elk this year because of the great experience I have had at High Adventure Ranch.  I don't have to put up with the altitude in the mountain states or the expensive licenses each state has for an out of state hunter.  While there have been some great experiences in the mountains, I want results. It is only a six and a half hour drive versus spending all day and half the night just getting to the location where you will hunt.  Old age is creeping up on me, and I want to have first class luxuries and a good hunt all rolled into one.  

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Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of southeast Missouri lies High Adventure Ranch.  Snuggled back in the timbered hills with a pasture here and there, the ranch offers elk hunting and other exotic animals.  You stay in either a lodge setting or a private cabin, whichever is available.  Meals are taken in the dining room and lounge located on the ranch.  The food is absolutely outstanding and you have the opportunity to feast on some of the local game harvested on the ranch. 

You arrive the night before the hunt and stay in one of the motels at St. James, Missouri.  Restaurants are a little limited, but you can drive a few miles more and stay in Rolla, Missouri and have a bigger selection.  

The next morning it was only a 20 minute drive to the ranch, and there I got re-acquainted with the ranch manager, Monty Pitts.  I have had nothing but a great experience working with Monty.  He wants you to have a great experience and harvest the type of animal you are after.  Shortly after came my guide, Oliver, who has taken excellent care of me on two other trips.  I like to go one on one with a guide when hunting big game.  

The cabin where I stayed.

We talked about the kind of experience I was looking to have.  This trip was not about horns, but about meat.  I have plenty of horns and all they do is collect dust.  My wife and I really like the wild game, and that was what this trip was all about.  I wanted a good shooting experience and to harvest a young inexperienced bull elk.  

The dining room at the ranch

Monty and Oliver said the ranch had what I was looking for.  While there were plenty of cows to harvest, the age was unknown and you may be shooting an old lady.  They both agreed on an approximate 2 year old bull with one antler.  The other had been broken off in a fight.  There was a problem with this boy.  He was very skittish and the minute he would see or wind you, he would split.  There would be no hesitation and you would have very little time to get off a shot. 

The plan was to drive over to a general area where he was last seen and start hoofing it over the hills and valleys of the ranch.  I needed the workout and this would be a good one.  The weather could not have been more beautiful.  The leaves were about 80% off the trees and so walking would be a little crunchy.  This was going to take some time. 

We took off in a four wheeled truck and drove up a valley between two hills.  We would stop and walk to the top of the hill on each side of the vehicle.  The temperature was in the low 50s so it was very pleasant.  I was lightly clothed not wanting to work up a big sweat, but just to stay comfortable.  After checking out a couple of spots and a small pasture, we headed to a different location.

We saw these big boys while looking for the one horned youngster

All at once Oliver said, " Good grief!  There goes a coyote.  Can you hit it after we stop the truck?"  "Of course I can," was the response.  Now, if that coyote took off, there were two chances of me hitting it and they were slim and none, and slim has left town.  The coyote spotted us and I never even got the door open on the truck because he was really moving.  All I saw was his backside.  We were still moving along the valley floor and I looked up the hill to my right.  There stood an elk with one horn.  He was staring straight at us.  Oliver said we must keep going and should go around the hill and then walk up the back side.  Sounded like a good plan to me.  

We saw this big boy with his ladies just off to the left of the picture.  Look at the symmetry of the antlers.

On the other side of the hill we started the climb.  Oliver grabbed my shooting sticks, and I put two shells into the magazine.  Trying to walk as quietly as possible was a chore, but we climbed the mountain.  After reaching the top, we slowly moved in the direction of the elk.  There was a slight breeze out of the northwest and we were walking straight into it.  How lucky could we be.  I was wearing Sitka Open Country clothing and Oliver had the jungle camo on, so we felt we were somewhat covered.  

Where the one horned elk had been standing was a really nice 6 x 6.  As I stared at him it was very tempting.  Just off to the big boy's left was the one horned elk.  His backside was facing directly up hill to us.  He was barely visible as I had to look between the trees to spot him.  Oliver used his binoculars and I used the scope on the rifle.  This would be a tough shot, but I needed him to turn around. 

Just down the hill was the one horned youngster. 

Slowly he moved up the hill and then turned and was facing both of us.  I was shooting between the trees, and as I looked through the scope only his left front was visible.  A neck shot was a possibility, but that thought was not a good one. A miss or a crippled animal might be the result.  Also I was shooting downhill about 50 yards and at about the 40 yard point the ground rose up. 

He moved toward us, but still did not know we were there.  Then he turned to his right and looked down hill.  He was broadside to me, but his left front shoulder was not visible due to the ground.  The cross hairs were put as low as possible, and the round was sent.  Boom!  That was all it took.  He made three steps and fell over dead.  For me, that was a tough shot between the standing trees.  Shooting a 300 Win Mag, the bullet entered above the left shoulder and went right through the lungs and exited the other side.  

Success

Nice young meat, and he will eat well. 

My guide

The animal was picked up by the ranch staff, skinned, gutted outside, and then hung in a cooler overnight.  In the morning the elk was deboned and the meat packed into bags and coolers in the back of my truck.  Iced down, the meat would be kept cold till we got to the processor the next day in Iowa. 

 

Good hunting, good fishing, and good luck.  Hank

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Pintails, Widgeon, Gadwall and Teal

The weather snapped cold with driving winds from the north and a cold front moving south rapidly out of the Dakotas.  It was time for the birds to come south riding the north wind ahead of and with the frontal passage.

Nineteen hunters in three blinds huddled as they waited patiently for shooting time to begin.  Forty acres of open water was waiting for thirsty birds as they headed south and the club had it all waiting.  The corn was picked in the surrounding fields so the area had it all to offer the tired, thirsty, and hungry ducks.

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As the hunters walked into the blinds, the sky exploded with the ducks off the lake as they were spooked into jumping into the air and heading for some safety.  They always come back after a bit of feeding on that fine Nebraska corn left over in the fields after harvest.  They need water to wash it all down and sand in their gizzards to grind it all up.  The club has it all.

When shooting time came, it was one flock after another that decoyed into the lake.  Not much circling was done.  They just locked up and dropped in, feet extended and back pedaling as they dropped into the water.  This was outstanding duck shooting.  The strong north wind just held them over the water as they dropped down into the lake.  Even if you were a bad shot, you didn't miss today.

RedHead Pothole Combo Duck Decoy Set

Thank goodness someone was taking a steady count of what was taking place, as by 10 AM it was all over.  A limit of ducks was harvested for each of the nineteen hunters.  It cannot get much better than that.  The general feeling was that by the next day with the number of birds piling in, it would be even better.

The bags were totally mixed and to the surprise of everyone, there were some Mallards in the bag.  The hope was that with the fast moving front, it would push some out of the Dakotas.  Two of our club hunters were hunting in North Dakota and reported that the Mallards were pouring in out of Canada.  Now we needed something to push them down to Nebraska.  The bad news was there was plenty of open water, the crops were all out, and there was plenty of feed on the ground to keep them there.  Without snow on the ground we had to wait for the really big gigantic push.

HEVI-Shot HEVI-Metal Waterfowl Shotshells

The next day only 11 hunters showed up for what was to be another day like the day before.  However, it was not to be.  The lake did not hold any birds from the night and that is usually a bad sign.  On the other hand, there was a lot of open water in the Tekamah area, and the fields were open and picked so they could be anywhere.

Shooting time came and a small flock of birds worked the area.  They did not drop in as before but were more cautious.  They had their butts burned yesterday and remembered the sting of the steel shot.  They finally could not resist a drink of water and came within gun range and were promptly dispatched.  With a good north wind we let the dead birds drift down to the south shore.  There was no sense in getting out of the blind and having another group start to work with people out in the lake gathering up ducks.

The second flock repeated the same process.  First they took a look and then they circled a couple of times before dropping into gun range.  Shooting was good and more were harvested.  The flocks were much smaller than yesterday which was an indication they were spread out over the bottoms doing what ducks do, eating corn, drinking water, and eating sand to get the needed grinding for their gizzards.

By 9 AM the wind had really subsided and the flocks now were few and far between.  By 10 AM the wind went totally dead calm and we were staring at a clear blue sky.  This was not good duck hunting weather.  Still everyone went home with some birds.

By 11 AM, it was time to call it quits.  The wind had moved to the south and could not even be called a wind, but a light breeze.  The decoys just sat still in the water with no movement.  It was time to go.  This was still a good morning.  It beats work any day.

 

Good hunting, good fishing, and good luck.  Hank.

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It's an Elk Hunt in the Ozark Mountains

Where to go?  That is the first question.  What kind of a hunt do I want to do?  That is the second question.  How much am I willing to spend?  That is the third question.  Those are all bad questions and if you are thinking along those lines, throw them all out.  What I focus on is where can I have the most fun.  Then I try to pick the time that will work for my schedule.  My wife and I like to travel in the fall and that is usually right around elk season in the mountains, so some of the places picked do not work for our schedule.  What I want are good accommodations, good food, a one to one guide, and results.  References are an absolute must.  I like to make sure the people that recommend the outfitter have had a good experience with a lot of fun mixed in.   I like to hear, "I had a great time and will or would go again."

Winchester Blind Side Waterfowl Load Shotshells

I have been on elk hunts in three states, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado.   Hunting in National Forrest Service terrain is always an exciting adventure.  In many cases your percentages go down, not unless the hunting areas are positioned near private land that holds elk year round.   A private ranch that holds elk is probably the best way I believe to harvest a nice animal.  Percentages go way up and you generally stay in a lodge setting with all the amenities. My days of roughing it are all gone, and I want a comfortable bed at night and a hot shower after being in the field all day long.

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If you are going to the mountains with an outfitter that is hunting National Forrest Service Land, you should be prepared to be able to ride a horse.  On my first trip, I went to a riding stable and practiced riding, mounting, and getting off without falling off. This I would recommend. The other concern that would apply to all of the people that live in the flat lands is the altitude.  It is so easy to get altitude sickness with low grade nausea and severe headache.  Hydrating is the key ingredient to overcome this problem.  After I have hunted in the mountains, on my drive out, I drink a liter of Gatorade.  Then every morning I drink at least a half a liter of water before we leave, and a liter a day on the trail.  I also drink another half a liter at the end of the day, but I might have to get up a couple of times during the night. That is why tenting it anymore is out for me.

Federal Premium Vital-Shok Nosler Partition Centerfire Rifle Cartridges

This is the round I shoot for Elk, and it is deadly.  Click on the link above or the pic to buy from Bass Pro.

 It gets cold in the mountains during the night and it is pitch black unless there is a full moon.  The process is to wake up around 2 AM with the urge to find a fire hydrant.  I put on my boots, put on my coat, grab a flash light, and grab my pistol.  When I shined my flashlight out of the tent, I have seen in the past eyes staring at the light.  The outfitters have told me not to worry as it is deer.  However, I have seen wolf tracks in camp in the morning and that means one walked through during the night.  So, it is a process to take care of mother nature, and if it is raining, it is more work.  Oh, to be younger.

I applied this year in Wyoming to hunt in the Big Horns and did not draw a license.  When July came around there was nothing in my area so that was out.  When I checked at a private ranch in Colorado that features ranching for wildlife, they were booked up.

Winchester Model 70 RMEF Sporter Bolt-Action Rifle

This is the rifle I shoot for big game in North America.  Coupled with the Federal ammunition with Nosler Partition bullet makes and outstanding combination.  Click on the link or the pic to buy from Bass Pro.

When I checked with High Adventure Ranch in the Ozark mountains, they had an opening in November.  I took it.  There are advantages here.  First, it is a guaranteed hunt, and if there is not an animal harvested you pay nothing.  Second, it is a one on one guide experience, and I like that.  There is nothing like personal attention.  I have been teamed up with another hunter on an outing that I did not know.  It worked out okay, but having one guide dedicated to you is the best way to go.  Third, you sleep inside a nice lodge with a bathroom and a good bed.  I have a 20 below sleeping bag, but in this case I don't have to bring it along.  Food is served buffet style in a comfortable dining room.  There is also a big lodge setting available so you can lounge around.  It is like being at home.

Nikon Monarch 5 XR Rifle Scope

I use this scope on the 300 Win Mag. Click on the link or the pic and buy from Bass Pro.

Service is excellent and while you can have your animal processed at the lodge, my preference is to bring it back to my processor.  I have about a 10 hour drive and having hunted in January, it was not problem to bring the animal back in total.  However, on this trip in November I will have it hung for a day and then de-boned and packed in coolers on ice to keep it cool.  Then it goes to my processor.  I like my elk cut in a certain way and the burger mixed with 15% pork butt.  Everyone has their own tastes, but mine are a little particular.

I leave on November 1st and the hunt starts on November 2nd.  There is nothing like elk steak or burger, unless you are fortunate enough to go up north and harvest a caribou.

 
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Good hunting, good fishing, and good luck.   Hank

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October 3rd, Opening Day for Nebraska Ducks

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The gathering of hunters took place at the Big Chicken in Tekamah, Nebr. around 5 AM.  Sixteen weary eyed hunters slid into the restaurant for breakfast and coffee and talk about the coming hunt that was going to take place.  Optimism ran really high as was the usual case for the opener.  By 6 AM the vehicles were heading out to the lake to experience the first day of duck season.

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The temperature wasn't exactly cool, but still a 50 degree temp with a northerly flow made the morning acceptable.  The only things that were a bit of a problem were the mosquitoes.  They were still present and swarmed around a hunter as he slid into his boots and camo outer wear.

The walk to the pits made for a pleasant surprise as the lake was packed with ducks.  40 acres of quacking and swirling about in the dim light was an exciting experience.  That meant when we walked toward the pits along the walkway, they would all get up and fly away to safer quarters.  They would return as always has been the case, but when this happens we always have phenomenal shooting.

HEVI-Shot HEVI-Steel Shotshells

This is the shell to use.  Click on the link or the pic and buy from Bass Pro.

Eight hunters to a blind with two dogs in each dog pit behind the blinds waited for the opening to begin when the clock hit the right time.  The birds that had left were already trying to come back.  In the dim light it was hard to distinguish the specie other than the teal that made their presence known by flying over the top of the pits at jet speed and swooping away again.  It was almost like the lake was filling up again, and they had never gone far. The wind was right out of the north, light and variable, and everyone was very quiet as the birds could hear talking in the metal blinds.  They are almost like a megaphone and the sound will carry.

Birds of every specie native to our area were in the decoys.  When the bell rang for the first day of duck season, the call came out, "Take em," and up they jumped into the air.  We had a field day of excellent duck shooting.  Gadwall, pintails, widgeon, teal, and a few mallards were in the bag.  The dogs went right to work and birds downed close to the blinds were gathered by the hunters.  Then back into the pits we went.  In a few minutes flocks began to work the decoys, but were flying a little higher and would circle, lock up their wings, but not always commit.  Calling was kept to a minimum as we let them lock up and move close to gun range.  Then a feed call or a chuckle was used.

RedHead Insulated Decoy Gloves for Men

This procedure was repeated over and over as the birds worked the lake and the decoys. By 8 AM the action thinned a little as the birds became more wary and got a lot smarter.  Flying high and locking up their wings, the birds then circled as if to come in.  This kept everyone on their toes.  They became smart after feeling the sting of steel in their bottoms and stayed away.

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To our surprise what happened next was totally unexpected.  We had migratory ducks dropping down out of the sky for a drink.  They must have been flying all night and were tired and thirsty.  What they see from their altitude and distance is a 40 acre lake of wide open water.  This is inviting for the ducks and the club was all to ready to accommodate the new arrivals.

By 10 AM the sky became void of any traffic and a count was done.  For 16 hunters each a mix bag of birds was harvested and the opening day came to a conclusion.

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Good hunting, good fishing, and good luck. Hank

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