bird hunting 3.24

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From Outdoor Wire:

To a waterfowl hunter, a duck band is a treasured find. Affixed to a duck call lanyard, these rare small metal rings become testaments of the hunter’s skill or luck and reinforce the conservation success story they represent. Not all bird bands are viewed as prizes, however. In fact, the ones affixed to the migratory game bird that gets the lion’s share of hunting attention in Texas are not being viewed at all. This summer, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. has been trapping mourning doves and attaching tiny metal leg bands to them as part of a larger national effort coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. White-winged doves are also being banded across the state and TPWD will be banding approximately 3,000 whitewings. Banding began June 1 and concludes Aug. 15.

As whitewings continue to expand across the state, keeping tabs on these dove populations is becoming increasingly important. Only three states are consistently banding white-winged dove, with the Texas banding program being the most comprehensive. Dove band recoveries are revealing extensive travel records and offer interesting insight into the ecology of this prominent migrant. For instance:

Most banded mourning doves in Texas do not survive to see a second year and extremely few live past three years of age. The oldest mourning dove ever recovered in Texas was 9 years old and the oldest mourner ever recovered was banded in Georgia and was a whopping 31 years old!
Mourning dove shot in Texas come from 21 states including Texas, with the most out-of-state banded birds coming from Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. A few banded birds traveled all the way from Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The oldest white-winged dove ever recorded in Texas was 17 years old and the oldest whitewing ever recovered was banded in Arizona and was 21 years old!
White-winged doves banded in Texas have been recovered in four states including Texas, four countries, and one in international waters (oil rig). The farthest recovered white-winged dove banded in Texas originated in Hidalgo County and was recovered in Nicaragua, 1,242 miles from the original band site. For Texas, the implications of dove management are significant considering the Lone Star State boasts fall dove populations in excess of 40 million birds and its 300,000 dove hunters harvest about 6 million birds annually or roughly 30 percent of all doves taken in the United States. Dove hunting also has a major economic impact, contributing more than $300 million to the state economy. But, despite having more dove hunters than any other state and harvesting more birds than any other state, Texas has the lowest dove band recovery rate in the nation.

“I think most dove hunters aren’t aware of the banding effort,” said Corey Mason, TPWD’s dove program leader. “Unlike with ducks, hunters aren’t looking for bands and because dove bands are only about the size of a bead they don’t stand out.”

Size does not diminish the importance of these bands and the information they provide wildlife biologists. Data obtained from banding are used to estimate survival and harvest rates and population abundance. These estimates are then used in population and harvest models to determine hunting regulations. The complete 2003-2010 Dove Banding Summary is available for review online.

Credit:

https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20110524a
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CLEANING A HANDGUN

If you keep your handgun clean it will operate at its best and won’t have any of the malfunctions associated with poor maintenance. A good rule to follow is to clean your handgun every time you use it. If you plan to clean it after every five hundred rounds, for example, you probably won’t keep track of how many rounds you shoot and won’t clean it according to your planned schedule. The result will be lack of cleaning and a lot of residue buildup in your handgun.

This can be a good opportunity to teach gun safety to children and other family members. You can teach the parts of the gun and demonstrate safety rules such as keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and always keeping your finger off the trigger.

Cleaning kit

Make your own cleaning kit. You will need to supplement any kit you buy by adding some additional items. You will want to combine all the items you get into a basic cleaning kit special kits for each caliber handgun you have.

A basic cleaning kit should include:

(1) nylon bristle and stainless steel brushes

(2) a rod in segments

(3) patch holders that screw into the rod

(4) a dental pick

(5) nitro solvent

(6) gun oil.

The special kit for each caliber should include:

(1) bore brushes in the correct caliber. For a semi-automatic pistol you need two bore brushes, one brass and one stainless steel. For a revolver you need two sets. A long one to use on the chambers and a short one to use on the bore, one set in brass and one set in stainless steel.

(2) patches of a size that will fit through the bore.

(3) Keep the special kit for each caliber in a zip lock plastic bag. You could put a card in each bag with the caliber written on it for easy reference.

Keep your cleaning kit in a box or container that you can carry with you to the range if you want to clean your gun there before bringing it home.

Gun cleaning safety

Follow all the rules of safe gun handling while you are cleaning your gun.

Before you start to clean your handgun, unload it and put all live ammunition in another room. Re-check to make sure it is unloaded. Clean your handgun in a place where you are alone and won’t be pointing the muzzle at someone else. Don’t have the television on or any other distraction that may take your attention away from the task of cleaning your gun.

Cleaning a revolver

Most of the problems with revolvers come from poor maintenance that allows lead shavings and gunpowder residue to build up around the forcing cone, under the star, in the chambers, and in the bore. Cleaning your revolver every time you shoot, no matter how many or few rounds you shoot, will eliminate these problems.

The bore and cylinder will have residue and blow-back from the discharge. There will also be residue inside the bottom of the frame and the front of the cylinder. If you shoot lead bullets there will also be lead shavings on the forcing cone and in the bore.

Start by cleaning the bore.

(1) Look inside. If it is a mirrored surface it won’t need the heavy stainless brush, as double passes with the brass bore brush will do. Use the short brush so it will pass all the way through the bore into the cylinder opening.

(2) Dip the bore brush into the solvent, then push it all the way through the bore.

(3) Be careful that you don’t strike the rod against the edge of the muzzle. This can cause scratches that will affect the accuracy of the gun. Also be careful not to push the end of the bore brush against the firing pin on the inside back of the frame. Place a folded patch or small piece of leather over this area to help protect it.

(4) Push the brush all the way through the bore so the bristles all leave the bore. If you do this you won’t be trying to pull the bore brush out with the bristles bent backwards inside the bore.

Where ever you put solvent, it has to come off. Don’t let solvent run down inside the revolver; it won’t come out by itself. Hold the revolver so solvent doesn’t run down inside the hole around the firing pin.

Clean around the forcing cone. Dip a brush into solvent and brush this area. Then clean it using a dental pick to remove small lead shavings. Then brush it again.

Next, use the patch holder on the rod and the proper size patch. Run it through the bore a few times. It will come out dirty. Keep changing the patch until one comes out clean. Then use clean patches around the forcing cone and wipe this area until the patches come off clean.

Use the long bore brush in the chambers. There are two reasons for this. First, after cleaning the bore the brush you used will be compressed and it won’t clean as well. Second, the chambers are much dirtier than the bore since this is where the cartridge detonates. The brush will get very dirty and you shouldn’t use it on the bore next time you clean the revolver. If you use a long bore brush in the chambers you will easily tell it apart from the short bore brush.

It doesn’t matter which direction you clean the chambers from, front or back. Dip the brush into the solvent and run the brush all the way through and back a couple of times in each chamber.

Clean any residue from under the star. Use a dental pick around each space under the star and follow this with the nylon brush.

Then run clean, dry patches through each chamber, changing them until they come out clean from each one. Wipe off the whole cylinder including the ejector rod and under the star with clean patches.

Clean off the frame with solvent on a bristle brush. Wipe it clean with patches. Brush around the trigger with a nylon brush.

Put a few drops of oil on a patch and push it through the bore then wipe it on the frame and cylinder. Don’t leave excess oil on the gun because it will attract dust and lint. Take it off with a clean patch. Put a drop of oil on the shaft under the star and one drop on the front of the extractor rod. Work the rod a few times then wipe off any excess oil.

Wipe off all the cleaning equipment and put it away.

Cleaning a semi-automatic pistol

You need to disassemble a semi-automatic pistol to clean it. Follow the instructions in the gun’s manual manual. You generally only need to remove the slide, barrel, guide rod, and guide rod spring.

Clean the barrel first. Look inside the bore. If it is a mirrored surface it won’t need the heavy stainless brush, double passes with the brass bore brush will do. Dip the bore brush into the solvent, then push it all the way through the bore. Push the brush all the way through the bore so the bristles all leave the bore. If you do this you won’t be trying to pull the bore brush out with the bristles bent backwards.

Next, use the patch holder on the rod and the proper size patch. Run it through the bore a few times. It will come out dirty. Keep changing the patch until one comes out clean. Wipe off the outside of the barrel with a clean patch.

Next clean the slide using a bristle brush dipped into solvent. Clean all along the guide rails. Use a dental pick on the area around the firing pin; there will be a lot of residue build-up. Use a bristle brush in this area. Finally clean off the solvent with clean patches.

Wipe the guide rod and guide rod spring with patches wiping off any residue and oil. Wipe clean any other parts that you need to disassemble for your pistol.

Using a brush dipped into solvent clean the frame, around the hammer, along the rails, and other exposed parts. Be careful that solvent doesn’t run into parts where it will be difficult to remove it. Use the dental pick to remove residue build-up. Remove the solvent with patches until the patches lift off clean. Brush around the trigger with a nylon brush. Wipe inside the magazine well with patches.

Put a few drops of oil on a patch and push it through the bore then wipe it on the barrel, guide rod, slide, and frame. Don’t leave excess oil on the gun because it will attract dust and lint. Take it off with a clean patch. Reassemble the barrel into the slide. Put a drop of oil on each rail then reassemble the slide onto the frame. Rack the slide back and forth a few times to disperse the oil. Wipe off all excess oil.

Wipe off all the cleaning equipment and put it away.

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1911 History

The following information was provided by

The Colt Model 1911 was the product of John Moses Browning, father of several modern firearms.

The pistol was designed to comply with the requirements of the U.S. Army, which, during its campaign against the Moros in Philippines, had seen its trusty .38 revolver to be incapable of stopping attackers. An Ordnance Board headed by Col. John T. Thomson (inventor of the Thomson sub-machine-gun) and Col. Louis A. La Garde, had reached the conclusion that the army needed a .45″ caliber cartridge, to provide adequate stopping power. In the mean time, J. Browning who was working for Colt, had already designed an auto loading pistol, around a cartridge similar to contemporary .38 Super (dimension-wise). When the Army announced its interest in a new handgun, Browning re-engineered this handgun to accommodate a .45″ diameter cartridge of his own design (with a 230 gr. FMJ bullet), and submitted the pistol to the Army for evaluation.

In the selection process, which started at 1906 with firearms submitted by Colt, Luger, Savage, Knoble, Bergmann, White-Merrill and Smith & Wesson, Browning’s design was selected, together with the Savage design in 1907. However, the U.S. Army pressed for some service tests, which revealed that neither pistol (Colt’s or Savage’s) had reached the desired perfection. The Ordnance Department instituted a series of further tests and experiments, which eventually resulted in the appointment of a selection committee, in 1911.

Browning was determined to prove the superiority of its handgun, so he went to Hartford to personally supervise the production of the gun. There he met Fred Moore, a young Colt employee with whom he worked in close cooperation trying to make sure that each part that was produced for the test guns was simply the best possible. The guns produced were submitted again for evaluation, to the committee. A torture test was conducted, on March 3rd, 1911. The test consisted of having each gun fire 6000 rounds. One hundred shots would be fired and the pistol would be allowed to cool for 5 minutes. After every 1000 rounds, the pistol would be cleaned and oiled. After firing those 6000 rounds, the pistol would be tested with deformed cartridges, some seated too deeply, some not seated enough, etc. The gun would then be rusted in acid or submerged in sand and mud and some more tests would then be conducted.

Browning’s pistols passed the whole test series with flying colors. It was the first firearm to undergo such a test, firing continuously 6000 cartridges, a record broken only in 1917 when Browning’s recoil-operated machine gun fired a 40000 rounds test.

The report of the evaluation committee (taken from ‘The .45 Automatic, An American Rifleman Reprint’, published by the National Rifle Association of America) released on the 20th of March 1911 stated :

“Of the two pistols, the board was of the opinion
that the Colt is superior, because it is more
reliable, more enduring, more easily disassembled
when there are broken parts to be replaced, and
more accurate.”

On March 29th, 1911, the Browning-designed,Colt Produced 1911 Pistol, was selected as the official sidearm of the Armed Forces of U.S.A., and named Model 1911.

Again a special thanks toJohn Caradimas of www.m1911.org for the pictures and information.
Credit: https://www.sightm1911.com/1911-History.htm

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Disassembly of the 1911 Auto

The following information was provided by

Disassembling the M-1911 type of pistols is a straight forward and simple process. It requires a minimum of tools (actually before Colt’s Series 80 pistols, it was possible to completely disassemble and re-assemble the pistol without ANY tools), like a pair of tweezers, a punch, etc, althought you can improvise!

Before starting to take the pistols apart, follow one simple safety rule. Make sure the gun is empty. Remove the magazine and pull the slide back and lock it in the open position. Check that the barrel’s chamber is empty. Always think safety first.

Before you proceed any further, please remember that at some time, you will have to reassemble the pistol. So please, for your own sanity, before you start taking things apart, study how things look when the gun is still intact. You might also want to read some Reassembling Notices, I ‘ve put together. OK, here we go!

Taking it apart
After making sure that the pistol is empty, release the slide manually and let it slide slowly forward. You can release the slide, using the slide release lever, but some authorities recommend against doing it with an empty gun. With the slide forward, and facing the muzzle of the pistol, press the recoil spring plug inwards until the barrel bushing is free to be twisted clockwise, until it uncovers completely the recoil spring plug. BE CAREFUL, the recoil spring plug is under pressure from the recoil spring, so if you do not keep it pressed when twisting the bushing, it can fly away (I learned that the hard way!).

Remove the recoil spring plug and the recoil spring. Cock the pistol’s hammer to the full-cock position (NEVER EVER cock the hammer to the half-cock position. It is an unsafe condition and should be avoided at all cost). Now pull the slide to the rear, until the slide release lever end is aligned with the small circular notch, on the left side of the slide.

Push the axis of the slide release lever from the right side of the gun, towards the left side. The slide release lever will pop out. Pull it completely off the frame of the gun.

Hold the gun upside down and push the slide forward and remove it from the frame. You can remove the recoil spring guide now.

Facing the muzzle of the barrel again, twist the barrel bushing anticlockwise and pull it out. Move the barrel link forward towards the muzzle and remove the barrel from the front opening of the slide.

This completes the every-day field stripping procedure. It is normally not recommended to proceed any further, unless you are sure of what you are doing, in which case you wouldn’t be reading this anyway, but let’s go on.

We shall continue, by removing whatever is left on the slide. If your gun has a Colt Series 80 safety, push the Firing Pin Lock Plunger up and using a punch push the Firing pin inwards. Release the Firing Pin Lock Plunger so that it keeps the Firing Pin inside its opening. If your gun does not have a Firing Pin Locking mechanism, simply push the firing pin inside its opening, using a punch (or other pointing tool).

Using the punch, pull down the Firing Pin Stop and remove it. Cover the Firing Pin opening with your thumb, and press the Firing Pin Lock Plunger again, to release the Firing Pin. This action will allow the Firing Pin to move back against the pressure of the Firing Pin Spring. Remove the Firing Pin together with its Spring. Pushing the Firing Pin Lock Plunger inwards, pull the extractor slightly backwards. You must pull it enough, so that the Firing Pin Lock Plunger can be freely removed from the bottom of the slide.

Remove it and then remove the extractor completely.

This completes the stripping of the slide.

You are now ready to continue. Grasp the hammer with the fingers of your left hand and release the trigger, while holding the hammer. Do not simply release the trigger, allowing the hammer to fall forward. This practice can destroy your gun.

The next step will require that you remove the Mainspring Housing. To do so, use a punch and a hammer (or any relatively heavy object you can find, like a shoe) and punch the Mainspring Housing Pin out, towards the right side of the pistol. Be careful not to punch to forcefully and have the pin fly to the next room. The removal of the pin will be helped if you exercise a slight pressure at the bottom of the Mainspring Housing, towards the upper of the gun.

After removing the Mainspring Housing Pin, pull the Mainspring Housing down and remove it from the frame. I would not suggest that you disassemble the Mainspring Housing.

However, if you do want to do it, use a thin puch to push the Mainspring Cap Pin out, by pushing it from the outside of the Mainspring Housing to the inner side. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL, as the mainspring is under considerable tension and it can fly away, hitting you on the face.

After removing the pin, you can remove the Mainspring, its cap and the Mainspring Retainer.

Cock the hammer again and move the Safety Lock upwards, while in the same time pulling it out of the frame. NOTE that the Safety Lock cannot be removed with the hammer uncocked.

When you remove the Safety Lock, the Grip safety can also be removed.

You may now remove the 3-prong Sear Spring at the rear of the grip. To do that lift the hammer strut first.

Push the Hammer Pin from the right side of the gun, towards the left. This will allow you to remove the hammer. Simply push the pin out, do not punch it. BE CAREFUL as the removal of the Hammer Pin, will also allow the removal of the Upper Sear Lever (if your gun is a Series 80 one), so make sure you don’t drop it and loose it.

Before proceeding any further, take some time to familiarize yourself with the arrangement of the Lower Sear Lever and the Upper Sear Lever, which form the Colt Series 80 firing pin safety mechanism (if, of course your gun is so equipped). You may now remove the Sear Pin. Slowly push it out from the right side of the frame to the left.

When removed, the Lower Sear Lever (for Series 80 guns), the Sear and the Disconnector can be removed. Turn the pistol upside down and let the parts drop into your palm.

Using one of the prongs of the Sear Spring you can unscrew the Magazine Catch Assembly. To do so, push the Mag Catch Assembly in, as if you were releasing a magazine, while in the same time unscrewing the small screw on the right side of the Magazine Release Assembly. Push the Assembly to the right side of the gun and remove it.

Push the Trigger to the rear and remove it from the rear of the gun.

Slowly pull the Safety Lock Plunger, the Plunger Spring and the Slide Release Plunger off the Plunger tube.

Finally, find a screwdriver, which exactly matches the slots of the stock screws on your gun and unscrew the four stock screws. It is important that the screwdriver is of the proper size, as if it is not, it might slip and you could end up with scratched screws. Sometimes, when you remove the stock screws, a stock screw burshing might get unscrewed, instead of the screw. In that case, get a pair of plyers, hold the bushing with them tight and unscrew the stock screw from the bushing.

That completes the disassembly of the pistol. The ejector and the plunger tube should not be normally removed from the frame. If you do want them removed, use a small punch to push out the corresponding pin, which holds them in place. The pin is located in the slide rails, right under the ejector. Push it out and then lift the ejector. Now the plunger tube can be removed.

If you want to disassemble an M-1911 magazine, press the follower down, with a small stick (I usually use the full-length guide rod) and insert a pin (possibly the hammer strut) thru one of the magazine hole’s, in order to keep the mag spring down. Turn the mag upside down and shake it until the follower falls off. Remove the pin that holds the mag and remove it.

Not difficult, was it?

Reassembling
Reversing the above procedure, you can put the gun together.

Again a special thanks toJohn Caradimas of www.m1911.org for the pictures and information.

credit: https://www.m1911.org/stripin1.htm

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GUN SAFETY FOR GUN OWNERS

Safety is the most important issue regarding gun ownership, possession and use. A gun accident can happen in a fraction of a second, and may result in a tragic injury or death. Safe handling of guns can reduce gun accidents. Safe gun handling can be learned and incorporated into gun handling and shooting procedures. Gun safety rules must always be practiced, there is never an exception.

Adults who own a gun should learn and practice gun safety every time you handle a gun: in your home to store it, clean it, or put it into a case to take to the range, in a vehicle to transport a gun to the range or hunting area, and when shooting at a range or when hunting.

a. Learn gun safety rules

There are many rules for safe gun handling. Two very important gun safety rules are:

(1) Always control the direction of the muzzle and point it in a safe direction.

(2) Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

Always control the direction of the muzzle means that whenever you pick up, put down, shoot, clean, store, transport, or touch a gun in any way, make sure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction. A safe direction is any direction away from people and animals and away from any object you don’t want to shoot. At a range it is down range or towards the berm or backstop. At home it means away from walls, ceilings, or floors that are between you and other people. A safe direction always depends on where you are and where other people are. If you don’t know, or aren’t sure, where other people are, assume people will be in places that people normally are or might be. For example, if there is a building in sight, assume people are in it; if there is a wooded area, assume people are hiking in it. You need to check safe directions before handling a gun. The reason for this rule is, if the gun goes off accidentally it is less likely to hurt anyone if it is pointed in a safe direction.

Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot means just that. Don’t put your finger on the trigger, or even into the trigger guard, as you pick up a gun. Keep your finger out straight along the frame of the gun. When you are on the firing line at a shooting range, in your shooting stance and have the gun up pointed at the target, then you can put your finger on the trigger. If you aren’t ready to shoot a target at a shooting range or ready to shoot while hunting, you have no reason to have your finger on the trigger. The reason for this rule is, if you don’t have your finger on the trigger, the gun is not likely to go off accidentally.

There are many other rules for safe gun handling and they can be found in hunter safety, gun and shooting books and pamphlets. They are all important and should be followed. The range where you practice will also have some of its own safety rules. You must read and observe all of these. Gun safety saves lives and accidental shootings. Gun safety is the responsibility of every person who owns, possesses or uses a gun.

Gun Safety Rules

These are not all the rules that should be followed to be safe with a gun. They are, however, many of the basic rules. Add to this list when you find new rules in other books and material. Keep incorporating into your safe gun handling practice new gun safety rules as you learn them.

Always control the direction of the muzzle, and keep it pointed in a safe direction away from any person, animal, thing or direction you don’t want to shoot.

Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

Treat all gun as though they are loaded.

Keep the gun’s safety on until you are ready to shoot.

Keep guns unloaded when you aren’t using them.

Lock guns and ammunition away from children and careless adults.

Never point a gun at anything that you do not intend to shoot.

Never treat guns as toys.

Don’t use alcohol or drugs (including non-prescription drugs) when you are using a gun.

Never pull a gun toward you by the muzzle.

Range safety rules

Always keep the muzzle pointed down range.

Always wear eye and ear protection.

Obey all posted range rules.

Leave the action open when you put your gun down for any reason.

Don’t handle your gun or any of your equipment when the range is cold or when anyone is downrange changing targets.

If you need to clear a malfunction, turn your body, not your gun, so you can keep the muzzle downrange at all times.

Immediately follow all commands of the range officer.

Avoid talking on the firing line, so everyone can hear the range officer.

Carry guns to and from the range in a carrying case.

Only take ammunition for the gun you are using.

Know how to safely decock your gun.

Practice with an experienced and knowledgeable shooter for safety and coaching.

Never step or reach in front of the firing line to pick up your empty cases if the line is hot (people are still shooting).

Make sure the barrel and action of your gun are clean and free from any obstructions.

b. Read the gun’s manual

New guns come with a manual. Thoroughly read the manual for each gun you own or are going to shoot. They contain safety information about the particular gun you have. There usually is some information about the safety features and mechanisms on the particular gun the manual is describing. Pay particular attention to this because some models have special safety features that you will need to know about. Knowing, and using, the safety features of the gun you have is as important as the general safety rules.

c. Take courses

Take as many shooting courses as you can. Each course you take will reinforce the general safety rules and will give you an opportunity to practice them under supervision. Courses will also let you practice different shooting techniques and styles and let you see how the safety rules are integrated into each. The more you shoot, the safer you should become.

Consider taking a hunter safety class, even if you aren’t a hunter. These classes generally provide good information about gun safety, gun handling, gun laws and how guns work. In addition you will likely learn interesting things about the environment, ecology, wildlife and other topics.

d. Practice

Practice shooting whenever you can. The more you handle your gun, load and unload it, and shoot it, the more comfortable you will be with it and the safer you will become. If you leave your gun in a case from one year to the next, you won’t be familiar with it and its safety devices the next time you take it out of the case. If you feel uncomfortable or unsure about handling the gun, you won’t be as safe with it. If it has been a long time since you handled your gun, take it in its case to a course or gun club and get some more instruction and help with handling it.

e. Join a gun club

Gun clubs generally stress safety. They are a great place for you to practice shooting in a safe place with people who appreciate your gun-safety attitude. Before you join a gun club attend one or more meetings, visit their gun range and notice how they practice and enforce gun safety and talk to members of the club to learn their attitudes about gun safety. If the club practices good gun safety, join it.

Joining a gun club can give you the opportunity to make shooting a hobby, let you meet other people with a common interest and can lead you to opportunities for competition if you like to compete.

f. Teach your family gun safety

Teach gun safety to everyone living in your home. The rules will be different for other adults who may use the gun from time to time and for children, who should never handle a gun without adult training and supervision.

Teach your children gun safety rules and that they should never handle a gun, no matter where or when they see one, but they should always tell a trusted adult about seeing a gun. Talk to your children about the dangers of guns and how they can be safe.
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Gun Safety Rules

Gun safety can prevent gun accidents. Learning and always following gun safety rules will make everyone safer—gun owners, shooters, hunters, collectors, and the adult and child friends, family, and neighbors of gun owners.

These are basis gun safety rules. There are no magic three or ten or any number of gun safety rules. Everything you can do that contributes to gun safety is as important as any other gun safety rule. Practicing gun safety will make it a part of the way you handle a gun every time you handle one.

Teach gun safety rules to children. The first rule for children is NEVER TOUCH A GUN. Teach children to never touch a gun and to tell a trusted adult any and every time they see a gun, or what they think might be a gun. Teaching gun safety to children can involve teaching them how to load, unload, and shoot a gun under the close supervision of a competent adult (of course, with the consent of the child’s parent or guardian)l.

Here are basic Gun Safety Rules:

Always keep the muzzle of a gun pointed in a safe direction.

Don’t touch the trigger until you have the gun pointed at a safe target and you are ready to fire.

Treat every gun as if it is loaded.

Use the safety, but never rely on it.

Never load a gun until you are in a safe place where you can use it.

Unload a gun immediately after you use it.

Only use ammunition which exactly matches the markings on your gun.

Always read a gun’s manual and follow the manual’s instructions exactly.

At a shooting range, always keep a gun pointed downrange.

Always obey a range officer’s commands immediately.

Always wear adequate eye and ear protection when shooting.

Be certain of your target and what is beyond it before you pull the trigger.

If a gun doesn’t shoot when you pull the trigger: keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and take your finger off the trigger; wait thirty seconds in case of a delayed firing; unload the gun carefully, hold up your free arm while facing down range to ask the range officer for help if you need it.

Keep the barrel and action clear of obstructions.

Store guns with the action open.

Store ammunition and guns separately out of reach of children and careless adults.

Never horseplay with a gun or use it as a toy.

Never handle a gun belonging to anyone else or before you have read the gun’s manual.

Practice operating a gun empty before you attempt to load and shoot it.

When you transport a gun in a vehicle, make sure it is unloaded and safely contained in a gun case.

Never lean a firearm where it may slip and fall.

Do not use alcohol or mood-altering drugs, including medication, when you are handling guns.

When loading or unloading a gun, always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

When you are cleaning a gun, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

When unloading semi-automatic guns by removing the magazine a live round, ready to fire, may still be in the chamber. Always rack the slide after removing the magazine and look for an empty chamber.

If you need corrective lenses, always wearing them when handling a gun.

Know the effective range and the maximum range of a firearm and the ammunition you have.

When cleaning a gun, make sure it is unloaded and all ammunition is in a different room or in a closed container away from the cleaning area.

Clean firearms every time they have been used.

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Teaching Young Children Gun Safety

This article sets out one way to teach gun safety rules to children. However, this is not the only way to teach gun safety rules. Every parent and adult knows his or her child’s abilities, propensities, personality, and characteristics that make this or any other learning technique suitable for each child. Each parent and adult who uses this article must interpret and apply the information to suit the training needs of his or her child and assume the responsibility for so doing.

Safety rules for children

Gun safety for young children should include the basic gun safety rules:

If you find a gun don’t touch it.

Go and tell an adult you trust that you found a gun.

These rules, if followed, can keep a child from picking up a gun, get them away from the gun (in case a playmate picks it up), and will alert an adult to the situation.

Rules for teaching children gun safety

Follow basic rules for teaching children gun safety:

NEVER USE REAL GUNS OR AMMUNITION AS TRAINING AIDS.

NEVER KEEP A REAL GUN IN YOUR HOME WHERE A CHILD MAY FIND IT.

DON’T LET THE CHILDREN PLAY WITH TOY GUNS.

DON’T TEACH A CHILD WHO IS NOT YOUR CHILD UNLESS YOU HAVE THE EXPRESS, WRITTEN CONSENT OF THAT CHILD’S PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN.

Teaching gun safety

Role playing can be used to teach gun safety rules to children. Here is one way to do this.

1. Cut out photos of guns from magazines to use as props. If you don’t have gun magazines in your home, ask a friend for an old issue or buy a gun magazine at the news stand. (It’s a small investment to help keep your child safe.) Choose photos of different looking handguns that are approximately the size of real guns. Cut around the outline of the gun removing the background from the photo.

2. Set a time to talk to your child about guns and gun safety. If you are a gun owner: Explain your views on guns (you are a hunter and enjoy a sport that provides food for the family, you have a gun for protection, you have a gun as a tool required for your law enforcement job, you are a gun collector, gun dealer, or gunsmith, or whatever). Also explain that other people have different views about guns and that some people don’t like guns and feel they are bad things.

If you don’t own a gun: Explain why you don’t have a gun in your home (you don’t like guns and think they are dangerous items, you don’t think guns should be in homes with children, or what ever your reason is). Also explain that other people have different views about guns than you have and that they may have guns for some lawful reason (even if you don’t agree with it) and that your child may be in a friend’s home where the parents do own guns.

Explain that guns are not toys and that they can cause very serious injury and can kill people and that children should never touch or play with guns. (Each parent must decide if they want their child to learn how to shoot a BB gun or air gun under appropriate training and supervision, but this is a different topic.) Explain that gun accidents can happen very quickly and easily.

Explain that what they see on television isn’t real and that violence isn’t glamorous or fun.

Ask your child what he or she knows about guns. If your child has questions about guns, that you can’t answer, find a hunter safety class or gun safety class that is appropriate for the age of your child and attend it together, even if you don’t own guns the more you know about them the safer you and your child can be if you encounter a gun at a friend’s home.

3. Explain the gun safety rules to your child. Get your child to repeat the rule back to you. Ask if he or she has any questions about the rule.

Prepare ahead of time how you will address issues such as:

Will your child get into trouble for “snooping” in your home or that of a friend or neighbor? Will this fear prevent your child from reporting finding a gun? Will you punish your child for snooping or reward him or her for reporting finding a gun?

If your child is at a friend’s home and find a gun, should your child tell his or her friend’s parents or come home and tell you?

If your child finds a gun outside, on the street, in a park, or any place at all, should your child tell you, a teacher, a police officer, or someone else? What situations will help your child make the decision who to go to and tell about finding the gun?

If your child is with friends who want to play with a gun, how can your child leave and tell on their friends without being viewed as a tattle-tale or afraid?

If your child can’t find an adult, or an adult they trust, what should she or he do?

4. Set a time to role play. Show your child the photos of the guns you cut from the magazine. Don’t let the child hold the photos, treat the photos like guns, keeping them pointed away from yourself and the child. Explain that you are going to put these “guns” in places that people may keep guns and when the child sees one, he or she must not touch it and immediately come and tell you or another adult in your home.

For young children you can start the practice by putting the “gun” in an obvious place in the room you are in and let them practice seeing it and coming to tell you. Then place it in a different room and let them go and discover it and come and tell you. Make sure the child never touches the gun. You can do this by having him or her say aloud “Don’t touch” when they see the gun. Repeat the role play two or three times a day, a couple days a week, for a month or so. Repeat it every few weeks for a few more months. Then monthly thereafter.

If your child picks up the gun during the game, immediately, calmly say “Stop, gently put the gun on the floor, come here to me.” Then talk about the danger of touching guns and repeat the gun safety rule. Have your child repeat the rule and answer any questions about the rule. Do the role play again.

When you think your child has learned the safety rule, put the gun photo in a place the child will likely come across it at a time when you haven’t set up a role playing session. If your child comes and tells you he or she found a gun, congratulate him or her. If he or she comes to you carrying the gun, you need to start over from the guns-are-dangerous lesson.

Variation

You can use toy guns instead of cut-out magazine photos of guns. If you do this, whenever you handle the gun you must follow basic gun safety rules of:

Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction when you pick up, hold, and set down the gun.

Keep your finger off the trigger.

Treat it like a real gun.

Store it in a safe place when it isn’t being used for learning the gun safety rules.

Never let your child play with the gun as a toy.

Your child will see how you handle the gun. If you are careless and let the muzzle hang down and point at your leg as you walk, put your finger on the trigger, point it at the dog and say “bang,” or some other un-safe behavior, that is what your child will learn.

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Robert Ruark knew what he was talking about when wrote the seminal piece on big-game hunting in Africa, Use Enough Gun. Sure, you can kill tough game with light rounds, but if you want to consistently be successful in difficult situations, you need to use enough gun in order to get the job done.

While late season birdhunting in pheasant country isn’t the same as stalking the plains of Tanzania, it is a demanding business. Roosters are well educated and aren’t going to wait around to see if quartering dogs and approaching humans are out for stroll, they are going to run and break long. These birds are up early and rarely relax on the roost 30 minutes after sunrise unless the weather is foul. And by foul, I mean bone chilling cold with snow piled around them . I know this, but for some reason I thought I would be clever on my January 16th outing and carry a 20 gauge. The allure of carrying a gun that is light, some decent shooting during the season on my part and the fact that we were heading into country where we were more likely to see quail than pheasant convinced me that I could get by without my trusty SKB 12 gauge. That decision might have also been influenced by 2 days of heavy labor digging out a terrace for a new dog kennel . Sore shoulders can certainly sing a siren song.

Whatever my motivations might have been, the decision was made and I headed out early with 2 griffs and a great birdhunting partner. As we approached the area we were going to push first, a covey of quail scurried across the ditch. I patted myself on the back for having the foresight to save my sore arms the trouble of carrying the 12 gauge.

We started in a CRP field bordering a cut corn field. Definitely a promising spot for birds. The dogs went to work, but it was obvious early on that they were on a pheasant. They moved quickly and pushed hard through a patch of sunflower that had to be 10 feet tall. No covey on the planet moves like a rooster looking to see what is happening on the other side of the county. My partner and I kept pace and as we approached the end of the field a big gaudy ditch chicken broke out past the 40 yard mark. It is amazing how such a big bird can blast out of heavy cover and move when he has a reason. Needless to say, this crossing shot was not to be had. By the time I gathered myself for the shot, he was moving at top speed and 50 yards away. Undergunned for that one. With that defeat under our belts, Matt and I headed to the next field.

The next field was considerable larger and we worked the edges where the CRP met the corn. While the dogs covered ground and indicated that birds had been there, nothing was seen. As we came to the end of the field we made the determination that this place was vacated. This was public land and there was every reason to believe that we were too late. Well, you know what they say about assumptions. With no birds and no birdy dogs, I decided to add to the soil’s moisture profile. About the time I was ready to commence relief, my partner’s shotgun barked and a lone quail sailed onto the bordering private ground. Quickly I collected myself and walked over to him. “Did you see any others?” I asked.

“Nope,” he responded. We stood there a few minutes scratching our heads. I call the dogs over but they didn’t really hit on anything. Now the wind was against us and it was a dry morning, so I’ll give them a pass. But as I stepped into the brush and resumed my efforts at irrigation, that lone quail’s covey mates boiled up around me just when I was really getting going. Guess I need to be more careful where I aim that thing.

With the shotgun broken over my shoulder and the fact that I was a bit exposed, my chance at a shot was handicapped to say the least. Missed again and this time my red face had less to do with my shooting than it did with my particular position for the shot. We moved on to the next field. These birds had been traumatized enough.

The following spot we hit was less promising, but there was a brushy creek weaving through corn, so it couldn’t be passed up. As we shuffled along, I noticed a little finger of cover weaving up an old waterway in the middle of the corn. Matt and I changed course and the dogs closed in on it. Immediately Sam locked up on the one spot of brush in this patch. BB came up behind him and locked up as well. Matt and I closed in quickly. As if out of a hunting show, we walked in on the point and a nice covey broke. This time everything worked out and I made a nice shot on a bobwhite. The covey headed for thick cover and we followed. We put up a few more, but they were in thick enough stuff that neither of us a shot.

My lone quail, with Sam and BB

The day progressed and after a late lunch, we hit one last field where we had a score to settle with a particularly wily rooster. This 80 acre piece was all CRP, with brush along the borders. We worked the entire piece and had some nice dog work on a hen. As we approached the last clump of plum brush, the dogs put up another hen. After Matt and I watched her sail away, we took about 4 more steps….now you know what happened next. Our wily adversary broke cover at 50 yards flying faster than any bird should naturally move. Undergunned again. I might have had a chance with a fast moving 1 ¼ ounce load of 4’s out of an improved modified choke, but my fateful decision at the beginning of this trip sealed my fate.

What did I learn from this trip? Always trust the advice Robert Ruark when it comes to hunting tough game and don’t take a leak in the spot where a lone quail flushes.

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hunting – quail – dove 1.23

P-Arrow Plantation has been extensively managed for game and fish for 30 years. Its owners offer hunting and fishing for individuals or for corporate retreats. The P-Arrow is located in Livingston, Alabama, east of I-59 and I-20 halfway between Birmingham, Alabama and Jackson, Mississippi.

Located on the P-Arrow is over 100 acres of lakes for largemouth bass, crappie, and bream fishing. The P-Arrow is a prime location for exciting whitetail deer hunting from shooting houses overlooking green fields or tree stands.

Hunters can ride on a Belgian Mule drawn wagon carrying English Pointers and English Setters, or ride Tennessee Walking Horses to experience covey rises of fast flying bobwhites from sedge grass covered pine hills or stream side fields of partridge peas, Egyptian wheat, and corn. We have opening day dove hunts. Private dove hunts and turkey hunts are also available.

For those who simply want an outdoor experience in the old South, nature trails and historic tours are available.

Quail Hunts
There are three types of Quail Hunts which are available. They are:

The most authentic southern style quail hunt is by Belgian Mule drawn wagon. Dixon and Luke are our 1600 pound mules that pull the dog wagon. A hunt master and Hunt scout on a horse will direct each hunt. Lunch will be provided in the field by a cook.
The other type of quail hunt we provide is a full or half day hunt using the John Deere Gator with a customized box to carry the dogs and seats on top to carry the hunters. A scout on a horse will direct the hunt along with a hunt Master.
We also provide customized quail hunts to fit your desired experience.

All of the birds are either native or early released birds. There is NO LIMIT!!!

Dove Hunts
Opening Day Hunts are available. Hunters are served an excellent BBQ Lunch!!

Turkey Hunts
You will enjoy our Spring Hunts over chufa fields and wild game sorghum. We provide our turkey hunters with a personal guide.

Deer Hunts
Guided whitetail deer hunts are available. You may hunt the wary Whitetail Buck on green fields from comfortable shooting houses or tree stands. Bow hunting is encouraged!! We also offer customized hunts.

Accommodations
3 bed rooms /3 baths (1) king (1) queen (1) twin and a loft with a king and a full bed and a full bathroom. Every bedroom comes with its own private bathroom.

Fishing
P Arrow consists of eight lakes that comprise 110 acres stocked heavily with Northern, Florida and Hybrid large mouth bass. Additionally, different lakes have coppernose, bluegills, shellcrackers, and crappie. The largest lake on P-Arrow is horseshoe lake, which contains about 33 acres of water and has quite a bit of grass in it. For the angler who enjoys fishing rubber rats, rubber frogs, swimming worms and grass type baits, this lake can be very exciting. Another honey hole at P-Arrow, the brewer pond, is more than 65 years old and contains a native strain of large mouth bass. It is also home to shellcrackers blue gills. If a fly-fisherman likes to catch bass and bream this is the place for him to do that. Pruitt built coyote lake with the structure fisherman in mind. After seeing Ray Scott’s video on how to build a pond to produce big bass he adopted many of the ideas for Scott’s tape.

Available are guided largemouth bass and bream fishing trips in over 110 acres of lakes. Bass as large as 14 pounds have been caught. And, catches of as many as 50-75 fish a day are the norm for the P Arrow fishing experience.

A guide will accompany the fishing party. We will provide you with a boat and a guide for the length of your trip. Fishing for Bass are catch and release.

Testimonials
Clayton Batts – Fishing with the New Bio-Bait!

P-ARROW Plantation is truly a heaven on earth. The staff is some of the best people you will ever meet and the food is worth coming in early for. It is truly an outdoorsman’s paradise whether you come to fish or hunt; I promise that you will leave with a smile on your face. The cover is abundant from fishing trees in open water, to simply beating the banks you are guaranteed to catch fish. The fish are strong and healthy and willing to bite anything in your box. The question is not when am I going to get a bite, but how big is the fish going to be. Thanks for a great trip and hope to see yall very soon.
Thanks,

Clayton Batts
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Nothing says Memorial Day Weekend like a family picnic. And this past May 26th, the TexasHuntFish.com Team (Debra, Diana, and Chris) was invited to attend a “family picnic” of sorts for the Texas Big Game Awards Edwards Plateau Region. As we arrived in Burnet, Texas and entered the Galloway Hammond Center you couldn’t help but feel right at home. We were greeted with rows of tables lined with red and white checkered tablecloths, BBQ Brisket and sausage, cobbler, and good old-fashioned iced tea. Kids of all ages were running around having a great time. Sounds like a picnic to me.

As we made our way around the room, we met Lee Loeffler with Texas Land Bank and asked if he could use some TexasHuntFish stickers for his table. He obliged and asked us if Allen Shannon put us up to this. Turns out that Lee and Allen are friends and he just spent the weekend with him on one of their famous family camp outs. Click Here to read Kamping For Kids II by Allen Shannon.

Next we found the hosts of the evening, David Brimager, Assistant Vice President of the Texas Wildlife Association and Dr. Dan McBride, President of the Texas Taxidermy Association and big supporter of TWA. These guys are tireless supporters of TWA, TBGA, the TPWD and the Texas Youth Hunting Program, and not to mention two of the nicest guys on the planet. The room was buzzing with excitement as the awards ceremony neared and the room was filled with the smoky smell of country BBQ.

As the food was being set up, we were fortunate enough to talk with two custom knife makers, Charles Miller and Mike Morgan, about their passion for knife making. They both work out of the Burnet, Texas area using the best materials available. Knife making is a true art that takes time to master. While Mike’s craftsmanship is of a high quality, he still considers himself an apprentice and explained that it takes years to master the craft. Charles Miller is highly knowledgeable and had some very interesting things to say about his journey into knife making.

Find out more about Charles Miller Custom Knives and Mike Morgan Custom Knives.

Coming Soon Diana’s interview with Charles Miller

The cowbell sounded and dinner was on! We enjoyed fine country BBQ and I have to admit that this was one of the best “banquet” meals I’ve had in a long time. What a relaxing build-up to the night’s big event. After dinner, we settled in to watch the awards being handed out to young and old.

The backdrop for the awards ceremony was a very impressive wall of mounted trophies, including the 202 2/8 (net score) first harvest for 10 year old girl, yes 10, Mariah Gary shot on the Six Gun Ranch. Her father told TexasHuntFish.com that Mariah had been asleep in the stand and he had to wake her up to take the shot, to which she replied, “Is it the big one?”

Both her parents and younger sister were very proud of her and some of the older men were asking if they could switch their smaller bucks out for hers. Many of them also said that they’ve never harvested a buck that big and have been hunting for 20 plus years. Mariah just smiled and looked at her dad. She was one of many winners that night.

Cami Carrosco won the first harvest essay contest, which Dr. McBride pointed out that there is not an age limit on the contest. Whether you are 10 or 100, you can win. Cami’s buck scored 133 2/8 (net score) and was shot on the Nelms Ranch.

She said it was an unforgettable experience and one that she will always treasure. Whether it’s hunting with your dad or an official Huntmaster, passing on the hunting heritage for present and future generations is essential to the goals of the Youth Hunting Program put together by the Texas Wildlife Association and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

The awards ceremony also honored many Texas Landowners for their pursuit in passing on the hunting heritage. Among them were the Six Gun Ranch, Nelms Ranch, Apache Springs Ranch, Kerr WMA, West Kerr Ranch, and many others. They were honored for participating in land and wildlife management, conservation efforts, as well as for supporting the Youth Hunting Program. A couple of landowners brought a very large display of native Texas plants with information cards showing their effects on different animal species like Quail, Deer, and Turkey. I asked them how long it took to gather up all these plants and they very proudly stated it took them all of 20 minutes or so. Check out the pictures.

We had a great time and hope that next year’s banquet will be filled with more TexasHuntFish.com members and their families. Our thanks go to David Brimager, Dr. Dan McBride, and everyone at the TBGA, TWA and TPWD for allowing us to support your conservation and education efforts. See you next year.

Hunt Hard. Fish Smart. Explore Texas.

~Debra Heater

Find out more about these organizations by visiting their websites:

Texas Wildlife Association

Texas Big Game Awards

Texas Youth Hunting Program
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4,100 acre year round lease in Zavala County approximately 7 miles south of LaPryor and 8 miles north of Crystal City. Classic South Texas mesquite brush country, lots of drainage, rolling terrain. There are lots of good roads cut throughout the property which provide better access to the brush and an increased amount of terrain for “joy riding”. The property has about 3.5 miles of Nueces River frontage. There is a dam about 4 miles downstream that creates a small lake (reservoir). We are on the top end of this reservoir and it makes our entire river frontage approximately 60 yards wide and 20 feet deep (even in drought conditions). The water is a clear/blue/green color, not muddy like most rivers that you find in South Texas. It is perfect for taking the kids swimming in the summer, launching a small boat/canoe/kayak, or tying out limb lines if you like big catfish. The river bottom supports an entirely different ecosystem than the brush and has huge live oak trees, some of which are over 5’ in diameter at the trunk.

There are 4 tanks and the fishing is great. Several black bass approaching 8 lbs have been caught, 4 kids with night crawlers and bobbers will land about a dozen 2 lb. channel cats in about 45 minutes.

There is a 160 acre field by the river that can be irrigated (irrigation is unusual in South Texas). We currently have 40 acres of oats planted in the river field and another 25 acre plot in the center of the ranch.

I have hunted this ranch for the last 4 seasons. I am now looking for 3 seasoned hunters to enjoy and steward this ranch with me. The owners and their family could not be nicer people and their desire is to establish long term relationships with quality hunters who are respectful to them and to their property. Any hunters who can fit that mold will have the opportunity to hunt on their ranch for a long, long time. The opportunity for longevity is invaluable to anyone who is looking for a new lease.

The base lease cost is $7,950 per gun. There are additional camp expenses that are split by the group (electric bill, insurance, all feeder corn, protein, biologist fees, maintenance, etc.). If you sign up for this lease, you will be required to pay $2,500 to our camp account for your portion of the expenses for the year. This amount should cover all of your camp expenses for the rest of the lease term which runs through February of 2010. If there are any surplus funds in the camp expense account at the end of the year then those funds are redistributed to the group. I take care of keeping all feeders full and batteries charged. You will be required to contribute 2 corn feeders and 2 protein feeders (protein feeders must be at least 700 lb. capacity). You may be required to contribute a blind at some point, but that isn’t required or needed at this time. All corn/protein feed pens are built and in place (17 total). All hunting locations are established. All members have equal access to all hunting locations. There are currently 18 hunting locations set up (1 without a pen for corn only). You only need to bring the feed equipment to the ranch and I will get it set for you. If you are buying new equipment I may be able to pick it up for you and deliver it to the ranch.

We operate under a MLDP Level 3 permit. This extends “rifle season” for bucks and does from Oct. 1st – Feb. 28th, doe harvest may be limited after the rut. The MLD also allows/requires hunters to use tags provided by the TPWD. Under MLDP Level 3, any one individual may harvest many more than 5 deer per season which is the traditional individual tag limit.

We are a management minded group and it is expected that any trophies taken are Post Mature (6.5 years old and older). We have harvest guidelines for management deer that will be provided to those that are interested in this lease.

Over the last 4 seasons we have harvested 79 Does, 88 Cull Bucks, & 2 Trophy Bucks. One of the Trophy Bucks taken scored 171 B&C and was a natural 13 point with a broken drop. In a typical season we see around 3 – 4 deer that score near or above 160 B&C. Most of those deer were aged on the hoof as being “4.5 – 5.5” and not post mature so they were not taken. We have shot several large 8pt. culls that were in the mid 130 – mid 140 B&C range. Antler growth was down this year like it was all over South Texas and we only identified 2 bucks over 160 this past season. The doe to buck ratio has consistently been 1.5 Does: 1 Buck. The herd density is somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 deer per 18 acres.

This is a low fence ranch. The west boundary is HWY 83 and across the highway is the La Chaparosa which is a top end ranch. There is a high fence on the La Chaparosa about 600 yards in from the highway and runs parallel to our fence line. The north neighbor is a 5,000 acre pasture out of the Mac Pryor Ranch. This north neighbor is leased by a 12 gun group of 6 bow hunters and 6 rifle hunters. The north neighbor has been managed for 15 years, they shot 3-4 deer over 160 B&C this last season and the largest of those was mid-170 B&C (in a drought year). The ranch which is on the west end of our south fence line is rarely hunted and this property is wild and raw. The neighbor on the east end of the south fence line leases to hunters that corn our fence line and have corn feeders close to our fence line, we consider this neighbor a bad neighbor concerning management. The east boarder is the river which is deep & wide and is probably as good as a high fence. Overall, out of the 14 miles of fence line that boarders and surrounds the ranch, I would say that about 80% of it is occupied with “good” neighbors for a low fence situation.

This will be our 5th year feeding protein and we have 17 protein feeding locations (one per 241 acres). We have completed 4 years of herd management. When we took the lease in 2006, the ranch had been basically not hunted for decades (probably not since the 1970’s). The only hunting pressure prior to our 2006 lease came from an outfitter who purchased 6 bucks per season during the 2003 & 2004 seasons. As far as trophy management goes, in 2006 we were starting from scratch. The ranch is still a work in progress concerning herd development. The rancher to our north told me that it took them 8 years to develop their herd to the level that it is today (3-4 160 class deer taken per year). Point is, don’t consider this lease if you expect to shoot a 160 class post mature buck in your first season, while that is certainly possible, I believe that we are about 3 years away from having a top end herd where 3-4 160 class bucks (or better) are taken each year. In the last 4 years I (personally) could have killed 2 bucks at or above 160 B&C on this ranch. Neither buck was clearly post mature, and they both walked.

We have an open guest policy on this ranch and lease members do not need to sit in the blind with their guests, but lease members are responsible for their guest’s actions and for any game that is harvested by their guest. A lease member may bring more than one guest, but we are limited to 12 hunters on the ranch at one time so we just have to coordinate with each other when we are bringing people down. Kids are welcomed and encouraged. The owner likes to saddle up horses for the kids a few times each year. We have the opportunity to arrange access to horses and riding equipment by contributing something to the owners feed costs. Keeping your own horse on the property could possibly be arranged (for a fee).

Our camp consists of a well/water system, septic, a 16,000 s.f. crushed limestone pad/parking area, covered deck, cleaning area, and 2 Conex storage boxes (one for feed and one for storage). New hunters will need to bring down their own mobile home or R.V. There are spots set up on the crushed limestone pad for trailers to be parked. They have septic lines, electric, and water hook ups in place for easy set up.

The owner also has a relatively new three bedroom mobile home that sits behind their homestead (this is about 1.5 miles from our camp). We can use this trailer whenever it is needed for spill over, or if you were down there with your wife or a guest and you didn’t want to stay in an R.V. This trailer has a big screen TV with a dish so we typically watch the football games over there. The owner’s mobile home is only for spill over and is not to be used as any hunter’s primary lodging when on the property.

There are lots of turkeys. Quail have been good in wet years but not in dry years. Dove hunting on the tanks is always steady, there are some fields that have re-grown old plantings and have been full of dove. There are lots of ducks & sand hill crane. Plenty of pigs, coyote, etc. We can’t shoot bobcats.

There are a total of 8 guns on the ranch. I am one of the guns.

Thank you for your time and interest. If you are an experienced management minded hunter and easy to get along with then you will be welcomed. Anyone who is laid back will enjoy our group and this ranch.
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News Release
General Media Contact: Business Hours, 512-389-4406

Sept. 22, 2010

Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.

North Zone Dove: Best hunts have been in milo, corn and sunflowers around Abilene, Lubbock and Amarillo. The absence of cool fronts have not encouraged new migrants to find Texas, though a brighter moon might prompt new birds to head south this week. Red River hunters have enjoyed afternoon shoots over soybeans, roosting trees and ponds. Hunter participation has waned since the opener. Prospects are fair to good.

Central Zone Dove: Wet conditions have hampered the flight near San Antonio. Brownwood and Stephenville hunters have seen fair afternoon shoots around grain fields. Harrison and Panola county hunters have found best shoots around goatweed and plowed ground. Sealy and Columbus hunters saw more birds this week since nearby South Zone fields were hunted. Hunts near Hankamer, Winnie and Anahuac were fair. Prospects are fair to good.

South Zone Dove: Good shoots were posted in sunflowers, plowed ground and corn around El Campo and Danevang, despite heavy rains throughout opening weekend. Rain slowed hunts around Port Lavaca. Bay City hunters were inundated with rain, which limited the flight. Rain bands coming off the Gulf of Mexico drenched Rio Grande Valley hunters. Prospects are good when the region begins to dry.

Teal Season: It has been an average teal season along the coast with plenty of rain and little cool weather. Hunting slowed as a whole on the prairies and marshes since no cool fronts have prompted new ducks to migrate. Many hunters did report better flights early this week, probably due to the upcoming full moon. Unofficial harvest reports indicate more hens have arrived, giving rise to the notion the first wave of birds (mostly adult drakes) have moved south. Typically, the majority of adult drakes migrate first, then hens that did not raise a brood, then hens with their first-year. Most bluewings are in drab plumage, but hens and drakes can be distinguished by their chevrons (wingpatches). Males will have a solid white chevron while females will have broken blotches of brown that breaks up the white on the wing. Teal season ends at sunset Sept. 26. The regular duck season open Oct. 30 in both the North and South zones. Prospects are fair to good.

2010-09-22

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Wildlife biologists at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are cautiously optimistic about quail prospects this season, which gets under way Saturday, Oct. 30 statewide.

This past winter a two-year drought in the major quail hunting areas of the state was finally broken. Range conditions and more importantly, according to TPWD, nesting and brood rearing habitat greatly improved, setting the stage for a marked increase in production. Unfortunately, after two years of unfavorable weather, the number of quail available to breed had become quite low. In general, quail rebound fastest from the remaining pockets of survivors from last season.

“Low carryover is the biggest obstacle to recovering quail populations,” said Robert Perez, TPWD upland game bird program leader. “Quail species are hardwired to take advantage of good reproductive environmental conditions. It’s part of their survival strategy. So many are consumed each year, the species relies on a high reproductive output in order to persist on the landscape. We expect a greatly improved season over last year but a hen can only do so much in one year. Given another wet winter and spring we could expect a much stronger rebound next season.”

Perez indicated those ranches that managed habitat for quail during the extended dry spell will likely see more birds this season, which runs Oct. 30-Feb. 27.

The daily bag limit for quail is 15, with 45 in possession. Legal shooting hours for all non-migratory game birds are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The bag limit is the maximum number that may be killed during the legal shooting hours in one day.

Since 1978, TPWD has conducted annual statewide quail surveys to track population trends. This index uses randomly selected, 20-mile roadside survey lines to determine annual quail population trends by ecological region. This trend information helps determine relative quail populations among the regions of Texas. Comparisons can be made between the average number of quail observed per route this year and the long term average for quail seen within an ecological region. The quail survey was not designed to predict relative abundance for any area smaller than the ecological region.

Following are summary prospects for each region this season:

Rolling Plains
This region received timely winter, spring and summer rainfall resulting in excellent breeding conditions for bobwhite quail. The summer rains extended the window of opportunity for nesting. If a hen failed in her first attempt, there was ample time for a second attempt. The limiting factor was the number of birds available to breed. Field reports indicate that quail have made a strong comeback in areas that held birds last year. Other areas have improved as well but to a lesser extent. It’s a good idea to scout ahead to be sure the areas you plan to hunt are holding birds.

The average number of bobwhites observed per route was 8.0 compared to 6.6 last year. This is well below the Long Term Mean of 21.5. Despite low counts, enough young birds and coveys have been anecdotally reported that we suspect hunters will be able to find birds. Public hunting opportunities can be found at the Matador and the Gene Howe Wildlife Management Areas.

South Texas Plains
Although considered one of the last strongholds for quail, South Texas is not immune to drought impacts on quail populations. The 2009 season was no exception and quail numbers were down. Consequently, it will effect the 2010 season.

There should be greater nesting success and production of bobwhite quail this year on those properties that have an adequate number of carryover birds from last year. On many properties that did not implement the proper management techniques or limit grazing pressure, there will be fewer birds available for production. In these areas it could possibly take a few above average years to regain those populations to normal levels.

This region also experienced a wet winter, spring and summer. South Texas also had very few days 100 degrees or greater. Cool-wet summers are ideal for quail reproduction but similar to the Rolling Plains, carryover was a limiting factor. Overall, our surveys indicate an increase in population compared to last year but still below average across the region. The best opportunities will be on well managed sites that held over birds from last year.

The average number of bobwhites observed per route was 8.61 compared to 5.2 last year. This is well below the Long Term Mean of 18.6 and is predictive of a below average hunting season. The Chaparral and the Daughtrey Wildlife Management Areas provide public quail hunting opportunities.

Trans-Pecos
Portions of the Trans-Pecos ecological region received timely rainfall while other areas either missed the rains completely or received it at times less beneficial to scaled quail. As a result, reproduction varied across the region. Field reports indicate that birds can be found in areas with good range condition. Reports from the western edge of the Edwards Plateau (the Stockton Plateau) indicate an improvement over last year but still below average.

The average number of scaled quail observed per route was 7.2 compared to 16.9 last year. This is below the Long Term Mean of 17.5. Public hunter opportunities can be found at Elephant Mountain and Black Gap Wildlife Management Areas.

Other Areas
TPWD surveys indicate that bobwhite numbers in Gulf Prairies are similar to last season. Hunters should focus on the central and lower coast in native prairie habitats. The Cross Timbers and Edwards Plateau continue to report numbers well below their respective Long Term Means. Although there are certainly areas within each region where some quail hunting opportunity remains, this survey is not designed to detect changes in localized populations, especially in fragmented landscapes.

CLICK HERE for article on Texas Parks and Wildlife
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Common Gray Fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus (Schreber), a medium-sized fox with grayish upperparts, reddish brown legs, tawny sides, and whitish throat, cheeks and mid-line of belly; sides of muzzle and lower jaw with distinct blackish patch; tail with distinct blackish stripe on upperside and black tip (no white on end of tail as in the red fox; tail roughly triangular, not round, in cross section; skull with distinct lyrate temporal ridges, which meet only at hind part of skull. Dental formula as in the red fox. External measurements average: total length, 970 mm; tail, 347 mm; hind foot, 143 mm. Weight, ordinarily 3-5 kg, occasionally as much as 9 kg.

Distribution in Texas
Statewide.

Habits
The gray fox is essentially an inhabitant of wooded areas, particularly mixed hardwood forests. It is common throughout the wooded sections east of the shortgrass plains and in the pinyon-juniper community above the low lying deserts.

This fox is adept at climbing trees, particularly if they are leaning or have branches within 3 m of the ground, and it is not unusual for it to use this escape device when pursued by hounds. Contrary to common belief, gray foxes are not strictly animals of the night, but they are much more active then. They have been observed on many occasions in the daytime under conditions that suggested they were foraging. When so encountered, they often move to one side behind a protecting screen of vegetation and wait for the intruder to pass.

Gray foxes usually den in crevices in the rocks, in underground burrows, under rocks, in hollow logs, or in hollow trees. In eastern Texas, one was found denning about 10 m above the ground in a large hollow oak. In central Texas, a den was found in a hollow live oak with the entrance about 1 m above the ground. Two unusual den sites which have been documented include a pile of wood and a field of sorghum into which a fox had “tunneled.”

The gray fox is omnivorous; the food varies with season and availability. Based upon the stomach contents of 42 foxes from Texas, the winter food consisted chiefly of small mammals (cottontails, cotton rats, pocket gophers, pocket mice), 56%; followed by insects, largely grasshoppers, 23%; and birds (doves, quail, sparrows, blackbirds, towhees), 21%. In the spring the diet was but slightly changed — small mammals, 68%; insects, 25%; small birds, 17%. In late summer and fall, persimmons and acorns led with 30%; insects, 26%; small mammals, 16%; birds, 14%; crayfish, 14%. In these 42 stomachs, chicken and quail occurred once each, and mourning doves twice. Consequently, as judged from these analyses, the usual food habits of the gray fox do not conflict much with man’s economy.

In Texas, the breeding season begins in December and continues on into March. Most females captured in March and April are gravid. The three to six pups are born in April or May after a gestation period of about 53 days. At first they are blind and helpless, but they grow rapidly and soon leave the home nest, possibly because of the heavy infestation of fleas characteristic of such nests. Then they seek shelter in rock piles, under rocks, in piles of brush, or in other sites that offer concealment and protection.

Of some interest is the possible relationship between gray foxes and coyotes. In sections of Texas where coyotes formerly were numerous, the gray fox was scarce; now, after elimination of the coyote, the gray fox has become abundant. Perhaps the coyote tends to hold this fox in check under conditions where they both occupy the same area.

Gray foxes are thought to live six to 10 years in the wild. Major factors causing mortality include predation, parasites, diseases, and man. The gray fox is among the most important of Texas’ fur-bearing animals.
credit to :http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/uroccine.htm

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When to keep and when to kill the prickly pear

Like most things in life, the prickly pear cactus has it pros and its cons. For anyone who has ever had a brush with prickly pear glochids, those tiny, barbed spines that can inflict a world of hurt, it might be difficult to envision particular positives at that moment. But fans of the slightly tart, almost citrus flavor of nopalitos, made from the tender young pads of the cactus, are happy to extol the prickly pear’s culinary virtues. The brilliant magenta fruit of the prickly pear – the tuna – can also be eaten raw (once denuded of its spines and peeled) or used to make sweet jellies or syrups. In his accounts of experiences in the area now known as Texas, Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca noted the prickly pear as a staple of the native peoples’ diet. During times of drought, the prickly pear has long served as an emergency source of food for livestock. Ranchers have often initiated controlled burns or used “pear burners” to rid the cactus of its painful spines, making it easier for cattle to eat.
But while a plate of fajitas con nopalitos washed down with a prickly pear margarita is all fine and tasty, what about prickly pear and wildlife?
In moderation, prickly pear is an excellent plant for whitetail deer, javelina, and other wildlife. As a bonus non-nutritional benefit, bobwhite quail and small mammals utilize the cactus for screening and protective cover. It can also serve as a protective “nurse plant” for more desirable woody and herbaceous plants. Like many other native plants, it has its wildlife-beneficial features, as long as it is limited on a property. It also occupies an aesthetic place on the Texas landscape, particularly during the spring when its delicate pink buds blossom to showy yellow flowers. However, when landowners have too much of a good thing and prickly pear density and abundance suppress native grass, forb, and shrub diversity, then it needs to be controlled. In addition to crowding out other native plants, over-abundant prickly pear can also limit some wildlife management practices such as mowing and discing due to concerns about spreading the prickly pear.
Unlike other cacti which tend to grow slowly, the fast growing prickly pear can spread at a sometimes alarming rate. This tends to happen in pastures that have been subjected to long-term overgrazing. Once prickly pear gets established in dense stands, the only way to reduce its dominance is to kill it. Options for doing so include digging out the plants (roots included) by hand or with equipment, which is labor intensive, and the plants must be gathered to prevent creating new plants from loose pads. Prescribed fire followed by immediate grazing can reduce its dominance and has other benefits, but the most practical, long-term solution for problem prickly pear is to have it professionally treated with a herbicide.
It takes a strong herbicide to take down prickly pear and, if not carefully applied, it can kill other desirable plants. Herbicides that control prickly pear are almost all controlled use herbicides, which means you must have a license to buy and use them.
Because many landowners do not have a controlled use license for prickly pear herbicide, or the experience to assess the value of leaving some prickly pear for wildlife, Plateau offers prickly pear removal as one of its many Wildlife Management services. Plateau takes the time to thoroughly treat each plant individually to get the best possible kill without wasting expensive herbicide, and to make sure that only the target plants are treated.
The best time to treat prickly pear is when the invasion is still limited to small, but abundant, plants. Select plants should be retained for the positive benefits they provide, including cover and food. While prickly pear control can be done year round, the best seasons to do so, if a herbicide is used, are spring to early summer, and then in the fall, as post-treatment rainfall is important to move the herbicide into the soil. But, as we all know, Mother Nature doesn’t always follow the calendar, so ideal windows can shift from year to year. Summer applications can also be very effective if soil moisture levels are adequate and rainfall is expected.
Because successful herbicide application takes planning, landowners in need of prickly pear control – or those in need of an assessment of their prickly pear situation – should contact professionals like Plateau prior to the ideal treatment seasons so a treatment plan is at the ready when the time is right.

Early summer is also the only good time to do foliar herbicide applications for mesquite. Half-cutting mesquite is best done during the spring/early summer period as well.

credit to: Article From Plateau Land and Wildlife Management
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A step by step guide to get you in the field!

Dove Hunting in Coppell Texas is a great sport for all ages. Whether you are 12 or 50, it can be rewarding. I started at age 17 and haven’t missed an opening day since. As the summer begins, my heart and mind always go to September 1st (opening day North and Central Zones in Texas) although it is likely very different in your area. With all that said, if you would like to try it out I have some practical things for you to do to make getting started easy.

Getting started falls into two basic categories:

What to purchase?
What to do?

What to Purchase

I know, you are thinking this is going to be expensive. It can be (if you have the money), if not, you can start out on a shoestring budget, like me. There are many items that make dove hunting more comfortable but they are not necessary to start dove hunting. I’ll begin with the bare necessities.

A Shotgun
I don’t think there is any way around this one, unless you are real good with a sling shot. There are many options when it come to a shotgun. The basic categories are; pump action, auto-matic, and over and under. All three have there advantages and disadvantages. The other things involved in purchasing a shotgun are , what gauge and what brand.

A pump action shot gun is the least expensive type of shotgun. Pumps can be purchased for around $300. Winchester and Remington have decent entry level pump shotguns. A pump simply means that the discharging and reloading of shells is done by pumping the gun backwards and then forward. Contrary to popular belief, this can be done very quickly and all have shot a lot of birds with a pump. A pump’s advantages are it is a great starter gun and the cost will keep some money in the bank if you are on a budget.

An automatic shotgun is an upgrade from a pump. An automatic shotgun ejects the spent shell and reloads the chamber automatically (hints why it’s called an automatic). Both the pump and automatic hold three shells(with the plug in). For a beginner and even for me (as I shoot an automatic), the third shot can be a life saver. Automatic shotguns can be pricey though.

Gauges: When buying a shotgun, size does matter. The smaller the number the larger the shell.

Mourning Dove

The bottom line is you have to have a gun, so decide on your budget and make a purchase that will last a life time. Let’s keep a running total….

1-pump-action gun = $300

2. A place to Dove hunt near CoppellTexas

I’d say this is a necessity. Here again, this depends on your bank account. There are several ways to hunt without paying ant outrageous amount of money. In Texas, they have public land and for around $50 one can access thousands of acres. The trick is finding a spot with birds. There are also day hunts for around $100 per day, and even some leases for around $150 per season (usually these suck). If you’ve got the money, look for some established leases in the newspapers. They can range anywhere from $300 to $1000 per gun. Again, a gun is no good if you don’t have a place to shoot it (preferably with birds on it or flying by).

1-pump shotgun @ $300, 1- public land permit @ $50

3. Hunting license

I don’t think this needs too much elaboration. Depending on your Texas, should be around $10-50. You also may need additional “stamps” on your state license.

1-pump shotgun @ $300, 1- public land permit @ $50, 1- hunting license @ $40,

4.Accessories:

You can really go crazy here if you want, but there are a few ‘must haves’.

Shells. I could write a novel on this, but to start just buy some 8 shot dove load. Buy a case (10 boxes), should be around $60.
Bird/bullet bag.Probably a three pouch camo, $15.
Chair. Get a comfortable one. They are cheap $30 max.
Camo clothing. Depending on your climate, you’ll need pants and a shirt. The more pockets the better. You might want to buy some boots too. We’ll say $100.
Other accessories you might want to get could be a water bottle (camo, of course), flashlight, hunting vest, a new cooler (to put all your birds you kill in), camo hat, and polarized sunglasses. For now i won’t figure these into cost.
1-pump shotgun @ $300, 1- public land permit @ $50, 1- hunting license @ $40, 1-set of accessories @ $205.

That’s it! The grand total to get you into business is around $600. It sounds like a lot, but if you don’t wait until the last minute you can budget it in over time.

In the next article, I’ll cover what to do to get started dove hunting in CoppellTexas.

Dove hunting is a popular form of sport that is embraced by many people in CoppellTexas. When hunting for dove, there are numerous factors that can go into making every hunting excursion successful. Some helpful dove hunting tips would include such topics as the hunter’s armament, concealment, decoys, and a good working knowledge of a dove’s normal activity.

Armament is the easiest external factor to control while hunting for this fowl. Try to keep in mind that doves are small birds and smaller caliber ammunition will be required. The best guns to use are either repeating, pump action, or double barreled shotguns in 12, 16, or 20 gauge varieties.

Concealment and decoys are both good ways to attract and shield oneself from being spotted by potential prey. A decoy works by portraying the look of doves and attracting them into a predetermined kill zone. Doves, like many birds, are pack animals and are attracted to other doves. However, when attracting doves, one must be well camouflaged because doves have very good eyesight.

Finally, the knowledge of dove behavior and the seasons for hunting them are critical to being a good hunter. Doves are seed eating animals, so a dove hunter should place himself and his decoys in wherever there is a healthy supply of seeds. They are also easier to spot in the morning to the mid-afternoon.

Dove hunting is a popular sport because they are a plentiful animal that can be found in many locations in the United States. When going on a dove hunt, a person must use smaller caliber ammunition out of a shotgun and remain well hidden. Place decoys in heavily seeded areas and wait for them to come to you. One things is for sure, dove hunters will find that after years of hunting these fast moving birds, they will end up being a crack shot.
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Have a questions about hunting in Argentina?
Los Gauchos Outfitters is based in the US and we are here to answer your questions. We have all traveled the route and know the country and the hunting – so ask! Please contact us with any other questions and have a good time bird hunting in Argentina.

How do I get to the Santa Fe Lodge in Argentina ?

Clients from the USA will fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE airport code) and then transfer to the domestic airport for a flight to Santa Fe, Argentina. Please keep in mind the costs associated with transportation from Buenos Aires interntational airport to the domestic airport. We have a great guide who can meet you – contact us for more information and fees associated with our travel service within Buenos Aires, Argentina.

What Argentina hunting is available at the Santa Fe Lodge ?

Bird hunting at the Los Gauchos Santa Fe Lodge will give you the best of bird hunting in Argentina.

Morning Duck Hunts
Afternoon Argentina Dove Hunting
Afternoon Perdiz Hunting
Do we need waders for the duck hunting in Argentina ?

Pack Your Duck Hunting Waders
Yes. Please pack some light weight waders for the morning duck hunts at the Santa Fe Lodge.

What do I need to travel to Argentina (visa or passport) ?

Currently USA citizens only need a valid current passport to enter Argentina. Please note your passport must NOT expire within 6 months of entry or exit from Argentina.

There is a new fee for North Americans entering Buenos Aires. The current rate is about $142 and is paid when you arrive at the airport.

How do I get to the Santa Fe Lodge ?

When you land at the Santa Fe Lodge, our head guide will be there to meet you and transfer you and your group to the Santa Fe Lodge. The drive time is about 1 hour 30 minutes from the Santa Fe Lodge.

What is the Santa Fe Lodge like ?

The Santa Fe lodge is able to accommodate up to 8 hunters. Rooms are designed for double occupancy. Please inquire if you would like a single room. Depending on availability we can accommodate you (there is a fee to reserve a single room at the Santa Fe Lodge).

What are the limits for the Bird Hunting at Santa Fe in Argentina ?

The limit for the morning duck hunt is 25 ducks per day per hunter. There is NO limit for dove hunting in Argentina. The limit for Perdiz is 10 Perdiz per hunter.

What does the daily rate include at the Santa Fe Lodge ?

The Argentina BIrd Hunting Trip at the Santa Fe Lodge includes:

Lodging, Beverages, Guided Hunting (Ducks, Doves, Perdiz), Guns, Tips
Ground Transfer Fee – includes the transfers in Santa Fe, Argentina and during your hunt. This fee DOES NOT include any transfer in Buenos Aires.
License – includes the bird hunting license for ducks, doves, and Perdiz.
What is the hunting season in Argentina ?

Argentina Hunting Seasons
The Argentina duck hunting season is May 1 to August 31. The Perdiz season begins May 1st and ends July 31st. Dove hunting is available year round in Argentina.

Can I bring my own shotgun to Argentina ?

Yes, you can. Our daily rates include the use of high quality Benelli m2 semiauto shotguns. You will have to pay a fee of $110 at the airport and there is a fee to have our guide meet you at the airport to assist with registering the gun. Please make sure you keep all licenses with you at all times. When you depart, the officials will have to see the license.
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Duck Hunting in Uruguay has gained its notoriety through the focus on the duck hunting land and rice farms and duck hunting guides that are keen to the behavior of the Uruguay ducks and the calls that bring the Uruguay into the fields in high volume flocks each day during duck hunting season. While duck hunting in Uruguay rarely makes national news, the duck hunting Los Gauchos provides in Uruguay has every reason to make the headlines.

The duck hunting in Uruguay is the way it used to be in the US during the beloved winter duck season. Much of Uruguay is still farmland with the capital, Montevideo bare of skyscrapers and high population. Farmers in Uruguay rely on their crops including rice farms and much of Uruguay’s economy is based on the agircultural rewards of Uruguay rice farms. Ducks that migrate into Uruguay during the winter months (May to August) congregate around the rice fields and potholes and marshes. This is one reason why Uruguay is such a duck hunting paradise.

Los Gauchos is set up right on a private rice farm and the lodge is within minutes of these duck feeding spots. Thus, duck hunting in Uruguay is a satisfying occurrence for all duck hunters, young and old and everything in between. Los Gauchos operates four lodges for the Uruguay duck hunting trips. One is dedicated to pure duck hunting both morning and afternoon duck hunts with lodging about 15 minutes from the duck blind. The lodge is equipped with wireless internet, full kitchen and dining room, private baths, double occupancy and large living room with a fireplace to enjoy the Uruguay wines and food.

Los Gauchos Outfitters has two Duck Hunting Lodges that offer the best in duck hunting. Waterfowl hunting and the meals, service, guides, and experience is worth a million – but the rates we charge are NOT even close.

Duck hunting in Uruguay should be the best trip – from pre trip planning to flights to/from Uruguay to the service before, during and after your Uruguay duck hunting trip. Guess what – Los Gauchos ranks high and the bottom line – is near the bottom. Huh?

Duck hunting in Uruguay – $599 and below! So contact Los Gauchos Outfitters today to find out about the duck hunts and the packages they include. We look forward to seeing you in duck hunting paradise – Uruguay.

The Uruguay duck hunting is set apart from the other hunting trips in Uruguay. It is a seasonal affair, with the Uruguay duck hunting season starting May 1st and lasting until the end of August. The hunting lodge is a great experience for the advanced duck hunter, the beginning duck hunter, or the waterfowl hunter who just wants to experience the best duck hunting in Uruguay. While many stories have been released talking about the duck hunting population dramatically decreasing, the stories and research does detail the fact that sons are more likely to hunt if their dads or grandfathers are avid duck hunters.
Uruguay is a peaceful country without the modernization that tends to keep the young duck hunters away from the fields. Los Gauchos welcomes father and son pairs, as we usually place two hunters in a blind with a duck hunting guide. The species of ducks is vast and many are only found in South America.

See the photos for the various ducks that are abundant in Uruguay: Rosy bill pochards, Silver Teal, and White Faced Tree Duck are just a few of the many species of ducks one will experience on a Uruguay duck hunting trip.

Uruguay duck hunting provides the duck hunter a duck hunting season year round, since seasons are opposite those in North America. Access and availability is large in number. So contact Los Gauchos Outfitters today to find out more about the outstanding duck hunting in Uruguay and how the ease of getting to Uruguay and enjoying the Uruguay duck hunting lodge will bring back and create many good memories.

See the professionals taking advantage of the authentic Uruguay duck hunting outfitters, Los Gauchos. Duck hunting in Uruguay has never been this good and season after season Los Gauchos Outfitters provides.

===================
There is a place…in the southern part of the South American continent, where wingshooting dreams are made into realities—365 days a year. In Uruguay, it is open season on doves and pigeons, and duck season is open from May until September. The dove hunting in Uruguay can only be described as out of this world! Only Argentina dove hunting can compare, and the duck hunting in Uruguay has made this little country famous throughout the world in waterfowl hunting camps, and chat rooms alike.

All the buzz has created quite a stir on outdoor television networks as well, and no one has brought more bird hunting in Uruguay to your television set than Los Gauchos Outfitters. Since 2003, we have been featured in one episode per year, and our credits include: Benelli American Safari, Benelli Dream Hunts, The Beretta Bird Hunter’s Journal, American Gun Dog, and Final Approach TV—where one can always watch the world’s best waterfowl hunting destinations live, and in color.

Many of our clients who have never been on a Uruguay hunting trip ask us what type of packages we offer with respect to our Uruguay bird hunts…our answer is this: Any and all of them. We can customize your bird hunting vacation to fit your mold, with an emphasis on the species that you wish to hunt and/or fish for. We have been doing this with our Argentina bird hunting trips since 2001, often planning overlapping trips between the two countries. A lot of our clients have been dove hunting in Argentina for years, and are ready to try something new; not just a new Argentina wingshooting trip, but an entirely new country as well. This is typically when the subject of bird hunting in Uruguay comes up, and we encourage all of our clients to give wingshooting in Uruguay a shot, because no other destination that we have more consistently pleases our clients.

Uruguay bird hunting offers the volume of shooting that our clients have come to expect from hunting in Argentina, combined with the unique class and charm that makes bird shooting in Uruguay a lot like hunting in northern Spain, or the south of France, the only difference being that instead of costing 2,000 Euros per day, the trips cost approximately $2,000 U.S. dollars for three or four days of hunting in Uruguay, depending on your quarry.

“I have never seen duck shooting like this, and I have been duck hunting in Argentina for over a decade!”

Mr. L. Haggar—Boston, MA

“Incredible Perdiz hunting! The only upland bird hunting trip that I have ever been on where I reached my limit of ten birds in less than an hour was this one. I was done in a record 37 minutes!”

“I just loved the dogs. Each day we had a different one, and all I could think about was how lucky these dogs were to have a chance to be Perdiz hunting in Uruguay almost every day during the Perdiz hunting season in Uruguay.”

Mr. and Mrs. J. Hollowell—Elko, Nevada

“Too much good food and wine. We travel on our stomachs and found the cuisine in Uruguay to be delightful. The birds were plentiful, the dog work was outstanding, and the in-the-field service was first rate. We will return for another Uruguay hunting trip sometime in the near future.”

Mr. and Mrs. L. Brennan—Elyria, OH

One of the things that might stand out from the testimonials above is the fact that two out of three of them were from couples. Bird hunting in Uruguay is our top couples shoot, because everything is close by, and our Uruguay dove hunting lodges offer plenty of recreational activities for hunters and non-hunters alike—activities such as: Spanish classes, cooking classes, horseback riding, and shopping and city tours. Day tours to Colonia are probably the most popular, followed by tours in the city of Salto, where one will find some of the only naturally occurring hot springs in all of South America.

If you would like more information about bird hunting in Uruguay, give us a call right now at 800-420-8707. We will be happy to send you a catalog featuring all of our destinations hunting in Argentina and Uruguay. Our experienced staff has been to all of these destinations many times, and our managers have worked as outfitters and guides for some of the best operations for wingshooting in Argentina.

In addition, Los Gauchos Outfitters offers fishing in Argentina and Uruguay. Try a Cast & blast on for size. If you and yours are anglers and hunters, this trip will exceed your expectations in every area: high-volume birds, and BIG fish—the Golden Dorado fishing in Uruguay is excellent.

For more PHOTOS AND VIDEOS, select the following link, and get set for some hard-hitting action:

quail hunting 2.34

Jun 2

Posted in: Quail Hunting | No Comments
Tags: florida quail hunting, Quail Hunting

Florida is a great state for quail hunting. With over 5 million acres of land for hunting all sorts of animals, quail hunting remains one of the most popular animals for sport hunting. And, because the season for hunting quail is during the months where, across most of the United States, it’s relatively cold, Florida stays warm and thus, hunting can be in a relatively calm climate.

Quail are interesting birds. They don’t migrate like other birds, meaning they’re in Florida year round. Their favorite habitat is low brush and flatlands, but they also like wooded and grassy lands, anywhere that lends itself to being able to hide. They’re not a bird that hangs in the trees, but their first response isn’t always to fly into the air to make themselves easy targets. Quail can be elusive, which makes hunting them more of a sport than duck hunting, because quail won’t respond to mating calls or any other tricks that hunters will usually employ.

Because Florida can contain many types of animals, most people will usually find a lodge of some kind that owns thousands of acres that are set aside for quail hunting. This also makes it easier for the casual hunter because there’s not only specific gear that hunters might want, but it may take having a guide and dogs specially trained in flushing out quail to not only find quail, but to be protected against dangers such as rattlesnakes, which hang out in the same kind of terrain as quail.

The strength of hunting in Florida lies in its hunting clubs and lodges. Unfortunately, the quail population has been declining since the mid 90’s, as more housing developments eat into the areas where quail like to live. Though the quail is a hearty bird, which environmentalists say will make sure they not only survive, but adapt to the changes and will flourish once more, this means that, going alone, even an experienced hunter might have to wait a long time to spot a quail.

What hunting clubs do is actually buy quails raised on farms, then release them within their property near the time hunting season begins. These hunting clubs make sure they have created the type of terrain that quail like, which keeps them from just flying off to look for other places to be. This offers new hunters a great opportunity to learn how to hunt quail, because even doing this doesn’t make it any easier for them to shoot quail. Also, these clubs make sure the grounds are fairly well maintained when it comes to having to worry about dangerous animals such as rattlesnakes and alligators, although there’s never a guarantee that one might not come upon either of those predators. And hunting clubs usually have lodges, so that the cost of hunting is all inclusive as a full vacation package plan.

Guided tours maximize the opportunities new hunters will have in at least finding quail. It takes a much sharper shooting touch to nail a quail because they’re tinier and faster than ducks. However, guides will also usually have hunting dogs trained at flushing out quail, which will give new hunters plenty of opportunities to bag a quail.

Because Florida quail hunting is so popular, lodges will quickly sell out, so it’s important to book your reservations early if you hope to get a spot. Hunting is better earlier in the season than later, since they’ve had six months to replenish the supply. If you’re looking for a new challenge, quail hunting in Florida just might bring the excitement you want.
=================
Jun 2

Posted in: Quail Hunting | No Comments
Tags: florida quail hunting, Quail Hunting, quail hunting guide

If you’re going to go quail hunting in Florida, one of the best ways to go about it is to stay at a quail hunting lodge. Quail hunting lodges are great because they can offer an all around hunting experience, equipment, lodging, food, and often at an all-inclusive rate that won’t break the bank.

The first thing you want in a quail hunting lodge is size. Hunting lodges range anywhere from 3,000 acres to 30,000 acres of land. The larger the lodge, the more apt they are to offer hunting for more than one type of prey. Also, the cost may be more, as the license fees will also be higher.

The next thing you want to know about is how they take care of the grounds. This isn’t like taking care of a golf course; the main idea is to have the grounds set up so that the quail feel like they’re getting what they need as far as food and places to protect themselves, otherwise they might fly away to other plantations, which would be a double hit on the plantation since many of them buy extra quail for the hunting season, trying to make sure hunters will have plenty of opportunities to at least have some shots at quail.

Some other things you want to find out is how they’ll take you out, what kind of guides they have, whether they have dogs, and whether they have guns you can rent and shells you can buy. Guns and shells usually aren’t included in the all-inclusive price. You are always allowed to bring your own, but if you’re in another state, you’ll want to check the laws for transporting both guns and ammunition across state lines.

Once you’ve determined where you’re going to stay, you’re going to want to prepare yourself for the experience of quail hunting. If you’re not using your own gun, it might be a good thing to find out if your lodge has a shooting range where you can practice. Most people are surprised at the recoil of rifles as opposed to pistols, and picking up some pointers on technique wouldn’t be a bad thing, since quail are hard to hit if you’re an experienced shot.

Also, make sure the clothing you select is comfortable, yet protects your skin, since there’s the possibility you’ll be out in swamps areas, which means a lot of mosquitoes and other bugs that like to bite. Definitely make sure your shoes are not only waterproof, but strong, as you never know if you’re going to walk up on one of the many types of snakes that populate Florida.

If you’re new at hunting, make sure to stay with your guide, as they’ll probably go out with groups of at least 5 to 7 hunters at a time. They will find you the best places to hunt quail, probably help you flush them out with the dogs, but their biggest asset is that they know the land and the dangers, and they will be there to keep you safe.

Quail hunting in Florida can be a very exciting experience if you take the time to learn more about where to hunt, what to wear while hunting, and, of course, how to shoot a gun.
===========
P-Arrow Plantation has been extensively managed for game and fish for 30 years. Its owners offer hunting and fishing for individuals or for corporate retreats. The P-Arrow is located in Livingston, Alabama, east of I-59 and I-20 halfway between Birmingham, Alabama and Jackson, Mississippi.

Located on the P-Arrow is over 100 acres of lakes for largemouth bass, crappie, and bream fishing. The P-Arrow is a prime location for exciting whitetail deer hunting from shooting houses overlooking green fields or tree stands.

Hunters can ride on a Belgian Mule drawn wagon carrying English Pointers and English Setters, or ride Tennessee Walking Horses to experience covey rises of fast flying bobwhites from sedge grass covered pine hills or stream side fields of partridge peas, Egyptian wheat, and corn. We have opening day dove hunts. Private dove hunts and turkey hunts are also available.

For those who simply want an outdoor experience in the old South, nature trails and historic tours are available.

Quail Hunts
There are three types of Quail Hunts which are available. They are:

The most authentic southern style quail hunt is by Belgian Mule drawn wagon. Dixon and Luke are our 1600 pound mules that pull the dog wagon. A hunt master and Hunt scout on a horse will direct each hunt. Lunch will be provided in the field by a cook.
The other type of quail hunt we provide is a full or half day hunt using the John Deere Gator with a customized box to carry the dogs and seats on top to carry the hunters. A scout on a horse will direct the hunt along with a hunt Master.
We also provide customized quail hunts to fit your desired experience.

All of the birds are either native or early released birds. There is NO LIMIT!!!

Dove Hunts
Opening Day Hunts are available. Hunters are served an excellent BBQ Lunch!!

Turkey Hunts
You will enjoy our Spring Hunts over chufa fields and wild game sorghum. We provide our turkey hunters with a personal guide.

Deer Hunts
Guided whitetail deer hunts are available. You may hunt the wary Whitetail Buck on green fields from comfortable shooting houses or tree stands. Bow hunting is encouraged!! We also offer customized hunts.

Accommodations
3 bed rooms /3 baths (1) king (1) queen (1) twin and a loft with a king and a full bed and a full bathroom. Every bedroom comes with its own private bathroom.

Fishing
P Arrow consists of eight lakes that comprise 110 acres stocked heavily with Northern, Florida and Hybrid large mouth bass. Additionally, different lakes have coppernose, bluegills, shellcrackers, and crappie. The largest lake on P-Arrow is horseshoe lake, which contains about 33 acres of water and has quite a bit of grass in it. For the angler who enjoys fishing rubber rats, rubber frogs, swimming worms and grass type baits, this lake can be very exciting. Another honey hole at P-Arrow, the brewer pond, is more than 65 years old and contains a native strain of large mouth bass. It is also home to shellcrackers blue gills. If a fly-fisherman likes to catch bass and bream this is the place for him to do that. Pruitt built coyote lake with the structure fisherman in mind. After seeing Ray Scott’s video on how to build a pond to produce big bass he adopted many of the ideas for Scott’s tape.

Available are guided largemouth bass and bream fishing trips in over 110 acres of lakes. Bass as large as 14 pounds have been caught. And, catches of as many as 50-75 fish a day are the norm for the P Arrow fishing experience.

A guide will accompany the fishing party. We will provide you with a boat and a guide for the length of your trip. Fishing for Bass are catch and release.

Testimonials
Clayton Batts – Fishing with the New Bio-Bait!

P-ARROW Plantation is truly a heaven on earth. The staff is some of the best people you will ever meet and the food is worth coming in early for. It is truly an outdoorsman’s paradise whether you come to fish or hunt; I promise that you will leave with a smile on your face. The cover is abundant from fishing trees in open water, to simply beating the banks you are guaranteed to catch fish. The fish are strong and healthy and willing to bite anything in your box. The question is not when am I going to get a bite, but how big is the fish going to be. Thanks for a great trip and hope to see yall very soon.
Thanks,

Clayton Batts
======================

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The De-evolution of a Hunter
Written on: 10/11/2009 18:28 by: Paleo
Click a star to rate this entry Average user rating: 5.0 (of 2 total)

As a kid there were two skills I mainly learned from my father, how to work and how to hunt. My father was in the army, I remember him talking once about the $800 he got a month and where it was to be used. Needless to say we didn’t have a lot but by hunting and raising a garden we ate pretty good.
Venison, quail, pheasant those are meats you might find in a swank restaurant but we also had plenty of squirrel, rabbit, dove and an occasional ground hog…hell I even ate a raccoon once. To me this was normal, to me the best meat you could buy from the grocery store were hamburgers and hotdogs because when we did buy a steak from the store it was a cheap cut, tough as shoe leather and laced with fat and gristle, which, by the way, my dad made us eat. You know…”Finish everything on your plate boy, there are starving people in India that don’t have as much as you.”
Hunting was different then, we’d jump in the truck drive out into the country, stop at a house and ask if we could hunt their property. Sometimes it was yes, sometimes it was no, but it was simple…straight forward. My dad would make friends that way and when he did our freezer was stocked for the year.
Deer hunting………………The first deer hunting experience I had was on Fort Hood. There’s a rod and gun club there and during the season they set up a lottery for soldiers/hunters. The soldiers arrive about 4:30 am for the morning hunts, 2:30 pm for the afternoon hunts, wait to see if they were drawn, the lucky ones are taken to a stand in a big army truck everyone else goes home. My dad took me one afternoon, we were drawn and I remember well the bumpy ride out to the area we were to hunt. We laid down behind a downed tree and waited for a deer to come out so my dad could shoot it. I wasn’t hunting, I was there to observe, I was six years old. It started getting cold and as it did my teeth started chattering, I couldn’t help it. My dad became really perturbed and pushed my down under a heavy green army canvass we were laying on and told me to be quiet.
The next several hours were miserable to me, etched in to my mind, I reckon for the rest of my life. We didn’t get a deer that day but as we stood in the dark waiting for the big army truck to pick us up we looked at the stars and talked, my dad wasn’t angry anymore and I heard for the first time a deer snort, “the warning there’s danger present”, he said. The ride back was just as bumpy, a truck loaded with cold soldiers in camo and a couple of dead deer.
And that was deer hunting to me for the next ten years, laying on the ground scanning a brush line, looking out across a field from the loft of a barn, aiming my rifle out of the second floor of an old dilapidated farm house, no matter where it was it always seemed to be cold.
Then things changed, my dad retired from the army, went to a community college on the GI Bill and started an AC business and for once we had a little money. He had a lease we could hunt and we built blinds with soft seats, sliding windows and even propane heaters. Part of it was because we had money but I think the other part was because my dad was getting older and just wanted to be comfortable.
The last year my dad hunted was the year I stopped hunting and didn’t hunt again for about ten years. It was the year after I graduated highschool, I bought into the lease and could hunt when I wanted for the first time. My dad bought the back end of a refrigerated truck and set it up as a meat processing areas complete with a bandsaw to cut steaks. The thing that made me stop hunting was that my father shot more than the legal limit that year. I won’t say how many more, it still embarrasses me. I became really perturbed, I wanted to push him down under a heavy green army canvass and tell him how disappointed I was in him. After that, what he had taught me about hunting meant next to nothing to me.
Time ticks on and after about ten years I started hunting again, rediscovering some of what I had lost. I rifle hunted a couple of times in Bandera with reps. from a wine company trying to smooze me. Took a couple of deer and pretty much stopped again unsatified with the same ol’ same ol’. A few more years went by and I was talked into trying bow hunting by a friend of mine. I’d played around with compound bows as a teenager and was really quite good though I’d never hunted with one, but this was traditional, the classic stick and string. So my de-evolution began, I had to relearn everything, not moving for an hour at a time, covering my scent , learning the subtle signs that tell you where to set up, making myself invisible in my surroundings.
I’ve been hunting a ranch by Lake Buchanan for almost a year now. Dozens of times I sat there and watched the day turn into night, sometimes sitting through the night to watch the sun come up again. In those times I’ve only taken four shots with my bow and with those four shots I’ve taken three hogs and a deer. All clean, ethical. All easy to track.
Last night I walked down one of the ranch roads, found a place where game traversed and sat back a little ways in the brush, a cool wind in my face, a lane in front to take a shot if presented. My bow sat three feet away leaning against a wild persimmon. As I sat there a hawk swooped between me and my bow, oblivious to my presence, the tip of it’s wing inches from my face. It flew out through my shooting lane and landed in a tree across the road from me. It perched there for a minute and then started back towards the opening. At the last moment it saw me, spread it’s wings stopping in mid air, changed directions and was gone.
I watched a group of deer feed ten yards in front of me, three does and a couple of yearlings. Two of the does were mature, one was huge. I could have taken her but I was waiting for a buck I’d seen in the area earlier this year. I watched them for about thirty minutes as they grazed and made their way off. Later I had three bucks come out, three I had seen with the buck I wanted. One was a four and a half year old eight point. Classic Hill Country rack, not real high, not real woody but symmetric. Another eight, not as big and a younger six. But the one I wanted wasn’t with them, probably split off by now in anticipation of the rut. As they moved into the brush the two smaller bucks started to tussle a bit then they were gone. The light faded and I walked back to camp in the dark, through the woods not bothering to turn on my light. Best hunt of the year, what hunting is to me.

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View all 5 photos / videos here.

Comments:
Author:ggonzales Comment Left:10/12/2009 14:12
Great journal entry and so very true how we evolve as hunters, I grown an appreciation for wildlife and the habitat they live in and have passed what I learned to my son. I don’t bow hunt, but can appreciate the skill it takes to take wild game up close with a bow, good luck with your hunting and I hope that trophy buck comes out, try using some good doe scent or rattling horns, this has paid off for me.
Author:wohalliburton Comment Left:10/12/2009 18:13
After reading your post it reminded me of how precious the time you spend in the woods can be.
Hope you get that big ‘un you’re looking for.
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Fall Hunting Season
Written on: 08/11/2009 16:25 by: ggonzales
Click a star to rate this entry Average user rating: 4.33 (of 3 total)

As a true Texan born and raised I feel extremly lucky to be living in one of the best states in all of America to enjoy the great outdoors. With the coming of the new fall hunting season I am eagerly awaiting cool weather which will host classic Dove hunts early for me. I really look foward to the begining of hunting season so I can dust off that old shotgun and sight in the trusty deer rifle in preparation of a new hunting season. I like to share my outdoor experiences with others so I have recruited my brother-in-law, son and anybody else willing to put up with me on hot september afternoons to hunt Dove. I take Dove hunting very seriously and plan my outdoor outings very carefully to ensure 100% success. I like to hunt at least two weekends in September, three in October and then start deer hunting in Novemeber. This year I plan to focus most of my hunting time in the cooler months chasing after a trophy wild boar. Last year I shot a nice buck and look foward to adding a fat pig to the tall hunting stories I like to share with others.
Already we have been hitting the coast this summer chasing after the elusive redfish and sleek speckled trout to satisfy our outdoor appetite. If I can’t be out in the mesquite brush hunting then I would rather be knee deep in shallow water heaven filled with tasty game fish. Becuase of the summer heat we prefer to do our summer fishing early in the am or late in the evening. There is nothing better the getting up early at the crack of dawn to head out on the water for some early day wade fishing or relaxing in the sunset of a great evening fishing trip. This year I was fortunate enough to put some great eating fish in the freezer to fry up at the ranch when deer hunting.
I consider myself an outdoor activist and enjoy recruiting new members to our elite society of hunters and fisherman. I am blessed to have an extended family that love the outdoors and have access to family ranch land. One of these locations is a sweet piece of South Texas located near Mathis lake loaded with whitetail deer. The best part of the deal is that I don’t have to pay costly lease fees or trophy fees, it is purely a family run hunt club. All that is required is respect of the land and a promise to lend a helping hand off season to ensure the property is kept in prime condition. If this was not good enough I am also happy to say that my father is part of a historic hunt club of aluminum workers who lease a small ranch near the famous King Ranch. Good bucks have been shot at this location for many years and the place is loaded with huge wild boar. A bonus to this classic South Texas deer lease is the amazing quail and dove hunting that can be had.
I promote hunting and fishing as a way to deal with stress and life in general with a positive activity that can influence our youth to be good stewards of the land. I absolutely enjoy taking my ten year old son hunting and fishing with me on all my outdoor adventures so I can ensure that this great outdoor tradition will be passed on to others. I hope everyones outdoor adventures are plentiful and boutyful this hunting season and would like to wish all the outdoor sportsment good luck affield this year. May you catch that big fish that had been eluding your hook and may you take that nice buck that you have been dreaming about for all those years.
==========================
P-Arrow Plantation has been extensively managed for game and fish for 30 years. Its owners offer hunting and fishing for individuals or for corporate retreats. The P-Arrow is located in Livingston, Alabama, east of I-59 and I-20 halfway between Birmingham, Alabama and Jackson, Mississippi.

Located on the P-Arrow is over 100 acres of lakes for largemouth bass, crappie, and bream fishing. The P-Arrow is a prime location for exciting whitetail deer hunting from shooting houses overlooking green fields or tree stands.

Hunters can ride on a Belgian Mule drawn wagon carrying English Pointers and English Setters, or ride Tennessee Walking Horses to experience covey rises of fast flying bobwhites from sedge grass covered pine hills or stream side fields of partridge peas, Egyptian wheat, and corn. We have opening day dove hunts. Private dove hunts and turkey hunts are also available.

For those who simply want an outdoor experience in the old South, nature trails and historic tours are available.

Quail Hunts
There are three types of Quail Hunts which are available. They are:

The most authentic southern style quail hunt is by Belgian Mule drawn wagon. Dixon and Luke are our 1600 pound mules that pull the dog wagon. A hunt master and Hunt scout on a horse will direct each hunt. Lunch will be provided in the field by a cook.
The other type of quail hunt we provide is a full or half day hunt using the John Deere Gator with a customized box to carry the dogs and seats on top to carry the hunters. A scout on a horse will direct the hunt along with a hunt Master.
We also provide customized quail hunts to fit your desired experience.

All of the birds are either native or early released birds. There is NO LIMIT!!!

Dove Hunts
Opening Day Hunts are available. Hunters are served an excellent BBQ Lunch!!

Turkey Hunts
You will enjoy our Spring Hunts over chufa fields and wild game sorghum. We provide our turkey hunters with a personal guide.

Deer Hunts
Guided whitetail deer hunts are available. You may hunt the wary Whitetail Buck on green fields from comfortable shooting houses or tree stands. Bow hunting is encouraged!! We also offer customized hunts.

Accommodations
3 bed rooms /3 baths (1) king (1) queen (1) twin and a loft with a king and a full bed and a full bathroom. Every bedroom comes with its own private bathroom.

Fishing
P Arrow consists of eight lakes that comprise 110 acres stocked heavily with Northern, Florida and Hybrid large mouth bass. Additionally, different lakes have coppernose, bluegills, shellcrackers, and crappie. The largest lake on P-Arrow is horseshoe lake, which contains about 33 acres of water and has quite a bit of grass in it. For the angler who enjoys fishing rubber rats, rubber frogs, swimming worms and grass type baits, this lake can be very exciting. Another honey hole at P-Arrow, the brewer pond, is more than 65 years old and contains a native strain of large mouth bass. It is also home to shellcrackers blue gills. If a fly-fisherman likes to catch bass and bream this is the place for him to do that. Pruitt built coyote lake with the structure fisherman in mind. After seeing Ray Scott’s video on how to build a pond to produce big bass he adopted many of the ideas for Scott’s tape.

Available are guided largemouth bass and bream fishing trips in over 110 acres of lakes. Bass as large as 14 pounds have been caught. And, catches of as many as 50-75 fish a day are the norm for the P Arrow fishing experience.

A guide will accompany the fishing party. We will provide you with a boat and a guide for the length of your trip. Fishing for Bass are catch and release.

Testimonials
Clayton Batts – Fishing with the New Bio-Bait!

P-ARROW Plantation is truly a heaven on earth. The staff is some of the best people you will ever meet and the food is worth coming in early for. It is truly an outdoorsman’s paradise whether you come to fish or hunt; I promise that you will leave with a smile on your face. The cover is abundant from fishing trees in open water, to simply beating the banks you are guaranteed to catch fish. The fish are strong and healthy and willing to bite anything in your box. The question is not when am I going to get a bite, but how big is the fish going to be. Thanks for a great trip and hope to see yall very soon.
Thanks,

Clayton Batts

quail hunting 1.23

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The Poore Farm is a working farm established by R.D. Poore in 1905, just south of the Solomon River valley in an area of gently rolling hills. Larry and Barb (BJ) farm with Larry’s parents Alvin and Venda Poore. Our crops are wheat, milo, and forage sorghum. This land is also managed for optimum bird production, nature trails, and fantastic photo opportunities. On the farm we produce beef for our own consumption and the feedlot industry. We also raise chicks from day old to the freezer and always have a good supply of farm fresh eggs.

Hunting has always been a big tradition on the Poore Farm. Larry started hunting with his grandfather who instilled a great love of the sport and good dogs. With our location in North Central Kansas we have some of the best hunting to be found. We specialize in pheasant and quail with the opportunity to shoot both with either a gun or a camera.

If hunting isn’t your sport come walk around our farm and experience quiet country life. Go on a nature walk and you might see wild turkeys, deer, skunks, coyotes, snakes, badgers, pheasants, quail, rabbits, birds, and owls. At night the stars host a show that is beyond words.

After owning several breeds of dogs BJ influenced Larry to go with Labradors because of their superior hunting instinct and their super family disposition. Our dogs will hunt all day or are just as much at ease in the house keeping you company. The Poore Farm began their breeding program to provide high quality purebred Labradors with the pointing instinct at an affordable price. All our dogs have several field trial champions in their background and our producing females have an OFA certificate of at least good. Come play with the puppies and talk to us about taking one home.
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I have raised and hunted beagles, hounds, retrievers and pointing dogs for hunting as well as a couple of stock dogs for working cattle. I guess all dog people that raise pups with the hopes of hunting them look forward to the day when they come of age, or the proverbial light comes on, or however you describe it when they start to figure out what they are here for, and it always feels good to see them start to come into their own.
This story s about a lanky English Pointer I bought from a guy in Midland, TX. My wife Karla and I drove from Hondo, a small town West of San Antonio, one Saturday to pick him up after picking him out of a line up sent to me by email. Karla wanted to name him after a gun of some sort and so he was named Colt.
At 12 weeks he showed that he was going to have the makings of a good bird dog, pointing and retrieving pigeons in the yard. By five months old he was pointing and holding until I flushed the bird. And as he grew older, he just kept getting better. When he was just under a year old, we went to the Texas Panhandle pheasant hunting. The second pheasant hunt of my life and Colt’s first.
The first day, he busted a couple of roosters in some heavy cover. I wasn’t really concerned since he was still basically a pup, and I figured he was due a few mistakes. The second day, my son Zach took Colt and his lab Chester and headed in one direction, while I took 2 of my Brittanys and went another. It wasn’t long before I heard Zach shoot. When we met back at the truck he had a big rooster, and told me how Colt had pointed in some thick cover and held while Chester went in and flushed the bird. Zach shot it, Chester retrieved it, and then Colt checked it out and after Zach spoke to him he took off again. I was impressed that he held while Chester flushed the bird. Later that afternoon, Colt pointed for me and I shot a nice rooster over him. Again, he never budged until I flushed the bird. He had a pretty good trip for a 10 month old pup and I was happy to say the least.
In January, my wife and I loaded the dogs for the weekend and went to the Chaparral WMA for the last quail hunt of the season there. It had been a weak year, but it was the only quail spot I had available. The first afternoon was about 50 degrees and clear. After a few minutes Colt was on point. I called to Karla and we moved in and shot a pair of quail. A few minutes later, he was on point again. I went in and got another. The rest of the afternoon was a blast. It seemed as if Colt was making quail. He found I forget how many coveys and a few singles. He handled like an old dog and never broke until after the birds went down. Sunday morning’s hunt was a short repeat of Saturday afternoon. The trip home had me thinking I might have myself a special dog.
Towards the end of January, my Dad booked us a shoot at a preserve in Navasota. Zach and I loaded up and left early to meet him there. After we were shown the pasture we would be hunting in, I turned out my Brittanys first, saving Colt for later. We found and shot a bunch of quail, pheasants, and chukar partridge before I turned Colt out. Dad said he would sit this round out and stayed in the truck watching us, and Colt put on a show. He found bird after bird, and this was after we had run Dad’s German shorthair pointers and my Brittanys for about 2 hours. We found singles, twos, and threes here and there. Then he pointed in a grown up fence row and when we got there, we saw what must have been about fifty quail bunched up under the brush, leftovers from previous shoots. Colt was locked up in the midst of them, but they were across the fence and we had been told not to cross the fences. So I threw a stick behind the quail hoping they would flush our way so we could get a few of them. At that point, they ran and flew and Colt had quail hitting him in the face and running down his back and he just stood rock steady with his eyes bugging out. I was pretty sure at that point he was a special dog.
All that next spring and summer, he worked the quail here close to the house. I would let him out of his kennel while I cleaned it, and would look out to see him on point, usually with a Brittany honoring his point. I was really looking forward to the upcoming ’08 season.
Opening weekend at the Chaparral found us in camp early on Friday waiting for Saturday morning. When it finally came the temps were in the 50’s and it was clear. From 8 o’clock until 11, Colt had found 7 coveys. It was game on and he was doing a fantastic job. Dad’s German shorthaired pointer and my Brittanys had their share, but once again it just seemed as if Colt was making birds. We went in for lunch and to wait until evening to make another run.
About five that evening, Colt had found two coveys, and on the last bird he retrieved it to my hand. He had gotten to the point where he let the Brittanys do the retrieving and he just went ahead hunting after the shot. He went on with his new running mate, my little 7 month old English Pointer Willi, right along with him and Zach close behind. They went around some brush out of sight when I heard Zach screaming with a pleading in his voice for Willi to come in. I just knew what it was and when I heard him shoot three times, I knew I was right. They had run over a huge rattle snake. When Zach saw him, the snake was reared up about thigh high and Willi was trying to get away from it. We started looking her over for fang marks when Colt ran up to me and howled and fell against my legs. I started looking frantically all over him for fang marks. On his legs, his face and neck, everywhere. And then I saw them, straddled across a rib, back on his rib cage, just below his loin, fang marks that were 2 inches apart.
Zach picked him up and took off for the truck. I was in tears as I followed behind. Colt was current on his rattle snake vaccine, but I felt that he had been hit in the lung and the vaccine wasn’t going to do much for him. We headed out of the ranch and Karla started calling vets in Laredo, Freer, Dilley, Devine, and finally we just headed to San Antonio to the emergency clinic I knew about. We got there and took Colt inside. The folks there had him for a long while, and told us what they felt they needed to do, they called me in again and said he was going downhill fast. Long story short, I decided that if he was going to die, he would die with family and I took him to the truck. I had him in my lap in the back seat while Karla drove home to Hondo. About four miles from the house, he took his last breath while the tears ran down my face.
Zach and I buried him in the back yard the next morning where he could hear the quail calling next door and then went back to the Chap to load up our camp and other dogs that Mom and Dad had been watching for us. It was a sad day. Colt was 22 months old, coming of age, and taken from me all in one swift stroke.
I have a new English Pointer pup, Waylon, to go with Willi, who is now coming into her own as well as my four Brittanys, but Colt was special, and often times I wonder if he was that “ Once in a life time” dog.
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The other day we took our friend Nais (pronounced “Nye-eese) to the pistol range. Nais is a young schoolteacher friend of ours from Taekwondo. Formerly dating a Border Patrol Agent (also a friend of ours), she has developed a desire to shoot guns.
Heck, I don’t see how anybody wouldn’t want to shoot guns. I mean, the heft of the cartridge, the careful aim, the pressure of the blast on your skin, the sharp smell of nitrocellulose vapor in the air, the satisfaction of the bullet punching a near perfect bulls eye in the paper, far down the range produce an ethereal natural high better than any drug or drink could ever come close too. It simply cannot be found anywhere else. Accept no substitutes!
I have been involved in the shooting sports since my father first put that little .22 pistol in my hands on that range in Quail Valley California that I still vaguely remember. He gently guided me through the process of firing my first shot as well a allowing me to shoot several other guns that day including his .22 Mossberg match rifle and I watched as he fired his old model .70, .270 that day. It was as big as a cannon and I was instantly in love.
That day launched me on a life of hunting and fishing for close to half a century now.
I found myself giving encouragement to Nais as we drove toward the range. Getting there we found ourselves alone with the entire facility, a true treat. Inside, D and I unpacked the guns we brought, the two Glocks, the XD-9 subcompact, the Kel-Tech and the two Browning Buckmaster .22’s. Before we began I gave Nais the standard, time honored safety lecture, and let D coach her in the art of aim, fire and follow through. Timid at first I beamed like a proud dad when she finally conquered her initial hesitation and begun punching very pretty little groups through near the center of the target at 10 yards. I’ve always believed that women are the best shooters by and large.
While we were coaching our friend, another shooter walked in and set up his .22 at the far corner of the range. American Firing Range is an indoor facility and only has six lanes so it wasn’t too far away. As always we were polite and friendly, but this guy just seemed to have an air of superiority. One of those kinds. He also had a mid western accent, specifically Minnesota. Great. Probably a Winter Texan.
Reloading magazines, this guy pauses to do so and sort of smugly says; “ I can shoot this .22 all day long for what it costs to shoot my .380. I nod and agree. I sure enjoy our Buckmasters, but there’s also nothing like shooting bigger calibers, and besides if you carry one for defense it’s essential to stay comfortable with that weapon. Hell, we even shoot IDPA…..
Then he says:” Besides, .380 ammo has been pretty scarce. I can’t even find any. Know where I can get some?”. “I’ve had some problem getting .40 caliber, but lately I’ve found a few boxes here and there” I say, thinking back to about March of last year when it was essentially non-existent here. “Yea” I continue…”ammo has been pretty short ever since that guy took office last fall”. “Well” he says, “I heard the government needed it to supply the war in the middle East.”
Now, I’ve heard this preposterous statement before so I told him: “You know, the military doesn’t shoot .380 and the only folks in the military that shoot .40 cal are the MP’s and that’s by choice. I was beginning to suspect this guy was one of those people that can’t figure out if they’re liberal or conservative, a child of the 60’s that just never shed the social affectations of liberalism a la Woodstock. The most pathetic kind.

So I continued on, now getting just a bit impassioned. “Man, can you believe what they’re doing to limit our second amendment rights”. I get NRA’s America’s First Freedom and read it from cover to cover to stay abreast of what’s being done to rob us those rights. “ He just shot back; “Well, I don’t see that anywhere’…..letting his thought trail off down the range.
I could tell I was dealing with an idiot. Unfortunately a somebody that there seems to been too many of. I felt weary. The elation I felt over Nais’ accomplishments were quickly succumbing to a sense of morose.
“We’re doomed” I mourned to myself.
I thought for a moment about trying to enlighten this guy, and then I realized it was folly. He was as set in his ideas as I am in mine. It would make no sense.
So I just turned away and shook my head, mumbling to myself:
“Maybe Texas will Secede”
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San Felipe is a sleepy little fishing village on the north central shore of the Yucatan Peninsula. For 15 years our guides have been hunting quail in the fields of the ranches surrounding San Felipe. This area is a quail hunting paradise – the exotic black-throated quail is king in these parts. The terrain is rugged, but manageable, with the quail coveys scattered throughout open cattle pastures and in the dotted brushy cover. Lightweight waterproof boots and light chaps are recommended.

Typically, Yucatan quail hunting begins at around 5:00 AM with drives from 20 – 45 minutes to the ranches. Once in the field you will meet your guides and their expertly trained English Pointers. Quality dog work is the mark of a quality quail hunt, and our Yucatan quail hunting guides provide this in spades. The morning quail hunting ends around 9:30am and are followed by a quick trip to town for breakfast and a siesta. Afternoon quail hunting begins around 3:30 PM. Snacks and drinks are always provided during the hunt. Hunters can expect 15-20 coveys per quail hunt, and under optimal conditions, 20+ coveys are not uncommon. Our Yucatan quail hunting rivals, and often surpasses, any wild quail hunting found in the US. With pristine quail hunting conditions, limited hunting pressure and the area’s boundless natural beauty, it’s easy to understand why more and more quail hunting aficionados are heading to the Yucatan.

Our quail hunters are accommodated in a small charismatic San Felipe hotel, just blocks from the beach. Groups are normally limited to just eight at a time to ensure the most personable service and quality quail hunting for all.

* Make it a Yucatan mixed-bag hunt – Click here to learn more about our Duck / Quail combos!

Side Trips
The Yucatan offers endless adventure options. Side trips and adventure options include trips to Cancun, Playa del Carmen and the area’s many Mayan ruins. Fishing and golfing packages are also available year round.
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Jun 1

Posted in: Quail Hunting | No Comments
Tags: florida quail hunting, how to hunt quail, Quail Hunting, quail hunting guide

Quail hunting isn’t easy. Quail are small, elusive birds that don’t scare as easily as other game birds. It takes being a great shot, as well as mastering terrains so you have a basic understanding of where you might find quail, to be successful at hunting them.

Quail are usually hunted by flushing them out into the open in some fashion. Most hunters use dogs to achieve this, and there are certain dogs that are favored:

• Beagles – hunters love beagles because they’re close to the ground and can get into areas that larger dogs can’t. They also have a good sense for hunting, and can be trained to both point or baying in their own unique way that notifies hunters of their quarry

• Curly-coated Retriever – among retriever dogs, this is the favored dog for quail hunting. It’s a large dog with a thick coat that can handle thorns and burrs, as well as cold water, if it needs to get wet. It’s considered one of the smartest dogs for training

• Wirehaired Pointing Griffon – this dog is considered one of the best pointers for quail. It’s a medium sized dog with a rough coating, and a strong nose that’s great for both pointing and rooting out game. Its color also works well in helping to camouflage it in the wild

• American Water Spaniel – this is a dog that loves to hunt and seems like it can run all day. They’re also very good swimmers, but their specialty is getting into the woods or rough terrain in scenting out their prey

Of course, many other dogs have been trained for hunting, but these would be your best bet.

Also, when it comes to hunting quail, there are debates about the best kind of gun to have. The one thing everyone agrees on is that you need a scope with great accuracy, because a hunter will need all the help he can get to bag a quail, as it is a smaller bird. Many people like using a lighter gun because they’ll be carrying them around for a long time. When it comes to gauge, it doesn’t take much to kill a quail, so large shot might be a bit of overkill, but small shot means you have to be on target to get a quail.

Something else a hunter might want to think about is a good pair of binoculars. There are two features one wants to concentrate on when it comes to quail hunting binoculars. The first is to buy binoculars with range finder options. These send out a laser beam to whatever a hunter is looking for and sends a signal back helping hunters calculate the distance the quail is away from them. This works best if the gun doesn’t have a scope on it.

Of course, even with a scope, you might want binoculars that have some sort of night vision capability. Even though they don’t work great in sunlight, if you’re in a dark, wooded area, or even on an overcast day, they may help in seeing the quail.

Using these tips will help you in your quail hunting endeavors.
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Jun 4

Posted in: Florida Hunting | No Comments
Tags: central florida hunting, florida hunting, hunting guide

The central Florida area of the state, one of three zones, is the largest hunting area in the state. It comprises of 44 counties, including Sarasota and Orange Counties, so if you’re into a full experience with the family you can set yourself up for the hunt during the day and take the kids to Disney World in the evening.
Something that hunting in central Florida adds that many other areas don’t have is a more lush background of woods and swamps, as well as many lakes and waterways. For instance, Lake Okeechobee, the second largest freshwater lake within the United States, not only offers some of the top fishing in the nation, but also has deer, duck, turkey, wild boar and alligator hunting as well. Other game that can be hunted in central Florida includes quail, pigeon and dove hunting, and a few clubs even purchase pheasant for hunting.
One of those clubs that has pheasant hunts is the Quail Creek Plantation in Okeechobee. On certain days, they’ll release up to 400 pheasants and 300 wild pigeons and let the hunters enjoy the shoot from one of 12 shooting stations.

Quail Creek Plantation is indicative of the type of terrain that most plantations and clubs have in central Florida, that being landscapes of trees rising from the swamps and uplands carpeted with native grasses, and most of it untouched or unchanged for centuries, except for modern additions such as living quarters. This type of terrain offers lots of lush vegetation that all sorts of animals can enjoy and hide in, which makes hunting an even more enjoyable event.

Also like Quail Creek Plantation, many plantations in the area offer not only live hunting, but sporting clays tournaments and range target shooting. Quail Creek Plantation hosts one of the hundreds of shooting clays tournament Florida has each year.

There are over 240 species of bird in the Ocala National Forest, the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River. Some of these birds are endangered, therefore no hunting of some species is allowed. It also contains over 600 natural lakes and ponds, along with lots of slow moving rivers. The Florida Black Bear population has its highest concentration here, but they’re also not allowed to be hunted. Alligators, white-tailed deer, wild boar, and numerous small animals, including bats, coyote, gray fox, red fox, opossum, raccoon, the North American river otter, bobcat, Southeastern pocket gopher, and nine-banded armadillo can be found as well. The sandy soil is home to the Gopher Tortoise. Out of these, the otter is the only animal which can’t be number.

There are also five species of poisonous snakes in the forest: the cottonmouth, coral snake, and three species of rattlers. Some other snakes, which can grow as long as 20 feet or so, reside here as well, each with its own way of damaging or hurting you, and many of them can climb high into the trees, so it’s another challenge for hunters to be on the lookout for.

Hunting in central Florida can be a major challenge, but it can also be a lot of fun if you decide to hook up with one of the plantations and allow their guides to be with you.
========================Jun 4

Posted in: Portfolio | No Comments

Hunt the true wild and elusive Osceola gobblers under 100% fair chase conditions.

Jun 4

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Experience the true joy of pursuing bob-white quail. All hunts are fully guided.

Jun 4

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Come join us for a round of sporting clays at the newest course in Okeechobee. 14 fully automatic stations.

Jun 4

Posted in: Portfolio | No Comments

Located centrally in Florida, Quail Creek is the premium location for hunting in the South.

Jun 4

Posted in: Turkey Hunting | No Comments
Tags: florida turkey hunting, Turkey Hunting

Florida is a great place to hunt for turkey, as they are plentiful and there are many areas where turkeys are so that one can get different hunting experiences. For instance, even though turkeys like dry flatlands, there are some turkeys that live close to water, including rivers, lakes and swamps. This makes it challenging, not only because turkey hunting involves patience and stealth, but because there are other animals one has to watch out for including some pretty dangerous ones.

Of course, like other states, Florida has some specific rules for hunting turkey in its state. For instance, there are two turkey hunting seasons in Florida, one in the middle of autumn, the other in spring. In the northwest hunting zone, there’s actually a third special hunting period of only a few days. Holmes County, in the northwest zone, doesn’t allow turkey hunting in the fall.

In the fall turkey hunt, only males are allowed to be hunted. This is to make sure there are enough females for mating season in the spring. Males are known to literally have a harem of females, so this makes turkey hunting even more difficult in the fall because hunters have to make sure what it is they’re shooting. This means that, if you shoot a turkey during this season, you must leave the head on so you can prove that you’ve killed a male.

Hunters are allowed a daily limit of one turkey, but for each season they’re allowed only two. Therefore, if you kill your allotted number of turkeys early, you’re heading back home. However, turkey hunting is more difficult than that, so it could take the entire season to catch one. Not because you may not see one, but because of how you have to hunt turkey. They’re smarter than people have been led to believe, and they learn hunting patterns within a few days and figure out how to stay safe.

Dogs, which are prominent in hunting quail and other feathered game, are not allowed to be used to hunt turkey. The reason for this is that turkeys don’t fly up and out into the sky like other birds do, which means dogs could mutilate turkeys and spoil the hunt.

You can’t shoot turkeys while they’re on the roost, nor can you shoot turkeys if they’re in a baited area. Baited areas are meant to draw other animals, but turkeys will wander into these areas and become easy prey.

The state of Florida has a couple of certifications you can apply for based on your kill. One of those is known as the Outstanding Gobbler Certificate, and to qualify the “beards” of the turkey must be at least 11 inches long, the spurs at least 1 ¼ inches. The other is known as the First Gobbler Certificate, and is awarded to hunters under 16 years of age.

Overall, the best way to hunt turkey in Florida is to hook up with a club, lodge, or plantation. They offer a full hunting experience in the safety of a group and guides who will go out with you, show you the basics of hunting turkey, and try to make sure you stay safe. Even on private lands, there are things that owners have no control over; after all, nature doesn’t always follow the rules. However, you could also have a lot of fun if turkey hunting is something you’d like to try.

Jun 4

Posted in: Florida Hunting | No Comments
Tags: florida hunting, florida hunting tips

Florida is a great state for hunting, but like every other state, it has its rules, and it has things you should consider as a part of your hunting experience.

The first thing to know is that you have to have a license to hunt in Florida. There are different licenses for different game, and if you’re not from Florida, it’s going to cost you more for a license. There are also special licenses that will cover multiple game or multiple areas. You can learn more about licenses, including downloading forms, at this link.

Another thing to think about is whether you want to hunt on private or public property. Private property means hunting lodges and plantations; public property refers to the few WMA’s, or wildlife management areas, available. You need a special license to hunt in WMA’s, but if you’re an experienced hunter this might be just the thing you want to do.

There are wild animals in Florida that aren’t in other states, or many other states, that you’ll need to be cognizant for. The main one everyone knows about is an alligator, and it’s bigger and faster than you might think. Not only that, but they’re also quiet and stealthy, and many a hunter has either walked right up to one or had one sneak up on them. There are also rattlesnakes and bobcat to worry about, but you may not have to worry about bobcats as much if you’re at a hunting lodge.

Next is researching the type of clothes you should wear depending on the game and the location where you’re going to be hunting. Camouflage works well for some animals, but doesn’t work well for others. Some lodges will offer clothing for you, which may be included in the price of staying there.

You’ll also need to think about protecting your skin. Florida is a hot state, especially southern Florida, and much of it is surrounded by swamps. That means lots of mosquitoes and other biting bugs. So, you may need to think about including netting as a part of your clothing. You definitely want to wear both waterproof and steel toed shoes, to protect your feet from the water and from the snakes. Alligator bites will go through even steel toed shoes, so no protection there. Also, don’t forget sun screen, because it’s sunny often, but make sure whatever you select doesn’t have scent to it, as animals can smell pretty well.

The best tip to give anyone deciding to hunt in Florida is hooking up with a hunting lodge or club. They will offer guides who will show you where the game you’re hunting might be, and they’ll also be able to handle the dogs that you’ll go out with. Guides also make sure you’ll stay safe and make sure to watch your back.

One final thing; don’t be overly disappointed if you end up not shooting anything. Shooting is tough to begin with, and it’s tough even if you can hit a standing target. A moving target is even tougher, because you never really know where it’s going. Make sure to learn at least a few rules for whatever it is you’re hunting, not only to make sure you’re not violating any Florida laws, but also to give yourself the best chance to actually bag something. That, plus safety must always be taken; you don’t want to shoot your best friend like former Vice President Dick Cheney did.

These tips should help to enhance your Florida hunting experience.

Jun 4

Posted in: Quail Hunting | No Comments
Tags: florida quail hunting, Quail Hunting, quail hunting tips

There’s lots of good hunting of quail in Florida, and it’s a nice, long season that’s helped by Florida’s wonderful climate. Whether you’re an expert or novice at hunting, quail or otherwise, it never hurts to learn some tips on how you might take care of yourself, become a better hunter, and get more enjoyment out of hunting. Below are ten tips that you might want to follow.

1. Hook up with a quail hunting lodge of some kind. The experienced hunter might not believe this is true hunting, but for everyone else this is the best way to go. Each year, quail hunting lodges, many of which are old plantations from the antebellum days, actually purchase more quail to let loose on their grounds, making sure everyone has plenty of opportunities to at least have a shot at bagging some quail. Also, most of these lodges will not only have guided tours to help you find the best spots for hunting, but many will supply both guns and dogs to help you flush out your quarry.

2. The best time to go quail hunting as it pertains to the season is at the beginning. Quail have finished mating, there are more quail to go around, and, of course, if you followed the first tip and hooked up with a lodge there are even more quail available.

3. The best time of the day to go quail hunting is late afternoon, when they’re more liable to come out of hiding on their own instead of having to have the dogs to and flush them out.

4. Quail like open lands, weedy cover, and, when threatened, will look for thick briar patches, where most predators can’t get to them. Don’t waste your time shooting an animal you can’t get to even if you kill it.

5. If you’re hunting for quail by gun, you need a gun that you can fire and reload fast. Unless you’re a marksman, you probably won’t hit a quail with your first shot, and it may take multiple shots just to graze a quail. But quail aren’t sturdy birds when it comes to killing them, so even grazing a quail might be good enough to catch one. You don’t need a gun that can bring down big game; speed counts when hunting quail.

6. Don’t make too much noise. Like most prey, quail can be skittish when they hear sudden noises, and will make a break for it. If you’re calm and steady, it’s even possible that a quail will walk right up to you. Have your gun at the ready, though, otherwise even a close target will be missed.

7. Never shoot a low flying quail, and unless the shot is extremely easy, never shoot at a quail still on the ground. This is for safety reasons, because you never know if another hunter is in the area tracking the same quail, and many dogs have been killed this way. If you have dogs with you, wait until they’ve flushed out your quarry and shoot them while they’re in the air.

8. You’ll need good clothing, that’s thick and waterproof, especially in Florida. There are two schools of thought as to whether it’s best to wear camouflage clothes, which can help you get closer to quail, or bright colors to help protect yourself from being shot at by other hunters. It’s best to ask the people at the hunting lodge you decide to go to what they recommend, as each lodge might have its own rules.

9. If you’re tracking quail with or without your dogs, it’s always best to keep your gun aimed relatively high, since they will fly up.

10. A big part of hunting is being out in nature and absorbing its overall beauty and calmness. Don’t waste the opportunity to drink in its beauty and splendor; you never know when you’ll get another chance, especially in a state like Florida, which has nature and scenery unlike most other states.

Jun 4

Posted in: General | No Comments
Tags: florida skeet shooting, skeet shooting, trap shooting

Skeet shooting is a challenging sports to learn for novices, whether they’ve hunted before or not. There’s a great difference between shooting at a live animal and shooting at something where your skills have more to do with timing and great aim. The state of Florida has clubs all over that either totally geared towards skeet shooting, or combine skeet shooting along with other forms of hunting, both live and “non-live”.

Skeet shooting came to America in the late 1800’s after being developed first in Britain. It started out as a recreational sport for only the wealthy, as early hotels and plantations would set it up along with pastimes like golf, horseback riding, and bicycling. It really became popular in the 1920’s, and the first Florida clubs started popping up in the late 1920’s, after it became known as a real sport, which led to the National Skeet Shooting Association and, in Florida, the Florida Skeet Association.

The first skeet shooting tournament in Florida was held by the Jungle Gun Club of St. Petersburg, which opened in 1928 and held its first tournament in 1929. It was so popular that the second year the number of participants almost doubled from the previous year, and skeet shooters from 16 different states came to the event, which was a series of 100 target shoots for 16 classes. The best performer actually hit 99 out of 100 targets.

How does skeet shooting work? Clay disks are flung into the air at high speed by what are known as “traps” from different angles. Shooters alternate positions, as they’re usually standing somewhere between two small houses. The houses, known as a “high house” and a “low house,” contain the traps. Shooters move to different stations, eight in all, to get through their round. They don’t have a lot of time to catch the clays either, as they’re moving at an estimated 50 to 60 miles per hour.

The difficulty in the sport isn’t necessarily the speed, though it’s a component. Usually the difficulties are figuring out the distance of the clays, and learning how to track the clays. Experts know how to get themselves into a position where they can estimate where they believe the clays will appear so that they can do what’s known as “swinging through” towards the target instead of having to jerk their guns up and down. They also have to learn how to shoot while their moving their guns, which most shooters usually do not have to learn.

Although there many clubs and lodges that have skeet shooting throughout the state, only 19 clubs are registered with the Florida Skeet Association, which has close to 100 skeet shooting tournaments a year throughout the state. One doesn’t have to be a member to participate in a tournament, though, which is usually broken into four classes, which gives shooters at all skill levels a chance to compete against each other. Tournament locations and dates can be found on the Florida Skeet Association website.

Jun 4

Posted in: Sporting Clays | No Comments
Tags: florida skeet shooting, florida sporting clays

Shooting sporting clays is one of the fastest growing participation sports in the United States. People like it because they’re not shooting at live animals, and there’s no one season set aside to go it. As long as the weather is good, one can shoot sporting clays.

Sporting clays began coming into prominence in the early 1980’s in Florida, and the Florida Sporting Clays Association, which is affiliated with the National Sporting Clay Association, was founded in 1989 to oversee all sporting clays competition in the state.

Since most sporting clays tournaments like having conditions that look and feel like real hunting, Florida is a great place for both personal and competition sporting clays. That’s because many clubs that have already been set up for live game hunting such as for quail and pheasants already have the vegetation and landscaping, thus that part is covered, and all anyone has to do is set up the course.

Florida also seems to be a leader in what’s known as 5-stand shooting. This is different than traditional sporting clays in that there are five stands, or stations, to shoot from, and no two are alike. Participants shoot in turn at each of the 5 stands a between 6 and 8 targets, with different combinations of targets being thrown. It’s usually performed in a smaller space that normal sporting clays, which makes it great for training.

In February 2009, there was an event known as the Rhino Rally, a four-day event held at a place called Rhino Outdoors in Williston, FL. About 188 shooters participated in this event, one of the first of the year, and it was being followed the next week by the Seminole Cup, held at the Quail Creek Plantation in Okeechobee, and the Caribbean Classic at IRTS & SC in Vero Beach. The owner of Rhino’s, Joe Morales, also announced he was creating an RV resort for sporting clays, which would be the first of its type in the United States.

It was known as a premiere resort because shooters in sporting clays competitions like a mixture of different sizes and shapes, as well as changes in speed from the release of the clays. That, plus weather conditions that are normally pristine, are great backgrounds for a shooting clays competition (although the last day of this particular competition was a bit cooler and windier than the first three days had been).

There are close to 100 different sporting clays competitions in Florida every year. You can get a full listing of every competition off the Florida Sporting Clays Association’s website here.

Along with competitive shooting clays competitions, there’s a great number of sporting clays clubs throughout the entire state of Florida as well. Most of the clubs also have other game and shooting competitions as well, so you can get a little taste of almost anything. If you’re from out of state, it’s best to pay for a full package of accommodations, which will allow you to try out pretty much everything, although the cost of your ammunition and the rental of guns aren’t free.

You have many choices for shooting clays in Florida; take a look to see what Florida has to offer.

Jun 4

Posted in: Florida Hunting | No Comments
Tags: florida hunting, florida hunting laws

If you’re going to go hunting in the state of Florida, you need to make sure you’re not going to put yourself into a position of not knowing all the rules and regulations. There’s nothing worse than being hit with a fine or being put in jail for ignorance.

You can check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website where you can find all sorts of information. Some of that information and the links to it are:

General Hunting rules – these can be downloaded from here.
The most important link that every hunter should check out, which will download a pdf to their computers, is the Hunting Regulations Handbook, which can be downloaded right to your computer.

Florida also requires licenses for hunting in their state. They will be more costly if you’re not a resident, and if the hunter is under age 16 or over age 65 and are residents of the state, they don’t have to register or pay any fees. The link for license and permit information and applications is right here.

So, what kind of hunting laws does Florida have that you should be aware of? The most important rules to follow are the very specific hunting seasons and locations. For instance, Hudson County in northwestern Florida has shorter hunting seasons for many prey, and even some seasons that they don’t participate in with the rest of the state. Also, Florida is known to stagger the hunting season for some animals depending on which area of the state you want to hunt in, as they’ve broken it into three zones, northwest, central, and south. The staggering of seasons isn’t only for prey, but for different types of hunting, such as with crossbows.

There are types of weapons not allowed to be used when it comes to hunting in Florida. One big type of outlawed gun is semi-automatic rifles that have magazines that shoot more than five rounds at a time. Fully automatic weapons, and any weapon with a silencer, aren’t allowed. You also can’t shoot game from moving vehicles, even on the water; you must turn off the motor before shooting at anything. You’re also not allowed to use nets, snares or traps to catch prey.

There are other rules for places one isn’t allowed to hunt. You can’t hunt on state, federal, or county maintained roads anywhere. You can’t hunt on private land unless it’s been licensed for hunting. You can’t hunt in private sanctuaries. And you can’t trespass on private lands for any reason, even if you shot and wounded prey that ended up landing on private land.

There are a few more things that you need to know about hunting in Florida. There are specific times during the day when hunting is allowed, and those times may change based on the type of prey being hunted and where you’re hunting. You need a special permit to hunt in WMAs (wildlife management areas). Also, remember to stick with the quotas set by each county, which can range from very generous to very stringent (Hudson County, for example, only allows one turkey kill a season).

Following these, and other rules, could keep you out of trouble while hunting in Florida. To learn more state rules, don’t forget to download the hunting regulations guide, in pdf form, from here.
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Jun 4

Posted in: Turkey Hunting | 1 Comment
Tags: florida turkey hunting, Turkey Hunting

Florida is a great place to hunt for turkey, as they are plentiful and there are many areas where turkeys are so that one can get different hunting experiences. For instance, even though turkeys like dry flatlands, there are some turkeys that live close to water, including rivers, lakes and swamps. This makes it challenging, not only because turkey hunting involves patience and stealth, but because there are other animals one has to watch out for including some pretty dangerous ones.

Of course, like other states, Florida has some specific rules for hunting turkey in its state. For instance, there are two turkey hunting seasons in Florida, one in the middle of autumn, the other in spring. In the northwest hunting zone, there’s actually a third special hunting period of only a few days. Holmes County, in the northwest zone, doesn’t allow turkey hunting in the fall.

In the fall turkey hunt, only males are allowed to be hunted. This is to make sure there are enough females for mating season in the spring. Males are known to literally have a harem of females, so this makes turkey hunting even more difficult in the fall because hunters have to make sure what it is they’re shooting. This means that, if you shoot a turkey during this season, you must leave the head on so you can prove that you’ve killed a male.

Hunters are allowed a daily limit of one turkey, but for each season they’re allowed only two. Therefore, if you kill your allotted number of turkeys early, you’re heading back home. However, turkey hunting is more difficult than that, so it could take the entire season to catch one. Not because you may not see one, but because of how you have to hunt turkey. They’re smarter than people have been led to believe, and they learn hunting patterns within a few days and figure out how to stay safe.

Dogs, which are prominent in hunting quail and other feathered game, are not allowed to be used to hunt turkey. The reason for this is that turkeys don’t fly up and out into the sky like other birds do, which means dogs could mutilate turkeys and spoil the hunt.

You can’t shoot turkeys while they’re on the roost, nor can you shoot turkeys if they’re in a baited area. Baited areas are meant to draw other animals, but turkeys will wander into these areas and become easy prey.

The state of Florida has a couple of certifications you can apply for based on your kill. One of those is known as the Outstanding Gobbler Certificate, and to qualify the “beards” of the turkey must be at least 11 inches long, the spurs at least 1 ¼ inches. The other is known as the First Gobbler Certificate, and is awarded to hunters under 16 years of age.

Overall, the best way to hunt turkey in Florida is to hook up with a club, lodge, or plantation. They offer a full hunting experience in the safety of a group and guides who will go out with you, show you the basics of hunting turkey, and try to make sure you stay safe. Even on private lands, there are things that owners have no control over; after all, nature doesn’t always follow the rules. However, you could also have a lot of fun if turkey hunting is something you’d like to try.
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Jun 2

Posted in: Turkey Hunting | No Comments
Tags: florida turkey hunting, Turkey Hunting, turkey hunting tips

Turkey hunting can be an enjoyable sport for some hunters. Those with skills understand that hunting for every animal has its similarities and differences. Here are some tips for hunting turkey that will help to enhance your experience.

1. You can’t stalk a turkey. This isn’t because turkeys are necessarily smart and will know it’s a person stalking them. It’s because other hunters may not be able to tell that you’re not a turkey before shooting. Most turkey hunting accidents occur because someone else thinks you’re a turkey.

2. Try not to wear red, while, or blue if you’re going turkey hunting. Those are the colors of most turkeys, along with brown, and another way to be mistaken for a turkey.

3. Motion is your enemy if you’re going to hunt turkey. Most hunters will find a spot and remain there, as quiet as possible, until turkeys show themselves. They’re faster than they look, and if you spook a turkey too soon, you might not get another chance at getting one. Turkeys also tend to move in groups, so attracting the attention of any of them and they’re all gone.

4. Camouflage is helpful if you’re looking to catch a turkey. Blending in always works well. The standard camouflage clothes work well, but many hunters will also buy camouflage paint for their faces and hands to try to blend in even better.

5. Camouflage isn’t all you need. In the woods, there are lots of bugs, especially mosquitoes and gnats, and they will bite, you’ll move, and you won’t see any turkeys. Wearing scented bug repellant, however, is a major tell to turkeys, as it’s a foreign scent they’re not used to. Netting and gloves can go a long way towards protecting your skin; they have them in camouflage colors as well. Make sure the netting you buy covers your full face also, and pick netting without eyeholes. Sure, they’re just as effective, but you’re looking to protect all areas of your face, and eyeholes still offer skin that these insects will go for.

6. Be careful if you’re going to use something to call a turkey, such as a gobbler call. Other hunters might think you’re a turkey, and won’t follow what the next tip is going to be.

7. Don’t shoot at anything until you see a turkey. Don’t shoot at sounds of any kind, including scratching of branches. Don’t shoot at movement in the trees or leaves. Don’t shoot just because you hear a turkey call, ala the tip above. Don’t assume anything while hunting turkeys.

8. If you’re going to call a turkey with your own voice, try cupping one hand near the mouth before you make the call. This will help the call be more directional, especially if you’re trying to get a certain group of turkey that you may have an idea of where they might be.

9. If you spot an area with lots of grasshoppers, turkeys might not be far behind. Turkeys are attracted to grasshoppers because they offer protein to them, and they might even be used as a lure for turkeys.

10. Turkey hunting takes a lot of patience. If you’re going to wait for a turkey, find a comfortable spot where you can not only sit, but keep your gun ready for your shot. You might want to try to find a place where you can either sit or lay and aim your gun forward. If a turkey sneaks up on you from behind, you’re probably not going to be fast enough to shoot it anyway, so try to stay trained on your targeted spot.

These tips will help your turkey hunting experience go better and safer if you employ them well.
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h”Located in the heart of Lake Fork”

HIDDEN LAKES, named by my wife Kathryn, like all good things is the fulfillment of our personal dream to own and operate a hunting resort. The Resort is located one mile east of Highway 17 on County Road 1912 in Yantis, Texas 75497.

When we first purchased the farm I started constructing lakes and ponds on every draw. When completed we had eight ponds and lakes. Now with the additional ranches acquired we have fourteen in all. Two years ago we stocked every lake and if you like to fish just bring the rod and reel (catch and release only).

You can also look for the ducks, deer, coyotes, bobcats, and other wildlife that roam the ranch. Part of our uniqueness is we are very secluded but an easy drive from major urban areas. The Resort is accessed by two entrances, one to the cabin and guest house and the other to the working facilities, both are half of a mile off the main road. The north, south, east, and west boundaries are the back side of other farms. You will not see a highway from any location on the Resort. This year we added two adjoining ranches to our hunting resort but we still maintain our seclusion.

Wing hunting is the only hunting we do. Years of hunting and visiting other resorts has allowed us to create the ultimate wing shooting resort. To facilitate our hunting, we purchase birds but in addition we also have the facilities to hatch and raise about 14,000 birds.

There are six flight pens from 130’ to 160’ long. The birds are kept secluded from sight of humans and protected from predators until they are released for hunting. Birds are raised in seclusion so they react and fly as if they were wild. This makes for an exciting hunt.

For prime pheasant hunting, we planted seventeen and a half miles of milo and sorghum in 30’ wide strips. There are two rows of milo and then two rows of sorghum repeated until we have a strip 30’ wide. The hunters walk through the waist high milo. The sorghum, which grows to about 7’ tall, causes the birds to get up faster and fly higher. We left all the natural grasses and cover on Hidden Lakes. The scattered trees, briar patches and grown up fence rows are excellent cover and provide prime natural habitat for the quail and chuckers. To facilitate hunting we shred a 20’ path every 200’ in the open field in all pastures. We have six different hunting areas which provide hunters a diverse hunting experience and provides safety by keeping hunters well separated.

Lodging

The guest house is located half of a mile off the road. It has a large bedroom with three queen size beds and a second bedroom with a queen and a half bed. The dining and living area is where meals are served. The guest house can sleep from five to nine depending on arrangements.

The cedar cabin is about 100 yards due south of the guest house nestled in trees by a lake. It has 2 half size beds downstairs and 2 bedrooms upstairs each with a queen size bed. There is also a queen sized sleeper sofa downstairs. The cabin will sleep four to six depending on arrangements.
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Hunting and Fishing Community – The Ultimate Hunting and Fishing Community – GHF’s goal is to be built for its members. We want you to build this sight as if it were your own. We have implemented the ability for our members to be a part of this website and submit there information and knowledge of the outdoors including articles, photos, field journals and marine reports. This will not only spread the love and passion for our sport, but also help to give notice to those individuals that are the real reason our sport exists today and continues to grow.

Gray Ghost Plantation – Gray ghost plantation is a family owned and operated hunting outfitter in Middle Georgia just 1 hour and 45 minutes south west of Atlanta international airport. This region of Georgia is becoming well known for trophy whitetail deer, the abundance of wild turkey and some of the best Georgia Quail Hunting in the state. We hunt 1100 acres of a mixture of planted pines, hardwood timber, ponds and food plots. The property is privately owned and operated. The property is managed for quality Whitetail deer, large flocks of Turkeys and Quail. We take pride in our quality management of whitetails, turkeys and Bobwhite Quail . To help us do this, we have food plots of high protein clover, soybean, corn, wheat, winter rye, off season feeders, as well as natural acorns from oak timber.

We offer Turkey hunting in the spring, Deer hunting in the fall and winter and Wingshooting during Quail Season. The spring turkey season is gun and/or bow and the deer season is split up for archers who want to get a head start on hunting season and we also cater to the rifle hunters later in the season. For some of the most exciting bird hunting action reserve you trip today.

Premier Texas Shooting – This website is dedicated to promoting the wingshooting in the great state of Texas. Here you will find some of the best wingshooting outfitters and lodges in Texas. Whatever your wingshooting desire, you will find it here. Take your time and look over the many lodges that have chose to promote their wingshooting on PremierTexasWingshooting.com. Please fill out the contact form and someone from the lodge will contact you ASAP. “Your next Texas wingshooting adventure begins here. Happy Hunting!

Florida Everglades Bass Fishing – FloridaEvergladesBassFishing.com gives you all the information you could ever want to know about bass fishing in Southern Florida. If you live in Florida or are looking to take a bass fishing vacation in the Sunshine state, you should definitely check us out. We offer great bass fishing trips for the beginner and the seasoned angler, as well as for men, women, and children. We offer several varieties of bass fishing trips such as half day, full day, or weekend trips depending on what the client wants.

Flats and Backcountry Fishing – Your Backcountry Inshore Flats Fishing Charter Boat and Guide for Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, Trout, mangrove snapper and sharks. If you’re searching for the ultimate back country experience you’ve found the right place, the right Captain and the right boats. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a first time fisherman, we will tailor a trip just for you. Ride on the quickest, most comfortable boats and use the best tackle to land that trophy fish. It is the ultimate backcountry experience for the guys, gals, families or small corporate groups.

Cypress Airboats – Cypress Airboats offers the best backcountry everglades airboat rides there are to offer in south Florida. We bring you deep into the heart of the everglades were the big gators are. Our custom high performance boats are second to none. We cater to both the individual who wants that scenic tour of the everglades and to the thrill seeker for the ride of a lifetime. We are not your typical airboat tour company; we are the real thing, third generation natives of south Florida born and raised in the everglades offering private tours and rides with smaller high performance boats that take you places that you would not normally get to see on the bigger boats.

Ft Lauderdale Airboat Rides – At Ft Lauderdale airboat tours we provide you with the real thing, a custom tailored tour of the old Florida Everglades. We are not a tourist trap or side show. We are the real thing. Our airboats are smaller, quicker and custom. We offer a variety of tour packages from 1 person to small groups. We will customize a tour to fit your needs starting with 1 hour tours to an all day excursion. We also do night tours with advanced notice. When you book a tour with us we will also see how good you are at driving the boat.

West Palm Beach Airboat Rides – At West Palm Beach Airboat Rides we provide you with the real thing, a custom tailored tour of the old Florida Everglades. We are not a tourist trap or side show. We are the real thing. Our airboats are smaller, quicker and custom. We offer a variety of tour packages from 1 person to small groups. We will customize a tour to fit your needs starting with 1 hour tours to an all day excursion. We also do night tours with advanced notice. When you book a tour with us we will also see how good you are at driving the boat.

Miami Airboat Tours – Our tours will take you into the heart of the everglades were you will have an opportunity to see different birds, possibly some animals and a lot of alligators. We will get you up close and personal with the big gators. We at Miami Airboat tours are third generation air boaters and have been in the everglades since the 1960s we know the everglades it’s our back yard.

Key Largo Home Rental – Key Largo home rental offers only the finest accommodations there is to offer, we believe that if you are vacationing locally on a get away weekend, visiting for a week, or spending the winter in Florida you deserve the very best. The home is located in Key Largo on the bay side tucked into a finger canal just off the bay. The home was custom built in 2008 and has a new dock and a boat lift if you would like to bring your boat or jet ski.