WyoBraska Waterfowl Recap 2013-2014

Mallards and Canada Geese

February 17^th marked the end of the 2013-2014 waterfowl season. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude to my clients for their support of and interest in WyoBraska Waterfowl.  I am truly blessed to have developed strong business and personal relationships with them over the past fifteen years.  Yes, we started hunting the North Platte Valley fifteen years ago.

The quality of our hunting continues to improve. I never like to post harvest numbers because I feel providing a memorable hunting experience is much more than the number of birds you kill.  Appreciating the majesty of  a sky filled with flocks of mallards and Canadas, the sunrises and sunsets, marveling at the enthusiasm of well-trained retrievers and hunting in magnificent locations is the essence of being a true waterfowl sportsman.

  

While 2012-2013 was a record year for WyoBraska Waterfowl, the 2013-2014 season has established a new benchmark. This was the third season in a row with record harvest numbers.  Our hunters harvested 22% more mallards this year than last year’s record number. Our Canada goose harvest was also a record with a 12% increase over last year’s record total.

Ultimately Mother Nature has the most control over the three most important variables: waterfowl numbers, the migration and the weather. My commitment to you is to strive to provide memorable hunting experiences year after year. I will continue to manage my properties wisely to ensure they are not over pressured. I promise we will continue to use only top quality decoys and equipment. I am always looking for other properties, but only if they can offer the same quality hunting you have come to expect from WyoBraska Waterfowl.

2014 Snow Geese

We have added another excellent location to our offerings in Fairbury. I am in Fairbury now getting blinds and decoys ready for our first hunters the end of next week. We are using ice eaters on our ponds to create open water for the geese. We have seen a few flocks of scout geese the last couple of days. These flocks are made up of older adult birds who push the envelope in a drive to reach the nesting grounds in the Arctic. They are the ultimate frequent flyer.

The retriever squad for this spring is Molly and Tommie.  They are coming off a stellar mallard and goose season.. Me be a proud Papa! Dani and AZ have earned well deserved retirement from the snow geese.

Tom Harpstreith Memorial Youth Hunt

The 4th annual youth hunt was  held on January 26th.  We hosted 48 young hunters to a day in the field. The hunt was a huge success with lots of prizes for the kids. The goose calling contest featured our first "mouth caller". No call, just his voice and he was very good. The best part? The mouth caller was Tom's oldest grandson, Owen, 9 years old. The hunt had drawing for two shotguns and guess who won a gun? Owen! You think Tom had a hand in that? No doubt in my mind.

To all my waterfowl friends - Go North and Prosper.

GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND

I am terribly sorry, I have been unable to get my sorry-assed ghost rider out of the pit.  I mean literally! We got him in but extraction has been an  an issue. No fear, he has food and water and a couple of days a week I send hunters join him so that his social skills (albeit limited) do not totally erode.

Hunting has been very good so far this season. However, I know I am ready to get my butt kicked. It can't be good every day or so they say.

The videos are raw footage shot by my non de plume. The video editing capabilities are a challenge in the pit so please bear with us.

This video is of my 2 year old lab, Tommie.  She has made the starting line-up this year.  She still has graduate work to complete her degree but her enthusiasm makes up for occassional lapses in technique. She does five flawless retrieves here.  Hunters got a limit of big Canadas by 10:00 AM at Location X.

This video is from a magical day at Location X. Limits of geese and mallards in 40 mph wind. We needed one drake for a limit and he was culled from amixed  flock of geese and mallards.

Enjoy!

THEEYY AARRREE HEERRREE

The Lord continues to smile upon WyoBraska Waterfowl.  The first hunters of the year were scheduled for Nov 6th and 7th. The first wave of mallards arived on Tuesday, Nov 5th. Naw.. I wasn't worried a bit. 

Shelley and Brian Kadison
Beverly Hills, CA
Retriever - Molly

On the 5th, the skies were filled with a major migration of lesser Canada geese.  I assumed some mallards were moving with them and shor nuff they were. I have had hunters every day since the 6th and they have taken limits every day.

Spencer, Tate, Benson Holmes
Sandy, UT
Retriever - Molly

 Had a great moring today.  Worked several big bunches of 30-75 birds that we did not shoot into. I don't need to educate that many birds this early in the season.  We were still done by 7:15!

Tate, Benson and Spencer Holmes
Salndy, UT/
Retriever -Tommie

Of course I can't guarantee what is going to happen in the future, but it is looking good right now.

I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know..I know…

Bill Withers

We sincerely appreciate your understanding regarding the lack of posts to this blog.  We want everyone to know my ghost writer has escaped unharmed from the domestic terrorist group.  He or she (in no way does this imply my ghost writer has gender identity issues) was kidnapped during a bus tour of the Bakken Formation oil fields near Williston, ND.  His/her escape was facilitated by his/her captors leaving a door unlocked while they were attending a pro-abortion, anti- high capacity magazine, pro-amnesty, anti-Keystone XL pipeline, save the wolves, students for the legalization of marijuana, great hot springs of the west, free education for all, any drone will do, free Doritos for life (splinter group of the students for legalization of marijuana), Norsten for MOMA, save the whales (not to be confused with Mrs. Hussein’s Let’s Move initiative, Occupy Williston, workers of the world unite, love that healthcare.gov, protect women’s reproductive rights in third world countries, global warming, day against police brutality, PETA, actions against globalization, international day of farmers’ struggles, international media democracy day, pro Saudi women’s drivers’ education, and eat more chicken day rally.

Thank God he/she is safe.

Summer 2013

This summer on the Grey Reef was the most consistent fly fishing in my ten years of guiding for the North Platte Lodge. Fifty fish to the net days were common place and there were numerous seventy five to one hundred fish days as well. Lots of 20+ inch rainbows. In fact there were many more days of 20+ than without.  Late summer into the fall the big Brown Trout made an appearance. 25+ inch fish were a weekly occurrence.  It was the best of times.

Even JJ can catch 'em

Grey Reef Rainbow

Waterfowl

Waterfowl in North America continue to be near 25 year highs. This year’s fall flight forecast is only slightly below last year’s record count of 48 million birds. Now we need Mother Nature to cooperate and give us a more normal transition from fall into winter.  A steady migration should give WyoBraska Waterfowl another stellar season.

I observed the first signs of the migration in the last week. Sand Hill cranes and snow geese are doing their high altitude fly overs. The early migrators blue wing teal, pintails, gadwall and shovelers have been frequenting the Henry Lake during October.  This week the visitors are green wing teal, wigeon and mallards. While working on the pit at the lake Saturday evening, we had a flock of 200 lesser Canada geese stop for the night.  The migration has begun!

The past two weeks have been spent preparing the river and lake blinds for the season.  The goose pits will be readied the middle of this month.

River Blind

It is going to be a very busy season.  I have hunters every day starting November 6^th through February 10^th with the exception of December 23, 24 and Christmas Day.  I am gratified by the support of my clients but I am looking forward to those three days!

Thinking the pro marijuana issue may have had something to do with the unlocked door.

MID-SUMMER UPDATE

I know it has been a long time since last post.

Fly fishing on the Grey Reef section of the North Platte has been the best in my ten years of guiding here. One hundred fish days too many to count. The Lodge has had to re-order our 25"+ fish hats three times and it is only mid-July.

We know it can't last forever, but it sure has been fun. A few of this year's catch.

28" Brown

30" Brown

25" Rainbow Pig

25" Brown

26" Rainbow

25" Rainbow

 Yes, I actually went fun fishing one evening on a "Guides Night Float".

AIN'T NO WIMPY TRIP TO GRACELAND

The 2012-2013 waterfowl season ended mid-March as we waved goodbye to the last flock of snow geese as they flew overhead on the return leg of their amazing 6000 mile round trip journey from the Arctic tundra of Nunavut to Louisiana and back..

This year's season was frequently interrupted by inclement weather. What initially appeared to be an early beginning to the migration, morphed into one of frequent starts and stops.

1.5 million snow geese were staged on Squaw Creek Refuge in northwest Missouri in late February until a spring snowstorm caused the mass to return to Arkansas and Louisiana. The storm forced us to cancel hunters from February 26 to March 8. Fortunately most of our hunters were able to reschedule to later dates in March.

Sunset Snows

Snows on final approach

The stutter start of the migration resulted in a steady stream of birds rather than a mass exodus. The more orderly migration proved a boon for our hunters. I have hunted the spring snow goose season since its inception in 1998 and this year our hunters harvested the most snow geese ever.

ON THE JOB TRAINING

The spring snow goose season provides wonderful training situations for young dogs. I opted to not bring the "old girls" to Fairbury this year. Dani has made the trip for the past nine years and AZ for the past seven. Over the years they have retrieved in the neighborhood of 8000 snow geese. I decided it was time for them to begin their semi-retirement and give the young girls the work.

Snow goose hunting is physically demanding on dogs. Retrieving 40-60 birds a day in ice cold water is not my idea of a good time but it is Valhalla for Labs. Three year old Molly amazed my hunters with her ability to handle 400+ yard blind retrieves with style and enthusiasm.

Puppy Tommie performed like a seasoned veteran. She had a 60 bird day, along with many days of over 30 birds,. and was as excited on the last as she was on the first. I look forward to her training progress this summer.

Tommie on the chase

A RECORD SEASON

The record harvest of snow geese capped off a record 2012-2013 waterfowl season. WyoBraska Waterfowl hunters harvested a record number of mallards and Canada geese as well. I shall refrain from divulging the exact numbers in deference to local hunters. Jealousy is such a pitiful emotion.

I am so very blessed to have a loyal group of clients. Some of whom have been hunting with me for over 15 years. Because of their support the upcoming 2013-2014 season is totally sold out. I am very grateful.

May the waterfowl go north and prosper.

DICKENS AND WATERFOWL

I am currently in Fairbury waiting for the snow goose migration. So far, we have had a little stutter- start to the season. 

What appeared to be an early start for the snow goose migration has returned to a more normal time frame. The back-to-back snow storms that hit Kansas and Missouri have pushed most of the geese back to Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. However, we have seen a small migration beginning the last few days. The forecast calls for warmer weather and  hopefully that will kick things into high gear.

The 2012-2013 fall/winter waterfowl season was on a similar roller coaster. November through mid-December saw above normal temperatures along with continuation of the drought.  The North Platte experienced reduced flows; however, we had enough water at our river location in Nebraska. The river refuge at Lingle had enough water to attract the ducks and geese. We also had sufficient water in our lake in Wyoming.

The warmer than normal weather did affect our goose hunting this year. We had fewer big Canadas and significantly more lesser Canadas in both Wyoming and Nebraska. For the second year in a row, many of the big guys stayed in Montana. In February 80% of our geese were little yappers.

Have I mentioned I harbor a great dislike of the lesser Canada goose? They usually fly in huge flocks which makes them difficult to decoy into our normal shooting range. Oh, they get you all revved up when a hundred of them lock up and descend to eighty yards. But like the cheerleader in high school they usually break your heart. Well, not every time. I seem to recall a late night swim at Villa Springs that...never mind.

November through mid-December daily limits were the norm. It was the best mallard hunting I have ever had anywhere!

December 18th brought a sharp change in our weather. It was our first snow of the year accompanied by bitter temperatures. From then until the end of the season we were on two-week weather cycles. Two weeks of bitter cold  followed by two weeks of record warmth.

Weather changes are generally good for hunting. It causes the birds to get out of their daily routines. However, when it is either cold or warm for two-week periods the birds get patterned very quickly. And JJ gets very frustrated very quickly.

That being said, 2012-2013 season was WyoBraska Waterfowl's best season ever. We set records for mallard harvest as well as for geese. The record that is most gratifying is the record for number of clients.


It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....  (Charles Dickens)

Mostly the best.