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Celebrity Views Open to Everyone! Hogg Wear & More! Archives |
Fowl News: Snow Goose Conservation Season for the ATL Flyway Just Around the Corner!!!...by David Rearick It is time to dust off the e-callers and snow goose decoys in preparation for this years spring snow goose CO season in the Atlantic Flyway. With the newly expanded season last year, more opportunities exist allowing you to extend your hunting season. While decoying snows can be difficult, when it happens, it is very rewarding seeing 1000 geese feet down and in the hole. Many of the Game Hoggs will be strong at it this year, and we hope everyone has great success in the field. For more info about snow goose hunting and gunning them successfully, check out our Fowl Article with tips from the pros on Snow Goose Hunting by clicking HERE!!! Shenango Ridge Labradors Newest Arrivals!!!...by David Rearick Shenango Ridge Labradors, a sponsor of the site and an avid dog expert on our retriever forum, is proud to announce their newest litter! The liier consisted of 6 puppies, 2 blacks and 4 yellows, and they currently have three yellows available for sale! Judging form what I have personally seen of Leroy's pups, they are great dogs both in the field and in the house. Multiple Game Hoggs own dogs that came from Leroy's breedings, and while they are all puppies, they are coming on strong for the years to come. For more information about Shenango Ridge, click HERE!!!
VOTE for the Fowl Life.. Sportsmans Channel Sportsmans Choise Awards!
The
first voting round runs through November 19, when the top five vote-getters in
each category will qualify for a final round of viewer voting. The winners in
all Sportsman Choice Award categories will be crowned in January during the
Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in “There’s
no better academy than our viewers, the American sportsmen, to choose the
finest in award-winning hunt, shoot, fish programming,” said Todd D. Hansen,
Sr. Vice President Sportsman Channel. As an
added bonus, the first 500 voters will receive a Sportsman Channel hat, and all
voters will be entered to win a $1000 prize pack, which includes a $500
Cabela’s gift card and merchandise from Sportsman Channel and Cabela’s.  PAWHS Fundraiser Kicks Off!!!...by David Rearick A local organization based out of Western PA named the PA Waterfowl Heritage Society is a grass roots organization formed in 2007 by a few local waterfowler's. After the success of the first fundraiser to raise money for the Pymatuning Waterfowl refuge, they started to develop a plan, along with the Scott of LPWWRF Petrie and the PA Game Commission, to capture and install transmitters on Greater Scaup at Presque Isle State Park in PA . Teaming up with Scott, the PA Game Commission, and a few other local organizations a proposal was sent into the USFWS Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act to help cover the costs of the project. With a large amount of private money being set aside, this year the GLFWRA decided to accept the proposal putting this project into full swing. With partners of PAWHS like Wildlife for Everyone, Pitboss Waterfowl, The Swampers, Avery, Zink, Foiles, Coastline Guide Service, Drakes Only LLC, and many more; a fundraiser to raise the money PAWHS has promised towards the project is currently in the works. Look for more info on this site and if you want to help; contact David Rearick under the contacts page on this site.
Zink Calls "Call for a Cure"... Now available from Zink Calls are limited editions of the popular SR-1
Paralyzer short-reed, and Power Hen single-reed duck call. These newest
additions to the line sport the Pink Ribbon Logo of the National Breast
Cancer Foundation (NBCF), and are themselves crafted from eye-catching
pink acrylic. Each call is handsomely laser-engraved with the words
"Call for a Cure." Names or other dedications can be added at no
additional charge. Zink Calls will be donating 30 percent of the proceeds from the
sale of these unique pieces to the foundation. For more information about the NBCF, visit their website at www.nationalbreastcancer.org. For more information or to purchase the calls, visit the Zink Website.. http://www.zinkcalls.com New PFD Requirement in New York State From November 1 to May 1, all persons on board a boat of less than 21 feet in length (including row boats, canoes and kayaks) must wear a securely fastened personal flotation device when the boat is underway. Other safety tips: Never shoot while standing in a boat. If you get wet, dry off quickly and get help. Hunt with a partner - the “buddy system” works!
Regulation Reads as follows: * (e) No owner or operator of a pleasure vessel less than twenty-one feet, including rowboats, canoes, and kayaks shall permit its operation, between November first and May first, unless each person on board such vessel is wearing a securely fastened United States Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of an appropriate size when such vessel is underway.
* NB Effective November 1, 2009 62nd Annual Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival August 2009 Sunday. Admission is free. Interested vendors can contact Don Tarry at 734-241-7041. Activities for youngsters include a BB gun shoot, an archery shoot, face painting, clowns and waterfowl-related games. Last year, more than 10,000 visitors attended the festival. For more information, contact Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival Executive Director Dick Whitwam, at 734-379-4292 or online at: www.miwaterfowlfest.org. Contacts: Joe Robison, 734-379-9692 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014 Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Id Course to be Held There will be a New York State Waterfowl Identification Course at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Visitor Center, Thursday, September 24, 2008, from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Space is limited to twenty-five participants and you must sign up in advance by calling the Montezuma Refuge at 315/568-5987. Proof of course completion is required to hunt waterfowl on the refuge. Hunt regulations, dates and conditions will be available upon request beginning in late-September by calling the refuge office at the number listed above or by visiting the website at http://www.fws.gov/R5mnwr. The Montezuma NWR consists of nearly 10,000 acres at the north end of Cayuga Lake and is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Refuge represents some of the most significant waterfowl and wildlife habitat in the entire Atlantic Flyway, and is a critical resource for migratory and resident wildlife populations. Opportunities for viewing wildlife—especially birds—abound on the refuge. More than 160,000 people visit each year taking advantage of the Spring and Fall migrations to see the greatest variety of waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and songbirds the refuge has to offer. You may also see mink, weasel, fox and deer. Refuge trails (except during white-tailed deer hunting season) and the auto-tour route are open, weather permitting, sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center and gift shop are open Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. from April through October and weekends only in November (call ahead to ensure Visitor Center is open; may be closed due to staff shortages). For more information or to learn about volunteering at the Visitor Center, call (315) 568-5987.
PAWHS to start fundraising for Scaup Satellite Project...by David Rearick A local organization based out of Western PA named the PA Waterfowl Heritage Society is a grass roots organization formed in 2007 by a few local waterfowler's. After the success of the first fundraiser to raise money for the Pymatuning Waterfowl refuge, they started to develop a plan, along with the Scott of LPWWRF Petrie and the PA Game Commission, to capture and install transmitters on Greater Scaup at Presque Isle State Park in PA . Teaming up with Scott, the PA Game Commission, and a few other local organizations a proposal was sent into the USFWS Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act to help cover the costs of the project. With a large amount of private money being set aside, this year the GLFWRA decided to accept the proposal putting this project into full swing. With partners of PAWHS like Wildlife for Everyone, Pitboss Waterfowl, The Swampers, Avery, Zink, Foiles, and many more to come; a fundraiser to raise the money PAWHS has promised towards the project is currently in the works. Look for more info on this site and if you want to help; contact David Rearick under the contacts page on this site.
Habitat Flats Productions New DVD F5 "Buried in Snows"...by Tony Vandemore *NOTE: This Item is Available through the Hogg Store for Pre-Order!* Nationally acclaimed videographer and editor Field Hudnall documents one of the nations most successful waterfowl outfitters in the country, who specialize in the pursuit of Snows in F5 “Buried in Snows”. The Habitat Flats crew battle through loss of sleep, countless new decoy spreads ranging into the thousands, rain, mud, sleet and ice to decoy voluminous numbers of geese within feet of their cameras and guns. The sky’s are storming, and the collateral damage is mounting up. Spawned by thundering booms from our Habitat Flats crew and clients flying steel! All hell is breaking loose, it must be an F5! To Purchase Your Copy; Click HERE
Duck Numbers Up Overall...Courtesy of Ducks Unlimited MEMPHIS, Tenn. − July 2, 2009 - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released its preliminary report today on mid-continent breeding ducks and habitats, based on surveys conducted in May and early June. Total duck populations were estimated at 42 million breeding ducks on the surveyed area. This estimate represents a 13% increase over last year's estimate of 37.3 million birds and is 25 percent above the 1955-2008 long-term average. 2009 Estimates of May Ponds and Breeding Ducks (in millions)
Greater Snow Goose Populations and Productivity Estimates...By David Rearick Alaska Wildfowl Adventures To Offer New Hunts In 2009-2010...By Mike Bard
Capt. Tim Bouchard owner of Alaska Wildfowl Adventures is opening the door to waterfowlers this year to experience even more of what Alaska has to offer. Tim and his guides will be offering hunts not only in Valdez, but the Aleutian Islands and Minto starting this fall. Waterfowl hunts with upland and fishing options will be run from September 1st through January. This is your chance to get some of the following species on your trip!! Harlequin, Pacific and King Eider, Eurasian and American Wigeon, Old Squaw, Barrow's and Common Goldeneye, Aleutian Greenwing Teal, Red-Breasted and Common Mergansers, Lesser Canada Goose, Dusky Canada Goose, Surf-Black-and White Wing Scoter, Bufflehead, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Pintail, Greenwing Teal, Tufted Duck, Smew, Pochard
GHG Decoys Introduces New Teal, Wigeon, and Mallard Decoys...By David Rearick GHG has unvelied even more new decoys set to come out the fall of 2009. After releasing pictures of their other new carving for 09 (see news story below), they have just released pictures of their three newest decoys to add to the line-up including new Wigeon, Hot Buy Mallards, and Bluewing Teal. These new carvings yet again are nothing short of spectacular and GHG continues to set the bar very high for the decoy market. I can't wait to see them on the water this fall.
Zink's next waterfowl video in their 24-7 video series is set to be released Friday, May 15th 2009. "The Band Hunters 24-7" is this year's title and the film will take you on the road with the Z-Unit across Canada and the U.S. in their quest for putting honkers and greenheads in your face.
The video is set to retail for $13.00 A Youtube Promo is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPVaYW2yzqI Additionally the Band Hunters Theme Song can be heard at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBI4vyUUerM
GHG Decoys Introduces New Teal & Wood Duck Decoys...By David Rearick Greenhead Gear Decoys just announced the release of their new Pro-Grade Wood Duck and Greenwing Teal decoys to be available this fall. With multiple new head and body positions, along with swivel heads on some of the decoys, they are revolutionizing the industry once again and setting the bar even higher. The decoys were carved by World Champion carvers Dick Rhode and Rick Johannsen and their attention to detail has really made these decoys pop. The new body positions emulate relaxed feeding, active, swimming, and loafing birds just like a real flock of live birds. With hints to more new decoys coming out this fall, we will be sure to keep you up to date of what is coming up as it happens. These new decoys have created a buzz around the waterfowling community, and should look great on the water this fall.
WindWhacker decoys has come out with a new wind driven decoy proven to be deadly on ducks both over water and in fields. This decoy is capable of running in winds as low as 2 mph and creates the flash that duplicates what real ducks looks like as they backpeddle just before they land. In areas where battery powered decoys are either illegal or un-useable due to salt water, these decoys are the answer. They can be mounted both vertically or horizontally and are priced reasonably enough to allow you to buy 3-4 units and create alot of motion in your spread, giving you the advantage over other hunters in the area.
For more information, check out their website:
 New Waterfowl TV Show to Premiere June 29th...By Mike Bard May 2009 "The Fowl Life with Chad Belding" will air on the Pursuit Channel, Sportsman's Channel, WILD TV (in Canada) and ICTV starting June 29th. The show will air on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday depending on which of the networks you have with your television provider. The series takes a new look at how waterfowl hunting shows are done and will include up close and personal footage, along with educational points and of course with Chad, you'll have plenty of comedy. For more information and detailed show times for your area, check out:
The Fowl Life New Benelli Vinci Unveiled...By David Rearick After what seems like years, Benelli finally unveiled their new shotgun aimed at revolutionizing the industry and waterfowl hunting. On March 31st 2009 at high noon, Benelli finally let the world see their new shotgun centered around the waterfowl hunter. It features the legendary Benelli Inertia recoil system, but this time they went a step further and created an in-line system that no longer extends into the butt stock of the gun, but is now housed in the barrel/receiver. They also added the Plus recoil system, making it the world's softest kicking shotgun. They even stepped up the ease of breaking the shotgun down with their new 3 piece modular system. Overall, it is designed to be an easy to use, reliable, and extreme waterfowl shotgun built to last the test of the most serious waterfowlers. It is offered in 3 different configurations, 2 barrel lengths, and is capable of shooting 2 3/4" and 3" shells, and accepts the Benelli Crio choke tubes. For more info about the Vinci, visits Benelli's website: Macks Prairie Wings Calling Contest Results Regional Intermediate Junior Great Lakes Calling Contest Results Open Goose 1. Wade Walling Novice Open Duck 1. Dan Oberfoell Novice North American Goose/Duck Calling Contest Results Goose Masters Intermediate Junior Duck Championship Intermediate Junior
Atlantic Flyway Gets 1st Snow Goose Conservation Season...By David Rearick This year the Atlantic Flyway council decided to try and combat the ever growing population of greater snow goose found predominately in the Atlantic Flyway by implementing this flyways first ever spring snow goose conservation season. While a CO season is already in place for the other flyways, up until the 2009 spring season, nothing except the standard season has been used to control the population. With greater concerns for the tundras stability, the council decided to allow for an extended hunting season along with other regulations like the un-plugging of shotguns, extended shooting hours, and allowing electronic callers to be used during the special season. The special season takes place after the closure of the regular season, and only then can the new means for taking snow geese be used. In some states not all allowable methods are legal, so please check the regulations of your particular state for season dates, regulations, and other important information. Along with the standard hunting license, some states require the addition of a special spring snow goose hunting license which gives the states an idea of the number of hunters and their subsequent harvest. Key to success is careful monitoring of the added harvest and the resultant impact on the direction of the greater snow goose population. We hope everyone gets out into the field to take advantage of this new offering in the ATL Flyway. For more information about this season and about the PA regulations, click the link below.. PA Game Commssion Snow Goose Conservation Season Report
Environ Metal Introduces Hevi-Metal Ammo for 2009...By Mike Bard Ronald M. Petty Sr. V.P. Sales and Marketing for Hevi-Shot was gracious enough to take some time from his schedule to fill us in on the latest waterfowl ammo offering from Environ Metal. Hevi-Metal is Hevi-Shots entry into the high end steel ammo category. This new product will give waterfowlers the first real effective waterfowl load at premium steel price, which will retail for around $21-$25 for a box of 25 shells. The retail price range will put this new load up against Federal’s Black Cloud and Winchester Supremes. Hevi Metal is offered in both 3 and 3 ½ inch loads in shot sizes BBB, BB, 2, and 3. Additionally, both 1 ¼ and 1 ½ ounce payloads will also be available. The load is offered at speeds up to 1500 fps and each load has a minimum of 21% more pellets than a traditional steel load. Mr. Petty went on to say “If the guys like the Federal stuff, Hevi-Metal is like their load, but on Steroids! We field tested it on ducks and geese in 3 trips to Canada. Both writers and guides loved it!!” Not only has Mr. Petty provided marketing information about Hevi-Metal, but he took the time to make sure we all understand how hunting waterfowl with steel shot is effect and provided these facts; “As you are aware, steel will kill waterfowl, if you use a large enough pellet, speed it up to increase energy and get the birds in close enough to have an effective pattern with enough pellets to kill the duck. The bad news is if you get a large pellet, you can only get so many pellets in the shell and the pattern becomes sparse after around 37 yards. Thus crippling increases and success falters! It takes 3 pellets with 2.35 ft lbs of energy to give you a 95% kill assurance. The larger pellets have the energy, but as stated there is only so much room. What makes Hevi-Shot products so great is the ability to use a smaller pellet with a lot of energy, so you get enough pellets at the same time as having enough speed.” Mr. Petty then shared the thought process that went into the creation of Hevi-Metal as well. “With Hevi-Shot you can effectively kill ducks out to 60 yards, the pattern is full of pellets and with #6 shot and you still have energy to boot! In fact, Hevi-Shot is really overkill! Most shooters shoot ducks closer and the kills are dramatic! Thus, we decided that if we could make a Hevi-Shot pellet perform like a steel pellet, for example, large and with enough energy to deliver the punch, we could start blending steel and the new smaller pellet to deliver a dense pattern with energy to kill ducks out to the 45-50 yard range. Our load is precision loaded, we don’t mix the shot, and we modify the loader to drop an exact amount of the new pellet and an exact amount of steel. The new pellet is new! Not just one of our other many pellets. We have engineered specific pellets to duplicate energy and flight characteristics of the matching steel pellet!” One other note to share is that Hevi-Steel will be phased out in 2010, as Hevi-Metal is just as effective and can be put in consumer’s hands at a lower cost. For more information on Hevi-Metal and other Hevi-Shot products visit their website From – Zink Calls Corporate FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Port “Field has the total support of Zink Calls in his efforts,” Zink continued. “The young man’s desire to operate his own company is the American Dream, and I understand those feelings to the fullest. He will continue to work with our team, both in video production and as a member of our Z-Unit promoting Zink Calls across the eastern U.S. Field is a talented young man, passionate about the outdoors, and I consider him one of my very best friends.” Field, along with his new wife, Jessica, will be relocating to his home state of On the home front, Zink Calls’ 24/7 DVD Series of video productions continues to move forward. “Walt Gabbard, another Kentuckian, will be spearheading our current and future productions here,” said Zink. “He’s shown tremendous talent with his editing, and a strong desire to improve.” Gabbard’s resume’ with Zink Calls includes editing and production of Snow Storm, as well as the company’s first full-length turkey hunting DVD, Turkey Time For more information, visit the Zink Website.. http://www.zinkcalls.com Easton MD World Calling Competition Results...By David Rearick Congrats to all the Callers that entered and participated! WORLD GOOSE Apparition Scents Purchase...By Mike Bard Apparition™ Scents, a Jason Mears, co-owner, provided Game Hogg Hunt Club with the following information about Apparition™ Scents and their products. Developed from the Ground Up Let's face it. Sometimes there is nothing to do but think while on stand in early October waiting for a good deer to come by. That's actually how the idea for the development of Apparition™ Scents came about. A few experiments and a lot of headaches later, the most natural smelling masking scents you can find anywhere were born. We developed a line of exceptional urine-based attractant scents, which rounded out our easy to understand and simple to use scent system. It's in the Details The Apparition™ Scent line is developed and hand bottled with strict attention being paid to every detail. Our masking scents are developed from all natural earth materials, and our attractant scents contain 100% pure whitetail deer urine collected from free roaming deer living on an exceptional quality farm that provides excellent natural habitat. Our scent elimination formula is made from the finest ingredients, and is perhaps the most effective human scent killer on the market. The Apparition™ Scent system consists of three attractant scents, three masking scents, and a human scent eliminator and they are guaranteed to work when used properly, or you get your money back. Take a closer look at the Apparition™ Scent family by reading about each of the products below. For more info about Apparition™ Scents, check out their website. Wigeon Satellite Tracking Study Update..From Doug Howell NCWRC As of 7/9 six hens with operating transmitters remain alive. This includes 2 instrumented in 2007 and 4 instrumented in 2008. We continue to receive intermittent signals from an additional hen from 2007. Since the last update, one transmitter either failed or the hen died (44690). The transmitter shot by a Cree hunter in Waskaganish, Quebec in early May was never returned. Subsequent attempts to contact the hunter failed. Oh well, I tried. I have attached a map of the latest movements. One interesting note: a 2007 hen (72793) has now reached the sane area south of Great Bear Lake, NWT where she spent the summer of 2007 – probably a good indication of a nesting area. Specific movements include: 44677: Remains in the area of Peesane, Saskatchewan 44690: Located near Split Lake, Manitoba. The signal was lost on 7/4. 55010: Remains in the area of Big Trout Lake, Ontario. 55019: On 5/31 moved from Atikaki Wilderness Provincial Park, Manitoba to Portage Bay on Lake Manitoba. On 6/3 moved to east of Preeceville, Saskatchewan. On 6/7 moved to east of Leask, Saskatchewan. On 6/10 reached northeast of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan where it remains to date. 63004: On 5/25 moved from the Thousand Islands, St. Lawrence River, NY to the Ottawa River near Bisset Creek, Ontario. On 5/28 was located north of Matagami, Quebec. On 6/5 moved to south of Fort Albany, James Bay, Ontario. On 6/15 moved to Mavor Island, Hudson Bay, Nunavut then to north of Inukjuak, Quebec. On 6/16 moved to south of Paurngatarvik, Quebec. On 6/17 moved to south of Povungnituk Lake, Quebec where it remains to date. 72791: Remains near the Saskatchewan River, southwest of Root Lake, Manitoba Habitat conditions during the 2008 May waterfowl survey were characterized in many areas by a delayed spring compared to several preceding years. Drought in many parts of the traditional survey area contrasted sharply with record amounts of snow and rainfall in the eastern survey area. A cold winter with heavy snows, and colder than average spring temperatures, delayed spring conditions by 1-2 weeks relative to the early springs of preceding years. An exception was northern Quebec, which experienced an early spring with most ice melting by the last week of May. Quickly rising temperatures with spring rains led to flooding in Maine and the Maritimes, which disrupted spring nesting phenology; as a result these areas were classified as Fair. Elsewhere in the East, abundant water in most semi-permanent wetlands resulted in classifications of Good or Excellent. Spring was delayed in much of the traditional survey area although pilots reported habitat conditions suitable for nesting at the time of the survey. Much of the prairie potholes experienced drought conditions this spring with many semipermanent wetlands and livestock dugouts dry. At the time of the survey, this area was considered Fair to Poor, with the exceptions being regions with temporary and seasonal water in southeastern South Dakota, and areas of western South Dakota that received abundant rain and snowfall in early May; conditions were Good in both of these areas. Parts of the prairie pothole region experienced heavy rains following completion of the survey. This may improve habitat conditions for late nesters and may improve the success of re-nesting attempts. The parklands were drier in 2008 than in 2007 when excess water created much additional waterfowl habitat; still this area was classified as Fair to Good overall with most seasonal and semipermanant wetlands full. A late April snowstorm recharged wetlands in some areas of the northern parklands; these were classified as Excellent. In the northern boreal forest, spring break-up was later in 2008 than in recent years, with locally variable snowfall, and consequently, variable runoff that resulted in habitat conditions ranging from Fair, in the east, to Good in the west. Most large lakes were still frozen by May 20 in the Northwest Territories; however, warmer temperatures in late May led to habitat conditions suitable for nesting during the survey period. Good conditions were present throughout Alaska, with slightly late spring conditions in some coastal areas. Barring any large-scale, catastrophic weather events the northern boreal should support increased waterfowl production this year with sufficient habitat and the presence of additional birds that had overflown the drier prairie pothole region. The molt is underway and the PGC has started to capture numerous resident geese and subsequently fitting them with leg bands. Across the state Waterfowl Biologists and other PGC employees and volunteers are helping to make this program possible. With years of experience and many hours of scouting, the PGC does a great job at selecting birds in different strata and ensuring that the sample population isn't banded each year. Game Hoggs Rick MacFarlane and David Rearick got out on day 1 and helped the PGC band 235 geese in 10 hours. It was a great time, and a great way to help the flyway's understand the resident geese that are abundant here in PA. The Capture Pen... Rick MacFarlane Releasing a Banded Gosling... Some New Leg Iron.... | ||
