Migration Update March 20, 2015

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The spring snow goose migration is moving along at a rapid pass as spring weather spreads to the Central and Mississippi Flyways. In the past 30-days, snow goose numbers at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge have soared from zero, to 643,000 on 3/11 and back down to 210,758 on 3/18.   Habit conditions have also varied greatly as the refuge was 95% frozen just three weeks ago.

Hello, folks, and as always, Welcome to Waterfowler.com.

Timing the spring snow goose season is risky business. Each spring mid-continental light geese push to the edge of the snow line and run the gauntlet north to their breeding grounds.   This year, limited amounts of snow cover and a quick spring thaw have opened a fast-track migration deep into the northern prairies. Continue reading

A Benelli First: The 828U Over-and-Under

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Bucking convention while honoring classic design has always been the Benelli stock in trade, and the advent of their new 828U over-and-under shotgun promises to exceed that expectation nicely.

For the double-gun purist, Benelli’s newest offering delivers the mandatory point-ability, custom comb and drop adjustments and the kind of ergonomic feel and balance inherent to all fine shotguns. And the Benelli faithful who are familiar with the brand’s iconic semi-auto’s will instantly see the trademark Benelli performance design aesthetic. The 828U is at once both contemporary and beautifully practical, from the smooth body and exquisite checkering to the wide, low-profile rib bridge, no side rib and monoblock treatment. Continue reading

President Requests $1.6 Billion U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The President’s Fiscal Year 2016 discretionary budget request supports $1.6 billion in programs for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an increase of $135.7 million over the 2015 enacted level to fund the agency’s high-priority needs. The budget also contains an additional $1.4 billion available under permanent appropriations, most of which will be provided directly to states for fish and wildlife restoration and conservation.

“Investing in the conservation of our wildlife and habitat resources results in myriad health and economic benefits to U.S. communities,” said Service Director Dan Ashe. “Investing in the next American generation is also critical, so we are creating new ways to engage young audiences in outdoor experiences, both on wildlife refuges and partner lands. With 80 percent of the U.S. population currently residing in urban communities, helping urban dwellers to rediscover the outdoors is a priority for the Service.” Continue reading

Kaumeyer Named Delta Waterfowl Board Chairman

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BISMARCK, N.D. — Larry Kaumeyer has been named chairman of the board for Delta Waterfowl.

Kaumeyer, 52, a life-long waterfowl hunter from Edmonton, Alberta, has served on Delta’s Board of Directors since 2007.

Kaumeyer credits his father, Gerry, for igniting his passion for waterfowling as a young man.

“I absolutely love hunting ducks,” he said. “If I have a choice of doing anything in the outdoors, I will hunt ducks. I enjoy every aspect of being out there.”

The chief executive officer of Infracon Energy Services said he joined the board because he respected Delta’s long history of excellent waterfowl research and involvement in protecting hunters’ rights. Continue reading

New FLX Series of Electronic Game Calls

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The need for high quality, great-sounding Electronic Game Calls has never been higher. The exhilarating experience of hunting with electronic calls is attracting many newcomers to the world of electronic calls for the first time. Others are introduced to electronic calls out of necessity. Vermin like coyotes are taking too big a bite out of wildlife populations in many areas, and those sportsmen realize something needs to be done. In either case, the new FLX Series of Electronic Game Calls from Flextone Game Calls has you covered.

Flextone Game Calls is proud to announce the FLX Series of Electronic Game Calls, new for 2015. The FLX Series includes four models ranging from the easy-to-handle FLX 50, a lightweight remote caller, on up to the FLX 1000. Continue reading

Defy the Elements with STORMR Waterfowl

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If you are passionate about waterfowl hunting, the most important tool you can
bring to the duck camp this time of year is superior clothing like the products offered
by STORMR. The best hunting is usually brought on by the worst possible weather. Brutal cold, north winds, rain, sleet and snow is what brings new ducks into an area. Waterfowl hunters simply can’t wait on milder weather.

Waterfowlers face harsh environments that command superior gear. STORMR’s
outerwear provides maximum comfort and maneuverability, as well as huge thermal benefits in a thin, soft, flexible, windproof and waterproof shell. There’s simply nothing else like it on the market today. The old days of bulky layers on top of layers of clothing made it nearly impossible to shoot. STORMR products have combined comfort and protection from dangerous weather conditions with the ability for a hunter to move freely. Continue reading

Migration Update – November 17, 2014

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The October trickle of ducks was followed by the biggest migration in recent years as winter storm Astro blanketed the northern tier with snow and ice. While the storm system produced extraordinary results, the timing was, in fact, quite ordinary. Going back to the great Armistice Day storm of 1940, the first arctic clipper of the season and biggest migration push generally occurs around the second week of November. Of course, the severity of the storm often varies. The number of ducks and geese that are pushed by this November clipper system is decided by one single factor – snow. Thankfully, winter storm Astro brought a lot of it, and along with it, a significant number of waterfowl.

Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.

What do you get when you combined a record number of waterfowl and a classic, powerful winter storm? Most of our readers would say, “I good reason to be a duck hunter.” This past week witnessed the best migration in recent years and while things my be winding down for the far northern hunter a bit early, waterfowl season has only begun in the central and southern portions of the United States. Continue reading

Reeds Fall Classic Sale – Aug 15-17


Fall Classic 2014 4x10Waterfowler.com reminds our readers in the Great Lakes Region that Reed’s Family Outdoors will host their Annual Expo and Factory Tent Sale from August 15 – 17 in Walker, MN.  THe FALL CLASSIC SALE will feature incredible savings on all your outdoors needs for the coming hunting season — including savings on apparel, ammunition,  firearms and decoys by the truckload.   For more information visit REEDSSPORTS.COM