hunting leases

Locating Duck Hunting Leases in Texas

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There was a time when finding duck hunting leases in Texas could take months. You had to first “hear” about a site, then you had to either call or visit the site and then you had work out the details, if you could work out the details. All in all, this could be very time consuming and there was never any promise that you would be rewarded for all your hard work.

That has now changed. It is easier today to find the best duck hunting leases in Texas than it ever has been. By doing an online search you can not only find the sites and clubs that are making offers but you can narrow down your search to include only those sites or clubs that meet your prerequisites.

As you probably already know the best hunting is either in the wetlands or on the coast. The wetlands, also known as playas, are a great choice if you are limited to travel and you live a good distance from the coastal sites.

The coastal regions have more sites and they offer more deals than the playa sites, but, again, you have to be able to get to the coast in order to enjoy them.

The above is just one way that you can use the Internet to narrow down your search for the best duck hunting leases in Texas. You can limit your search to the wetlands or playas or you can limit it to the coast.

Duck hunting leases in Texas are available statewide and on various type venues. For those who may be new to duck hunting leases in Texas, in the panhandle, most of the hunting is done on the playas. It should be noted that these areas can become packed with birds during the migration season.

In central and east Texas, most of the hunting is done on either large lakes or small- to medium-sized impoundments. These areas can range from one acre to twenty acres and are located in many areas which makes them a good choice for those who can only travel a short distance.

Of course, the most popular area for duck hunting leases in Texas is along the Gulf Coast. The Gulf Coast is known worldwide for its fantastic duck and goose hunting. For those who visit the coast, they can expect to harvest a wonderful array of birds including the prized pintail, redhead, scaup, teal, bufflehead, widgeon and gadwall.

As you can see using duck hunting leases in Texas can be the way to have the best experience with the least amount of work. Do an online search and see for yourself just how popular these agreements have become.

hunting dogs

Duck Hunting Dogs

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Duck hunting dogs belong to a wide group of hunting dogs referred to as AKC’s Group One, the group of Sporting Dogs, also referred to as the waterfowl hunting dogs. It is from this group the duck hunting dogs have developed and gained their reputation. Today duck hunting is considered to be an outdoor sporting activity, and the duck hunting dogs are now part of a huge world of hunting, where commercial waterfowl hunting is not as popular as in the past. But for those who do hunt for a variety of other reasons, the water dogs or waterfowl hunting dogs can spot and remember perfectly the exact location of the downed bird.

Birds such as ducks and geese are part of the same habitat, and have the same hunting seasons or at least they will overlap while using the same hunting methods. In the early days, waterfowl was hunted for food, their down and feathers. Today, considered more of a sporting event, the bird dog or the duck hunting dogs consist of breeds such as the Clumber spaniels, American cocker spaniel, English Springer spaniels, German Wirehairs, Irish Water Spaniels, and Nova Scotia Duck Trollers.

It is no accident that the duck hunting dogs eventually became located in the United States in the early settler days, as the Europeans and early settlers brought hunting dogs with them when with they first came over to North America. The most prominent early imported hunting dogs were the imported Mountain Curs and the American coonhounds, with early diaries of Hernando de Soto having the first written word of the hounds in America. This diary said their hunting dogs were not used for hunting gamebirds or small game, but used for hunting Indians, unfortunately.

In the late 1800s, bird dogs became the thing for “sporting gentlemen” with the quail hunting preserves developing, and then onto more duck hunting dogs and small game bird hunting dogs, in a variety of hunting events. Titles, contests, and money became the thing to do by highly bred gentlemen with highly bred bird hunting dogs that were trained to win by the best. It was at this time that events brought in breeds such as the duck hunting dogs to participate in the first annual National Championship Field Trial in Massachusetts, sponsored by Hobart Ames. Eventually, this became a 25,000-acre hunting reserve by the country. Today, bird dog clubs hold annual events that eventually lead into the national contest, with the duck hunting dogs participating. This area near Grand Junction is the home of the original National Bird Dog Museum honoring 40 breeds of those first hunting days.

goose hunting

Goose Hunting Guides Aren’t All The Same

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Many expert hunters with years of experience choose to become goose hunting guides and are able to show other hunters the correct locations, strategies and methods to be successful at hunting. There are various types of guides from day guides to full service resorts that offer everything from ammunition to lodging. Choosing the right goose hunting guides doesn’t have to be difficult, but getting the right match for your hunting style and needs is important.

When choosing goose hunting guides you need to clearly understand what you are wanting. If you want to spend a week or a few days hunting, you may wish to consider a full service guide and lodge combination. Usually the lodge will have their own guides but you will be able to choose from the various guides. If you have a specific hunting style that you like, ask for a guide that uses that style. In addition speak to the guide before heading out, clearly outlining any special requests or needs that you have.

Goose hunting guides will scout the area prior to the day and time of the hunt. They should know the basic flights patterns and feeding times and locations of the geese, and will be prepared to have you in the right place at the right time to get set up and the blinds set prior to the geese arriving. Most goose hunting guides will start their morning at 4:00 am or early to ensure that you are in the right place before first daylight.

Typically goose hunting guides will be very aware of the weather conditions and will advise hunters of the various types of equipment, camouflage, and supplies that they will require. Those guides that have access to large lease areas will also be able to change hunting locations based on the current weather. Occasionally goose hunting guides will also be able to make recommendations for other hunting options such as duck, deer, wild hogs or even turkey, depending on the overlap of the hunting seasons.

Guides are not regulated in most areas, so be sure to ask for references or even better, get a referral from a hunter that has already been on one of the hunts. Word of mouth advertising is one of the most efficient ways for most guides to advertise, and they work hard to keep hunters satisfied and coming back. Be sure to find out about refunds do to cancellation, and the policies regarding a hunt that doesn’t go as planned. Some guides offer a reduction in the next hunt booked while others will provide a partial refund for services. Lodge or other expenses are typically not refunded under these conditions.

bird hunting

Compare Bird Hunting Dogs for the Best Choice

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There are certain traits that all bird hunting dogs should have. When you are out trying to find the best bird hunting dog for you, you may come across two different dogs that you like. In this type of situation, you’re going to need to compare bird hunting dogs before making a choice. There are several points of comparison that you can use when trying to decide between dogs. Make sure that the dog you choose is great at all the points.

One of the most important comparison points is often overlooked. Beyond things like obedience and demeanor, you should make sure that they were raised well by their owner or breeder. Look into the parents of the dogs when you compare bird hunting dogs. The way the parents were often reflects on how the dog will be. If they were hunting dogs, this definitely gives the dog points. Another thing to watch out for when you compare bird hunting dogs is to make sure they have all of the necessary documentation. The owner or breeder should provide you with a sheet from a veterinarian that states all of the shots and immunizations the dog has received. It should also have all of its certificates as well. Don’t pick a dog that doesn’t have this documentation.

Beyond the necessary things that you learn from a breeder, there are also things you need to check out for yourself when you compare bird hunting dogs. Test the obedience of the dog by having it do tricks. You can also test the obedience by making it stay when told. This is often a very hard thing for untrained dogs to do, especially if there is food involved. You should also check how the dog reacts to children. If you have small kids at home, you’ll need the dog to be able to handle their presence. If it can’t then don’t bother getting that dog. The temperament of a bird hunting dog is very important. It should have patience. It should also be very friendly. Above all, it should be obedient to its master. Compare bird hunting dogs to make sure that they have these traits. You’ll need all of these traits in a dog so that they can be the greatest help to you when you are out hunting.

If you compare bird hunting dogs and both are good, you may have trouble deciding. At this point you should spend time with each dog. The one you have more affinity for is the one you should choose. If you do this, then you will surely have the right bird hunting dog for you.

bear hunting

Black Bear Hunting – The Necessities

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Black bear hunting can be one of the best experiences of your life. However, you need to know bears, their body language, and their habits before you go off on your hunting trip. Most often, though, you will definitely need to listen to your guide in the wilderness, as they are often the experts on bears.

When you are black bear hunting, ask your guide if you are unsure if a bear is of proper size and age before aiming. Taking a smaller, younger animal can have dire consequences. Smaller bears are young adults and would be about ready to breed. The size and age you want is larger and considerably older. To the untrained eye, and knowing that black bears are smaller, you might accidentally mistake a cub for an adult bear.

If you are black bear hunting, you should know that black bears have longer back legs than most bears. They have small eyes, large body, rounded ears, long snout, and short tail. Their sense of smell is sensitive. They can walk on their hind legs; though prefer to walk on all fours. They also have a lumbering gait because they walk flat-footed. They are generally bigger in the fall as their bodies prepare them for hibernation.

Be prepared, when black bear hunting, for rough terrain and cold nights. Black bears tend to live in shrubby and forested areas, but also roam the wet meadows, ridge tops, high tidelands, riparian areas, burned areas, avalanche chutes, agricultural fields, conifer forests, and swampy hardwood. This is where your bear will likely be found.

Black bear hunting is strictly controlled because of the low reproductive rate of the females. Hunting permits and licenses may be more difficult to get at certain times of the year, so apply early to save some time and frustration.

If you are black bear hunting, you will want to learn how to read bear body language. Knowing that a bear can stand on its hind legs sniffing the air is not necessarily an aggressive posture and ultimately being aware that it could drop to all fours and charge you at any moment is knowledge well learned. Learn the other signs of aggression and be careful. Keep in mind that in the last century, there were only fifty-six confirmed cases of black bears killing humans.

Learning as much as you can about black bear hunting will only enhance your trip and make it one of your most memorable ones. Knowing you took down a bear will be exhilarating and will have people admiring you.

hunting supplies

Important Bow Hunting Supplies

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Many people use guns to hunt now. Although this is a more than acceptable way to hunt, it can be less of a skill than hunting with a bow and arrow is. As an added bonus, hunting with a bow and arrow is also very retro and it gets back to what hunting used to be like before the invention of the gun. If you’d like to do this kind of hunting, there are some general supplies you should get. Luckily, bow hunting supplies are easy to acquire at almost any outdoor recreation and hunting store.

The most important bow hunting supplies are the actual bow and arrows. For the bow, you should get something a bit expensive. The cheaper bows will be at a much more diminished quality than the regularly priced ones. Since the bow is, in essence, your gun, you need to get a good one. As far as arrows, you should get many extra just in case you lose some during your hunt. It could be a bad move if you run out of arrows while shooting a deer. If the deer is still alive, but badly wounded, it can get violent fast. Always keep extra arrows with you at all times. These are the most important bow hunting supplies.

Another thing you should pick up is extra bow wire. The bow wire can sometimes break when you pull it back, so you should have extras on hand in case this happens. One of the overlooked bow hunting supplies is the leather glove. Pulling back on the bow can really hurt and chap your hands after a while of use. To prevent bad hand chafing, pick up some leather gloves to wear when you hunt. This will also improve your grip on the bow and arrow, improving your shot. Many hunters have deep blisters on their hands after their first time bow hunting. This is because they didn’t realize what a toll this kind of hunting puts on your hands. Unfortunately, the use of gloves isn’t obvious; so many hunters go through this pain. Get gloves, important bow hunting supplies, in order to prevent this kind of painful mistake. You’ll definitely be grateful that you did.

Bow hunting can definitely be an adventure. It brings you right back to nature, using a natural way to hunt your game. If you’d like to partake in this activity, then pick up these bow hunting supplies. They will improve your next hunting trip and take care of the snafus that novices make their first time around.

deer hunting

Lubbock hunter sets state record with 222-pound, 17-point mule deer – LubbockOnline.com

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Lubbock hunter sets state record with 222-pound, 17-point mule deer
LubbockOnline.com
It is the largest mule deer killed in Texas and the largest all-around deer killed in District 2 during the 2010 hunting season. Noble, a Lubbock resident, was packing up after a long morning in his hunting lease located in Crosby County. …

Source: Lubbock hunter sets state record with 222-pound

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Gearing Up for Hunting Equipment

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When taking up the sport of hunting it doesn’t take long for one to become well versed in the necessary and required hunting equipment. Depending on the type of hunt clothing, decoys, calls and ammunition can all vary. Aside from the basics, there are times when some will swear that a certain piece of equipment is vital to a hunt while others find it is something they very rarely use. It is not uncommon for a hunter to make adjustments and formulate his or her own personalized required hunting equipment over a period of time. This allows a person to hunt with not only confidence but a feeling of stability and security.

When it comes to hunting equipment, the debate between buying gear at a department store versus a sporting goods store is the center of great debate. In a store that specializes in outdoor sporting goods, one can find a greater variety and quality of items not found anywhere else. The sporting good section of a department store offers a general selection of items but does so in a much more affordable fashion. For those who hunt on a budget, department store prices can be a good option, especially when the same item found in the specialty store can be found for less at the department store. However, for more specialized or high quality equipment, it is often necessary to make the purchase from a specialty store.

While some companies stick to only making one type of hunting equipment item, there are those who create numerous lines of gear, from clothing to tree stands. At times, choosing a piece of equipment can be like choosing a new TV or coffeemaker. There are so many different types and brands, it can sometimes be confusing as to which one will be the right choice. Luckily, one of the most trusted tools available for hunters are hunting equipment reviews. Websites dedicated to hunting often have sections where one can get the opinion of other hunters who have used a certain product or piece of equipment. The honest and open opinions of others can help to at least narrow down the available choices.

Hunting equipment is not just for the hunters anymore. There is also equipment made just for hunting dogs. A blaze orange hunting vest can keep Fido safe when flushing pheasants in the field and dog booties can help keep the pads of his feet from getting frostbite on those cold wintry hunts. One important piece of gear for a hunter to have is a canine first aid kit. Any number of accidents can happen for a dog during hunting just as it can for a hunter. There can be nothing worse than having one’s best hunting buddy injured with no way to help. Many of these kits come complete with not only first aid items but booklets that show how to effectively deal with different types of injuries.

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Hunting Safely

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The thrill of chasing down a twelve-point buck or bagging a prize-winning turkey sends millions of hunters into the woods every year in search of that prize kill. Hunting is exciting, but it can also be dangerous and even deadly if hunters are not educated and religiously exercise good hunting safety techniques.

The Basics

Before leaving on your hunting trip, prepare yourself well. Never go to an unplanned location or take off on a spontaneous hunting trip. Let others know where you are planning to hunt and when you will be returning. If necessary, leave detailed directions to your hunting grounds with friends or family that will be staying home in case an emergency arises and they need to direct medical personnel to your location. Try to return home as close to your planned time as possible. If you are late checking in, your contact person can then know to set out using your directions to see if you need assistance.

Take the time to prepare your weapon. If using a rifle or shotgun, clean and inspect the weapon after every use and after any time the weapon has spent in storage. Prepare a small first aid kit to carry with you while you are hunting. Consider bringing your cell phone. You can always keep it turned off while you are hunting, and a phone can be the difference between life and death in a medical emergency. Always be prepared to give detailed directions to your exact location as you move through the woods.

In The Woods

Once arriving at your chosen hunting spot, be sure to don your safety gear along with orange-colored clothing on your head and/or chest to help other hunters in the area determine you from the game. While camouflaged gear is great to help you remain undetected by the animals, it can also confuse other hunters if they see movement from a distance without recognizing the orange color. If you are hunting in a group, try to keep the location of those around you in your mind as you change positions to help avoid accidents.

If you are using a decoy such as a doe decoy, be sure to use orange safety tape around the perimeter of the area you will be in, to help other hunters recognize your decoy. You can also observe the area from an elevated position to further protect yourself from any stray shots directed at your decoy.

During The Hunt

If you are hunting deer and find yourself tracking a wounded animal, always use extreme caution. Other animals in the area may become panicked at the smell of one of their own running wounded near them. An injured animal is very unpredictable and may likely be desperate to get away if it senses that you are pursuing. Never approach a wounded animal head-on. Never allow yourself to be corned between a solid object and a wounded animal. Always have a way of escape in mind should the animal attack. If attacked, try to protect your head and chest as much as possible to limit damage to your vital organs and increase your chance of survival.

It is also important to be aware of and on the lookout for other animals like bears and snakes that may be encountered while hunting. Being aware of your surroundings is an important step in staying safe while hunting. Use some caution and common sense to ensure many more years of happy hunting yet to come.

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Quail Hunting

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Quail hunting is one of the top sports for those on the upper crust of society. It is considered the top game or hunt of the aristocracy and is practiced by vice presidents and world leaders to this day. Quail hunting is typically considered this way because it demands a lot less of the hunter in comparison to other hunts. It does not take place in the morning, for example, or in the shivering cold. Instead, quail hunting can be done in relative comfort and can actually be quite stylish. For this reason, many people in the upper class of society try quail hunting.

Quail hunting typically involves two hunters and a pair of dogs, typically called bird dogs. These dogs chase down the quail and retrieve the bird after the kill has been made. Often times, quail hunts are attended by spectators and watchers. There can be large crowds at quail hunts, gathering to watch the majesty of the sport unfold before their very eyes. There is something surreal and beautiful about quail hunting and watching the bird dogs do their work, making it one of the most interesting human experiences to be had.

Proper gear is recommended when quail hunting. This includes having the proper boots for the fields and the marshlands. The right pants are also required, preferably pants that are called “brush pants” because they are of a color that matches the color of the brush. These pants also work to prevent thorns and briars from penetrating the pants, which is a common downfall to hunting quail in the brushes of North America. It is also recommended that the hunter wears a proper vest or a coat so that ammunition and other immediate supplies can be stored in it. The best option is something of a bright color so that the hunters will be obvious in the field and not confused with the quail.

There is a certain formation and strategy to quail hunting that is very important. First, the dogs are sent to flush out the birds. As this is happening, the hunters are preparing their guns to be mounted on their shoulders. The safety of the gun should be kept on at all times until the gun is ready to be fired and mounted on the shoulder of the hunter. The gun barrels should be pointed to the sky, towards the prey, and away from any other hunter or from the ground. The two hunters should then follow the line of the dogs and maintain a straight line themselves, one hunter after the other. This formation is very important because of safety issues. The reasoning behind the straight line formation is to keep the hunters away from firing unpredictably upon one another’s personal space.

Each hunter should have a mental note of where the other hunter is. The dogs should also be noted. This is to identify locations as to where the hunter should not point or swing his or her firearm. This should be also a way to divide the field up into sides. One side belongs to one hunter and so on. Once the sides are determined, the dogs will flush the quail into the air and the shooting begins. Hunters should stick to firing on their side of the range, so as to avoid danger and poor form.

It should also be noted that low flying quail should be avoided at all costs. This is not only dangerous, but it has led to the unfortunate demise of many bird dogs because of the low shots. Keeping the guns high during a quail hunt is of vital importance so as to protect all of those involved in the hunt.

With these safety precautions and gun etiquette tips in mind, quail hunting should be a remarkable and fun sporting event to take in. Bring some friends and get set for a lovely day in a field with the dogs. Quail hunting can be a peaceful time as well, leading to plenty of reflection and quiet in the middle of America’s most beautiful marshlands.

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