Ruben Perez

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outdoorlife-editor — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:00:00 -0400

6. Go Light - Big sharks are becoming a favorite target for light-tackle anglers. Captain Robert Trosset likes to throw big Rebel swimming plugs at sharks that are cruising across the Key West flats. To ward off the shark's teeth, he attaches an 18-inch length of #9 wire to his plugs with a haywire twist. West Coast shark skipper Captain Conway Bowman (www.bowmanbluewater.com) targets big mako sharks with big Deceiver flies. To make his fly leaders tooth proof, he starts with 3 feet of 58-pound stainless steel single-strand wire with one end twisted to his fly and the other end attached to a 50-pound tuna ring. The ring is tied to 3 feet of 25-pound mono that is then connected to 3 feet of 40-pound mono with a standard blood knot. The 40-pound butt section is tied to Bowman's 12-weight floating fly line with an Albright special. Whether throwing plugs or tossing flies, both skippers prefer bright colored baits in orange and red or lime green. For these guys, "light" tackle may be a misnomer- these sharks require some sturdy equipment. Trosset uses a FinNor Quantum spinning reel that holds 250 yards of 15-pound test giving even the biggest sharks plenty of running room. After extensive field-testing, Bowman has settled on an 8-foot, 6-inch Scott HP15 fly rod. "It casts well and has tremendous lifting power," he says, "and I haven't broken one, which is amazing."

Big Bucks for Fake Ducks

outdoorlife-editor — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:26:36 -0400

Who said money doesn't grow on trees? Okay, it might not grow on trees themselves, but it certainly sticks to one of their byproducts, the duck decoy. These chunks of wood, crafted into what is now considered folk art, began their journey to becoming highly sought-
after collectibles as a block of cedar,
tupelo or pine. Turn the clock forward a hundred years, and what emerged from the hands of a master carver is today finding its way onto connoisseurs' shelves... and bringing in lots of cash.

Rising Prices

Decoy collecting is at an all-time high, says Gary Guyette, an owner of the auction firm Guyette and Schmidt, which holds three auctions annually in Boston. With all of the publicity that ensued when a preening pintail carved by Cape Cod's A. Elmer Crowell sold for $802,000 in 2003, prices have doubled and in some cases tripled.

Now, new collectors with a lot of money are looking to create an instant collection. They come to the auction with their numbers held high and don't let cost stand in their way. This is good news for today's top carvers, who hope to one day match the masters. Others worry, though, that prices are inflated.
In November 2004, Guyette and Schmidt topped the previous high bid for carver Nathan Cobb Jr. of Cobb
Island, Va., when it sold a brant
he carved in the early 1900s for $241,500-double the estimated value. July's auction again featured a swimming brant by Cobb. It brought in $120,000. For sellers (some of whom lucked into owning these antiques), this is like winning the lottery.

The Mona Lisa of duck decoys is yet to be discovered. Plenty of confirmed masterpieces are out there, but what often happens with sporting collectibles is that they sit for decades in the back of a shed or hidden in the attic, only to be found accidentally. It's possible that an old decoy block on the mantle was in fact carved by one of the greats. Waterfowlers who have old decoys should educate themselves about the market, so they don't make the mistake of throwing away what could be a half-million-dollar wood carving.

When the frenzy of bidding ended at Guyette and Schmidt's July auction, some of the highest price tags belonged to the smallest duck that hunters pursue, the oldsquaw. Two oldsquaw decoys-one carved in the 1800s by Lothrop Holmes of Kingston, Mass., and the other carved in the early 1900s by Orlando Sylvester of South Hapswell, Maine-sold for $115,000 and $143,000, respectively. That's some serious money for an old piece of cedar cut to look like a bird.

How To Value Your Collection

The best way to appraise your decoys is to contact an auction house such as Guyette and Schmidt (410-745-0485), Decoys Unlimited (508-362-2766) or James D. Julia Inc. (207-453-7125). Most offer free appraisals. If it turns out you have a treasure, any of these houses will put it in their next auction for a commission.

Another way to get an idea of what your decoy is worth is to bring it with you to an auction. Typically several dealers will set up shop in nearby rooms. A word of caution, however. Some might take advantage of your lack of knowledge and mislead you on the value, so talk to several knowledgeable people before making a decision.

Mako My Day

outdoorlife-editor — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:26:36 -0400

The mako exploded out of the water, its muscular body visible to nearby anglers. The
5-foot shark contorted itself as it desperately tried to shake loose the bright fly jammed in its jaw. Crashing back into the Atlantic, it peeled off more line from the screaming reel.

"That was the third jump; there might be a couple more," Captain Joe Pagano told Bob Greco, the angler, as he maneuvered his 23-foot Wellcraft, trying to get close to the thrashing shark. Angler and captain worked together flawlessly during the wild fight.

"You don't need special flies for a shark," Pagano explained. "Just something silver wrapped around the hook will do." Compared to flyfishing for a finicky trout, shark
fishing is rather uncomplicated. Matching the hatch here off Cape Cod means tying a fly that looks like a hapless fish torn to shreds, or a small piece of chum.

After a quick run to the fishing grounds, Pagano started a chum slick by cutting two small holes in a 5-gallon pail of ground menhaden. The oilier the fish, the stronger the attraction for marauding sharks.

"Nothing to do but wait," Pagano said as the boat drifted, leaving a trail for the sharks to
follow. "Hopefully they'll come across the slick and try to follow
it to the source." We relaxed on the boat and enjoyed a sunny morning on the water.

Then suddenly, Pagano's experienced eyes spotted our quarry. "Sharks," he said. "There's a mako, too." As quickly as the alarm was sounded, all aboard started scrambling for a look. Pagano calmly worked on getting a mackerel overboard to keep the sharks interested and nearby. Greco placed his fly near the fish.
"Let it sink a bit," Pagano suggested. The mako liked what he saw. As soon as Greco drove the hook home, the fish made a run for it, rocketing 10 feet off the water's surface.

After more acrobatics and an hour of give-and-take, reel-to-fish combat, Greco had worked the mako close enough for Pagano
to grab the leader and guide the fish to the boat. Pagano tagged the shark and the fly tore out, freeing the fish to grow and fight another day.

In the Bag

outdoorlife-editor — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:26:34 -0400

As a waterfowl guide who specializes in sea ducks, what I bring with me to the blind or boat is critical. When I'm hunting with clients in limited space, only the essentials make it into my bag. After many years of pursuing my favorite game, I have come up with a must-have list for a successful waterfowl hunt.

1. First off, you need a bag. I recommend a Cabela's blind bag. Its closed-cell foam walls and hard bottom protect expensive gear. Also, the bag floats. I prefer a Mossy Oak camo because of its blending characteristics.

2. Choosing one goose call from the dozens on the market isn't a simple matter. The Paralyzer SR-1 goose call is my go-to call. Made by calling champion Fred Zink, this call produces the sounds needed to fool the wariest gander. For a duck call, I prefer several made by Rich-N-Tone. Here again, ease of calling and quality of sound are what I'm looking for.

3. The Avery Neoprene PowerBelt is a convenient way to keep your shotgun shells handy for quick reloading during the hunt.

4. Besides your shotgun, a knife is the most essential tool you can bring. With limited space, it's a good idea to consolidate this with other tools you might need. I pack the multi-tool Charge XTI by Leatherman. From cleaning game to repairing a stubborn outboard, this tool can do it all.

5. I like to carry two communication devices with me. The first is a cell phone protected by a floating neoprene case. The other is a VHF marine radio made by Standard Horizon. Small, compact and waterproof, the HX 460 is a must-have item in nasty weather. In addition, this radio features a NOAA weather channel.

6. A quality binocular is a must for scouting or observing waterfowl. I use a Zeiss 10x40 and a Swarovski 10x42. Another good choice is the Nikon Monarch ATB 10x42.

7. A compact digital camera, such as Canon's Power Shot S500, is perfect for documenting the hunt. Be sure to keep it in a waterproof container.

8. To find a blind in the middle of a dark field before a goose hunt, I turn to a small flashlight by Surefire. This flashlight produces a beam that's nearly as powerful as a spotlight.

9. Another safety item that I pack is the LED lighter by Brunton. The lighter is perfect for soldering wires in
a pinch, while the light is useful for working on small projects.

10. I also carry an emergency kit, which includes items such as a whistle, flares, an air horn and a compass.

11. Spend time in a shallow channel in the dark, and you'll want a navigation aid. Altitech makes an
all-in-one instrument that includes a
compass, barometer, weather gauge and more. Of course, the waterproof Garmin Marine GPS-76 is a staple.

Not pictured but recommended: Extra ammo (two boxes of 12-gauge No. 4 shot is my preference); Avery's Floating Game Strap; extra gloves; a camouflaged PFD; and ear protection. (I prefer Electronic Shooters Protection.)

Waterfowl Forecast 2005

outdoorlife-editor — Fri, 30 Sep 2005 20:00:00 -0400

The report is out, but the news is mixed. The yearly trends in duck breeding populations conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Canadian Wildlife Service came out with the proverbial good news/bad news alternatives. The good news first: According to biologists in the eastern survey area, habitat conditions were good to excellent, thanks to adequate water and relatively mild spring temperatures. The bad news? Population estimates of six waterfowl species were below 2004 levels. American black ducks were down 24 percent, mallards down 36 percent, green-winged teal down 46 percent, ring-necked ducks down 30 percent, goldeneyes down 5 percent and mergansers down 25 percent from 2004 estimates. The numbers on eiders, scoters and long-tailed sea ducks were not released in this report.

On a side note, the report indicates that USFWS took steps toward integrating several previously independent waterfowl surveys, taking into account new analytical methods. For these reasons, population estimates in the report are not directly comparable with estimates in previous reports.

LOOKING WEST

The Eastern survey area is most affected by the Atlantic Flyway, but by looking to other regions you can get a complete picture of the duck numbers. West of us, the news reflects that of the Eastern counts. Several species are down, particularly mallards (down 9 percent), gadwalls (down 16 percent), green-winged teal (down 12 percent), canvasbacks (down 16 percent), redheads (down 2 percent) and scaup (down 11 percent).

Other species of concern, such as the northern pintail, brought very positive news. Pintail numbers show a 17 percent increase. Also improving were wigeon (up 12 percent), blue-winged teal (up 13 percent) and northern shovelers (up 28 percent). The total breeding duck numbers of 31.7 million remained relatively unchanged from last year's estimate of 32.1 million.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Looking ahead, there is still good news. Abundant water usually means better survival for hens and their broods. It also means better conditions for re-nesting, and it further translates to improved conditions for next year.

All of these numbers don't necessarily mean duck hunters will have a bad season. In fact, after last year's gloomy forecast, while hunters in the rest of the country were left searching for ducks, those in the Atlantic Flyway enjoyed one of the best years in memory. Keep in mind that May pond counts are just estimates that help biologists get a better understanding of the duck population. There are many factors that affect how many ducks you will see during a trip to the blind.

What does all this counting and calculating mean? All indications show that a moderate season with a similar bag limit can be expected. From what several states are proposing, your season's length and the number of ducks in your bag will probably be the same as they were last year. The only real unknown is what the weather will do, which is the biggest factor in predicting season success. —Ruben Perez

Waterfowl Head Count

The total duck estimate this year is close to 30 million, just a hair below last year's number but off significantly from 2003. Mallards are down 9 percent, from 7.4 million to 6.8 million this year, and remain 10 percent below the long-term average of 7.5 million birds. Scaup populations are 11 percent lower than last year. Scaup are at an all-time low after this year's count. There is good news for pintail fans, however. The bird showed a strong improvement of 17 percent from 2004.

Breeding Grounds

Once again, Alaska and Canada's maritime provinces proved to be in good to excellent shape for breeding waterfowl. In the Dakotas and parts of the Canadian prairies, though, ducks returned from their wintering grounds to find dry lakes and potholes. A wet late spring has helped some, because the plentiful water aids the survival of young ducks. Looking at this map it's easy to see why mallard numbers suffered; they breed mostly in the central part of the U.S. and Canada, where habitat was fair to poor overall.

FIVE-YEAR AVERAGES ANNUAL TOTALS SINCE 2000 TOTAL DUCKS* MALLARD* SCAUP* NORTHERN PINTAIL* * In thousands NESTING CONDITIONS EXCELLENT GOOD FAIR POOR

Snake River Honkers

outdoorlife-editor — Sun, 31 Oct 2004 19:00:00 -0500

I called to the distant geese, pleading for them to come in for a closer look. Ron Latschaw, a former owner of Final Approach, kept busy wildly flapping a flag through the slit in his blind. Our calling and flagging reached out to assure the Canadas that our field was the best place to feed. With wings cupped, though not totally committed, the leader of the flock craned his neck, analyzing our spread. What had started as a small speck on the horizon now hovered 200 yards above us, waiting to hear just the right sounds before he and his spooky group of feathered friends committed to landing.

Sinking deeper into my blind to hide from the prying eyes, I couldn't help but chuckle at my predicament. I had traveled a long way to hunt ultra-wary geese along Idaho's Snake River. Back home in Massachusetts the resident goose season had just started. Several hundred untouched Canadas would have been more than happy to keep my shotgun barrels warm. But here I was gunning a challenge, and loving it.

Trying to further entice the flock leader, we changed from aggressive calling to contented clucks and low murmurs. Turning, two out of the group of ten birds dropped their feet and coasted in for a landing as the rest of the flock flew away from the spread.

"Take 'em!" Ron cried out. I came up with my shotgun at my shoulder and sent a load of steel BBs toward the surprised gander that was now wildly trying to backpedal from a bad decision. The goose came down with a satisfying thump. Ron dropped the other as it attempted a hasty retreat.

SCOUTING IS KEY

With geese as spooky as these, we couldn't afford to pass up any birds that came into range. Every shot had to count. Ron had scouted the area we were hunting and it paid off.

The day he picked me up at the airport we found about 600 geese feeding along a snow-covered alfalfa farm. "If we're smart about what we're doing here, we can get a couple of days shooting," Ron blurted out like an excited kid as he spied the feeding geese through his binocular.

The next morning, an hour before sunrise, the east winds made the 10-degree temperature seem quite a bit colder. But we kept warm while setting out four dozen decoys and the blinds.

I paid close attention to Ron's setup. The most noticeable thing was the painstaking way he camouflaged the blinds. They were draped with a white "snow" covering. He added grass to further match the surrounding area.

Once satisfied with the blinds, Ron turned his attention to the decoys. When he was done the setup resembled a butterfly, with the blinds representing the body area and the decoys fanned out to either side like wings. He also placed a set of sentries outside of the rig and some near the blinds to further break up their outlines.

The geese we were hunting that morning were to come from the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge, three miles to the north. Minidoka is a favorite staging area for geese migrating south from Montana. With miles of farmland for the geese to choose from, scouting is essential. "You can't just go and set up anywhere," Ron says.

After harvesting the two wary geese, we looked toward the refuge and could see geese coming out in steady groups. Big flocks, small flocks, even the singles that came near our field flew high and passed on by.

"I hope they're not migrating—they're a mile high and heading south." Ron said. It was time to call it a day and go scout for a new spot.

WHAT BROWN DID FOR US

After lunch, we drove for miles looking for flying or feeding geese without much success, until we came upon a UPS driver who said he'd seen a big bunch of geese on his route about five miles back. We were in business again.

Sure enough, after following the delivery man's directions, we found hundreds of feeding geese. After some investigative work we tracked down the landowner, who gladly let us hunt his field. We spent the last few minutes of daylight happily watching to see in which direction the geese flew to roost. Our cheerful mood was dashed when a truck pulled up next to us. The driver was a member of a large group of local hunters who were also planning to hunt the field the next day. We knew it was too good to be true.

Not wanting to encounter any problems the following morning, Ron approached the group leader and explained our situation. "How about getting together and combining our efforts tomorrow?" Ron asked, putting on the charm. After a 20-minute talk we were invited to hunt with the group.

WESTERN HOSPITALITY

A fresh covering of snow and great anticipation greeted us the next morning. Hunting with people you don't know can be a challenge; all we could do was hope for the best. Arriving at the wheat field, we came upon a convoy of two trucks pulling trailers full of dozens of decoys and several laydown blinds. These guys were serious about their goose hunting. As the northeast wind made the 12-degree weather feel that much colder, we all gathered for a quick strategy meeting.

With eight hunters and three Labs to hide, we decided to hunt the edges of the draw surrounding the wheat field. Although it wasn't the exact spot where we had spied the geese the day before, our new hunting partners felt the geese would fly past their feeding grounds and land next to our decoys. Who could argue, especially after they informed us that they had limited out doing the same thing the day before? At daybreak, the geese came. Actually, they never stopped coming. After we all had limited out and started picking up the decoys, the geese continued to come from the north.

Looking out over the rolling hills, I thought about how different goose hunting was in Idaho compared to back East. Hunting near the famed Snake River and pursuing challenging geese made the trip memorable. That local waterfowlers invited us to hunt with them was a bonus, and it spoke volumes about the sportsmanship prevalent in Western outdoorsmen.

"At daybreak, the geese came and never stopped coming. After we all limited out, the geese continued to come from the north."

Drifting For Ducks

outdoorlife-editor — Sun, 31 Oct 2004 19:00:00 -0500

My canoe silently cut its way though the narrow stream. Careful not to hit its sides with the paddle, I scanned the nervous water ahead. In this game, if you see the ducks first, you win. Otherwise, the outcome is up in the air.

Quaaaaack, quaaack, quaack! Luck was on my side; a hen mallard gave away her position.

I quickly paddled the 50 yards separating the ducks from me. Now only a small turn in the stream away, I could hear other ducks feeding. Two strong strokes of the paddle brought me face-to-face with a sight I didn't expect—three dozen ducks. They scattered, but I managed a mallard and woodie.

Three days before, I had spied a flock of ducks pitching into a nearby wood lot. That evening, I looked over the area on a map. I was happy to find a small stream and planned a float hunt.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Gear needs while floating can be as basic as a canoe, gun and shells. For added success, bring some camo material, a handful of decoys and a duck call. It's not unusual to set up a blind after a successful jump-shoot and wait for returning ducks.

My boat of choice is either a canoe or a small kayak-type craft made for duck hunting. Yours can be less specialized, as long as safety is addressed. Be sure to wear a personal flotation device. PFDs with an inflatable collar are easy to paddle and shoot with.

I pack a dozen Green Head Gear lightweight decoys of different species found in my hunting areas: six mallards, four wood ducks and some teal. In the later months, I replace the teal and woodies with wigeon, ringnecks and a couple of pintails.

Calls made specifically for timber hunting are ideal. Soft calling and lots of contented feeding chatter are deadly on small-water setups. If you're not careful, you can easily blow the ducks away to the next county.

Find A Honey Hole

First look for rivers and streams that offer feeder creeks, bends, islands or swamps. Look for turns in the river to hide your approach. Stay to the inside of the turn so the brush and bank screen your movement.

A map of the river you are to hunt can be a great reference tool to look over as you paddle around. Pay particular attention when you get close to the loafing areas. If you find such resting places, but no puddlers are there at the time you pass by, take a look to see if birds have used the spot recently. You might be in a honey hole but visiting at the wrong time.

If you locate an out-of-the-way place with evidence of recent use, conceal your canoe or build a quick blind along the shore. Pay close attention to the wind direction; remember, ducks land into the wind. Place your decoys close to you. There's no need to worry about setting decoys in a particular pattern. Ducks in small potholes tend to swim in groups of two or three. Just be careful not to bunch the decoys. That makes it look as if they are ready to leave or are worried about predators lurking nearby.

In The Bag

outdoorlife-editor — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 20:00:00 -0400

1 First off, you need a bag. I recommend a Cabela's blind bag. Its closed-cell foam walls and hard bottom protect expensive gear. Also, the bag floats. I prefer a Mossy Oak camo because of its blending characteristics.

2 Choosing one goose call from the dozens on the market isn't a simple matter. The Paralyzer SR-1 goose call is my go-to call. Made by calling champion Fred Zink, this call produces the sounds needed to fool the wariest gander. For a duck call, I prefer several made by Rich-N-Tone. Here again, ease of calling and quality of sound are what I'm looking for.

3 The Avery Neoprene PowerBelt is a convenient way to keep your shotgun shells handy for quick reloading during the hunt.

4 Besides your shotgun, a knife is the most essential tool you can bring. With limited space, it's a good idea to consolidate this with other tools you might need. I pack the multi-tool Charge XTI by Leatherman. From cleaning game to repairing a stubborn outboard, this tool can do it all.

5 I like to carry two communication devices with me. The first is a cell phone protected by a floating neoprene case. The other is a VHF marine radio made by Standard Horizon. Small, compact and waterproof, the HX 460 is a must-have item in nasty weather. In addition, this radio features a NOAA weather channel.

6 A quality binocular is a must for scouting or observing waterfowl. I use a Zeiss 10x40 and a Swarovski 10x42. Another good choice is the Nikon Monarch ATB 10x42.

7 A compact digital camera, such as Canon's Power Shot S500, is perfect for documenting the hunt. Be sure to keep it in a waterproof container.

8 To find a blind in the middle of a dark field before a goose hunt, I turn to a small flashlight by Surefire. This flashlight produces a beam that's nearly as powerful as a spotlight.

9 Another safety item that I pack is the LED lighter by Brunton. The lighter is perfect for soldering wires in a pinch, while the light is useful for working on small projects.

10 I also carry an emergency kit, which includes items such as a whistle, flares, an air horn and a compass. Spend time in a shallow channel in the dark, and you'll want a navigation aid. Altitech makes an all-in-one instrument that includes a compass, barometer, weather gauge and more. Of course, the waterproof Garmin Marine GPS-76 is a staple.

11 Not pictured but recommended: Extra ammo (two boxes of 12-gauge No. 4 shot is my preference); Avery's Floating Game Strap; extra gloves; a camouflaged PFD; and ear protection. (I prefer Electronic Shooters Protection.)

Hunting The Early Bird

outdoorlife-editor — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 20:00:00 -0400

While keeping an eye on the distant tree line, waiting for another flock of giant Canada geese to make its way to our decoys, I took a moment in my blind to enjoy the pond, the grassy fields and the beautiful rolling hills in front of us. Suddenly a voice came from in back of us, bringing an end to the morning hunt.