Refuge Forums

Before you guys start throwing out insults or the worn out short bus statement think about it. People on this forum have been bitching about refuge too high shooting, lack of hunter concealment, poor calling skills, too many flippers, getting crowded on or just the general B Nugget crowd. How about turning one of the refuges to a 20 gauge only hunting area. No flippers and 2 3/4 inch 20 gauge shells only . Have blinds set up only in areas that shoot well by hunters selected that know the refuges well where birds traffic only. Not dead blinds with no shooting set up by the state or feds. This might bring back the skill of concealment, calling, decoy placement and bringing the birds right into your decoys before shooting. The ballistics on these shells would require closer in shots and might stop 70 yard plus refuge shooting. A lot of private clubs have gone this route to stop the stupidity that is seen at refuges all the time. This trend of making harvesting wildlife has been seen elsewhere in such areas as using only barbless hooks for certain types of fishing, blind restrictions for hunting antelope with a bow , excetera. Your thoughts if you think this is this would be an interesting way to go about it.

But I like it! Picked up my new Turkish-made Chiappa Triple Magnum today from the FFL dealer. Feels well built and tightly put together. A little on the heavy side (8.5 lbs.), as I knew it would be, but it's pretty well-balanced. Smooth breaking, and a good camo job. I grew up shooting a Browning Side-by-Side, and I've really missed shooting a break open gun with a top tang safety, but I also want three shots for duck and goose hunting. I don't shoot very many 3 & 1/2 inch shells, but it will be nice to when I want to without worrying about the longer shells hanging up in an autoloader. Can't wait to fire it. Anyway, I told some 'Fugers I'd report in when I got it, so there you go!

The pheasant hunting in California has become dismal. The duck club I am in has converted what was left of any pheasant habitat into duck habitat... (I can't complain, as that is what the club is intended for). But I got lucky on our opener for a 2 bird limit in short order.... Probably my last limit off the club.



I would love to see photos or videos of you guys that actually have some pheasants to hunt. Other upland photo's are of course welcome.

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Working on our MAWI project...in March!

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As the calendar flips to May everyone's attention has turned to turkeys and crappies. Most have not thought about goose hunting in months....but here at White Rock Decoys we are waterfowl hunters to our core. The drive never wavers.

Join us this week as we literally take you along on a final trip north, to the end of the road as they say. A special hunt, a special bird. It's one last chance at snow goose glory. Spring in Saskatchewan. A true nomad adventure!



We'll update this thread with a new video every day this week. You can also follow along on our website (http://whiterockdecoys.com/spring-in-sask.html) or facebook page (www.facebook.com/whiterockdecoys)

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When Siri says it's 18hrs to your hunting destination and you know these are the same birds that "handed it" to you just a few short weeks ago, it'll make you second guess why you're even doing it. This is not waterfowl hunting Canada in September....this is snow goose hunting - in May. It's been 8 months of heavy pressure, they've seen it all by now. We've done spring snow goose hunting trips to Saskatchewan before, and we know it's far from a slam dunk. Will it be different this year?

On our first day the anticipation has long been built. Now are they going to play? The field is HOT, but we wake up to calm conditions and birds that never left the section. Not ideal. Lets give it a go and see how this is going to play out!

Enjoy Day 1:

Made it out with my dad Saturday morning and was looking forward to putting him on a bird. We've never had much luck while hunting turkeys together but I was hoping for a change in success. Having not scouted the property the night before we went in early hoping to just find a bird on the roost. Ended up hearing gobblers all over the property when we stepped out of the pickup. Went in on the closest ones, what sounded to be three toms and another two or three down the canyon a couple hundred yards. Got set up about a 100-150 yards away and got a lot of response when I would call but as soon as they pitched down out of the tree they went the opposite direction. We noticed all the noise kept heading away from us so we elected to pick up and try and get in front of them and set up again. We played cat and mouse with these turkeys for over an hour and a half trying to pick the right spot in the timber to come in front of them and each time we chose the wrong spot. We never did spook them but they were constantly on the move while feeding. My dad suggested we split up so I ended up keeping after the birds we've been chasing and he went to a new spot. Finally was able to get within a reasonable distance from two toms and two hens. I didn't have time to set up any decoys so I just laid on my stomach and started calling. Coaxed the hens my way and the toms followed in suit. Put the hammer down on a nice tom at 15 yards. Had my dad just stayed with me he could have easily shot the other tom. He had a 9" beard and 1/2" spurs. All in all it was an awesome hunt and we had beautiful weather, except it was a bit windy. Couldn't beat the scenery also. Guess I'll have to buy another permit.

Unplugged guns. Some fun:

Tom B.

Has anyone here tried the new and improved black cloud loads? Different wad, cleaner powder, better water resistance, etc. I'm thinking about buying a case just for the hell of it. They are supposed to pattern 36-41% better and be more consistent.