Daddy, What Kind Of Geese Are Those?

While I was wrestling with a brown pelican my daughter hooked while piggy perch fishing she asked a question that struck a nerve with me.  She asked "Daddy, What Kind of Geese Are Those?"  Say what???  I said "Honey, you know those aren't geese.  You know those are pelicans."  "But they are brown like the geese you hunt." she replied.  I said, "Well, yes they are, but they are called brown pelicans."  Her response, "Do geese like to eat fish like the pelicans?"  It was then that I had to call a time out.  It was one of those perfect times in life that Dads live for.  We get to pass down our knowledge to our children.  I asked her to explain the color of the pelican, which she did.  I then told her that was how it got it's name, because it is a pelican and it is brown...hence the name brown pelican.  I also very briefly explained that the long snout is what makes it a pelican, and a goose doesn't have a snout like that.  I also explained what pelicans eat and what geese eat.  Keep in mind I had to keep it in 3 year old girl terms and the conversation was short.  However, because it was a short conversation means very little.  The knowledge that she took away from that conversation has stuck with her.  She learned a little bit more about the outdoors, she learned that not all birds are geese, and she learned pelicans like to eat fish.  Taking time out of our busy schedules and hectic lives can have huge impacts in the lives of our children.  Taking the time to make sure they enjoy it and have a positive outcome with the experience is our responsibility as adults.  Don't drag kids on an outdoor trip meant for adults, but rather make the trip a kids trip.  Then when they are old enough, and big enough, you will see the results of the time you spent with them while they were younger.

And for the record I was the hero that day...I unhooked the pelican AND saved the piggy perch from being eaten!

Take the time to spend it with your kids doing outdoor activities.  They are our most precious resource.

http://www.avianskies.com

10 Post Hunting Season Do's.

10)  Take you critter to the taxidermist.

9)  Properly store all hunting clothes.

8)  Organize hunting photos and journal.

7)  Make a list of items you will need to add for next season.

6)  Replace/Repair broken items.

5)  Wash and Summerize ATV.

4)  Wash, Clean, and Store all equipment.

3)  Work your dog (animals) and correct any acquired problems that developed over the season.

2)  Take your gun to the gunsmith for repairs and a good cleaning.

1)  Book your hunt with Avian Skies for your next wing shooting adventure!  http://www.avianskies.com

Dog Tired.

Worked with April today.  She is a chocolate lab that looks more like a weimeriner (sp?) than anything.  She is a rather neurotic dog!  According to her owner she ate a plastic dog crate from the inside out!  She has a metal one now and it is bent up pretty good.  She is kinda hard headed, but overall has a sweet disposition.  I am force fetching her and have had her for 4 days.  She is going to have a good mouth once she gets "hold" down.  She isn't quiet as motivated by food as I would have hoped, but the clicker is going to come out very soon.  She will now hold the buck for a short time (15-20 seconds) then decides to drop it.  If I can get her to around 30 seconds consistently, then the clicker will start to be used.  Once the clicker comes out then some real progress should start to occur.  If things hold true she should be done in about a month.

Now, if she would just not bark all night and let us get some sleep we will be doing great!

Prairie Update

Saw two different groups of sandhill cranes today. One group of about 100 and the other was a small family group.

Saw a remarkably large group of ducks (mixed dabblers and one large group of scaup) on a pond and 4 wood ducks on another. Was quiet a site!!!

Should be a large amount of cotton planted this year. The soil temps warmed up and stayed up really quickly at the same time cotton prices were really high. Many farmers locked in their price and planted. Not going to be nearly as much corn (relative) as this past year.

Some of the hybrid rice does not have warm enough stable soil temps and is not yet ready to plant. Traditional rice is starting to go in the ground this week. Next week hybrids will start being planted.

All in all the prairie is looking good. Now, if we can get out of this teeter totter drought.

http://www.avianskies.com 

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Texas Dove Hunting

Dove hunting in Texas is a tradition.  Behind deer hunters, dove hunters rank second in the state of Texas with an estimated 400,000 hunters participating annually.  This means that whole families participate in this great sport and for a good reason.  Dove hunting is easy, quick paced, entertaining, and social.  Not to mention, they are fantastic table fare!

Avian Skies offers dove hunting opportunities for families, individuals, large parties, or corporate events.  A dove hunt package includes a morning or evening guided hunt, pre-set shooting stations (if applicable), a post hunt meal, bird processing, a veterinarian on call (in case your dog needs help), and ice cold bottled drinking water. 

We even have Mojo Doves and Dove Decoys available to rent!  They are on a first come first serve basis only so make sure and reserve yours when you book your hunt.

Bring as many hunters as you wish and we will ensure that everyone has plenty of room to hunt! 

Avian Skies strictly manages the amount of pressure a field receives, actively rotates hunters, and limits the number of hunters allowed per field.  This ensures that over harvest and over pressure to a particular location does not occur and everyone is able to enjoy a quality hunt.  To reserve a private field a minimum of 10 hunters are required.  We also try and limit the maximum amount of hunters per field to around 20.  The bottom line is we will do our best to ensure that our areas are not over pressured and our clients are happy with their hunt.  

We also spend many hours scouting, in addition to actively managing habitat and pressure, for fields with large concentrations of birds.  This combination of field management, scouting for new fields, and managing the amount of hunters per field does nothing but improve hunting success for you!

Avian Skies cares about your hunt and your hunting success so book your hunt now.   

http://www.avianskies.com