All Flocked Up Outdoors
There are not many things in this world that I dream about as much as those days in August, September, October, and November when I am stricken with a 3-month case of severe feather flu!
It is usually about this time of year, early to mid July, that I start to feel the symptoms of this affliction coming on. Visions of circling mallards and topsy turvy Snow Geese are dancing in my head.
I love fishing, don’t get me wrong, but fishing is the second place finisher in my race of life. The Gold Medal and spot on the podium goes to Waterfowl Hunting. Nothing beats it.
After 4 months of not raising a shotgun at something with feathers and that goes honk or quack, the need to yell:
Take ’em!
is just about overbearing.
Dusting off a case or two of shells in the standing stubble of the Northern Tier is needed. Thankfully, the state of North Dakota has something early, August 15th to be exact, to help cure my Influenza symptoms.
Earliest Around, Open To All
I heard a Game and Fish or Fish and Wildlife guy, I can’t remember which, discuss North Dakota’s carrying capacity of Giant Canada Geese at right around 80,000. A few years ago, the estimate was right around 300,000 to 400,000 Giant Canada Geese. Obviousl,y this brings up an issue with many, especially our farmers.
These overrun Canadas can do serious damage to emerging Wheat, Corn, and especially Soybean fields. Many mornings I have sat with my brother and watched as these behemoths of the Avian world just walked down a row and nipped off the tops of the years crop:
pluck, pluck, pluck
A solution was needed. I can remember the dry years of the 80’s and Canada goose hunting was closed on our side of Highway 281, their numbers had fallen so drastically. Now, such is not the case.
Our Game and Fish Department went ahead, about 14 or 15 years ago and implemented an early Resident Canada Goose season that started on September 15th and carried an expanded limit of 5 birds per day instead of 3. Progressively, to try to control numbers, that limit went to 8, and now sits at 15 Giant Canada Geese PER DAY!
You read that right:
15 Giant Canada Geese Per Day!!
To go along with the expanded limits, the ND Game and Fish has also removed the restricted days for non-residents and this early ‘Conservation’ season does not go against the non-resident 14-days of North Dakota Waterfowl hunting, an added bonus.
Access Is Key
The birds are abundant, they seem like they are everywhere. They start to go to the small grain fields as soon as they get harvested. This is where the problem can sometimes arise for those coming from afar.
Access in Waterfowl Hunting is key and with the popularity of shooting these 14-17 pound birds, access has become a little more difficult.
Have no fear, AllFlockedUp is here!
This Fall, DevilsLakeFishingReport will be joining the efforts of Eric, Erik, and Mike in bringing to any and all the opportunity to get after some B52’s.
If you are interested in stacking up some Grade A Prime Jerky Meat, 1 Triple BBB shell at a time, get on the phone and Call AllFlockedUp Outdoors. The number is 701-230-9173. You can also book online at ALLFLOCKEDUP Outdoors Spots are filling up fast so call today.
Remember…
Shoot Her Till She Clicks…
And…
An Empty Gun’s A Happy Gun!!
