FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Our season typically opens in late October or early November. We do not start guiding for geese until mid November. This is because we do not usually have large numbers of birds present until then. We hunt from mid November until the end of season with good success.
If you are hunting in a mixed party there will be no more than ten hunters in the spread. If you have a private party you will not be mixed with other people. We can accommodate up to 30 hunters per day.
Due to arrangments with farmers we do not offer discounts for kids. We pay our farmers for each hunter in the field regardless of age. If you wish to have a spector present, there will be an additional charge.
If you have your own private party then feel free to bring your dog but do so at your own risk. We have seen dogs ruin a hunt and if it happens we will not be responsible.
If you are on a mixed party hunt under no circumstances may you bring your dog. This would be potentially unfair to the others on your hunt.
No. We are hunting wild birds and nothing is for sure. Also many times shots are missed. Many people are not used to shooting with heavy clothes on or from a reclined position. Even though geese and cranes are large birds they have a relatively small kill zone and you need to be on target to bring them down. No matter how good the hunting is there is going to be the occasional bad day. That being said we want you to be happy. If for some reason you have an unsuccessful goose hunt due to our error then you will have the option of paying half price and walking away, or paying full price and coming back for free another day. Unsuccessful hunts will be determined by the staff on a case by case basis. Often times the success of a hunt can not be judged on the bag. If a party has plenty of shooting opportunities at birds that are in range but does not have a large bag then it is not an unsuccessful hunt. On average 95% of goose hunts shoot 2 or more birds per person and 90% shoot limits. In the past 6 years we have only had 3 hunts that did not shoot a single bird.
If you are on a mixed party hunt under no circumstances may you bring your dog. This would be potentially unfair to the others on your hunt.
We charge $5 per bird for cleaning, vacum sealing and propper tagging. You are more than welcome to take and clean your own birds but leaving a wing attached and proper disposal is mandatory. We our not responsible for birds if you choose to take them.
We hunt dry corn, milo, wheat, peanut and cotton fields. We drive into the fields and everyone helps set out the spread using the lights of the trucks. Typically we have dry weather but be prepared for rain or snow. We hunt using A-frame blinds, layout blinds and/or padded goose chairs with ghille blankets. You will not be laying on bare ground. You will not need waders. We do not hide you in muddy levies like many are accustomed to hunting on the coast.
Upon request we can look at getting an afternoon hunt scheduled. We offer upland hunts in the afternoon. We do not charge deposits for afternoon waterfowl hunts because the are only successful on a day by day basis.
The most common choice is a 12 ga with 3″ shells and #2 steel shot with an improved cylinder or modified choke. People have had success with 20 gauges. Full chokes and large shot are not needed. They actually hurt your chances as your pattern will be very small at the typical ranges we shoot at. Hevi -Shot and similar products are great and will really smack the birds but they are not necessary. For Cranes we recommend modified chokes and steel BB’s or Lead 2’s. Do not bring lead on a goose or duck hunt.
It is very difficult for weekend hunters to be successful at hunting geese. Their patterns change daily and many miles must be covered to locate concentrations of birds. We have several people scouting and hunting daily and know where the birds are at and what patterns they are following. Additionally there is a large amount of expensive equipment needed to be successful. The equipment you will be hunting with costs thousands of dollars and is not practical for the occasional hunter to purchase. Finally, your guides have hundreds of days experience in the field and know how to get the birds in to the decoys. There are many variables to deal with when hunting geese and without a lot of experience it is difficult to know what to do in a given situation.
Make sure you have your required license and stamps. We do not sell licenses or stamps. Unless we tell you otherwise you should stay in Lubbock. Contact us at 806-642-1885 the day before your hunt. We will not know where we will be meeting or at what time until the guides come in from the evening scouting. Typically we meet at an area convenience store before the hunt. If you need breakfast, gas, etc do this before our meeting time. We schedule our meeting times as late as possible while still giving us enough time to get set up before the birds get there. Be on time and be ready to go.
No alcohol may be consumed before or during a hunt. Alcohol is not permitted on the grounds we hunt on. We risk losing our lease if you even consume alcohol back at the trucks after the hunt. Save it until you get back to the motel or the restaurant. We do not provide food of any kind but many people like to bring snacks or a thermos of coffee. After the hunt we often all go eat at a local restaurant.
Our demand exceeds our capabilities. When you book a date we end up turning away other customers that want that date. As such deposits are NON RERFUNDABLE. Also deposits are for the number you specify. For example if you send in a deposit for 6 hunters and only 4 show up, the other 2 hunter’s deposit is forfeited and can not be credited towards the balance due on the 4 hunters.
We typically have one to two guides per party. This allows us to call more and keep things running smoothly. Guides are paid but they do appreciate your tips. Tip your guide depending on what you thought of his performance. $50 to $100 per hunter per day is an average tip. Groups that do not tip will not be asked back.
Aside from waterfowl and Pheasant hunting Lubbock has many restaurants and bars. Lubbock is a college town so you can find nightlife any night of the week.
The weather can change rapidly. Average low temps are in the twenties and we average less than 3/4″ rain per month during hunting season. Be prepared for foul weather and chilly mornings with winds averaging around 10 mph. We provide you with blinds so camo is not necessary but camo hats and face masks are good to have.