Report and Photos By - David Rearick
Avery Outdoors Pro-Staff

With many seasons in full swing and others just beginning, one thing that is a common occurance is crowds in the marsh. There is only one way to overcome these early season crowds, and that is to locate hidden hot spots that possibly hold less birds, but offer more opportunities at decoying ducks.

I think everyone that has hunted waterfowl has seen the day where two drake mallards are cupped, fully committed, and coming into the decoys only to have a distant shot flare them just out of range. It is an inevitable occurrence here in the state of PA, and across the US. While many guys concede to the facts, I still dream of decoying birds even when hunters are out in full force. In order to overcome these obstacles, many times I choose to tuck back in somewhere quiet and work the few meager flocks that present themselves. While big numbers of ducks generally lead to a larger bag at the end of the day, I find that in most cases in the early season that finding a small pocket of birds brings much greater success in the field.

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Written By - Billy Raymond

WBT News and the Texas - Oklahoma Shootout

Last week’s announcement that the 2008 WBT Angler of the Year will qualify for the 2009 Bassmaster Classic tipped off quite a debate in the bass fishing world. WBT Director Bruce Mathis is here to talk about the decision, answer the critics, and look ahead to the next big steps for the WBT.

The Kelly Jordon and Jeff Kriet square off in a preview of the Pioneer Beef Jerky Texas - Oklahoma Shootout. Jordon’s Texas team is looking for their third victory in just the third year of the event. Kriet’s Oklahoma team is dtermeined that this year they will not snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Finally, a cooperative ABA/USO event to take U.S. Air Force personnel fishing needs boaters. The event takes place in Shreveport, LA on October 28. If you can possibly be there, it will be worth the trip. Get more info here.

Click below to listen or check out the latest episode at www.BassFeed.com

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Report & Photography By - Ben Cade
Avery Outdoors Pro-Staff

For resident honkers early in September, there are usually plenty of birds to go around and plenty of guys willing to load the guns for them. On my most recent North Dakota hunt, we found plenty of birds and had eight guys to go after them. While we could have had success hiding eight guys in low profile layout blinds, we chose to split up into groups of four. The decision led to a more enjoyable hunt, and ultimately more birds in the back of the trucks!

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Click to View

Below is Avery’s weekly migration report. Click on the map to see each region and then click through to read reports from all of the flyways.

Canada

1) Name: John Traiforos
Date: October 9th/2007
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Weather: Cool in the evenings, overnight, and early mornings. It is still fairly warm during the day. North central and northwest area received rain over the weekend
Snow Cover: None. Very few areas of the province have had a slight amount but nothing last stayed on the ground
Water Conditions: Still open. The small potholes, sloughs are have started to form thin skiffs of ice around the edges in the northern regions
Feeding Conditions:: Excellent. Almost all crops are off. Have seen most snow geese in wheat throughout different regions and more ducks eating peas
Species and Numbers: Ducks are all over. I traveled through a vast area of the province this past long weekend and seen lots of Mallards, gadwalls, and widgeon. There are lots of snows all over as well. There are very few specks in areas other than the southwest corner.
Migrations: Frequent north and northwest winds are pushing birds down but it appears not in any great traveling distances. The small species of Canadas are an absolute mystery people. We put on a very high number of miles the past 3-4 days and covered a large section of the province – and didn’t see them in any decent numbers.
Season Stage: Season Started September 1st. September 15th brings all day goose hunting – it has been closing at 12 noon thus far
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Report & Photography By - Alex Langbell
Avery Outdoors Pro-Staff

I had been drawn for a bull elk tag in one of the better parts of Washington state. My good friend Ty Brown and I were teaming up to try and fill this tag. We had been hunting hard for four days, getting into elk everyday. We had gotten close to bulls several times throughout the week, but just could not get a shot at one. Day five, after bugling down several ridges and getting no response, we decided to try an area where we had gotten into bulls a few days earlier. As we bugled down the steep canyon we heard a bugle from a long distance away, then another and another. The first two bulls were a couple of miles away, but the third one was directly below us. This elk was hot. Every time we let out a bugle he would fire back. Ty asked, “Do you want to go after him?” I responded by asking, “If we kill it are we going to be able to get it out?” Because Ty lived in the area, he knew the terrain as well if not better than anyone around. He said there was an old logging road we could use, but it would be one heck of a pack out. Our common sense either went out the window or our desire to kill an elk took over, because we decided to proceed down the steep canyon. Not only was this canyon a 70 to 75 degree slope, it had been burned. There were downed trees and stumps everywhere. It took us 40 minutes to descend down, carefully trying not to broadcast our intentions to every elk in the immediate area. As we finally reached the bottom, we bugled; silence. We let out another bugle and again, nothing. Ty and I looked at each other in disgust. We just hiked down into hell and no one was home. At this point I told Ty that I thought the original bugle was coming from the next draw over. So, we started hiking over the small ridge and entered the second draw.

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Written By - Billy Raymond

Derek Remitz and Jeff Connella

The Wolverine is back on BassFeed! Derek Remitz first appeared on BassFeed shortly after winning the Bassmaster Elite season opener on Lake Amistad. Now he’s here to recap the trials, triumphs, and lessons of his 2007 Rookie of the Year Season. He also shares his “go-to” techniques for those times when pre-fishing doesn’t reveal a clear pattern.

Then Billy is joined by Jeff Connella, another Bassmaster Elite angler, who’s just finishing up his sophomore season. Jeff is one of only handful of Elite anglers who still holds a full-time job. He talks about the challenges of managing a fishing career, a day job, and a family, as well as the ongoing struggle to gain sponsor support to fish full time. Jeff also has some words of wisdom about becoming a more versatile angler in order to compete at the top levels of bass fishing.

Click below to listen or check out the latest episode at www.BassFeed.com

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Written By - Billy Raymond

Sammie Jo Denyes and Keith Phillips

The end of the 2007 Women’s Bassmaster Tour marks a new beginning for professional angler Sammie Jo Denyes. After sitting out the other four events of the season, Sammie Jo is ready get back on the water and back in contention. And since this last event of the year takes place in her old neighborhood, Louisiana’s Red River, she feels confident she can begin and end her season on a strong note.

Similarly, Keith Phillips from the Bassmaster Elite series is busier than ever now that the 2007 Elite season is over. Not only is he gearing up to fish the Bassmaster Wild Card Qualifier on Lake Okochobee to earn his 2008 tour card, he’ll first make quick stop off in Spain to compete as part of Team U.S.A. in the Eurobass Tournament. But even with all that going on, Keith takes time to explain one of his go-to power-fishing techniques, swimming a jig.

Click below to listen or check out the latest episode at www.BassFeed.com

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Report & Photography By - Ben Cade
Avery Outdoors Pro-Staff

In my home state of Minnesota, we are left with one week between seasons when the early goose season closes on September 22nd and the regular waterfowl season opens on September 29th. Avid wing shooters like me need something to fill the void during these breaks in the seasons. In this ‘From the Field’ article, I’ll show you how to keep yourself busy anytime that you are unable to pursue your bird of choice.

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