Indiana hunting season?

[hoosierhunter]

Looking to see how everyone did in Indiana this year. Where u at? How was your season? What are you hunting? I just love to hear about Indiana hunting a little, all we hear about is the main states!

[hoosierhunter]

Just trying to keep this thing going! Come on Indiana boys, let's here about your season!

[Goosed]

I am from NW Indiana. I haven't hunted Indiana for a long time. I am a guide in Illinois. I mostly hunt Illinois and Michigan. When I did hunt Indiana I had some pretty good farms south of Merrilliville. Between guiding and buddy hunting in Michigan not real opportunity to hunt Indiana.

Scott Lovell
Foile's Migrators Pro-Staff

[hoosierhunter]

We hunt mainly central Indiana, and some down in southern Indiana. We're hunting mostly local birds. Anymore around here you have to be hunting the suburbs of towns. All the housing additions and retention ponds and golf courses hold all the birds. Way more birds than any of the refuges or FWA. We get beefed up in numbers some when they start to migrate, and that is when we start to hunt in southern Indiana. Some of our best hunting occurs when we're froze out except the rivers and streams.

[SDMF]

I usually hunt a lake not too far away, but I also hunt a couple of State areas as well.That can be a real headache maker some times, but I keep going back for more. Had a pretty good season by In. standards, even got a banded goose back in Dec. I try to hunt in Ill. also but with the Central zone closing early this year it shortened my season by about a month! Can't complain though I managed to hunt 48 days this year.

[hoosierhunter]

SDMF, 48 days of hunting, that's alot! How do you get to do that? We usually just hunt Saturdays, and if we're really into birds we might play hooky one day and go or go on Sunday from time to time. How many did you kill this year? What kinds? We did pretty average for us, we killed 115 ducks, 16 geese. I got 2 bands this year. Great to hear from all you Indiana guys!

[SDMF]

Personally, I shot 33 ducks and 20 geese;one banded goose. I work an afternoon shift primarily. I was lucky enough to shoot several species, including Mals,rings, bluebills,pintail, woodies,common merg and a couple of hoodies. Don't have my records in front of me so I can't give more details sorry.

[hoosierhunter]

That sounds like a pretty good year to me. You said you hunt alot of public land? Where at? I've been up to Willow Slough and Kankakee a few times. We saw alot of birds flying, but they knew right where the blinds were and flew a pattern between them. Pretty frustrating. We don't even bother with going there anymore. I might try out the new Goose Pond FWA down by Linton. Ever been there?

[SDMF]

Yeah, I got to willow slough,some years quite a bit but last couple of seasons have not gone there too much. I won't waste my time driving over to the Kankakee state fish and wildlife property. too far to drive there just to go home cause you couldn't get in.Hunt close to home at Lasalle F & W and found a couple of public lakes that don't see too many people by mid Nov. Never been to Goose Pond.

[Goosetamer]

Hey guys I hunt the Southern part of the state on private ground and had a decent season. I think with the group of four guys that I hunt with we killed between 200-250 ducks and probably 150- 200 geese. We killed a total of 5 bands wich including 2 one hundred dollar bands. We killed some bluebills, GWT, BWT, Spoonies, gaddys, Mallards, Blacks, Buffies, Goldeneyes, Rings, Widgeon, one juvinile blue goose, and some big ol canadas. Nice to see how some other guys do in Indiana.

[Duck Hunter Paul]

Hey goosetamer, we're practically neighbors then. Hoosier Hunter and myself hunt around the Edwardsport area. Sounds like you had a really good year.

[hoosierhunter]

Hey goosetamer, good to have you aboard. Sounds like you guys did pretty good. Are you close to Turtle Creek? Seems like it was a pretty decent year this year in Southern Indiana? Do you blow a Foiles call then? which one? We get down that way some when we're not doing so hot here in Central Indiana. Probably end up hunting down that way alot more next season. Hopefully the White or Wabash get out next season.

[Goosetamer]

Hoosierhunter yes I am not but 6 miles from Turtle Creek. I hunt it some on days when no one else can sense my dad works there that is alowed. Diddnt kill to many there but few. Killed a few on the Wabash and some on a few local private stripper pits. One of them is around 90feet deep so it takes a while to freeze up. Yes I do blow some Foiles calls, I have a acrylic SMH wich was my very first shortreed to purchase, also have a Green Diamond Wood SMH that a freind is borrowing until he learns how to blow a shortreed, HPH, and a Timber Rattler. Great calls in my opinion.


Later
Goosetamer

[hoosierhunter]

I agree. I love my Foiles calls, I have matching SMM and SMH both in blue/clear. I first learned on a Hunter Specialties single reed poly call. So when I got my first Foiles, I thought it was awesome. I've blown some of my buddies calls, RNT daisycutter, and Big Guys Best, they're pretty good calls, but I still love my Foiles the best. We hunt down by the Edwardsport area on the White River, and also hunt a private 15 ac. marsh outside of Bruceville, apx. 1/2 mile from 41. I think it's about 2 miles from the Wabash. Never actually been on the Wabash. We've hunted on the edges when it flooded. But overall pretty new to the Southern Indiana area. Duck Hunter Paul and I hunt together, and his brother in law is a farm manager down there for a large farm, so we hunt all their properties. Keep in touch! Did you go to the Deer and Turkey Expo? Or see the duck calling contest? I went and entered and placed 4th.

[Goosetamer]

No I didnt make it to the Expo this year had to work. I had entended on entering the goose contest but I was told I had to work. Congrats on the 4th place finish, sounds like you did pretty well. I did get to go to the Bloomington,ILL Deer and Turkey Expo last weekend and Foiles had a booth setup there and I just had to buy me a all MAX-4 HPH while there. Keep in touch with me we may just have to hook up and kill some birds together.

Later
Goosetamer

[hoosierhunter]

Sounds good, maybe we can exchange hunts! Always up for something different. Let me know what you think of the HPH, I'm curious the difference between it and SMH. I think I'm going to take a trip to Pittsfield in the next few weeks and check it out. I need to get my SMH tuned also. Keep in touch! Got any Pics to post? I put one up you can look at.

[hoosierhunter]

Sounds good, maybe we can exchange hunts! Always up for something different. Let me know what you think of the HPH, I'm curious the difference between it and SMH. I think I'm going to take a trip to Pittsfield in the next few weeks and check it out. I need to get my SMH tuned also. Keep in touch! Got any Pics to post? I put one up you can look at.

[hoosierhunter]

Here's a pic to see. This is me and my yellow lab Moe (3yrs old)http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/05duck1.jpg

[hoosierhunter]

Here's a pic of me (in center), Duck Hunter Paul on far right and his dog Cody (Moe's father), and an idiot that we hunted with! :D http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/03duck1.jpg

[Goosetamer]

Hoosierhunter here are a few pics after Christmas with my new digital. I have not got the HPH set up the way I like it yet but I will get it there.

http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/7131/dec3052pd.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I am the one with the black hoodie on.
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/7365/groupinblindsmaller1gf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Black hoodie again and my YLM Ben to my right,
http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/3151/groupsmaller5hq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[hoosierhunter]

Looks like a lot of fun went on! Gotta go for now, talk at ya later!

[hoosierhunter]

How about a few deer pics?http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/05buck1.jpg

[hoosierhunter]

Here's another from '04http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/04buck2.jpg

[hoosierhunter]

Here's one from '01http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/00buck1.jpg

[Goosetamer]

Nice bucks there, either one taken with a bow. I had about a 170in 14 pointer within 9yards of me this year during bow but never could quite come through on the shot do to brush and trees. Thats always my luck for deer season anymore.

[Duck Hunter Paul]

This is my first Buck with a Bow. Hoosier Hunter took this pic with a Trail Camera. It was the only camera we had with us http://www.hunt101.com/img/383052.jpg (http://www.hunt101.com/?p=383052&c=500&z=1)

[Duck Hunter Paul]

Here is Hoosier Hunter and Myself and my two brother in laws killing a limit of mallards in 25 minutes. Doesn't happen very often, but when it does it's awesome. My Daughter and my niece went along and watched.http://www.hunt101.com/img/383055.JPG (http://www.hunt101.com/?p=383055&c=500&z=1)

[hoosierhunter]

Yeah, the 04 buck was taken with a bow. I've had a lot of chances to kill some nice bucks in the last 4 seasons, but I've blown it. Sure is a rush to kill a nice buck with a bow! It's a real toss up to me, if I had a chance to go out and shoot a nice buck with a bow, or go out and see a bunch of birds and shoot a limit. Got any deer pics?

[Goosetamer]

The only buck picture I have is of my first buck with a bow but I will have to scan it first. For me I only hunt with a bow and as soon as waterfowl season comes in the I am done deer hunting. Hoosierhunter you was asking me about my HPH well I finally got it tuned the way I like my calls and it sounds great to me. Cant wait to call some big ol honks with it but that is just to dang far away.


Here is another picture with my two brother in-laws and a good friend and my pooch. Should have killed a 4 man limit on honks and ducks but new guys couldnt shoot very well.
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5238/group1smaller9rv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Do you think the blinds were hid good on this hunt.
http://img434.imageshack.us/img434/6663/blind2smaller8ju.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[hoosierhunter]

Yeah, the blinds look good on that pic! What kind of blinds you using? We use the Avery Finishers, not necessarily all that happy with them. Next one I buy I'm going to try the Final Approach SUB. I was curious the difference between your HPH and your SMH. I just found out that I won the contest to name the new Foiles duck call, I came up with Dead Meat, so I'm pumped about getting a new call with my name laser engraved into it! Keep in touch Goosetamer! We'll definitely have to hook up next season some time. We've got a few really good spots down south, and a few pretty good areas up here in Central Indiana too. Maybe we can trade hunts, it's always fun to meet new guys and hunt different places! Let me know about your call!

[hoosierhunter]

Just keeping this post near the top! :D. Keeping up the Indiana discussion!

[Goosetamer]

hoosierhunter I am using a FA X-Lander and love it. In the picture there are 2 FA Xlanders, FA Mutt Hutt, Avery Power Hunter, and a Avery Migrator. If you are looking at an FA SUB you wont go wrong with it they are very nice blinds. My HPH is probably a little louder than the SMH but still has a good low end. It will allow you make some pretty good moans. Just another great call from Jeff.

[hoosierhunter]

Goosetamer, I'm going to have to try one of those. I think I'm going to take a trip over to his store, so I'll try one then. I was hoping they can give me a few pointers on my goose calling also. Me and my hunting buddies several years ago all bought our Finisher blinds at the same time from a Avery rep who is a friend of one of our friends. We got a great deal on them through him, otherwise I would have bought a FA. The next one I get is definitely going to be a FA. I've got a Avery finisher dog blind that I use also, I like it ok. What kind of goose dekes are you using in your spread? Up here at Gander Mountain at the end of the season, they were selling their boxes of Bigfoots at 40% off, my buddy bought 4 boxes, and I bought all the floaters they had left (13 of them). If I had a place to store em or a little more money I would have bought all they had, they had 12 boxes left at $69.00 a box. oh well.

[Goosetamer]

Right now Iam running 5 doz, GHG fullbodies, 1 doz. Bigfoots and 3 doz. Realgeese silos, but I am going to switch over to the new bigfoots. My buddy that I always hunt with has all the floaters so I dont have any. The only reason I bought all the GHG was because Fred Zink was selling them for $125 a doz. and I jumped all over it. They have just about had it so new deeks on the way hopefully.

Later
Goosetamer

[hoosierhunter]

That's a great deal! I really wish I had bought all those Bigfoots! I know I'm going to regret it later! We hunt duck more than geese, but I'm really wanting to shoot more geese next season. We've got one spot down there near Bruceville, it's a apx. 15 acre marsh right off a main creek channel, that holds water year round with stumps everywhere in it. We've been down there, and no kidding we saw apx. 1,500-2,000 geese on it. From what everyone tells us it is one of the favorite spots for all the geese in the county to roost. We saw a bunch of snows and specks on it also. That I know of we're the only ones hunting it! Tough to hunt it though, with that many birds. They don't decoy well. We've thought about setting up in the cornfields surrounding it, and maybe we can decoy down to us. Got any ideas?

[hoosierhunter]

In reply to my last post, we've discussed buying layout boats to get out to the birds. It is a 15 acre marsh about 1 1/2' deep with stumps covering half of it, and the birds love to roost there. It is too far across to hunt from the banks very effectively, the birds all sit out in the middle among the stumps. We've tried setting up on the banks in several different spots and put out as big a spread as we can haul in, but they just don't want to decoy in, they all want to set out in the middle. My only concern is even in hunting it, that maybe we will drive the birds away. We've thought about setting up in the corn fields surrounding it, but we really don't see any birds going into them, they usually fly out farther to other fields we can't hunt. I know if we use the layout boats we will really pound them, but we don't want to burn the spot up also. Anyone have any ideas or thoughts on this?

[dux_99]

Would it be possible to wait until the birds push out to feed in the morning and then go out there and set up? That way you could get into the the first couple of groups to come back and get out of there quickly without the disturbing the whole roost.

[hoosierhunter]

We've tried that. When they come back in they always want to go back out in the middle, they just won't decoy in (smart birds). It is probably 300-400 yds. across this marsh and about 2-3 times that length. I'm to the conclusion the only way to get to them is to use layout boats and get out there to them. It's alot of work though. As far as letting them leave then set up and shoot them as they return, that is pretty much our plan. We don't hunt it past noon, and we let them have it in the evenings to roost. The first time we ever hunted there, we arrived at about 45 min. before day break and parked up by the road in the corner of one of the fields, it's about 300 yds to the marsh. While we were unloading our gear you could just hear it roar with geese, at day break they all flew out, we guessed there to be apx. 2,000 geese, there is also about 200-300 ducks. We were pumped to say the least! We set up and hunted till noon, and we only had 1 goose :roll: . They pretty much all flew back in but nothing wanted to come into our spread, we even moved twice to try and get into a better spot. Everything just skirted the edge and flew out in the middle, talk about frustrating!

[dux_99]

That is kind of what I was saying about going in there after they all get out. Like the morning you said that they all got out and you hunted until noon and only one group came back. I would consider revising your shooting hours a bit.

I understand that you would like to rest your birds and not burn them out of there; but what is the point of resting them if you guys are not getting any shooting out of the deal. I would try the layout routine out in the middle and hunt mid day like from noon till three or something. That would still give the birds an opportunity to get in there and roost after you guys get some shooting.

The club I guide at has geese every morning when we go in. We usually go in well after sunrise (club regulation) and the geese will get out and then you won't see them again until a little after sunset. We only hunt until noon as well. I know what time they get back b/c I have bow hunted down there in the afternoon and watched them come back in.

Noon seems to be the standard for most guys around here as well, but in some cases I don't think you really stand to gain by going in right at noon. There is one club that will hunt until 3:00 and they do just as well; b/c the birds still have that afternoon time to roost and get comfortable without being disturbed.

I am also guessing that you are not hunting it every day of the week. As long as the geese aren't all coming back in one big mob and you aren't shooting into them day after day. I would say it would be just fine to lay out there some Saturday afternoon and have a enjoyable shoot.

[hoosierhunter]

We pretty much only hunt on Saturdays. We'll try that! different hours, but I am to the conclusion the only way to get to them is with layout boats. They fly out in morning and pretty much fly back in all day long small groups at a time, but they just won't decoy in off the banks, they all want the middle of the marsh, so I guess we'll have to go to them. Yeah, we wouldn't burn it out, only hunt it maybe 5 or 6 times a season, and only 1 day a week. If we hunt out in layout boats we won't have a lot of room for decoys, probably a dozen a piece (2 guys), but I think the location is the key, not necessarily the # of decoys out. Got any ideas on that? Maybe decoy setup? I was thinking probably set out in like 3 family groups of about 8 each or so with decent spacing between them.

[dux_99]

my thought on the decoys would be that if they are wanting in there anyways that you shouldn't need a whole lot. I would say that you are on the right track with the family groups. Just give them something to look at and a way to blend in your layout boats. I have heard or guys using silhouettes over water. They use a short piece or PVC pipe and slide the stake down in the pvc.

I have never done this personally though; so I can't really comment on effectiveness. As far as the layout boats go; if you had a jon boat or some sort of boat that you normally use at the slough to pick up decoys; you could build a little boat hide out there to slide your boat into and hunt out of that. That way you wouldn't have to go buy some layout boats just for this hunt. You could also build a flat platform and put your layout blinds on them.

[hoosierhunter]

I would love to do that, but the farmer we have permission from probably wouldn't like that, but we might check and see. I would love to build a little blind out on the marsh in between the stumps, what sucks is getting out to where we need to hunt. We have to push pole the whole way, it is very shallow, can't even run a trolling motor. worst case scenario though we will get the layout boats and camo ourselves in. It is so shallow we could almost use our bigfoots out there! :roll:. We'll figure something out, it is definitely a great spot and worth working on.

[hoosierhunter]

Goosetamer! You still out there? :D . Haven't heard from you in awhile. Anyways, just keeping Indiana discussion near the top of the list! :lol: .

[Goosetamer]

Yeah I am still out here but I have been pretty buisy working 58 hrs a week and also trying to start turning some of my own goose calls on the side. Have you been seeing very many birds around up there. They are every where down here. Sunday I was training the retrivers and ducks wer landing in the water with the dogs. They sure in the hell wouldnt do that during season. If you know of anybody looking for a yellow male lab pup I have 2 that will be ready for a new home on March 26. If you need more info or pictures on these you can e-mail me at Levi@longneckoutdoors.com or phone me at (812)249-2261.

Thanks
Levi

[hoosierhunter]

I don't know of anyone right now, but I'll definitely keep it in mind! How's it coming on the goose calls? Are they wood or acrylic? I would be interested in checking those out! Are you making your own guts also or what? Yeah, definitely seeing a lot of birds around here right now, no more than we usually see in early season though, around here they're mostly locals. Anyway good hearing from you, what do you do for a living?

[Goosetamer]

I am was turning acrylic until my lathe broke down and so I have another one on the way. I will be turning wood, delrin, and acrylic calls. Right now I do not have my own gut system yet but that will maybe be in the future. I enjoy making them it is a lot of fun. I am a Tool&Die Maker (Machinist). I will send some pictures of a couple of calls that I have turned as of right now to your e-mail. Just PM your e-mail to me if you have one.

Later
Goosetamer

[hoosierhunter]

Cool, my email address is mmhaase@earthlink.net. Look forward to it.

[Goosetamer]

Hoosierhunter I sent you a picture of my first acrylic call and will send more when I get home. What is your occupation.

Later
Goosetamer

[hoosierhunter]

I am a contractor, residential construction mainly, I own my own company, and we mainly do remodeling and home improvements, we build a few new homes, just what ever pays the bills! :D . How about you? Are you on prostaff with longneckoutdoors? I saw your pics on their website. Anyways I sent you an email back, I got your's with the pic of the call and it looks good! Anxious to see how you come out on it and how it blows. Later!

[Goosetamer]

Yes I am on prostaff with longneckoutdoors. I dont know if you have been to calling ducks.com but they had an online calling contest and I entered the novice goose beeing it be my first contest and I ended up getting 3rd place in the contest and I was blowing the green call. It actually makes you feel pretty good when it is your own call you are blowing. Right now it is tuned very light I think a baby could even blow it but it can be tuned stiff to.

Later

[hoosierhunter]

Cool, I entered my first contest this year, up at the Indy Deer and Turkey Expo at the State Fair grounds, it was the 1st year they had a duck and goose calling competition. It was meat calling contest. I entered in the Senior duck contest and got 4th place (1 place out of the prizes :cry: ). I ran out of air and cut my routine short of the time, and I think that hurt my chances of doing better, but it was a great experience. I was very nervous calling in front of all those people and the other competitors. I still have a lot to learn on the goose calling, I've been hunting for 5 seasons now, and am a competent hunting caller, but not a competitive caller. The duck call is where I am most confident. Good talking to you. We'll definitely have to hook up for next season! :D.

[hoosierhunter]

Where's all the Indiana boys at? Post up! We need a calling seminar here like the PA boys are scheduling for themselves. Any takers on this?

[ganderlander1]

Hey hoosier hunter do you hunt anywhere near Terra Haute?
Just wondering I hunt right across the state line and did really well. The walbash held alot of geese in that area this year. If you do maybe we can get together and put a hurt on some of those black feet.

[hoosierhunter]

Ganderlander, I hunt mainly in Central Indiana, but we also hunt down in southern indiana, near Vincenes and Sullivan area. Yeah, the Wabash had a good year this year. We have a spot down near Bruceville that was loaded with geese, several thousand. How about you, how did you guys do last season? Definitely always up for meeting new guys and hunting new areas. That's what it's all about is having fun and meeting new friends with common interests. Hope to hear back from you.

[hoosierhunter]

Keeping Indiana near the top! Went and looked at a new piece of ground on the Wabash, across the river from Hutsonville, Ill. Anyone out there have any knowledge of this area?

[ganderlander1]

Hoosierhunter, I hunt just north of there in weat union and there is some really good spots in that area. There are lots of old rock quaries in that hold alot of birds. I normaly hunt there in early goose season and do really well. There is a faery in a town called darwin right in there on the river there are normaly good numbers of birds. There is also a power plant east a town called Robinson and the geese are always there. There is a good resident flock of geese. During the regular season there are lots of people hunting on the weekends but during the week there is hardly anyone hunting. I dont know if you dove hunt much but that is a great area to dove hunt with all the seed corn being taken out early in the year with the rock quaries close by the dove are always there by the thousands. I hope this helps you out a little. I dont know much about south of west union though. West union is about 45 minutes south of where I grew up, so I havent went much futher south of there.
Again I dont know if this helps at all.
Matt Biemick

[hoosierhunter]

Thanks ganderlander, It looked like a really promising area, about 800 acres mostly all low fields with about 3 or 4 really good sized sloughs that hold water most year round, we saw apx. 100 ducks and 10-20 geese on the property when we arrived, it also had a large oxbow lake on the property. If we hunt it, we'll have to hook up sometime. Matt Haase.

[Goosetamer]

hoosierhunter- Did you get my e-mail back to you. From what I was reading in the above post I am pretty sure I know were you are talking about and if you let me know the exact I will fill you in on what type of bird traffic to exspect there. I dont hunt much around there anymore because my buddy I hunted with in the timber in that area tried dicking me over on somethings. So I mainly stayed around the goose pond area and along Shakamak Lake on some old mine ground. Let me know if I can be of any assitance to you about the area. Always willing to help a fellow waterfowler out.

Later
Levi

[hoosierhunter]

Goosetamer, yeah I got your email. The area I am talking about is the last 1/2 to 3/4 mile of land on St. Rd. 154, right before you go over the bridge into Hutsonville, Ill. The highway actually goes right thru the middle of the property, there is also a large oxbow lake on the north side of the highway, before you get to the river. So all the fields on the southside of the highway, and north of the highway a oxbow lake. Also a couple of sloughs on the river side of the levee on the south side of the highway. Make sense? Looks very promising. I've not ever been to Goose Pond yet, do you hunt on the property or surrounding it?

[Goosetamer]

hoosierhunter - I will tell you this you are picking up some excelent waterfowl ground there when they are here they will be there. After season was over there was probably close to 2000 snows, blues and rosses, along with probably about the same amount of Canadas along with a few thousand ducks along the levy and thats no joke. After you come past the the last clump of trees on the southside of the road there is a low spot in the field at the corner of the fence row wich has water in it now and more than the other parts of the field through out the year. This spot right here usually holds majority of the birds for there roosting purposes. Ducks and geese both. You should be able to go into the old oxbows there and hammer the ducks when they are around. I have tried to pick that ground up for awhile but was told that at the time some guys were leasing it for deer hunting go figure just my luck always missing the boat. If you ever need a hand putting some birds down out there I am just 5 miles away :D . GLad somebody will be hunting it and keep the birds stirred up some more. Also anytime during season that you need someone to go see if the birds are there give me a call and I could do that for you since you live so far away.

Later
Levi

[hoosierhunter]

Goosetamer, thanks I appreciate it. Actually, Duck Hunter Paul's brother in law is the farm manager for the farm that owns the ground, He is actually wanting to put something together with a select group of guys to keep it tied up for several years. His brother in law actually would be willing to help with equipment to install some pits. Didn't know if this would be something you would be interested in or not? It is all preliminary right now.

[Goosetamer]

Keep me informed of whats going on and I just might be interested.


Later
Levi

[hoosierhunter]

Goosetamer, he is wanting to get a select group of guys, apx. 5 guys or so, and lock up the property for a few years, I had mentioned to him about you since you live in the area and know the birds and are close by to scout the birds. There is also a cabin on the property, right on the bank of the oxbow lake, on about 9' tall stilts (inside the levee), it would be a great place to hang out for the weekend. Anyway, we're needing to raise about $5,000.00 to sign it for a few years, so if you know of anyone else local you think would be a good fit, we would be interested. We would have rights to all hunting and use of the land solely, and his brother in law would probably plant some crops to leave for us around the sloughs, He also would like to possibly put in some pits if possible. So if interested let me know.

[hoosierhunter]

Just putting Indiana back near the top! Went out turkey hunting opening morning, and took a friend of mine with me. He got a nice one! 25 1/2 lb. 10" beard, and 25 1/2 mm spurs, 3 year old bird. It only took about 5-10 min. after the bird came down off his roost. FUN! here's a pic.http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/Ricksturkey1.jpg and another.http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/Ricksturkey2.jpg

[hoosierhunter]

Where's my fellow Hoosiers? I'm getting lonely on here! :cry: Just keeping up the thread!

[Goosetamer]

Been chasing the ol longbeard and working on some calls. Looks like you guys did pretty good on the opener. I shot one with my bow and lost it but thats all I have done. I called my brother in laws first turkey in on the first weekend it was 23 lbs 10 1/2 beard and 21 mm spurs not bad for a first bird. Have you got one yet. I will be doing a calling seminar sometime here in the future at the Greenwood Gander Mountain, how far are you from there.


Later
Levi

[hoosierhunter]

Really! Let me know when, I live about 5-10 min. away from Gander Mtn. store. I talked with your buddy Jay Anderson on the phone last night, sounds like a good fit for the property down there. How did you get hooked up with the Greenwood Gander Mtn. store? Are you going to have some of your calls with you? Looking forward to seeing them. Talk to you later, Matt.

[Goosetamer]

Jay is a great guy and puts the smack down on some birds down here. I should have my calls with me when I am at Gander. One of my good friends is head of the ATV sales there at Gander and his roomate is one of the mangers there and they asked me to come up and do a seminar for them. If at all possible they are wanting to sell my calls in store there also. I will let you know when I will be there and we can hook up.

Later
Levi

[Thurman]

Whats up Levi? Dont forget about that green and black call for me one of these days this summer.

Hoosierhunter - I hunt with Jay and know Levi pretty well. That ground you are looking at on the IN/IL border is slammed with birds just like Levi said. There are lots of limits to be shot over there!

Thurman

[Goosetamer]

Whats up Thermy! If you have an e-mail address I can send you a picture of a call that yours will look like. I turned down a black insert and stuck it in the barrel of the green call and it looks sweet I think. PM your email to me and I will send you a picture of the call. As soon as Jay gets my logo done I can start sending calls out to get engraved.


Later
Levi

[hoosierhunter]

I appreciate all the info guys! Definitely looking forward to meeting you guys. Levi, just let me know when you're coming and we'll meet up, I'm definitely anxious to check out your calls. Do you know what you're going to speak on during your seminar here? Jay was telling me that Jeff came over and hunted with him somewhere nearby, and thought maybe possibly he would come and hunt that new piece of ground when the birds are working, that would be fun! Good talking to you! Matt

[hoosierhunter]

Keeping Indiana near the top! Goosetamer let me know when your calling seminar will be at Gander, we should post it on here and see if we can get some more of the Indiana guys on here to come.

[Goosetamer]

Sounds good and I will let you know.

Later
Levi

[hoosierhunter]

Looking forward to it, I've got a friend of mine, he is one who is going to go in on the lease on that land with us, he is pretty new to waterfowl hunting, and he is interested in coming and learning, I also told him about your new calls you're making, so he's interested in checking them out. Talk with you later, Matt.

[hoosierhunter]

I thought I would post some pics of my kids practicing on their duck calls, they wanted to be put on daddy's computer! 8)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/Kidsduckcall.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/Andrewduckcall.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/Chigduckcall.jpg

[Goosetamer]

Very cute way to start them young Matt. Still working on the date with Gander will let you know when I find out.


Later
Levi

[hoosierhunter]

Sounds good, looking forward to it! I took a couple of other pics I thought I would post. Some of my taxidermy in my office.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/Shark.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/00Buckmount.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/pheasantmount.jpg

[Goosetamer]

Looks like some good taxidermy. Nice deer .

Later
Levi

[hoosierhunter]

The guy who did my deer, has gotten really busy the last few years and has raised his prices dramatically, I paid 275 for mine, and now he charges 450, so I started using another guy I know, he does excellant work, and he's reasonable 300-325 for his deer, but he takes for ever. I've got 2 deer, 3 ducks, and 2 banded geese all waiting to get done, 1 deer he has had for 1 year and 7 months now. I guess that's the way it goes. My shark was done down in Florida by a big taxidermy company down there and they had to crate it and ship it to me here. Got any pics of any taxidermy? Post em up so we can see them. 8)

[Max4Gooser]

I know I am not from Indiana, but here is a deer head of mine I am pretty proud of.
http://www.hunt101.com/img/303719.JPG

[hoosierhunter]

Very nice deer! A lot of character in the rack. Do you know what it scored? This thread is open to whosoever will! :lol:

[Max4Gooser]

He is my biggest deer, he scores 172 5/8 typ. grossed 183 5/8. He dressed out at 345 lbs. Let's say I had to inlist a lot of help dragging him out.

[hoosierhunter]

Holy cow, 345? That's monstrous! Did you shoot him up north?

[Max4Gooser]

Central Illinois, Menard County. Sleeper county in Illinois.

[hoosierhunter]

That's a horse, usually around here, big buck contest is won with around 250 to 275 range.

[Illini Graphics]

Hey Matt

Have you heard anything on the lease. I just got back from getting married down in Gulf Shores, AL. Season is getting closer everyday, I would really like to start some work. Keep me posted so we can close the deal

jay@illinigraphics.com

[hoosierhunter]

Jay, I sent you an email. Let me know if you got it. Matt Haase. By the way, congrats on getting married.

[hoosierhunter]

Got a question for you! What kind of goose is this? It looks like some kind of hybrid, reminds me some of a snow, yet it also looks similar to Canada in body and coloring of back and wings, maybe a blue?
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/Goose3.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/Goose2.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/Goose.jpg

[hoosierhunter]

I also wanted to post another pic, this is my youngest daughter Lauren (11 months old), she's starting young 8) . I thought it was cute.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/hoosierhunter2/Laurenduckcall3.jpg

[hoosierhunter]

Hello? Anyone out there? :shock: Gets kinda slow in the offseason. :? Just keeping up the thread.

[hoosierhunter]

Well guys, just keeping the Indiana thread alive. It's getting close to early season! :lol: Anyone on some good spots? Definitely getting anxious for season. If anybody needs some extra firepower, or at least wants to trade some hunts post up and maybe we can connect. I'm always looking for more birds to work my dog on at least! 8) Good luck everyone!