LAST SPLIT OF THE 2021/2022 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA DUCK SEASON
Today the last split of our duck season opened with the sound of 12 gauge shot guns echoing throughout our marsh. That’s right, this is the last time this year you will be able to come try your aim at our fast-flying waterfowl. These little cold fronts have brought in some new ducks to our marsh to enjoy all of our natural habitat. Our 2nd split ended with a bang last Sunday with almost every blind scoring limits very quickly. Call Toll free and ask Tanya to hook you up with a gentleman’s duck hunt. YOU WON’T EVEN GET YOUR FEET WET. Miss Tina’s Gumbo is worth the price of the hunt by itself. After lunch (it you are not too tired) you can spend the rest of the day chasing tackle busting redfish and trout with one of our guides. Call now at 888.762.3391.
DUCK HUNTING SPECIALLY PRICED TRIPS
Every year we set aside some special dates during the holidays so youngsters can come hunting with their families. The special price is $700.00 for the blind for 2 people and that’s all inclusive. (A $270.00 savings) The trip includes all meals, lodging, guided duck hunting trip and more. These special dates book up very quickly every year so call toll free at 888.762.3391 and check availability now.
Specially priced duck hunting dates are:
January 17th through 21st
January 24th through 29th
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE IMPORTANT UP-COMING DATES
25th Annual Hackberry “Duck Off.” – Saturday February 5th
47th Annual Houston Fishing Show – March 23rd thru 27th
Annual Hackberry Ducks Unlimited Dinner and Auction – Thursday March 10th
Call 888.762.3391 for information
Basic Navigation Rules and Boating Skills
With thousands of new boaters on the water, safety demands a focus on education By Chris Woodward
This pandemic-plagued year has proven to be a banner time for families to rediscover nature and spend time on the water. But with that also comes boat traffic and the need for understanding basic protocol. Now more than ever, boating anglers need to know the navigational rules of the road.
Many boaters think that if they can drive a car, they can pilot a boat. “But when you’re driving down the road, you have a general idea of what to expect from cars around you,” says Chris Edmonston, president of the Boat U.S. Foundation. “You also know that, for the most part, other vehicles are going to operate the same way you do, and adhere to the same rules that you do.”
Channel Navigation: When returning to land from seaward, keep red markers and buoys on your right (starboard) side. When heading offshore, keep red markers on your left (port) side. Steve Sanford
But bay and ocean waters, and even coastal channels, lack divided lanes and stoplights. Thankfully, many inlets and channels do feature green and red markers or buoys outlining opposite edges. Navigating between them keeps you on the safest and often most direct route to sea or to port, depending on whether you’re coming or going.
To stay in the channel, remember this easy phrase: red, right, return. That saying should remind you to keep red markers to your right—and green to your left—whenever heading back to port. When heading out to open water, just reverse the concept and keep red markers to your left.
Overtaking Situation: When one vessel passes another in a channel, the passing boat should come around the port (left) side, if possible. The boat being passed should maintain course and speed. Steve Sanford
On the water, boats can come at you from any direction. Understanding who has the right of way and how you should pass or overtake other boats comprise the essential rules for boating safely. In general, the boat on your starboard-side (your right) has the right of way in a crossing or overtaking (passing) situation. However, Edmonston points out, forget about who has the right of way when it comes to avoiding accidents.
Rule No. 2, he says, states that while complying with the rules, “you are to be aware of the dangers of collision or other hazardous conditions, and it allows you to break other rules to avoid immediate danger,” such as preventing a collision. “If you can avoid an accident, you must do so,” he adds.
In other words, if another boater approaches from the left (your port side), that captain should yield. But don’t assume he will. You should take necessary action to avoid any potential close-quarters encounter.
Crossing Situation: Passing behind another vessel, rather than in front of it, generally proves to be the safest choice, allowing both captains to avoid a close call. Steve Sanford
“The rules include nuances for fishing boats, paddle craft and sailing vessels,” Edmonston adds, “but I’m always of the mind that passing behind another boat rather than in front of it is going to be safer for everybody.”
Keeping a lookout at all times also ranks as a primary nav rule. As a boat-handling instructor, Edmonston says he always emphasized that the helmsman should turn around and look aft. “Look behind you before a turn and, if you don’t know what another boat is doing, slow down.”
Beyond the nav rules on the books, safety advocates preach a list of commonsense operating procedures:
Save the alcohol for later.
File a float plan. Let someone know where you plan to fish and when you expect to return.
Brief your crew. Advise them where safety gear is located, and what to do in an emergency.
Wear a life jacket, especially if you’re boating alone. And remember to attach the kill switch/safety lanyard to your wrist or clothing when you’re operating the vessel.
Know the area. If you’re new to the waters, gain local knowledge of trouble spots, such as sandbars, and currents.
Mary Paige Abbott, chief commander of America’s Boating Club, which offers boater resources and courses in safety and navigation, advises all new boaters to take a course, and even experienced boaters to take a refresher. Many states now require boater education for select age groups.
“I live in southwest Florida, and a lot of Northerners come down and don’t know about the area, the tides and currents. Some have been boating for 20 years, but in the Great Lakes. Their experience is still valid, it just doesn’t always quite transfer.”
“THE DOCK SHOP”
WE ARE GETTING NEW ITEMS ALL THE TIME CALL TOLL FREE AT 888.762.3391 Or email us at dockshop@hrandg.com
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WORLD CLASS FISHING IN COSTA RICA
We have wrapped up another summer here at the beautiful Los Sueños Resort and Marina. While we are mostly known for the billfish, right here off Costa Rica we’ve witnessed incredible fishing for wahoo, yellowfin, and rooster fish. Take a look at these few pictures from the last few months. Oh, and we’ve released 100’s of marlin too. Click here to see more pictures from our fantastic year.
With 20 more days of duck season left I thought I would re-visit a recipe that I posted from 2014.
While thumbing through the current (September/October) issue of the Ducks Unlimited magazine Kirk Stansel pointed out an article on page 16 by DU editor emeritus Gary Koehler . The picture of the cooked bird caught my attention first and then the content of the article. It was their mom’s recipe for Martha’s Pot-Roasted stuffed duck.
Gary says that it’s the best duck he has ever eaten. Gary goes on to say in his travel to hunting lodges all over the world he has been served duck poppers, duck soup, duck sausage, duck pepperoni, duck jerky, duck salad, duck gumbo, duck l’orange and others that have vanished from his memory. This recipe shown below is served during duck season to our hunters and guests. The dish is the brainchild of the boy’s mother, Martha Shaughnessy. We hope you enjoy it as much as Gary.
2 to 3 tbsp. kitchen bouquet (a browning and seasoning liquid)
4 tbsp. olive oil
Heavy iron pot (very important)
Corn starch dissolved in cold water
Instructions
Stuff cavity of birds with sausage and sprinkle creole seasoning on outside. Brown in olive oil on top of stove, turning often, until very dark. Pour water to almost cover birds. Add mushrooms and kitchen bouquet. Bring to gentle boil and cover with tight lid. Simmer until falling from bone (3 to 5 hours). Remove birds and thicken gravy with cornstarch. (This is the only way I have found to completely tenderize ducks or geese and remove all wild flavor.)
Serve over wild or regular rice with gravy from ducks. Also serve with sweet potatoes, rolls, iced tea.
May use goose instead of duck.
My thought. – “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND “REMEMBER YOU ARE LIVING IN THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD”
“Ya Shoulda been here yesterday”
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Hackberry Rod & Gun
485 Lake Breeze
Hackberry, LA 70645
