Well, things are getting underway again here at the Fishhook Ranch.  We have already run a few upland hunts with great success.  We are filling ponds, digging goose pits and putting together decoy spreads.  The weather is getting colder and birds are starting to migrate.  The weather forecast is calling for a colder, wetter winter this season.  Now that sounds exciting!

This season  we will be trying some great new products, like the new Decoy Dancer Kick Splash motion decoy.  This is a pull string decoy, where the legs and feet spin, kicking up water, giving a lifelike realism.  Rivers West apparel has added a couple new products,  like their merino wool base layer, and blister less socks.   Also,  Dakota Decoy has come out with a fully flocked lesser decoy that we are very excited about.

The time to hunt is upon us, so get your dates booked and come join us for a great hunting experience.

Dave

As the hunting season comes to a close here at Fishhook Ranch, I thought it was time to update my blog.  The waterfowl season was not without its challenges, warm weather definitely took its tole on bird numbers.  However, with hard work and careful planning we were still able to have some very good hunts.   We are already working on improvements for next seasons waterfowl and upland hunts.  A big Thanks to all who hunted with us this year.

The shooting preserve will be running until the end of March.  We had some great hunting this season for upland.  Solly(Solomon) our pointing lab was an absolute rock star this season. Our returns on released birds was better than ninety percent.

The Fishhook Ranch archery shoot this year will be, May 15-16th, so mark your calendars.  This was a lot of fun last year and very family friendly.  There will be fifty plus,  3-D targets and lots of games and prizes.  Dry camping is available here at the ranch. We had a great turn out last year and expect it to be the same or better this year.

Thank You

Dave Neff

Well, the geese are showing up in good numbers now. The duck numbers are light right know, but should get better with the forecast showing colder weather is on the way.  December is filling up fast, but we still have a couple of good dates left.  There are also several dates open in January.  Remember kids, sixteen and under can hunt waterfowl for the reduced price of $175.00 per gun, limit two per paying adult.

The upland shooting preserve has been great this year, with great cover.  We have had several groups come through this fall.  The pricing on the shooting preserve has changed for the better.  Prices will be as follows.

Unguided:

3 rooster pheasants $80.00 per gun

6 rooster pheasants $150.00 per gun

12 rooster pheasants $285.00 per gun

Guided hunts, including  dog add $50.00 per gun.  (Must be at least two guns per guided hunt.)

Waterfowl starts in just a few short weeks.  We are very busy here at the ranch getting ready.

The winter wheat I planted about three weeks ago looks great and should be in good shape for the birds when the cold weather hits.  In another week or so we will be planting our late wheat behind the potatos and sweet corn.

I have joined the field staff at Dakota Decoy Company.  These decoys are high quality and built tough.  The mallard decoy is highly detailed and very realistic.  The goose decoys will be used when it is wet and raining.  But don’t worry, I will still use my stuffers when it is dry, which is most of the time.  Check out Dakota Decoy on my links page.  These decoys are high quality, durable, and affordable.

Kids! We love kids here at Fishhook Ranch.  So we are going to run a special price for the 2009-2010 hunting season.  Kids under 16 years of age, accompanied by a paying adult, can hunt for the reduced price of $175.00.  Limit two kids per paying adult.

Call or email to book your hunt.

Dave

We are very excited about a new duck hunting location.   It is a new corn pond development, in an area, proven to be great for water fowl hunting.

We  still have a couple of openings for dove hunting.  There is an increase of dove  compared to years past.  We expect to see more as the season gets nearer.

The Department of Fish and Wild life has set the water fowl season for 2009-2010.  The season begins, October 17th, 2009 and ends, January 31st, 2010.  We still have some great dates available, call or email and get yourself booked for this season.

The Archery shoot we hosted here on the ranch, in cooperation with Blue Mountain Archers,  went well.  There were over 250 shooters over the two day event.   Fishhook Ranch sponsored a novelty shoot, featuring a  special goose target.  The target was  suspended on springs, creating a realistic landing goose. The winning shooter received a gift certificate for a guided goose hunt.  This proved to be entertaining, especially for spectators. Here is Mike Longhorn winner of the Fishhook Ranch novelty shoot.

I welcome you to join us on May 16th and17th for an Archery shoot hosted by Blue Mountain Archers.  This will be fun and  exciting for the whole family. There will be plenty of challenging shots on a course of forty or more targets.  Plus a couple of fun novelty targets to try.  Fishhook Ranch Outfitters and will be donating the grand prize for one novelty target.  A two man day goose hunt!  I also heard a rumor there might be a dunk tank for your entertainment.

On the hunting side of things, spring work is well under way here on the ranch. We have had lots of spring rain and that is great for the crop, which in turn is great for the wild life. I have seen several pairs of local honkers around the ranch. So, we should see a nice number of local honkers next hunting season. I have a few projects planned for this spring and summer to improve the shooting preserve, which should make your hunting more enjoyable.

Hunting season will be here before you know it.  So, don’t wait around till the last minute to book your hunt. Give us a call or email and we will get you in the book on your preferred day.

Waterfowl has ended . The season was great over all .

I would like to say thank you to all who came hunting with Fishhook Ranch.

Please join us for our Upland hunting going on till the end of march.

I will be at the Portland Sportsman Show going on Feb 4-8 , I will look forward to seeing you there.  Please ask about the show special or call or email.

Thanks

Dave

Had a great hunt today. Thank you Don and crew for a very enjoyable morning.

Saw quite a few ducks flying the river so they must be showing up.  Lots of

geese around so give me a call to book your hunt.

Thanks

Dave

I wanted to let everybody know that I was recently accepted to Hevi-Shot’s prostaff.  Hevi-shot is the product I use. And have used for some time. With Hevi-shot I get ten to fifteen more yards of lethal range. I also can reduce my shot size by two sizes so i get a more dense shot pattern. Hevi-shot puts more birds on the ground and less birds sailing away crippled.

Please check www.hevishot.com for product info. There is a link on the link page of my web site. If you have questions please feel free to contact me and I will try and help the best I can.

There are still some good dates available for waterfowl hunting. Give me a call to get your hunt booked.

Good hunting

Dave