Hunt ReportHUNT REPORT 2011 WATERFOWL SEASON
WILD GOOSE OUTFITTERS
It is hard to believe 2012 is now upon us and we are already planning for this fall. As for 2011, it was one of our best seasons ever and for bird counts on our Island generally. We always have a concern the first week of the season, as the migration is just getting underway (season opening date in 2011 was October 03). This year, we had one of most intense “Nor’easter’s” in our history just a few days into the season and we quickly went from an average number of birds for the period, to way more than our share and a good time was had by all. We had 16 consecutive hunting days with perfect or near perfect results, all during the month of October. The first two weeks of November were excellent also (the final two weeks of November were tough hunting as there was almost no weather but most of our hunters have come and gone by then). We also had excellent duck hunting, especially the first six weeks of the season and towards the end. It is mid-January and there are still more birds on this Island than have ever been observed this time of year.
In 2010 we were plagued with terrible hunting weather, with way too many sunny calm days in October and below seasonal temperatures in November. We still managed to get our clients good shooting but the average number of “chances”(we call them “rips”) and geese per hunter were down from what we considered our standard. This changed in 2011, as we averaged 6 rips and 17 geese per group (average 3 hunters per group), with 45% of our groups getting 8 or more rips and 20% actually getting their limit. We take limits as they come, our focus always being on the number of rips we get our groups and the fact is, some groups need a lot more rips than others to get their limit and yes, some new groups are fixated on that. In 2011, 81% of our hunters were “repeats”, which is our highest number ever. We get this type of support because we are consistent in how we go about our business. Returning hunters know they will hunt at well prepared proven sites, with a guide who knows his business. Their accommodation is always top notch and they know they can look forward to Jim’s mussels, roast goose and/or goose stew and his “Big Boy” breakfast. Our repeat groups (some over 20 years) mostly enjoy good results but to them and us, it is a homecoming. These hunters keep coming back because they love hunting P.E.I. and they always have a great time doing it.
The 2012 waterfowl season on Prince Edward Island opens on Monday, October 01 and runs to Saturday, December 15. We hope you will be able to join us for a hunt. If you are a first time hunter and would like a list of references, or you just want to learn more about waterfowl hunting on Prince Edward Island, please give us a call.
Good Hunting!
Jim Duggan
www.yourwildgooseoutfitters.com
1-855-770-8777