Bird Hunting Today - Hunt a Preserve

Outside Again Adventures Bill Cooper Bird Hunting Today - Hunt a Preserve “Bird hunting ain’t what it used to be,” lamented hunting buddy Treff Earney. “But, it is great to come to a bird hunting operation and enjoy the good quality habitat and strong flying birds.” Biologists have lamented louder than Earney about the decline in upland bird hunting across the continental United States in recent decades. Culprits causing the decline include habitat loss, changing agricultural practices, increased predator populations, pesticides which kill honey bees, global warming and a decrease in hunter numbers. Biologists and conservation agencies know exactly what needs to be done to bring game bird populations back to former levels. Controlling predator numbers, including feral cats, has proven to be an effective method of increasing game bird numbers. Encouraging new hunters to enter the sport helps maintain dollars spent towards maintaining game department funds for upland game bird conservation. However, the most important key to improving game bird numbers is providing good habitat. Legendary conservation leader Aldo Leopold said it best. “Conservation will ultimately boil down to rewarding the private landowner who conserves the public interest.” 1934. The vast majority of land in the United States is privately owned and holds the best habitat for upland birds. Programs like the Conserve Reserve Programs pay farmers to leave some of their lands in wildlife habitat. Such programs, however, are not enough to bring game birds such as quail and pheasants back to the national landscape. Better farming practices, such as no draining of wetlands or tilling of prairies and no fall tilling of stubble and abandonment of tilling from fence line to fence line are the key components to increasing game bird habitat and subsequently increasing bird populations nationwide. It takes a lot of dollars and a lot of time to change agricultural practices across an entire national landscape. In the meantime, hunter numbers continue to decrease in most states and conservation department funds decrease proportionately. Bill Kunz, the owner of Wil-Nor Outdoors, LLC in Dittmer, Missouri grew up as a wild bird hunter. “I, like most quail and pheasant hunters, am passionate about the sport. For me, nothing in the outdoors comes close to matching the thrill I get from seeing a good bird dog lock down on point.” Kunz walked behind bird dogs for hundreds of miles, but read the hand writing on the wall in the mid 1980’s. “Game bird populations, particularly quail, were declining at an alarming rate,” he said. “Bird hunting preserves were coming on the scene,” Kunz shared. “I thought preserves were the salvation of game bird hunting, but I was quickly disappointed after visiting the first few preserve operations. Bird hunting preserves were a fairly new industry and few people knew how to properly raise quality birds. The hunts I experienced proved disappointing.” In an attempt to remedy the situation for himself and others, Kunz began the Wil-Nor Acres Gun Club in 1986 and opened Wil-Nor Outdoors, LLC in 1990. Wil-Nor offers chukar, pheasant and quail hunting, along with dog boarding, training for pointing breeds, sporting clays, a rifle and pistol range, fishing ponds and concealed carry classes. Limited deer and turkey hunting are also available. “My primary purpose in opening Wil-Nor was to provide as near a wild bird hunting experience as possible,” Kunz stated. “I purchase the best birds I can find, from reputable suppliers. Good quality birds are only part of the equation, however. A good bird hunt requires quality habitat and food plots and plenty of room to hunt.” Every upland bird hunter who remembers the good old days of bird hunting also remembers the excellent farms they had to hunt. “In my younger days, I could quail hunt on any number of farms around the area,” Earney recalled. “Everyone had brushy fence rows and draws. Many of the farms had a few row crops such as corn or soybeans and milo, too.” Clean row farming had not been invented yet, either. Annual weeds were plentiful on farms and provided substantial food sources for quail and songbirds. When hill farms began declining as family operations and cattle markets expanded, row crops and brushy fencerows went by the wayside, taking with it millions of acres of prime quail habitat. The rapidly expanding usage of fescue in the 1950’s, as a base to prevent soil erosion on an increasing numbers of cattle farms, sealed the fate of quail populations across a vast landscape. Clean row farming, fall tillage and herbicides created the same scenario for pheasant habitat. Despite the fact that biologists have now identified the problems associated with game bird population declines, it is unlikely populations will ever return to numbers of the glory days. Gains are being made, but if bird hunters are going to keep their sport alive and continue to attract new hunters, shooting preserves will a part of that equation. A Google search will bring up many bird hunting operations across the country. There is no doubt that the quality of the science of raising birds for hunts has increased dramatically. High quality operations now manage thousands of acres dedicated to quality bird hunting habitat. “Expense is big factor for a lot of bird hunters,” Earney said. Working class bird hunters can’t always afford to travel long distances and stay in costly lodges. Such hunting trips are often a once a year affair. And, bird hunters can’t justify keeping a dog for one hunt a year. “I love coming to Wil-Nor,” Earney said. “It is only an hour from home and costs are very reasonable. I can make several trips a year to hunt or train my dog for what it costs to make one trip to an out-of-state, high dollar hunting preserve.” Earney readily admits that bird hunting is not what it used to be. “I miss the old farms I used to hunt,” quipped. The old barns, the old equipment, the farm animals, the crop fields, the farmers themselves; they all combined to create a special atmosphere which was dear to every bird hunters heart. “Bill Kunz is a special guy,” Earney said. “He experienced the good old days of bird hunting and does his best to give us the same experience. I couldn’t believe it, but the last time I hunted at Wil-Nor, Bill took us to an old century farm he had leased. The place was like something out of the past. Huge old barns, log buildings, corn cribs, rusty Farmall tractors, Ford pickups from the 1940’s and real crop fields surrounded by brushy draws and weedy corners took me back decades. That’s the best day I’ve had bird hunting in decades.” Bird hunting preserves are here to stay. The grand bird hunting preserves have their places, but if you want to bird hunt often, find a well managed preserve close to home. You can check out Wil-Nor Outdoors, LLC on www.Facebook.com/WilNorHunt16, www.wil-nor.com, or give Bill Kunz a call at 636-285-7416. Set aside ample time for the phone call. Kunz’s mellow voice will put you right at ease. Too, he likes to talk bird hunting. You may follow Outside Again Adventures on www.aoutdoorstv.com and www.Facebbok.com/Outsidealways.

Missouri Trout Opener Outlook 2016

Trout Fishing Outlook 2016 Bill Cooper for www.outsideagainadventures.blogspot.com February 22, 2016 The Missouri trout fishing opener is Tuesday, March 1 in Missouri’s four trout parks. Heavy flooding recently created problems in all of the trout parks, but trout hatchery manager Wes Swee, at Maramec Spring park is optimistic. “Flooding was a problem in all of the trout parks and at the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery in Branson,” Swee said at a Trout Fraternity luncheon held at the St. James Sports Club. “Maramec Spring Park lost the dam just below the spring outlet during the recent flooding,” stated Mike Conaway, superintendent of the park. “Conservation Department personnel will begin rebuilding the dam very soon.” “With a few adjustments, trout fishing will continue as normal,” Swee continued. “Normally we stock 2.25 trout per estimated fisherman for any given day. With the losses of fish at the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery, we will reduce the stocking equation for the 2016 trout season in the parks to 2.00 fish per estimated fisherman per day.” Clint Hale , hatchery manager at Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery explained to a media gathering in January that they wanted to take the brunt of the reduction in 2016 and he fully expects available trout numbers to be back to normal for the 2017 season. “On the positive side, we will have good sized fish to stock at Maramec Spring Park this year,” Swee said. “The average fish will run 13-to-14 inches. That is a nice trout.” Crowds are always heavy on opening day of trout season. Swee expects in the neighborhood of 1,500 fishermen for the Tuesday opener March 1. Conaway reported that crews have worked hard to get Maramec Spring Park ready for the opener. The park is now open and visitors may purchase annual parking permits. He encourages people to come out early to purchase permits in order to avoid long lines on opening day. Fishing licenses are available and trout tags may be purchased the day before the opener as well to avoid long lines. Members of the St. James Chamber of Commerce will be on hand to help park cars. Hot coffee and donuts will be available at the Chamber tent. Prizes will be given in several categories in a trout fishing contest. “The weekend following an opening day during the week is usually busier than opening day itself,” Conaway said. “We normally have extra help on those weekends to help keep the traffic flowing smoothly.” Opening day of trout season is a ritual for thousands of anglers. Many fishermen come simply to hook up with old friends whom they only see on opening day or opening weekend. Then there is the good prospect of catching a lunker trout. “We will stock a good number of lunkers throughout the spring branch, so that everyone has a chance of hooking one of the bog ones,” Swee said. The big question among many fishermen is the quandary about what bait or lure to use on opening day. Peggy Hussey, of St. James, swears by what she calls the “Ugly Lure.” Ugly it is. It consists of a simple hair-pin spinner with a hook adorned with ragged looking marabou feathers. It resembles fish intestines. She and her husband tie the lures themselves. Some say Peggy named the lure after her husband, Don. Important items to consider before opening day includes re-spooling your reels with new line, said Roy King, an avid trout fisherman from St.James. ”A lot of people forget bout their lines,” King said. “You just can’t do that, especially if you want to land bigger trout. It’s also a good idea to spool reels with a little heavier line than normal for opening day, because there will be more lunkers than usual stocked. Most people normally use 2 or 4 pound line.” King also ties the most popular trout jig around. You can find them at DJ’s Package Store in St. James. “All of the trout parks saw some damage in the recent floods,” Swee concluded. “But parks crew have cleaned things up and the hatchery managers and crews at the parks have worked hard to to get things in shape for opening day of the 2016 trout season. Come out and enjoy the fun. Follow Bill Cooper and Outside Again Adventures on” www.aoutdoorstv.com, www.Facebook.com/Outsidealways, http://www.waynesvilledailyguide.com/, http://www.leaderjournal.com/, http://www.therolladailynews.com/, http://www.lakenewsonline.com/ .

Fishing Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

A Great Alaskan Adventure Bill Cooper MWO 8/15 Our trio of float planes banked hard to the north into Thorne Bay. A panoramic view of the vast Tongass National Forest on Prince of Wales Island and the watery world of southeast Alaska popped into view like a gigantic mural. Walt Fulps, owner of www.missouri.trouthunter.com, worked feverishly over a period of several weeks completing the details to host 12 fly fishermen for a week of fishing, exploring and socializing in the vast reaches of the nation’s third largest island. After a short jaunt through the fishing village of Thorne Bay, our party reached the charming comforts of Thorne Bay Lodge. Numerous superbly decorated rooms greeted our tired adventurers. After settling in, three of us hopped on a boat wiBrent Dickinson, the lodge owner, and headed out into the bay to check crab pots. Thirty minutes later we had enough Dungeness crabs for dinner. Fulps divided party members into groups and made assignments for the next day after dinner. Beginning flyfishermen headed to Thorne River with him the next morning for lessons. Others headed out early to Coffman Cove to hook up with Cpt. John Rodriguez of J and J Charters for halibut, salmon and cod. Despite the spectacular river scenery anglers enjoyed, fishing proved slow. An unprecedented drought had occurred during the previous 10 weeks, an unusual happenstance for a temperate rain forest. The rains returned the day we landed. Our hopes ran high that the spawning runs would begin. In the meantime, our crew kept checking various rivers and streams, but settled for Dolly Varden and the occasional sockeye and coho salmon. The spectacular scenery combined with bear and Sitka black tailed deer sightings more than made up for the temporary shortage of fish, however. The guys who fished with the J and J Charter boat experienced Alaskan fishing at it’s best. Everyone enjoyed the 30 minutes each morning to catch smelt on tiny jigs. Soon after, baits dropped into 250 feet of water began to tantalize cod and halibut. Everyone on board shouted their support when 78-year-old Walt Fulps, Sr. watched his rod go down hard. The retired seaman was no stranger to strong fish. He leaned into the rod heavily while cranking his reel handle frantically. The powerful halibut seemed to gain the upper hand as it stripped line. Fulps groaned and held on, soon gaining line once again. Just when it looked like the heavy fish would succumb, it raced for the bottom a gain. Fulps took a seat, laid his rod across the gunwale and put more pressure on the big halibut. Minutes later everyone cheered when Cpt. John snared the fish’s tail and flung it into the bottom of the boat. Exhausted, but proud, Fulps had the biggest halibut of the day flopping a this feet. I filmed the entire battle. On day two, I traveled to Log Jam Falls, a spectacular shut-ins, with part of the crew. For the first few minutes, we stood watching as salmon attempted to jump the falls. It seemed that few could make it as the spawning fish flung themselves into the air, often crashing into the rocks. Steve Waldron began casting and within minutes hooked a powerful Coho salmon. The fish immediately turned and went over a drop it had just cleared. Waldron danced the two step as he negotiated slippery rocks down the gulch and chased the fish downstream. We stood in awe expecting the fish to win the epic fight. Waldron prevailed. Our group compiled an unbelievable log of fish stories and tall tales. A new legend was born in the process. Dan Nelson became the epitome of the flyfishing angler and gained great fame in a matter of days. His name became a cabin hold word. I even heard that sharks in the area hold a Dan Nelson Week. River fishing picked by the day as rains continued to fall. Groups reported seeing hundreds of fish making their way up stream by the hundreds. The general word was that the fish traveled fast as if they were late for spawning. Only the occasional fish fell to a lure. I spent the last day of the trip on the J and J Charters boat with Cpt. John. Silver salmon were staging in the bays at the mouths of the rivers. We headed straight to one and began seeing pods of fish immediately. We cast medium size Mepps Flying C spinners with great success. I hooked my sixth Coho 22 minutes after I began fishing. Cpt. John headed to deeper water for halibut. An hour later, all four of us on board had our halibut , plus a few cod. An organized group with an experienced leader is a great way to enjoy Alaska fishing. I highly recommend the following: Walt Fulps. www.missouritrouthunter.com. Thorne Bay Lodge. www.thornebaylodge.com. J and J Charters. www.jandjcharters.com. Too, consider using Alaska Airlines. www.alaskaairlines.com. They offer a credit card which will reduce your original air fare and also award points towards future flights.

Take a Kid Outdoors Bill Cooper for StJ Leader Journal 4/14/15 Ten-year-old Lance Ybarra, of Rolla, is an outdoors kid through and through. He would almost rather be outside doing something rather than eat, according his father, Patrick. That is obviously an obsession with the outdoors. Lance and Patrick have been family friends for almost a decade. They regularly show up at our family functions, especially the critter cook-out that my daughter, Jessica and husband Jason Parsons host each year. Lance and his dad spend a great deal of time preparing frog legs, a variety of fish and jalapeno poppers. They almost always have a new recipe to try out on all of their friends, which they enjoy immensely. “Lance has always loved the outdoors,” said Patrick. “He has tagged along with me since before he could walk. After he started walking, well, it was all over. I could never leave the house without him.” The Ybarras, like many outdoorsmen, were drawn to water. “Lance loves the water and became an adept fisherman at an early age,” Patrick explained. “It takes a good deal of effort to take a kid fishing, but it is worth it, especially if they love it as much as Lance.” Early in Lance’s fishing career, Patrick didn’t get a lot of fishing done himself. “You have to keep your eye on a little guy,” he said. “Inquisitive by nature, Lance has always had to investigate everything, even while fishing. It makes for an interesting day when he is flipping rocks to catch bugs and crayfish or throwing rocks when I”m trying to fish. It was always OK, though. He was such fun to watch.” Kids are inquisitive by nature, especially in the outdoors. “I don’t know how he comes up with so many questions,” Patrick continued. “I now one thing for sure, Lance has caused me to think about the many facets of the outdoors. If I can’t answer one of his questions, or we can’t figure it out together, we do a little research ton come up with the answer.” The father-son Ybarra team have found lots of answers to outdoor questions over the years. They can be seen traipsing about the outdoors almost every weekend. “The outdoors is a great source of entertainment for us,” Patrick said. “It doesn’t matter, if it swims, flys, crawls, hops or slithers, we like to check it out. We hike, swim, canoe, fish, frog gig and investigate what is over the next hill, together.” “Lance, really is a neat kid,” said Nick Cox, a youth minister at the Rolla Church of God. “He is so inquisitive. Too, he is a very happy kid.” Lances enthusiasm for the outdoors is contagious. I’ve worked in the outdoors most of my adult life, often working with outdoor youth groups. Lance exudes enthusiasm about the outdoors. He is a fresh breath of air, exactly the type I’ve always hoped kids in my outdoor classes would turn out to be. It is a proven fact that exposure to the outdoors helps kids mentally, physically and spiritually. Millions of dollars are spent by state and federal agencies and private outdoor companies each to encourage kids to get into the outdoors. However, nothing influences a child’s enjoyment of the outdoors like a parent, family member or personal friend who will take the time to take them outdoors on a regular basis. Lance Ybarra is a rare find, a kid who is immersed in the outdoors and one who has developed incredible talents at any early age. Lance has joined me on the Outside Again Adventures TV - Online program and will soon be hosting his own segment, “Outdoor Kids,” on Outside Again Adventures Radio. I had the pleasure to take Lance catfishing recently. His skills proved phenomenal. He caught numerous catfish in the 6-to-10 pound range, landing the largest all by himself. He wrestled the fish for almost 1o minutes before expertly sliding the wriggly fish into a landing net like a pro. Lance and my granddaughter, Jaydin, are accompanying me for the youth turkey season. We will be camped near the Current River. They are excited beyond belief and the competition for bragging rights has started.Lance may have met his match. I’ll report on that after the hunt.

Take a Kid Outdoors

Take a Kid Outdoors Bill Cooper for StJ Leader Journal 4/14/15 Ten-year-old Lance Ybarra, of Rolla, is an outdoors kid through and through. He would almost rather be outside doing something rather than eat, according his father, Patrick. That is obviously an obsession with the outdoors. Lance and Patrick have been family friends for almost a decade. They regularly show up at our family functions, especially the critter cook-out that my daughter, Jessica and husband Jason Parsons host each year. Lance and his dad spend a great deal of time preparing frog legs, a variety of fish and jalapeno poppers. They almost always have a new recipe to try out on all of their friends, which they enjoy immensely. “Lance has always loved the outdoors,” said Patrick. “He has tagged along with me since before he could walk. After he started walking, well, it was all over. I could never leave the house without him.” The Ybarras, like many outdoorsmen, were drawn to water. “Lance loves the water and became an adept fisherman at an early age,” Patrick explained. “It takes a good deal of effort to take a kid fishing, but it is worth it, especially if they love it as much as Lance.” Early in Lance’s fishing career, Patrick didn’t get a lot of fishing done himself. “You have to keep your eye on a little guy,” he said. “Inquisitive by nature, Lance has always had to investigate everything, even while fishing. It makes for an interesting day when he is flipping rocks to catch bugs and crayfish or throwing rocks when I”m trying to fish. It was always OK, though. He was such fun to watch.” Kids are inquisitive by nature, especially in the outdoors. “I don’t know how he comes up with so many questions,” Patrick continued. “I now one thing for sure, Lance has caused me to think about the many facets of the outdoors. If I can’t answer one of his questions, or we can’t figure it out together, we do a little research ton come up with the answer.” The father-son Ybarra team have found lots of answers to outdoor questions over the years. They can be seen traipsing about the outdoors almost every weekend. “The outdoors is a great source of entertainment for us,” Patrick said. “It doesn’t matter, if it swims, flys, crawls, hops or slithers, we like to check it out. We hike, swim, canoe, fish, frog gig and investigate what is over the next hill, together.” “Lance, really is a neat kid,” said Nick Cox, a youth minister at the Rolla Church of God. “He is so inquisitive. Too, he is a very happy kid.” Lances enthusiasm for the outdoors is contagious. I’ve worked in the outdoors most of my adult life, often working with outdoor youth groups. Lance exudes enthusiasm about the outdoors. He is a fresh breath of air, exactly the type I’ve always hoped kids in my outdoor classes would turn out to be. It is a proven fact that exposure to the outdoors helps kids mentally, physically and spiritually. Millions of dollars are spent by state and federal agencies and private outdoor companies each to encourage kids to get into the outdoors. However, nothing influences a child’s enjoyment of the outdoors like a parent, family member or personal friend who will take the time to take them outdoors on a regular basis. Lance Ybarra is a rare find, a kid who is immersed in the outdoors and one who has developed incredible talents at any early age. Lance has joined me on the Outside Again Adventures TV - Online program and will soon be hosting his own segment, “Outdoor Kids,” on Outside Again Adventures Radio. I had the pleasure to take Lance catfishing recently. His skills proved phenomenal. He caught numerous catfish in the 6-to-10 pound range, landing the largest all by himself. He wrestled the fish for almost 1o minutes before expertly sliding the wriggly fish into a landing net like a pro. Lance and my granddaughter, Jaydin, are accompanying me for the youth turkey season. We will be camped near the Current River. They are excited beyond belief and the competition for bragging rights has started.Lance may have met his match. I’ll report on that after the hunt.

Alaska - Great Salmon and Halibut Fishing on Prince of Wales

A Great Alaskan Adventure Bill Cooper RHT 8/15 Our trio of float planes banked hard to the north into Thorne Bay. A panoramic view of the vast Tongass National Forest on Prince of Wales Island and the watery world of southeast Alaska popped into view like a gigantic mural. Walt Fulps owner of www.missouri.trouthunter.com worked feverishly over a period of several weeks completing the details to host 12 fly fishermen for a week of fishing, exploring and socializing in the vast reaches of the nation’s third largest island. After a short jaunt through the fishing village of Thorne Bay, our party reached the charming comforts of Thorne Bay Lodge. Numerous superbly decorated rooms greeted our tired adventurers. After settling in, three of us hopped on a boat with Dennis, the lodge owner, and headed out into the bay to check crab pots. Thirty minutes later we had enough Dungeness crabs for dinner. Fulps divided party members into groups and made assignments after dinner. Beginning flyfishermen headed to Thorne River with him the next morning for lessons. Others headed out early to Coffman Cove to hook up with J and J Charters for halibut, salmon and cod. Despite the spectacular river scenery anglers enjoyed, fishing proved slow. An unprecedented drought had occurred during the previous 10 weeks, an unusual happenstance for a temperate rain forest. The rains returned the day we landed. Our hopes ran high that the spawning runs would begin. In the meantime, our crew kept checking various rivers and streams, but settled for Dolly Varden and the occasional sockeye and coho salmon. The spectacular scenery andcombined bear and Sitka black tailed deer sightings more than made up for the temporary shortage of fish, however. The guys who fished with the J and J Charter boat experienced Alaskan fishing at it’s best. Everyone enjoyed the 30 minutes each morning to catch smelt on tiny jigs. Soon after baits dropped into 250 feet of water began to tantalize cod and halibut. Everyone on board shouted their support when 78-year-old Walt Fulps, Sr. watched his rod go down hard. The retired seaman was no stranger to strong fish. He leaned into the rod heavily while cranking his reel handle frantically. The powerful halibut seemed to gain the upper hand as it stripped line. Fulps groaned and held own, soon gaining line once again. Just when it looked like the heavy fish would succumb, it raced for the bottom a gain. Fulps took a seat, laid his rod across the gunwale and put more pressure on the big halibut. Minutes later everyone cheered when Cpt. John Sanchez snared the fish’s tail and flung it into the bottom of the boat. Exhausted, but proud, Fulps had the biggest halibut of the day flopping at his feet. I filmed the entire battle. On day two, I traveled to Log Jam Falls, a spectacular shut-ins, with part of the crew. For the first few minutes, we stood watching as salmon attempted to jump the falls. It seemed that few would make it as the spawning fish flung themselves into the air, often crashing into the rocks. Steve Waldron began casting and within minutes hooked a powerful Coho salmon. The fish immediately turned and went over a drop it had just cleared. Waldron danced the two step as he negotiated slippery rocks down the gulch and chased the fish downstream. We stood in awe expecting the fish to win the epic fight. Waldron prevailed. Our group compiled an unbelievable log of fish stories and tall tales. A new legend was born in the process. Dan Nelson became the epitome of the flyfishing angler and gained great fame in a matter of days. His name became a cabin hold word. I even heard that sharks in the area hold a Dan Nelson Week. River fishing picked up by the day as rains continued to fall. Groups reported seeing hundreds of fish making their way up stream.The general word was that the fish traveled fast as if they were late for spawning. Only the occasional fish fell to a lure. I spent the last day of the trip on the J and J Charters boat with Cpt. John Sanchez. Silver salmon were staging in the bays at the mouths of the rivers. We headed straight to one and began seeing pods of fish immediately. We cast medium size Mepps Flying C spinners with great success. I hooked my sixth Coho 22 minutes after I began fishing. Cpt. John headed to deeper water for halibut. An hour later all four of us had our hailbut on board, plus a few cod. An organized group with an experienced leader is a great way to enjoy Alaska fishing. I highly recommend the following: Walt Fulps. www.missouritrouthunter.com. Thorne Bay Lodge. www.thornebaylodge.com. J and J Charters. www.jandjcharters.com. Too, consider using Alaska Airlines. www.alaskaairlines.com. They offer a credit card which will reduce your original air fare and also award points towards future flights.

Hunting Ocellated Trurkeys in the Jungles of the Yucatan Bill Cooper As much as I love the Ozarks and turkey hunting, I still can not resist the urge to chase turkeys in other locations. The Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico is one of my favorite places to hunt pavos. Two weeks ago, Brandon Butler, the executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, his wife, Melissa, and I flew into Cancun, Mexico, where a driver for Maya Amazing Adventures delivered us to Merida to meet Pancho McManus. Pancho and a student intern from Austria, led us on a three day tour of Maya ruins, cenotes, haciendas and villages. I will cover the complete story later. In the meantime ,check out: www.mayamazing.com. McManus dropped us off in the beautiful Spanish Colonial town of Campeche, where we were met by Snook Inn Hunting owner Roberto Sansores. Roberto is a jolly individual who partners with his father Jorge, who has been in the hunting business fro over 50 years. Roberto was eager to please and stopped at the fabulous Edzna ruins on the way to turkey camp. This huge complex of temples and other buildings are among the grandest in all of Mexico. From the ruins we continued through the countryside of farms and jungles to the village of Carlos Cano Cruz, where Sansores runs a hunting lodge. Everyone proved eager to get to to the hunt. Experienced guides Jorge and Meno drove us to remote soybean fields surrounded by vast stretches of jungle. The eager pair quickly carved out a hunting blind from the dense jungles with large machetes. Soon all of us were kicked back in comfortable camp chairs while we waiting for pavos to show up. The hunt was short. No pavos showed up. Eagerly, we all laughed and joked with the guides as we headed back to camp. A hot meal of the largest shrimp I had ever seen, cold drinks and getting acquainted with everyone in camp consumed our evening. White-winged doves cooed loudly, while local roosters announced the coming of the evening. Sleep would be sparse for all of us as we anticipated the morning hunt. I had planned to film Butler’s hunt, but too much shrimp the night before brought about Montezuma’s revenge, so I stayed in camp. Brandon, Melissa and their guides returned to camp around 9 a.m. Brandon’s broad smile echoed his success. His first ocellated turkey soon hung on the scales. The bird weighed in at 10 lbs. with spurs 1 5/8-inches in length, a very nice ocellated gobbler. The birds are small in comparison to our Easterns. Ocellated turkeys seldom go over 13 pounds. Completely recuperated, I headed to the jungles the next morning. At first light, Meno spotted turkeys still on the roost at one end of the field. Soon a half dozen birds flew down and began feeding in our direction. We watched intently as the small flock fed closer to our blind. The flock fed to witting 40 yards. Menos gave me the signal to shoot. I had been holding my gun up too long and missed. Everyone empathized with me for having missed. After a good lunch and a siesta we returned for the afternoon hunt. Ten minutes after we entered the brush blind, pavos began clucking and putting 15 yards behind us. Everyone froze. The birds wandered off and eventually entered the harvested soybean field 1000 yards to our right. A huge gobbler flashed its white wing patches and fed towards us. Minutes later another flock emerged from the jungle 150 yards to our left. Meno whispered, “senor Bill, bird close to left, shoot.” I slowly turned my head and watched a beautifully colored pavos feeding nearby. By the time I raised my gun, the bird had walked behind bushes. I slowly swung my gun to the right while the bird cleared the brushpile. It stood out less than fifteen yards away. The Remington 1187 roared and my third ocellated bird and 89th turkey of my turkey hunting career lay flopping on the ground. We continued photographing and filming turkeys and visiting ruins over the next few days. One of the highlights of our trip was being blessed by a Maya religious troupe. The ceremony removed ill from our bodies and replaced it with renewed energy. We became one with the universe in the Maya jungles of the Yucatan.