Outfitting

We are now booking for the 2007-2008   snow goose season
  http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/wtrfowl/info/seasons/

We are now accepting

All hunts are $150 per day per hunter, under 16 are $75 per day but each youth must be accompanied by a paying adult hunter. Each hunter is required to read and sign a waiver form. A non-refundable 50% deposit is required within 2 weeks of scheduling a hunt. I will send the head of each party a packet containing all necessary forms and information as soon as the hunt is booked, If not received, the dates will be filled from a waiting list. Balance of hunt fees are due upon arrival for the hunt and must be paid in cash. I accept credit cards for deposits or the full hunt price if paid in advance.

License fees are $6 for the Migratory Bird Permit which is all that is needed during the snow goose conservation season, $11 per day for small game license which is needed before the conservation season (Feb 1,2007) and $65 for the non-resident small game full-season permit. Hunters under 16 require no license. Federal duck stamp is required. Licenses are available online or at local vendors. there is a 24 hour WalMart in Sikeston that carries licenses and hunt supplies.

Hunters born after Jan 1, 1967 are required to possess and show a Hunter Safety card to purchase licenses.

All hunts are lay-out hunts where we will be positioned within the decoy spreads in lay-out blinds or on plastic sleds in white coveralls or coats. I provided all blinds and camo. Face masks are required to be worn at any time the hunt is in process. These must cover the entire face and are to be the responsibility of each hunter.

Each member of the hunt party is required to help in putting out and taking up decoys for the hunt. We will often use more than 1000 decoys for a hunt. I provide all decoys and access to the hunt properties.

Up until Feb 1, 2007 we must abide by regular season limits and terms. We do have the opportunity to harvest snows, blues, Ross, ducks, specks and Canadas as seasons allow. Guns must be plugged with no more than 3 shells. Mouth calls are required and all hunters are encouraged to help in calling.

After Feb 1,2007 the conservation season starts. There is no limit on snows blues or Ross and no possession limit. Guns can be unplugged and electronic calls are used. Non-toxic shotshells are required at all times.

Hunts will be from legal open till 2 PM. No 1/2 day pricing is done and no refunds will be given for early ending times. Hunts will only be cancelled in extreme circumstances. Hunts will take place even in extreme weather if the majority of the party chose to and no refunds will be given for those who chose not to hunt. Small parties will be combined to to number no more than 7. If a party schedules dates and chose to keep a small number, they will be required to pay for 7 hunters. Parties larger than 7 must be prearranged.

All hunters will be transported to the field on a Polaris Ranger 6X6 and trailer. Any items needed for the hunt should be confined to small containers that can easily be covered and concealed. Waterproof blind bags are recommended. Hunts will be conducted in areas that may have mud, ice, water, dust and crop residue. You must have clothing and boots for such conditions. Any extra clothing or guns should be left at the trucks so they can be retrieved as needed. Each hunter is responsible for his own personal items, food, clothes, and gun/ammo.

Each party is allowed no more than 2 dogs that MUST be tied at all times except when retrieving. All dogs must be retrievers that are conditioned to such hunt conditions and are steady. I am not a dog trainer so please don't exaggerate your dog's abilities. Uncontrolled dogs or hunters will be removed from the hunt area.

There will be safety items discussed after setting up the decoys and before starting the hunt. NO ALCOHOL, drugs, horseplay or unsafe gun handling will be tolerated. Anyone breaking the rules will be removed from the hunt with no refunds.

No standing up to shoot or shooting cripples in the proximity of the firing line is allowed. No dogs will be released until an "all clear" command is given. After a volley is fired and all is clear, each hunter should pick up any birds taken and trash or shell hulls around the blinds. Each hunter is responsible for his own birds.

Each party has the option of allowing me, or any assistant that might be helping me, to shoot during the hunt. Any bands or collars taken are the property of the hunter who shot it.

I recommend shotguns that pattern large shot well. Most hunters use 3" or 3.5" shells in #1 or larger shot. Each day is different but I want the geese close in before calling the shot. We rarely take shots over 40 yards, most are much closer. I try to call all the shots but ask that each hunter stay alert and call the shot on birds that I may not see within close range. If I see a "tornado" of geese forming, I will let the birds get as close as I think they will. This is a very exciting part of many hunts!

I can be reached by mail at 5 Rivers Outfitters, 157 Chase Loop, Benton, KY 42025. By phone at 270-703-7600. By e-mail at    mrdux@refugemail.com

I base all my hunts out of Sikeston, Missouri and use the Super 8 Motel there for lodging. 1-573-471-7944 Be sure to tell the desk clerk that you are booking rooms for a hunt with 5 Rivers/Doug Wynn.