.
Scroll down to see it all or
-
Click here for pricing
Click here for description of
a typical day
Click here for a list of what
to bring
Click here for maps to our Sandhill
Crane Hunting
.
Pricing
.
Hunters will be charged just
$135 per person for a fully guided, morning hunt, including; calling,
decoys, and use of a, pre-scouted field in a known feeding or resting area.
Parties of less than four may be mixed with other parties up to
a maximum of seven persons in a mixed spread. A private party hunt can
be arranged for less than 4 hunters, but at substantially higher cost per
person. The chart below details the price schedule for
private hunts.
The first figure is cost
per hunter per morning/
the second figure is total
for the party for all days hunted.
|
One
Person
|
Two
People
|
Three
People
|
One
Day |
$450
$450 |
$250
$500 |
$175
$525 |
2
Days |
$400
$800 |
$215
$860 |
$160
$960 |
3
Days |
$375
$1125 |
$200
$1200 |
$150
$1350 |
4
Days |
$360
$1440 |
$195
$1560 |
$145
$1740 |
5
Days |
$355
$1775 |
$190
$1900 |
$140
$2100 |
.
A Typical Day
.
We meet at a restaurant in
Bay City, Texas, about 100 miles southwest of Houston. That is normally
done wayyyy too early (about 4:30 a.m.). After a cup of coffee and a quick
bite, the hunters follow the guide to the field. Once there, a decoy spread
of 50 - 200 birds will be placed by all.
.
If you do not wish to help,
or can't help, an "executive class hunt" can be arranged. That is an extra
$25 per hunter with a four hunter minimum. Geese as well as crane can often
be hunted at the same time. If you're feeling ambitious, goose decoys may
be set out, too.
.
Once all the decoys are placed,
the hunters will either be provided with gray parkas and asked to hide
among the decoys and try to look like a crane, or you will hide in the
fence rows and ditches just downwind of the decoys. The fields and ditches
are often muddy, and you will frequently be required to lay down to get
hid well enough for the birds to overlook you, so bring mud boots and a
NO SHINE camo rain suit.
.
When the birds circle downwind
to land, they will hopefully get close enough for a good shot and the guide
will yell, "Take 'em!" That is when you let them have it with magnum loads
of BBB steel or bigger. Better yet, #1 or BB size tungsten matrix. These
birds are big and tough. It takes one heck of a wallop in the body to bring
them down cleanly. AIM FOR THE HEAD AND YOUR SHOTS TO BIRD RATIO WILL GET
MUCH BETTER!
.
The limit is two or three
birds per person depending on exactly where we hunt, and what the Feds
decide to do that year. When that limit is reached, or at noon, whichever
comes first, the decoys are all picked up and packed away for the next
day, you return to our picking shed where your birds will be breasted and
frozen for you for a small extra charge, and then you're free to enjoy
the rest of the day.
.
There is plenty to see and
do in the area, including golf, sporting clay shooting and even more hunting
(ducks, dove, snipe or upland birds). Clays and afternoon hunts can be
arranged ONLY WITH LOTS OF NOTICE! These extra activities do have extra
charges involved and vary considerably depending on what you choose. Please
call well ahead of time if you're interested.
.
What to bring
.
1. Shotgun, 12 or 10 gauge, 3
or 3-1/2 inch chambers.
Must be a maximum 3 shot capacity; NOT SHINY!
2. Shells to match firearm,
loaded with size BBB or T
steel pellets, or size #1 or bigger Tungsten matrix,
bismuth or hevi-shot.
3. Tall mud boots or hip
boots or waders, dull colored;
NOT SHINY!
4. Quality rain suit, camo;
NOT SHINY!
5. Camo face mask or face
paint;
6. Layered, camo clothes
for 35 degrees to 70 degrees.
7. License, Texas waterfowl
validation, Federal
Migratory
bird Stamp signed across face in ink, and
Sandhill
Crane Permit. Get it all before you come
because
there is nowhere to buy one at 4:30 a.m.
Buy by
phone @ 1-800-895-4248, menu option 1
8. Camera or Video to record
your trip.
9. Ice chest in which to
take home meat.
.
What NOT to bring
.
Did I stress "NOT SHINY" enough?
These birds have incredible eyesight and will easily spot anything out
of place. Bring anything shiny to the field and it's like waving a danger
signal with a mirror.
.
No alcoholic beverages may
be consumed before or while hunting! And of course, no illegal drugs.
How
to find us!
..
Most of our out-of-state
hunters fly into Houston, Texas, then rent a vehicle and drive the 90 miles
to Bay City. The best route is probably down US 59 to Wharton, then down
State 60 to Bay City.
Check out this area map and
then scroll down to the next map for more detailed instruction.
. 
.
If you do the 59 to 60, to
Bay City route, you'll be coming into town from the North. That means you'll
get to Cattlemen's Motel very shortly after entering the city. They are
on Texas 60 between Golden and 12th streets (the red and black oval on
the map below). All kinds of fast food places are on Texas 35. K-7
Steak House is on 60 just North of 35. Victoria's Mexican Restaurant is
on 60 just South of 35 ( great food! ). Sporting goods and licenses can
be bought at Wal-Mart on 35 at the east edge of town. Carroll's Guns in
Wharton can also fix you up with anything you may need for waterfowling.
.
|
