Spring Snow Goose Hunt NW Missouri

[snocohunter]

Just wanted to throw this out in case someone here was interested. Myself and Saltwaterhillbilly here on the forum just booked 3 days march 9,10,11 with Migrator Valley Outfitters to hunt snow geese in Northwest Missouri. We will be driving out but there are 1-2 more spots available. If any of you guys have always wanted to go and could split fuel and lodging this would be a great opportunity. No limits, no plugs required, and lots of migrating birds.

www.migratorvalleyoutfitters.com

They have been featured on Avian X and with Fred Zink and waterfowl obsession TV.

Feel free to ask for details here or shoot me a message.

[eastsidemallard74]

Have you done it before? Whats the ave. cost for something like this?

[snocohunter]

I have not but i've read a ton of online reviews for outfitters and we both talked to Shane who is one of the guides. We were originally going to do South Dakota but he suggested these dates when they opened up.

The cost is $200 per day.

http://www.migratorvalleyoutfitters.com/

[eastsidemallard74]

That looks fun. Wish I had the funds.

[snocohunter]

That's what a tax return is for, duh :-)

[eastsidemallard74]

That's what a tax return is for, duh :-)

I farm, and I need a new tractor, so this year my return is going into that.

[Carl]

Are you going to try to stay in the lodge or local hotel?

[snocohunter]

That's what a tax return is for, duh :-)

I farm, and I need a new tractor, so this year my return is going into that.

That's a good investment man. Let us know if you ever need any help over there i'm sure you got some prime hunting access :-D

[snocohunter]

Are you going to try to stay in the lodge or local hotel?

Local hotel, but going to see if they do any discount for groups in the lodge. It says $290 with lodging but $90 a night is a lot for one guy we could have a sweet hotel room.

[aaronoto]

2 full days of windshield time I assume?

[snocohunter]

2 full days of windshield time I assume?

Yeah it's 26 hours. With 3 guys trading off won't be bad though. I've done a similar trip before with 2 people and wasn't terrible.

[saltwaterhillbilly]

13 hour driving days probably little more stop for fuel and bathroom breaks leave friday/saturday morning early get there sunday time frame

[eastsidemallard74]

2 full days of windshield time I assume?

At least, it's 17/18 hrs from Moses to Dickinson,ND, and thats only a 1/3 of the way through the state

[snocohunter]

Google maps, mapquest, etc shows 26 hours to mound city, MO. Hotel is another 30 min or so away. We looked at flying to memphis but then we would have to rent a car and it ends up being a lot more.

I just reserved a hotel for 3 nights. We will have room for another person.

[h2ofowlr]

What do you estimate total cost will be per person?

[saltwaterhillbilly]

600 total hunt, 80 per person for hotel so you would only pay for one nite, if we stay 3 nites, plus food and fuel figure fuel between 3 guys or so will be fairly inexpensive

[snocohunter]

What do you estimate total cost will be per person?

You know you were one of the people that came to mind that might be interested that could actually pull it off.

[greenhead_killer]

You guys will really enjoy this hunt. We did it last year with Shane. They do a tremendous job getting you in fields where the birds are. Last year we shot a little over 200 in two days, six guys. Be prepared to move if the weather does not cooperate. We ended up driving 7 hours south of the original hunting area when we went due to weather changes. The guides were all great with us. Just a great all around experience. Even ended up shooting a banded Ross goose. Good luck and show some pics when you get back. I'll have to do this again in a few years. Just a kick in the pants. Good luck.

[snocohunter]

That's some good numbers. Really not looking forward to a 7 hour drive south that would really bite into the time we have to hunt.

Did you drive out or fly? Was this in MO or SD? Thanks for the input

[aaronoto]

How'd you guys do?

[snocohunter]

Warm temps and no wind made for tough hunting. We shot a 21, a 7, and the last day just the three of us got 12. A lot of decoy shy birds and very few guides were shooting in the 20s. Overall we had a blast and have a game plan for next year. I'll post pics later

[h2ofowlr]

A lot of money for 40 birds.  Cheaper to drive south to Kalamath Falls Oregon for there spring season.

[snocohunter]

A lot of money for 40 birds.  Cheaper to drive south to Kalamath Falls Oregon for there spring season.

We are looking at that option for next year too. Obviously this was a crazy year for weather and had the birds pretty unpredictable. When guys like Scott Butts and Tony Vandemore are having a tough time decoying birds you know its tough hunting. I know a lot of guys who have eaten a lot more money for out of state trips so I don't really regret it. Our guide said they realistically average 60 birds a day most seasons and we talked to a lot of other return hunters who echoed that. It was a fun experience and learned a lot. I didn't get rained on or freeze my ass off either. It was good to get away.

[huntingfool7]

I've been interested in doing a trip like this.  This appears to have been a tough year with crazy weather and birds changing directions.  Guess that's hunting and it sounds like you still had a good trip.  Double down and go next year.

What opinions did you have on your guide?  Would you use him again or try a different service?

[snocohunter]

I've been interested in doing a trip like this.  This appears to have been a tough year with crazy weather and birds changing directions.  Guess that's hunting and it sounds like you still had a good trip.  Double down and go next year.

What opinions did you have on your guide?  Would you use him again or try a different service?

We enjoyed hunting with them, and want to book the lodge next year. I don't have another guide to compare them to, but their hospitality and attitude was great. On our last night they offered to take us back to the lodge and bird hitched and bagged our birds for free which they usually charge for. Even the owner got his hands dirty, and then went to his truck and gave us each a nice beanie and invited us back next year. Everyone was friendly and professional.

[pjb3]

Wish I saw this earlier, I would have gone

[snocohunter]

Wish I saw this earlier, I would have gone

Next year! we need 5 to book the lodge. I'll be getting a group together.

[huntingfool7]

600 total hunt, 80 per person for hotel so you would only pay for one nite, if we stay 3 nites, plus food and fuel figure fuel between 3 guys or so will be fairly inexpensive

Did you guys drive straight through?  No hotel enroute?

[pjb3]

600 total hunt, 80 per person for hotel so you would only pay for one nite, if we stay 3 nites, plus food and fuel figure fuel between 3 guys or so will be fairly inexpensive

Did you guys drive straight through?  No hotel enroute?

thats the only way to go, NO STOPS

[huntingfool7]

I've done Gillette, WY straight through in 16 hours and Grand Forks, ND in 22 hours. 
I'd do 16 hours again, I wouldn't do 22 or 26 without adding hotel rooms. 

[saltwaterhillbilly]

We did have time to kill on the way out and managed to over nite in Cheyenne but ended up driving straight through on the way back


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[snocohunter]

Yeah i don't think either of us drove more than 16 hours either direction. You drove about 13 the first leg i think on the way out and 11 or 12 alternating on the way back.