March 10, 2008

Eagle Lakes Fact: For the last 5 years over 50% of all our hunting mandays
occurred on our 2,000 acres of Eagle Lakes property.
The other 50% took place on the 198,000 + acres we lease!

Eagle Lakes Ranch Clients:
The countdown begins… only 215 days until opening day!

We had a good 2007-08 Season!  Our duck harvest numbers where down a
little from the previous four magical seasons.  Our duck manday totals
were way up, with a lot of hunting pressure on the same areas due to the
early freeze (ice factor).  This was one of those years that nothing came
easy.  We had to work our tails off from day one through the end of the
season. Our average hunt time was about 3 hours longer this year compared
to last season.  Our customers didn’t seem to mind being out in the field
a little longer, just as long as they got to bang their birds.  The goose
hunting was very good!  Our harvest numbers were up again.  Goose manday
totals were very comparable to previous seasons, and the average hunt time
in the field was about normal.  We just flat out slammed the big geese
this year.  Our honker to lessor ratio had never been this strong before.

2007-2008 Eagle Lakes Stats:
Limit Success Ratio:
Oct.  Nov.  Dec.  Jan.
98% 98%  90%  88%
Percent of Mallards Harvested:
Oct.  Nov.   Dec.  Jan.
85% 90%   95%  98%
Percent of Honkers to Lessor Ratio:
Oct.            Nov.            Dec.            Jan.
50%-50%    75%-25%    85%-15%    85%-15%
Average Hunt Time:
Oct.            Nov.            Dec.            Jan.
3 hrs           4 hrs           6 hrs           6 hrs
Average Temp:
Oct.            Nov.            Dec.            Jan.
50 degrees 40 degrees  22 degrees  24 degrees
Percent of Northerns in the Zone:
Oct.            Nov.            Dec.            Jan.
5%             35%            85%            100%
Average # of Ducks Using Eagle Lakes Ranch Properties as a Refuge:
Oct.      Nov.     Dec.      Jan.
15,000 25,000  12,000  10,000
(We just didn’t hold the Hoards of ducks this year compared to normal).

Habitat Projects:
With the increased numbers of duck mandays going through the roof, I have
got to do something to help take the pressure off our main hunting areas
such as the Triangle, which absolutely got abused this past season.  I
have decided to start, as they say, at home.  I have over $200,000
ear marked for the Eagle Lakes property, to be spent entirely on habitat
projects for the 2008-09 Season.  We are going out of the economic farm
business and going into the duck farm business. I am putting at least a
couple of corn ponds right smack in the middle of each one of my circles
except for one, which doesn’t lend itself for this application. We should
have at least 8 or 9 new premium areas to hunt this season and be able to
refuge 15 – 20 thousand more ducks.  We also have four new projects on the
books for the T-Lakes property in Connell to be implemented this year.  We
hope to increase our available premium hunting areas by about 50% with the
new habitat.  All these new projects should really help take the pressure
off our main areas and produce unbelievable quacker hunting.

Important Dates:
(Subject to change - Wildlife Commission meets in early August)
September 1st - 15th:     Dove Season (Possible 30 day season this year)
September 6th - 7th:      Early Goose Season
September 6th - 7th:      *Kids ? Price Weekend
October 11th:                Waterfowl / Deer Opener
October 25th - 26th:       *Kids ? Price Weekend
November 26th - 30th:    Thanksgiving Week (5 Goose days in a row)
December 24th - 26th:    CLOSED – Merry Christmas!
December 27th - Jan 1st: Ducks / Geese open everyday -*Kids ? price all week              
           
January 19th - 23rd:      Ducks / Geese open everyday - *Kids ? price all week
                           
January 23rd:               Last available hunt date!

January 24th-25th: Not Accepting Reservations- We
                            will closed,  only family, friends and Eagle
                            Lakes guides will be allowed to
                            hunt on the last weekend of the season.

*Kids ? Price Dates: Discount only applies to lodge package prices for
kids 15 years and younger only.

2008-09 Hunting Prices:
Guided Hunt - Lodge Package Prices:
Package Rates Include: Lodge accommodations
double occupancy), guide, meals, taxes and
bird cleaning. Does not include guide or staff
gratuity, alcoholic beverages, license or bird
stamps.
Duck:                   0$500.00 per person/per day
Goose:                  $500.00 per person/per day
Duck/Goose:000000$775.00 per person/per day
Upland:                 $425.00 per person/per day
Dove:                   o$375.00 per person/per day
Fishing:                o$400.00 per person/per day
Dove/Fishing:     00$550.00 per person/per day

(Youth 15 and under subtract $50.00 from above prices.)

Guided Hunt – (D/D) Drive Direct Prices:
D/D Rates: Do not include guide or staff
gratuity, lodging, meals, alcohol, taxes, bird
cleaning, license or bird stamps.

Duck:                           $300.00 + tax
Goose:                         $300.00 + tax
Combo Duck/Goose:      $575.00 + tax
Upland:                        $225.00 + tax
Dove:                           $175.00 + tax
Fishing:                        $200.00 + tax
Combo Dove/Fishing:     $350.00 + tax

(Youth 15 and under subtract $50.00 above prices.)

Two-Day Deer Hunt: $3000.00 (Oct.-3pt. or better) - Only few spots still
available, book ASAP

Bonus Day Program (same program as always):
For every 10 Mandays of hunting pre-paid by May 15th, 2008 you will
receive 1 bonus day of hunting. Example: If you pre-pay for 20 Mandays,
you will get 2 bonus days.

Cancellation Policy:
A 50% non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking.  Cancellation of
your trip must be made 60 days prior to your arrival.  If you do not
cancel within 60 days or no show, your credit card will be charged 100%.
The only exception is death or family emergency.  In this event, we will
do everything within our power to reschedule your trip with mutually
acceptable dates.  No reservation will be confirmed without a valid credit
card and a signed confirmation.

The 2007-08 Season was the worst yet for unexcused cancellations.  You
need to understand that we can’t make up for last minute cancellations at
the lodge or with hunting reservations.  When we do try and reschedule
it’s usually affecting someone else’s hunt in the future.  I do understand
that actual emergencies do happen and we will be very understanding for
these special circumstances.

Excuses that will no longer be tolerated no matter what:
1.      No shows
2.      Change in body count - If you book for 4 show up with 4 or you
        will be charged - If somebody cancels on you, find a replacement.
3.      My dog stubbed his toe and has a limp & I can’t come without
        my dog.
4.      Sporting events - My wife says I can’t come hunting and still go
        to the Seahawks game on Sunday.
5.      The kids didn’t do their homework (make sure it’s done the week before).
6.      I got drunk at the lodge OR I went into town and got drunk and
        tried to pass myself off as being sick the next morning – This
        one was used by at least 10 people.
7.      A business meeting came up and the only day I can come is this
        Wednesday for the rest of the year and if you don’t let me
        reschedule I’m going to tell everyone what a mean and nasty guy
        you are and that Eagle Lakes stinks.
8.      Two guys that were coming with me both lost their jobs from
        different companies - Ok, we can reschedule or you can find
        replacement guys who can use their deposits for later in the
        season… Again I’m a mean, nasty guy and Eagle Lakes stinks.

These are just a few illustrations of actual events and things that we
deal with on a daily basis. This is not intended to hurt the feelings of anyone.

Rory Farrell Memorial - Youth Waterfowl Camp 2008:
Cost: $1000.00
Date: Sunday, June 22nd - Thursday, June 26th
Visit our website at eaglelakesranch.com to get more information about
camp, view the camp itinerary and see if your child qualifies for an Eagle
Lakes client discount or repeat camper discount.
Campers will learn:  Proper gun handling, gun safety, pass a hunter
education course (if needed), duck and goose calling, decoy set up, boat
rowing, blind building, habitat, fishing and lots of shooting. All
children that attend the 2008 Youth Waterfowl Camp will be allowed to come
back during the weekend of September 6th - 7th for a dove hunt at no
charge.

Anyone wishing to sponsor a child for the 2008 Youth Waterfowl Camp or
would like to simply make a donation for an underprivileged youth please
contact the office for details. We have established 5 Youth Waterfowl Camp
scholarships in Rory Farrell’s name for the 2008 event.

Eagle Lakes Canada:
We will be offering trips to Grand Prairie, Alberta for the 2008 Season
from Monday September 1st – Wednesday October 8, 2008.  All prices will be
the same as our package rates.  We will provide a local motel and pay for
your food during your stay.  The duck and goose hunting is absolutely
incredible with a daily bag limit of 8 geese and 8 ducks (mostly honkers &
mallards). You will need to either fly directly into Grand Prairie or it’s
about a 14 to 15 hr drive from Eastern Washington.  We have been going up
now for 5 years and have some great local contacts.  We have yet to be
disappointed; the pure number of birds is mind boggling.  You will never
see better decoying birds anywhere!  If you plan on booking a trip please
do so ASAP.  We will probably take only two groups a day this first year.
I’m going to rotate my guides up there in two week increments, so as to
keep them fresh for the 105 day grind from our regular season.  If you
have any questions, please contact Mike at (509)-488-4484 for details.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.  You can contact us at (509)
488-4484 or E-Mail us at:  eaglelakes@cbnn.net.  Please visit our website
for updates and additional information at: eaglelakesranch.com.

Thank you for your continued support of Eagle Lakes Ranch!
Best Regards,
Michael J. Bernsen, Owner
Eagle Lakes Ranch

*Note:  This will be the last newsletter we send out.  We are going to be
doing a much better job of keeping our web page updated regularly.  From
now on you will see updates on the web page March 3rd, August 15th,
September 15th and every month during the season.  For those of you, who
don’t play with the computer much, just call the office for updates and we
will send you the information directly.