ELR News
December 15, 2008

The hunting in November thru Mid-December was very good for both ducks and geese. We were extremely busy during this cycle with lots of hunters visiting the lodge. We have been averaging over 6.5 ducks per man and 3.5 geese per man for the season. The cold temperatures hit about a week ago, we are about 80% frozen up, but the shooting has been incredible. The Triangle is on one of its unbelievable runs. We have shot in there 9 days in a row with multiple groups, shift shooting until everyone has limited.

We are holding about 125,000 ducks right now just on the north end of Eagle Lakes. We have been shooting ducks in our own corn fields every once in a while just to give the water a rest. Goose shooting has been fabulous as well. We haven't been as busy as normal on our goose mandays, I think its economy related. We have run about 75% - 80% out of state hunters this year with about 90% of those being mostly duck hunters. I have not seen the goose mandays this low in modern times.

On the bright side, the guests that have been coming are experiencing some great honker hunting over decoys. It's probably a good thing that we have not been that busy on the geese. Head goose guide, my brother, Tony Bernsen took a nasty spill, tripping over an eliminator blind in the dark in late November and is having season ending back surgery December 20, 2008. The only streak that I can compare it to is Cal Ripkins streak of consecutive games played. Tony hadn't missed a hunt date since he was about 14 years old. For those of you doing the math that is about 47 years. We all wish him well for a speedy recovery.

We still have lots of open dates between Christmas and New Years and January is starting to fill in a bit. Look for some specials during the holiday cycle and last week of the season.

Merry Christmas
MJB