FAQ - Bird Hunting

What License(s), Stamps, etc. will I need before hunting with Good Times Guide Service?

Can I still get a license without a "hunter education card"?

What will I need to bring on my hunting adventure?

Can I bring my own goose or duck call?

Can I bring my own dog?

What shells do you recommend for waterfowl?

What kind of ducks will I see on my adventure?

Will I see any Snow Geese on my trip, & do you guide spring Snow Goose hunts?

What shells do you recommend for dove hunts?

What chokes do you recommend for hunting adventures?

What are the bag & possession limits for birds?

How can I prepare any birds I harvest?

Can I have my birds shipped, cleaned, &/or frozen?

What if I want to have my bird(s) mounted?

Where will I be hunting… Is the land private?

What kind of blind or pit will I be hunting out of?

How many people will fit in one of your blinds?

Can I bring a non-hunter or minor child with me on my hunt?

Can you accommodate groups larger than 3 people?

What type of shots can I expect to have on a guided hunt?

Will I ever be put in a blind with people I don't know?

What License(s), Stamps, etc. will I need before hunting with Good Times Guide Service?
You will need to meet some requirements before you can purchase a hunting license in Colorado. REQUIREMENTS listed here http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/Waterfowl/

For Dove hunts you will need the following:

A small game license purchased online, or from any DOW License Agent.
Your H.I.P. number.

For waterfowl hunts you will need the following:

A small game license purchased online, or from any DOW License Agent.
A Colorado Waterfowl Stamp purchased online, or from any DOW License Agent.
A Federal Waterfowl Stamp purchased from your local post office, or major sporting
Your H.I.P. number.

http://wildlife.state.co.us/hunt/Waterfowl

Contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife if you have any problems with licensing.
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Can I still get a license without a "hunter education card"?
If you were born before January 1st, 1949 proof will not be required. In most cases if you've been issued a hunting license in another state, you can purchase a license from almost any vendor in Colorado. Another form of hunter education may suffice (i.e. military service, gun & bow safety, law enforcement service, etc.) Bring your current or past license from another state & any other documentation that you may have that will prove you fit the hunter education requirement. Other waterfowl hunting requirements: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/Waterfowl
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What will I need to bring on my hunting adventure?
The basics include your own equipment:
licenses & stamps, gun, shells, clothing, camera, plenty of food & water, cooler for any harvested birds, & any other personal items you think you'll need.
Once your adventure is booked, we will send you an extensive printed guide of the specific items you should have for your trip.
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Can I bring my own goose or duck call?
Simply put... NO! If you insist on blowing your own duck or goose call during a hunt additional charges will be applied. Why? Your professional guide is an expert at "reading" the actions of ducks and geese; he knows when to call, & more importantly, when NOT to call. Forget all the noise you've heard on the TV shows...we mimic real birds in real situations, and very seldom will extra noise make the difference!
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Can I bring my own dog?
Yes, you are more than welcome to bring your own dog, but you must sign a waiver for your dog before you bring it to any hunting location. It also must be controllable; if you are confident that your dog can listen to common commands, remain still at critical moments, & not detract from the hunt, then your companion is more than welcome. Please speak with your guide if you plan on bringing your own dog so that he can make arrangements for your companion.
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What shells do you recommend for waterfowl?
The simple answer here is quality. Buy the best non-toxic shells you can afford. Premium, High-velocity steel loads are adequate for all duck & goose hunting situations, however higher quality heavy non-toxic loads including: tungsten, bismuth, & others such as Hevi-shot® have remarkable killing properties that steel simply does not possess (proven scientifically in the laboratory & in the field). Sizes for Geese should be #2, or B in Hevi-Shot®, BB, BBB, or T in steel (BB's are best). Best sizes for duck are: #6 & #4 in Hevi-Shot®, #3, #2, #1 or BB in steel. For combination duck & goose hunts please bring adequate shells for both types of game. Bring 40 rounds for each species to be safe.
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What kind of ducks will I see on my adventure?
IT DEPENDS on many factors like migration patterns, weather, & waters hunted on, etc. Earlier in the year we will harvest: Wood Ducks, Greenwing & Bluewing Teal, Bluebill (Scaup), Redhead, occasionally Pintail & Canvasback, but the bulk of the best duck hunting from the end of October on you will see a mix of: Mallard, Wigeon, Ringneck, Goldeneye, Merganser, Gadwall, a few Teal, Bluebill, & a few Northern Shoveler. If you are interested in a Mallard-only hunt, Arkansas would be an excellent place to look!
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Will I see any Snow Geese on my trip, & do you guide spring Snow Goose hunts?
We are close enough to the mountains that you will likely NOT see any snow geese on your hunt however they do occasionally mix with the Canada geese, & you will be allowed to shoot them if they come in to the decoys with Canada Geese. It seems that we harvest a dozen or less Snow Geese & Specklebelly Geese each year that come in with the Canada's. Due to the unpredictability of migrations, weather, & the nature of snow geese in general, we do not guide spring snow goose hunts. Clients and friends of ours tell us that Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee are tough places to beat for spring snow goose action, while several Canadian provinces take the cake for fall prospects.
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What shells do you recommend for dove hunts?
#8's or #7 1/2's lead or steel. Bring 100 rounds for dove.
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What chokes do you recommend for hunting adventures?
We recommend the tightest choke you can comfortably & safely shoot. For steel this is usually a modified or improved modified (steel-grade full chokes produce patchy patterns with shot larger than BB's in most cases). For Hevi-Shot® use modified to full chokes specifically designed to take the abuse of this special shot. Every story you read about waterfowl hunting suggests you shoot an open choke for waterfowl... we disagree! In our experience, it does not matter how close or how far the birds are away, sloppy chokes produce a significantly higher number of "cripples" because of the "holes" found in the pattern. Tighter chokes typically produce an outright miss or clean kill under normal ranges encountered during a hunt; this is an observation from HUNDREDS of successful hunts, not from a magazine article or patterning board. If you have a fixed choke gun, please have a qualified gunsmith examine it before you shoot non-toxic shells through it. If you have an interchangeable choke gun, bring the extra chokes with you.
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What are the bag & possession limits for birds?
Bag limits for dove & waterfowl can be found in the small game & waterfowl brochures: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/Waterfowl
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How can I prepare any birds I harvest?
Ducks, Doves, & Geese make exceptional table fare if prepared properly. Please visit our Recipe & Tips Page for excellent suggestions on how to use your birds, including great recipes from our archives & clients, check this page frequently for new recipe additions.
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Can I have my birds shipped, cleaned, &/or frozen?
Yes, we can arrange cleaning &/or freezing of your birds for transportation. Birds may be breasted or wet-picked whole & frozen. Cleaning prices range from $4-$10 per-bird depending on what you need. Shipping is extra, & turnaround times may vary. Services are subject to availability. Please ask your guide for additional information.
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What if I want to have my bird(s) mounted?
We use a museum-quality taxidermist for all of our personal work. Our taxidermist is a bird-specialist, & we have arrangements with him for special pricing to all of our clients. If you are interested in getting a bird mounted, please speak with your guide about pricing & instructions on bird care. We are also happy to help you arrange shipping of your special trophy to your taxidermist of choice.
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Where will I be hunting... Is the land private?
We have many different exclusive 100% private leases which encompass many habitat types including: lakes, ponds, rivers, sloughs, wheat, alfalfa, & disked corn fields. All of our properties are near or on major roosting areas which means larger concentrations of birds in the IMMEDIATE vicinity.
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What kind of blind or pit will I be hunting out of?
This is a very popular question & a concern with most of our clients. Many of you have hunted out of a dirt-walled pit, or poorly constructed, hard to access blind. Nothing will ruin your hunt faster than sitting in a mud-hole with dirt falling down the back of your neck, & your gun full of grit from a caving dirt pit-wall. We have FULL WOODEN pits & blinds outfitted with comfortable adjustable chairs, storage & propane heat, as well as some very nice heated portable blinds as well. A great hunt is a comfortable hunt. If you have any physical challenges that need to be met, we'll try our best to help you! Please let us know!
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How many people will fit in one of your blinds?
Most of our blinds will accommodate 3 hunters & 1 guide for a total of 4. Our goal is to give you and your party a high quality & comfortable hunting experience. When you put more than 4 people in 1 blind or pit, hunt quality declines dramatically, & everyone's personal safety becomes an issue. This blind arrangement was created from years of professional experience & testing. If you have a small child that you want to bring along as an observer, we can almost always safely make plenty of room for them in the blind or pit. If you have more than 3 people in your party, we will make comfortable arrangements using 2 blinds or pits with no problems.
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Can I bring a non-hunter or minor child with me on my hunt?
Yes.... you are more than welcome to bring a minor child or a non-hunter with you on your hunt, however your party must meet the 2 person minimum booking requirements, & the non-hunting observer must sign all the required forms for liability. If you are not the child's legal guardian, his or her legal guardian will be required to sign all required forms for liability for them if they are under 18 years of age. We encourage introducing young people to our sport!
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Can you accommodate groups larger than 3 people?
YES. We simply set up in two different blinds or pits with one spread, & you can rotate your party periodically during the hunt however you desire; this way everyone will have a safe & memorable experience without second-class service and ringing ears!
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What type of shots can I expect to have on a guided hunt?
Generally we try to get birds as close as possible. The general rule of thumb is 35 yards & closer. Almost all shots are at decoyed birds, save doves of course, which are mostly passing shots. There are situations however that may require different shooting methods, & farther ranges depending on conditions. The weather is the single-most important factor in waterfowl hunting. Some days the geese will be less than 30 yards in a pass shooting situation where no decoys will be required. Some of the "blue-bird" days may warrant different decoy placement & tactics, & farther shots.
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Will I ever be put in a blind with people I don't know?
NO! We will not, under any circumstance, place you in a blind with anyone that you do not know, or feel comfortable with! We NEVER double book a single location, cut your hunt short, & expect you to compete with someone else for an opportunity YOU paid for.
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