Readers Digest story of Al Kurts' Life Saving Effort in January 2004

Sorry but I am not currently running waterfowl hunting trips. I will be dedicating all my efforts to fishing and running the tackle shop and marina. I will be glad to help you find a qualified guide for a great days hunt if possible.

Snow Goose Hunting

When I started wandering the local marshes with a shotgun and decoys I was a teenager and it was a very different world out there. Snow Geese were forbidden fruit, but I watched the increase of the snow birds and when the season opened in 1975 I was there hunting them as hard as the two birds a day limit would allow. After a short break for a couple years in the Peace Corp ’77, ’78 I got back at them in a big way. During the next fifteen years or so I guided up to 50 trips a year and accounted for literally thousands of harvested geese. Over the last 25 years that the snow geese have been hunted they have maintained a steady learning curve, but fortunately I had been able to stay one step ahead of them and maintain reasonable good hunting.

Despite of my hunting success the Snow Goose population has continued to rise. Over the last several years the snow geese have been declared pests. To combat the geese, using a combination of increased limits and the introduction of hunting inside their fresh water roosting in Brigantine Wildlife Refuge the Fish and Wildlife Service has ruined a great recreational opportunity by driving many of the wintering birds south and dramatically increasing the learning curve of those which remain.

Now the consistently good snow goose hunts of the past are just that, a thing of the past. This does not mean that there is not good hunting, mostly it just means that you will have good days and you will have bad days and there is the possibility for very bad days. Luckily during the time the snow goose hunting has been deteriorating, the striper fishing has improved to bring a vast change to the local marshes. During the last several years my preferred weapon in the marshes has been a bait casting rod instead of a shotgun. That being said I will be giving it a try for you or anyone else who is willing to accept the odds and can enjoy a day goose hunting on the marsh hopefully shooting birds, but if not giving it the best possible effort and enjoy being there. Because every year is different depending on the weather and the production on young birds on the nesting ground if you are interested in hunting keep an eye on my message board for developing hunting possibilities.

Snow goose hunting has been the best during the migration while there is a constant shuffling of new birds into the area. The season opened October 2 on the books, but consistent numbers of birds will arrive between the 13th and 15th. To get your best shot at snow geese I would suggest hunting from then until duck season opens November 1st. A full blown combination hunt will almost guarantee some action and if you try a snow goose hunt during the later closed duck season Nov. 12 thru Nov. 26, I’ll gladly offer some Striper fishing to anyone of your party who want to give it a try during slow periods of the day.

Duck and Brant Hunting, Cast and Blast !

After the regular duck and brant season opens and there is usually additional pressure on the marsh and the hunting for snows often becomes more difficult, but the possibility for a combination hunt is a reality. Sometimes it is best to leave the snow goose decoys at home . I am offering brant and duck hunts which should provide plenty of action during the regular season, For the ultimate recreational experience the great increase in the striped bass population makes the "Cast and Blast" trip not only a possibility, but for me the only way to go.

I will be adding to this information and putting it on my web page. If there is anything else you would like to know please call at 609-484-0409, 800-352-2524

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