- Medalist Cheyenne Shirt & Pants
- Medalist Base Layers
- Medalist socks
- Muck brand Field Boots
- Beretta Xtrema 2
- Kent Fasteel 3" #2
- Canon XHA-1 HD video camera
- Dogtra e-collar
- River Bottom Goose Call
- Sillosock decoys
- Big Foot decoys
- Smart Stick
- Goose Tree Decoy
- Just a Bale Blind
Last year I spoke to a gentlemen over the phone who had a product he was interested in me trying out while goose hunting. This would be Mr. Larry Juhl from Janesville, Wisconsin. Needless to say we had quite a lengthy conversation about geese. One conversation lead to another and soon he was telling me about a program he initiated in Janesville to control the nuisance goose population called GEESE PLEASE, (Private Lands Enrolled As Shooting Environments).
Geese Please is a program that Larry Juhl himself implemented to maintain local goose populations at established quota levels and to safely pursue the geese that take up residency within the city limits. These geese are not otherwise subject to public hunting pressure. The program must have Land owner permission, police department authorization for firearm discharge and Parks Department discretion for time, place and duration. The hunters must adhere to all Federal and State waterfowl regulations. Larry has taken great pride in this program and it's success thus far. But not only has he implemented a SAFE and controlled environment for hunter's to take nuisance geese with the city limits, Larry has devoted much of his time in helping with the nuisance resident geese in many ways. such as a make shift fence that he installs at the local parks to help with waste left behind by the geese. The fence works to keep geese off the grass. This is only one way he has worked to help preserve and contain the quarry that he so passionately pursues.
Larry Juhl, Owner Inventor of the Smart Stick, Goose Tree Decoy System and Just a Bale Blind.
In a conversation I had told Larry that this was such a great story line. Since you read so much in the National newspapers how so many cities in order to control their resident goose populations are gassing, sniping, and using various means to kill nuisance geese, rather than finding a way, if possible t control them by hunting as Larry has. He then graciously and without hesitation invited me and the Wired Outdoors crew out to hunt with him and his friends. Of course, I agreed!
We loaded up the Wired Outdoors vehicle and headed into a world of the unknown. We traveled through the night to miss traffic and meet the demands of our host Mr. Larry Juhl. Of which may I say had a very detailed itinerary that was sent prior to our departure.
The trip would take us from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania to Janesville, Wisconsin. A town where kindness spewed from it's residents. The crew met up with our host, Larry Juhl at the Baymont Inn. After quick introductions and a few jokes...which we soon learned was a trademark of Larry's, we were off to tour Janesville. Myself and Don Ott with camera in hand were escorted in Larry's vehicle while fellow crew members Eddie Wise and Bob Miller followed in tow. We toured the parks where the geese take up residency and where a detailed explanation of how a man that loves nature and an avid waterfowl hunter would become a legend in his own town. Every where we stopped you would hear people say, "Oh you are Larry..so and so hunted with you." Or they knew him the moment he stepped in and greeted him with a smile.
Larry is the Owner and Inventor of the Smart Stick and Goose Tree Decoy System. He lives for his Faith, family and love of waterfowl hunting. Assuring that anyone in his company will be given every opportunity to expand his or her knowledge, enjoy a clean joke, and be overwhelmed with a good story. His mere presence will put a smile on your face and to harvest a few geese...well that's just a bonus!
We visited a few of the parks that held the geese. Janesville is known for it's Parks, appropriately named "The City of Parks". Some of the parks we visited to name only a few, Montery Park, Jeffris Park, and Rotary Gardens. It didn't take long to see why the geese are considered a nuisance. With the water and grass it is a natural attractant for geese and there was sign of them everywhere.
Some of the "sights" at the Parks in Janesville.
While on our trip, Larry gave us a grand tour of some of Wisconsin's landmark treasures. Black Hawk Monument, Veterans Plaza, Rock River, the Milton House and of course, Horicon Marsh. This was worth the trip in itself to see history of the Black Hawk War, The Milton House history of the underground railroad and the famous waterfowl mecca of Horicon Marsh. Every town we stopped in had something to see and Larry made sure we saw it.
Black Hawk Rock
Milton House
Don and I looking at various License plates at Texas Roadhouse in Janesville.
Me at the Phabulous Pheasant Farm buying gifts for my neice and nephew.
Now the trip wasn't all site seeing we went to hunt. Hunt we did! starting with the first evening and every morning. The sites were seen all between the morning and evening hunts. Which meant we were very busy during the trip. We enjoyed every minute!
The hunts were each filled with birds in the air, some dropped from the bark of our barrels and some just gave a look and kept on going.
Eddie Wise and I taking aim.
The Goose Tree and the morning's set up.
Eddie with his and Erik's banded birds.
But I can safely say we learned something new each time afield, met knew people and made many friends. To name a few, Lee Chiroff and Mick from the Sportsmen Channel, Paul Juhl, Erik Olson, Carl, John,Dave, the guys from Dakota Decoys, (Kyle you will like this..) Jarod who hunted geese with a bow, and many many more!!
Paul Juhl, Mick, Lee Chiroff (Sportsmen Channel), Jarod, and Allen.
Above, Jarod practicing his aim waiting for the geese to come in.
Above, Erik Olson after "wading" at Ron's.
Carl above with some of our birds from Ron's.
Paul, Hunter and Don
Then we met Mr. Ron Maass our host in North Central Wisconsin who so graciously welcomed us to hunt in his own waterfowl paradise literally in his backyard! I am talking pit blind, goose food plots, beautiful pond, waterfowlers dream! This man was so nice, and the warmest smile on his face. Even while encountering a personal hardship health wise you would never know. His dog Chloe and Drake were instant friends and even had a joint retrieve on birds we dropped on our hunt.
Above the Goose Tree at work in Ron's pond.
Don and I awaiting the geese in Ron's pit blind.
Above, Mr. Ron Maass. What a great guy!
Left to right, Carl, John, Larry, Drake, Don and me.
Larry Juhl, myslef and Ron Maass after our evening hunt.
Below is Chloe, Ron's yellow lab and now Drake's new friend.
The wired Crew, (LtoR) Bob Miller, myself, Don Ott, Drake, Eddie Wise and Chloe.
Another part of the hunt I really enjoyed were meeting some of the adorable youngsters already involved and carrying on our passion for waterfowl hunting. There was little Hunter Juhl, Paul's son and Larry's grandson. Now he can call a goose already at 5 years old. Then there was Nolan the size of a peanut who loved the hunting adventure! And we can't forget Kaylin. The little girl who wasn't a bit shy. A little pistol who loves to spend time with her dad afield. She wasn't very happy with her dad though cause she "wanted to hunt with the girl", meaning me, and we were in opposite blinds that evening. My understanding from Erik is that she scolded him the whole way home about it.
Above is little Hunter Juhl. Below is Nolan.
Above is little Kaylin with Eddie.
Now back to hunting. I know all of the Wired Outdoors crew were anxiously waiting to see the Goose Tree in action. Well, let me tell you this...it works, it works and oh boy does it work!!! In a nut shell the Goose Tree was again invented by Larry who had told me that the concept came to mind with his previous army helicopter pilot experience. When landing a pilot is focusing on the "X", which all we waterfowl hunters know that is where the geese land...on the "X". So if you have geese simulating they are landing via a decoy, geese will follow. The idea of this breaks the mold of common decoy set-up. Instead of the geese coming in directly at you, with using the goose tree they are coming in about 30 yards in front of you sideways. Thus the geese are focusing on the tree and "honoring" the already landing geese. The blinds were bale blinds that fit anywhere from 2 to any number of hunters custom to fit, set up in a triangle safely distanced apart. The family groups of decoys were stratigically placed with a goose tree approximately 30 yards from each blind. When Larry and the guys were working the geese, they banked at the Goose Trees, thus giving the hunters a shot. Here is another quick example...shooting hours are over. Tearing down decoys. The only thing left standing was the goose tree. Don was out in the middle of the field with Nolan and Allen taking the tree down. A flock of 5 geese came in. Drake, Hunter, Paul and I were near the blind. Paul started calling and the geese came in and tried to light behind the goose tree. Lifted and banked around near the tree 3 times before finally leaving the field. These things work! Drake was shaking drastically while he sat ever so steady, (thank you Pat Nolan!), and Don was out under the Goose Tree in amazement! Needless to say not only do I have one ...now so does Bob and Eddie! You should have seen the Wired Outdoors car coming home with 2 goose trees strapped to the vehicle! We will be doing a video product review of the Goose Tree for all to see. And no one else better to explain it than Mr. Juhl himself!
Above, Don, Drake and I in one of Larry's adjustable Just a Bale Blinds.
Below is a 3 man blind.
Above is the Wired Outdoor Team with Larry Juhl in middle, along with our morning birds pulled in by some sweet calls and of course the goose tree.
A group effort.
The trip went by very fast! There were so many aspects of the trip to tell and I am only touching the surface. The stories, so many photos, so much footage, good food, and good people, the learning experience...oh yeah and the calling. Erik Olson worked those birds. Larry, well if you closed your eyes you thought you were listening to the goose himself. I kept teasing saying he was a goose in another lifetime. He was the master. Even Erik said, "He is the closest thing to a goose I have ever heard!" Well I agree!!!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank EVERYONE we met and helped to make this hunting adventure such a wonderful trip! The laughs and memories will last a lifetime as well as the friendships made. We all went away learning a little more about the waterfowl we pursue and the State we visited.
A special thanks to Ron Maass for opening your hunting paradise to the "foreignors" from Pennsylvania. And no words can do justice to the gratitude to our new dear friend Larry Juhl. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! I look forward to the day when we can hunt together again! Your wit, wisdom and kindness have touched us all very deeply.
Oh yeah...one more thing, we did kill some geese! That was the bonus!
Bob doing some filming while Drake watches on.
Drake sporting his "Wired gear".
He decided to stick with the shades and give the hat to Don!
Below is the absolutely beautiful Wolf Creek Lodge we stayed in while hunting with Ron.
Anxiously watching the sky!
Brenda Kelly and I at Horicon Marsh.
Above me interviewing Larry Juhl about his "Geese PLEASE" program.
Above Drake and Don discussing camera shots.
Above, Drake chasing down a cripple at Ron's.
Below, the Wired Outdoors Team walking by the Goose Tree with our morning success.
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