Knock Out...Waterfowl load wins Wisconsin guide’s confidence
by Dick Ellis
One of the fringe benefits of outdoor writing is that new products are oft en offered for field testing at no cost. Manufacturers of outdoor gear want their products showcased. In 25 years in the field with camera and notebook, I could count with three fingers, or less, the number of these products I have accepted for field use from hundreds of offers.When Remington made the offer with their new Hypersonic steel shotgun shells prior to the 2010 waterfowl season, I accepted on the condition that my friend and veteran Wisconsin duck and goose guide Todd Lensing would also field test the shells. First and foremost, any product that has the potential of decreasing the number of wounded animals or crippled waterfowl in the field will gain this column’s attention.
Flyway Fowling Guide Service clients with a limit of ducks taken on the Mississippi River in 2010, all using double barrels and Remington Hypersonic shells
Last season, this columnist hunted extensively for wood ducks early in the season in southern Wisconsin and for a variety of puddle ducks as the season progressed in northern Wisconsin. More importantly, Lensing, a dedicated and knowledgeable guide on Mississippi Pool 9 who already keeps detailed track of waterfowl statistics, including lost birds in the hope of improving on already high recovery rates, would be in the field every day of the 2010 season. He’s that good, and in less than a decade of building his Flyway Fowling Guide Service, has earned the high return business of clients from throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest.
Lensing has over 30 years of duck hunting experience. He is a U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain, holds a Wisconsin Guide License, has training in hunter safety, CPR and is a National Registry First Responder and volunteer f re fighter. He has fulfilled all requirements set forth by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in order to guide on the Upper Mississippi Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
At times more than 75 percent of the continental canvasback population, or 300,000 birds may be staging on Pool 9. Other diving ducks including bluebills, ringneck, redhead, buffl ehead and goldeneye frequent the area. The shallow backwaters also attract mallards, wood ducks, wigeon, teal, gadwall and Canada geese. Lensing’s clients harvest hundreds of waterfowl annually.
Lensing was given the product under no conditions. He was asked as the true waterfowl expert to use the shells extensively and report exactly what he witnessed while hunting off of Crawford Counties on the Mississippi. This column has no advertising contract with Remington and in fact, it was discovered last month that Remington changed the advertising agency from the agency that last year provided the Hypersonic shells to us for testing.
“As a guide, I am always trying to provide my clients with the best possible opportunity to harvest ducks,” Lensing said. “It can be very frustrating when your clients spend good money to book a guided hunt, and then bring along the most inexpensive steel shot they can find. This has resulted in spending extra time chasing down “cripples” rather than hunting. Don’t get me wrong, I know money is tight for everyone and some of my clients can’t afford expensive shells or just choose not buy them with the idea that a shotgun shell is a shotgun shell. I have never really pushed the issue because of those reasons.”
According to Lensing, there were basically two steel shot options available; a lower end $.56 per shell or the high end $3.00 per shell. At approximately $.80 per shell, he called the Remington Hypersonic loads “a great new compromise that produces outstanding results.”
“Now I am no ballistics expert, but as an experienced guide, I can share what I have observed with hunters using the Remington Hypersonic 12-gauge 3-inch 1700 FPS 1-1/4 ounce shot #02,” Lensing said. “I tested 10 boxes and randomly chose clients to give them a try. According to my records, while shooting the Remington loads we had a total of 6 crippled ducks, and recovered all but one. Most ducks hit with Hypersonic were dead on the water. Many times I witnessed ducks doing complete summersaults when hit at ranges of 20 to 30 yards. The knock-down power was super impressive. More importantly was the fact that we were able to stay anchored and not have to chase and dispatch cripples. The average time to get the boat out or send the dog on an extensive handle is about 20 to 25 minutes, which adds up in a hurry to lost hunting time.”
“The Hypersonic is a great compromise between the inexpensive and expensive shells and the results are incredible. I will be happy to recommend the shells to all current and future clients. Thank you Remington, your shotgun shell provides a dream come true for this waterfowl guide.”
According to Lensing, the shells were used in semi-automatic, pump, and double barrel shotguns, with either improved or modified chokes, while hunting over decoys. His clients, he said, all were enthusiastically impressed.
“Each hunter felt that the shell is best suited for a semi-automatic shotgun to help reduce recoil, but all agreed that the increased hunting time made the recoil worthwhile,” Lensing said. “The Hypersonic is a great compromise between the inexpensive and expensive shells and the results are incredible. I will be happy to recommend the shells to all current and future clients. Thank you Remington, your shotgun shell provides a dream come true for this waterfowl guide.”
As for this columnist field results, we hunted more Wisconsin waterfowl than during any season in the last decade. The majority of our hunts took place in Sheboygan County in September and October and in Vilas County from October through the remainder of the season. Of approximately 30 ducks hit, only a wood duck in southern Wisconsin and a mallard in northern Wisconsin had to be recovered and dispatched. The knock down power of the Hypersonic shell is something I recommend to all Wisconsin waterfowl hunters. I’ve said this before: only an unacceptable percentage of unrecovered game could ever make me consider not hunting. That starts with the hunter’s own ethics and preparation. But products that assist the goal of a high quick kill percentage are always welcome.
Flyway Fowling Guide Service, LLC was established in 2002 specializing in diver and puddle duck hunting on the Mississippi River. Todd Lensing and his wife, Donna, also own and operate the Grandview Motel, LLC, which overlooks the Mississippi River in Ferryville, Wisconsin. Connect with www.flayfowling.com.