2011/2012 Hunting Licenses Available

Just a quick update - if you are going to be putting in for draws in this year's hunting season, we are now able to issue Deer Tag draw applications and tags for the upcoming season.

The new automated license system is a little different than in years past, so please take a moment to make sure you have what you need, so we can help you more efficiently.

If you have already purchased a fishing license this year, bring that with you - the bar code on that document can be quickly scanned to bring up your information in the California Department of Fish & Game database. We can also scan your driver's license.

You will need evidence of Hunter's Safety - that means a prior year's hunting license or a copy of your Hunter's Safety card (from California or another state). Please note - Declarations are no longer accepted for evidence of Hunter's Safety. If you cannot produce either of these documents, then you must retake the Hunter's Safety course. Information on scheduled Hunter's Safety courses can be found here.

If you are purchasing an application for a deer zone hunt* or a deer tag, you will need to provide the zone choices. That means we cannot issue tags or applications without zone information. Maps are viewable here or at the store.

The good news is that we are now able to issue tags for the "guaranteed" zones - like A-zone - over the counter. It is no longer necessary to purchase the application, then send it to the DFG for processing.

The other change this year is that state duck stamps and upload bird stamps are now available at the same time - we have not yet received the Federal Duck Stamps, which are a different program - and of course, if you are hunting waterfowl, you will need to answer the survey questions at the time we sell you the license.

So, to recap:
1 - ID card/Driver's License
2 - Evidence of Hunter's Safety
3 - Determine your zone choice

See you down at the shop!

*You can put in for draw zones in groups as large as six hunters. You no longer have to put in all applications together - the first person in a "Party" is assigned a group number, and each additional hunter just needs to know the group number to be included. There is no need to come into the store at the same time, and you can actually join the same group from different license sales locations.

Turkey Talk: Revised Times/Attendees

Quick update for those of you planning to attend our FREE Turkey calling and techniques seminar this Saturday - Tony Giorgi will be on hand starting at 10 am, and will be available through 1 pm.

Also, we've confirmed that representatives from the National Wild Turkey Foundation (NWTF) will be on hand with membership information. This is a great opportunity to support the organization which supports turkey habitat and access.

So - get up an hour earlier than we said - Turkey Seminar this Saturday, 10 am to 1 pm.

See you there!

Time to Talk Turkey!

Spring is working its way here, and for a rapidly increasing chunk of our customers, that means it's time to talk turkey!

First off - if you haven't done so, stop by Western Sport Shop for the last chance to get great deals on the camouflage clothing you'll need - all camo clothing is still (at least) 40% OFF!

Second - get your chores done today and mark your calendar! This coming Saturday, March 12, we will have turkey calling expert Tony Giorgi at our shop in San Rafael. He'll be on hand from 11 until 2 pm demonstrating calling, talking about strategies and techniques for hunting turkeys, and will be happy to answer your questions. Don't miss this informative (and FREE) event.

For those of you who have not met Tony, he runs Bass 'n Boars, a guide service located in Sonoma county. He's been successfully hunting the wiley gobblers longer than he cares to remember.
Your Upland Bird Stamp Money at work:
The California Department of Fish & Game has published this helpful guideline for turkey hunting. It was produced using funds generated through the sale of the California Up-
land Game Bird Stamp. The Upland Game Bird Stamp must be purchased by every adult
hunter who hunts wild turkey or any upland game bird in California. The funds generated
through the sale of the stamp are dedicated to improving the quality of hunting and to
preserving the heritage of hunting in California.

DFG Turkey Hunting Guide - click to download

Oh - last but not least - here are instructions on what to do if you take a banded turkey.

It's Summer in the Hunting Department

If you didn't put in for deer or other tag draw, it's certainly time for a new 2010/2011 Hunting License. (As always, you need to bring a previous year's license or other Hunter Safety evidence.) A-Zone will be here before you know it.

There's a few new things to consider if you will be hunting within California - be sure to stop by and pick up the new 2010-2011 regs read up on the non-lead ammo bill (# AB 821 Ridley-Tree Preservation Act, page 3 of regs.)

This is a key time to go through your gear and remember all those things you weren't gonna forget - I know that I need to bring in my rifle that got bumped around and get it bore-sighted, plus I thought I had more than half a box of 3+ year-old ammo -- that's not enough since I'm going out of state.

Right now, we are in good stock on most key loads of hunting ammunition. Some of the less common calibers (like 300 Savage) have been impossible to get, but we've been grabbing the most popular loads whenever they come available. Again - don't wait for the last minute!

When I went through things, I found my pack saw, checked my gambrel and pulley assembly, but it's time to replace my gear bag - too many holes - for waterfowl season (don't forget the CWA Pig Feed on July 11th, and the new DU Dinner later this month in Petaluma!) I'm gonig to check my JJ Lares calls to make sure I've got extra reeds - the waterfowl season is only 16 weeks away!

Of course, we'll be having our big Fall Shooting Sports Super Sale in August - but in the meantime, it's time to clean everything up and figure out what needs fixing and upgrading.

This is a great time to get your dog out and start working them in preparation for the fall season - we've got the higher quality dummies which you can't find at the big pet stores.

A few other things:

The California Department of Fish and Game has updated their website to allow hunters to check the status of their draw results -
https://biggame.dfg.ca.gov/biggame/

Condor Habitat Zone information -
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/condor/

2010 Hunting Licenses Are IN STOCK!

We have received our initial shipment of 2010/2011 California Hunting Licenses. This includes resident and non-resident Hunting licenses, First and Second Deer applications and basic tags. (Hang in there Waterfowl enthusiasts - that stuff will arrive closer to fall).

Remember - Big Game Drawing Applications are due June 2nd!

More information and instructions can be found in the new California Hunting Digest magazine, which can be downloaded here -

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/publications/digest/

Opening Day - This Saturday!

Wow. If the rains had kept up for another half hour on Monday in San Rafael, we could have just tossed decoys out onto Third Street...

As it was, the store came within a few inches of serious flooding, and everyone in the hunting department was seriously eyeing new rainwear.

Everyone seems to have a big bright outline on this Saturday, and folks have been crowding into the store to stock up on cleaning supplies, ammunition, calls, decoys and - suddenly - new waterproof jackets. In case you have missed the news, the 2009/2010 Waterfowl Season "Balance of State" opening weekend is this Saturday, October 24!

Which means for the last month or so, everyone's duck dog has been going crazy at the house, as they watch all the gear get assembled, laid out, checked and packed up. If you haven't gotten ready yet, it's time to double-check your equipment!

First is to make sure you haven't lost your hunting licence, and that you have appropriate state and federal duck stamps in place. As before, we sell both state and federal stamps, so don't line up down at the Post Office.

Second, go through your firearm and ammo. We've all heard stories of hunters getting out to the blind only to suddenly remember that they'd been on a field hunt in the spring and swapped 20 gauge ammo into their bag. Making sure all the pins are in place on your action, and that the barrel can be tightened down correctly (and that it didn't get dented while being stored or transported) should all be down without the distraction of pre-dawn excitement.

Your calls often get ignored. Now is a good time to pull them out, separate the sections and inspect them for cracked reeds or other damage.

Take a little time today to make this this Saturday's hunt goes off without a hitch!

Seven Days Until Serious Savings!

Yep - it's that time!

If you 've been in the store during the past couple of weeks, you've probably noticed that there have been non-stop deliveries of decoys, ammunition, camo clothing and all the gear you need for the fall shooting season.

And just in case you missed the flyers - the 2009 Western Sport Shop Fall Shooting Sports Super Sale starts on Friday, August 28 and runs through Sunday, August 30.

We've got everything stacked up and ready, we've been sharpening our pencils to figure out the lowest prices of the season on clothing from Browning and Gamehide, decoys from Greenhead and Avery (plus the Winducks - wind-driven decoys that are the best trick for getting birds close), ammunition from Kent, Federal and HeviShot, and the hot new models from Benelli, Browning, Remington and Beretta.

Simply put, this is the time to stock up for what you'll need and save big while you're doing it.

3 Days of the lowest prices of the season. Don't miss this event!

Check back here for some "blog-only" specials as we get closer to the event.

Ok folks, I know a number of you have called the stores and emailed about
the Benelli Factory Field Day at Black Point Sport Clubs on Saturday, August
8th. Most of you have signed up, but a few people may have been distracted by
work, travel or other tasks and forgotten to follow through - So, here's your last
chance!

We are closing in the shooter limit and will be closing registration by noon
on Tuesday, August 4th - If you haven't signed up by then, you'll just have to
look at the pictures and hear all about the new Benelli Vinci and other
smooth-shooting semiautomatic shotguns that were on the rack.

This is a rare opportunity to get a chance to shoot these at moving targets,
using the Black Point Sports Club sporting clays stations. Kent Brown, the
Benelli factory rep, will be on hand throughout the morning to answer
questions and discuss the operation of the various models. You will be able to fire
the Vinci, M2, Super Black Eagle 2 and other models on the clays circuit.

The $50 fee covers access to the Black Point Sports Club, a 25 round circuit
on the sporting clays course, use of the Benelli models and shells for the
round. After the shooting, there will be a lunch barbeque for all attendees. Look
for a set of special "attendee-only" coupons as well.

Sign-in will be at 9:30 and the clays course will open at 10. It will be -
no pun intended - a "shotgun" start. So, all shooters should be ready to go at
10 am. Lunch will be served at about 12:30, which should give you plenty of
time to check out the various Benelli models or even squeeze in another round of 25
if you want to. (You can shoot an additional round for a fee - look for Mike if
you want to do this.)

You can sign up via our website -
http://www.westernsportshop.com/benelli

Downloadable signup sheet - Feel free to copy, share and post!
http://www.westernsportshop.com/anonftp/pub/hunt/benelli_blackpoint2009.pdf

Please note - this is a private event and there will be no "day of" signups.
Attendees will be limited to those who have signed up and paid in full before August 8th.

Price includes shells, the use of the clays course and the meal - $50 per
attendee.

(Please note, attendee‚s under the age of 18 must posses a valid California
Hunting License and be directly supervised by an adult. Note - the
requirement for a valid hunting license is a Western Sport Shop, Inc. requirement to
insure that all shooters have passed their Hunter Safety Course.)

This event will be limited and spaces will be available on a first-come,
first-served basis (and we'll create a waiting list if the number of slots
fill up).

Again - To reserve space right now, you can sign up on our website -

www.westernsportshop.com/benelli

You will be contacted with specific times and directions before the event.

For more information about Benelli, visit the Benelli USA site -

http://www.benelliusa.com/index.php

For more information about the Black Point Sports Club - please take a
moment to
visit their website -

http://blackpointsportsclub.com/

Hope to see you there!

Benelli & Clays Day at Black Point - August 8th!

It seems as though a bunch of hunters are excited about trying out the new Benelli Vinci up at Black Point Sports Club on Saturday, August 8th - we've already received a bunch of signups through the website and in the shops. With the logistics of moving shooters through a 25 round of the Sporting Clays course and the number of Benellis which the Factory Rep will be bringing, there is a limit to the number of slots - so if you are interested in attending, don't delay!

You can sign up via our website -
www.westernsportshop.com/benelli

Downloadable signup sheet - Feel free to copy, share and post!
www.westernsportshop.com/anonftp/pub/hunt/benelli_blackpoint2009.pdf

Please note - this is a private event and there will be no "day of" signups. Attendees will be limited to those who have signed up and paid in full before August 8th.

If you missed the earlier announcement, when Benelli brought out their new line of Vinci series shotguns, we had tremendous interest among customers (and staff). This new model incorporates a radically redesigned action system that assures smooth operation in the field. The few we've received so far have normally sold within the first week of putting them on the shelf. But, the question has remained - Where do you try these out?

We're throwing a "hands-on" event at the Black Point Sports Club, which will take place on Saturday, August 8th. The Benelli factory rep will be on hand with the Vinci, plus Benelli's lineup of other models. Attendees will have the opportunity to shoot a 25 shot round at Black Point's Sporting Clays stations (with an option for 50 if you wish), using the Benelli models.

If you attend, you'll have the opportunity to try out the various actions, see for yourself how the recoil reduction systems will help your accuracy and have a chance to ask all the Benelli questions you can come up with. In addition, since you'll be out there enjoying the day, we're arranging for lunch.

Price includes shells, the use of the clays course and the meal - $50 per attendee.
(Please note, attendee’s under the age of 18 must posses a valid California Hunting License and be directly supervised by an adult.)

This event will be limited and spaces will be available on a first-come, first-served basis (and we'll create a waiting list if the number of slots fill up).

Again - To reserve space right now, you can sign up on our website - www.westernsportshop.com/benelli

You will be contacted with specific times and directions before the event.

For more information about Benelli, visit the Benelli USA site.

August 8 - Save the Date!

One of the most interesting developments to come down the pipe for hunters has been the Benelli Vinci series of shotguns. This new model incorporates a radically redesigned action system that assures smooth operation in the field. The few we've received so far have normally sold within the first week of putting them on the shelf.

But, the question has remained - Where do you try these out?

That's a darned good question. (Even if we asked it ourselves...)

We're just putting the finishing touches on a "hands-on" event at the Black Point Sports Club, which will take place on Saturday, August 8th. The Benelli factory rep will be on hand with the Vinci, plus Benelli's lineup of othe models. Attendees will have the opportunity to shoot a 25 shot round at Black Point's Sporting Clays stations (with an option for 50 if you wish), using the Benelli models.

If you attend, you'll have the opportunity to try out the various actions, see for yourself how the recoil reduction systems will help your accuracy and have a chance to ask all the Benelli questions you can come up with.

In addition, since you'll be out there enjoying the day, we're arranging for lunch.

Now, there will be a moderate charge to cover the costs of shells, the use of the clays course and the meal. We're just finalizing the price and will confirm that this week.

The more important thing is that the facilities limit the number of attendees - we need to know how many people will attend. Spaces will be available on a first-come, first-served basis (and we'll create a waiting list if the number of slots fill up).

To reserve space right now, you can follow this link:

http://www.westernsportshop.com/benelli

Look for updates soon! Don't miss this unique event!

Getting Ready for This Saturday's Turkey Opener

Finished all of my "honey-do's" and still had two hours left of my day off. So, off to the ranch to pattern my new Beretta AL391 12 ga shotgun for the final time before the wild turkey spring season opened this Saturday, March 28th.

Started at 25 yds. I'm using the Winchester Dbl X Mag turkey loads this season - they are a 12 gauge load that give 1125 fps with 2 oz #5 shot

Results:
# 1) 25 yds resulted in 165 pellets in the red zone with 147 outside of the zone. All pellets were in a 16" circle.
# 2) 30 yds. produced 84 pellets in the red zone with 187 pellets still in a 16" circle. Remaining 37 pellets were still in a 30" circle.

If you missed one of our four clinics over the last month, we'll be happy to help with any quick questions you have before you head out. Make sure you are completely camo'd up, can position yourself comfortably in an appropriate area and know your distances.

As always - Let's be Safe! Don't forget the bug spray. Remember 4:00 Pm is the latest shoot time in CA. Take a buddy or a youth on your hunt. Best of luck!

Talking Turkey One More Time!

Last weekend was another great clinic for Spring Turkey Hunters! Turkeys -- watch out... Season Opens on March 28th!

Curt Wilson from Zink's Calls gave an "All Star" clinic covering the behavior of the Boss Tom, with special attention on how he keeps an eye on the hens.

A good group of hunters in the clinic had good questions and gave great feedback. Thanks again Curt! - We all have learned a lot in each of the seminars, but no one has had the detail about these stages. (And if you want to hear the short version, drop by the San Rafael store and speak with me - I'll be happy to give you more details.)

We first brought in the Zink calls back during duck season, and we'd heard very good things about their turkey slates and diaphragm calls. We had a chance to demo a number of them, and they have grown to be one of our favorite calls - as an added bonus, the slates come with the Zink Turkey Hunting DVD!

Next and final preseason clinic for the 2009 Turkey Season is at our Santa Rosa store on March 14. Tory Giorgi of Bass 'N Boars is the guest speaker. He has a great sense of the local areas and gives excellent advice. To reserve a spot, call 707-542-4432 - this is the last prep clinic before the spring turkey hunting season opens!

Turkey Seminars - Reserve Your Spot!

Big Thanks go out to Tony Giorgi of BASS' N BOAR Guide Service. Tony gave Saturday's A to Z on Spring Turkey Hunting clinic up at the Santa Rosa store. He covered a wide range of necessary tips and special tricks to a good group of interested customers. We learned a lot as well - it's great to get practical feedback from another person who is as crazy about spring birds as we are.

There is hope for those of you who missed that clinic - Tony will be back at the Santa Rosa store for another A to Z on Spring Turkey Hunting presentation on Saturday March 14 at 10AM.

But, don't volunteer to do all your Saturday chores the week before, because the San Rafael store will be hosting Curt Wilson of Zink calls this Saturday, March 7th at 10 am. Curt is one of the most successful hunters we know, with excellent calling techniques.

There is no charge for either of these seminars, but the way they are starting to fill up, there may not be room for everyone - best to call the store to reserve your spot. (And, hey, it's ok if you want to go to both!)

Get your calls out there's only 27 days left till the opener. Have you patterned your chokes this season. Lots of new ammo out there this year.

Upcoming Turkey Clinics

Mark your calendar now for the 2009 Spring Turkey Season clinics to be held at Western Sport Shop. These free clinics will cover calling techniques, decoy use and other necessary topics for spring success. There will also be time for your specific questions. They will run approximately 1 hour, and begin at 10 am.

Saturday, February 21st - San Rafael store

Saturday, February 28th - Santa Rosa store

Saturday, March 7th - San Rafael store

Saturday, March 14th - Santa Rosa store

Spring Turkey Season starts March 28!

Season End - Season Start!

Duck Season Wrap-Up
Despite the lack of "real" winter weather, Mother Nature showed us who's really in control, the first 54 days was great for the ducks. Klamath Basin finally got some good weather for the hunters as of December, the harvest rate jumped up the last 46 days of the season. I enjoyed my time at the store helping customers deciding what duck calls to buy, or how to fill out for the state or federal draw's to send in. It seems like the hunters who did best focused on the fundamentals - good calling, spinning wing decoys and good decoy spreads, appropriate cover and of course, a good dog to make sure nothing got missed!

Turkey Season Soon!
Of course, I'm getting my turkey calls out now and practicing them - the spring Turkey season starts March 28. Beginning mid-February, I will be putting on some turkey calling clinics on Saturday mornings. Look for more information here, or signup sheets on the counters at the San Rafael store. If enough people are interested, we'll try to put something together up in Santa Rosa.