Green Timber Hunt Club

November 17, 2008

Guys-
As I write this letter I am at the peak of my pre-season excitement and anticipation for the upcoming duck season. In order to illustrate the history of my opening day excitement, let me share a quick story with you. When I was in kindergarten, my teacher decided one day to discuss the many traditional holidays celebrated in the months of October, November, and December. She asked the class, “Does anyone know what holiday comes between Halloween and Christmas?” I eagerly held my hand up and when called upon boldly responded, “Opening Day of Duck Season!” My favorite holiday of the year is opening day of duck season…and its been that way for a long time. This first weekend is a special time for me filled with many fond memories of my childhood, and a day I am looking forward to spending with each of you this year. I won’t always be able to host such a large group on opening weekend, but this year things have worked out and it looks like we should have a blast!
The purpose of this note is to make sure that you guys have all of the gear you need, directions to the cabin, and an idea of what costs you will incur for your license, meals, and lodging. Additionally, I have created a brief itinerary for the weekend, so that you’ll know what to expect each day. Most of the stuff in this letter is very obvious stuff that you already know, but by keeping it simple I don’t run the risk of assuming you know something you will later wish I’d told you.

Necessary Gear:
Waders: By far the most important part of this hunt as we will be walking and stand 100% of the time we’re hunting. If your waders are not warm you need to let me know so I can either line up a borrowed pair for you, or point you in the right direction to purchase a pair. (If your waders are old I would recommend a $5 repair kit- JIC)
Gun: Not to state the obvious, but 12 gauge is the gauge of choice for shooting mallards. Check your choke tube to ensure you are shooting an improved cylinder...I’m assuming we all need the odds to be in our favor!
Shotgun Shells: Steel shot is required. Suggested shot sizes: BB, 2, 3, 4. I would recommend 2-3 boxes for the weekend. (BassPro currently is offering 10% off of all Winchester Xpert shells. 3 inch shells after disc are $9.99/box.
Coat: The most underrated critical piece of the waterfowler’s wardrobe- and not just for warmth. We will make several long cold boat rides, and it is critical that each guy have a warm “outer” coat of some kind. I would highly recommend here, that you check the waterproof-ness of your coat. This is the underrated part…most folks don’t assimilate the fact that we’re hunting over water with the need to stay dry, but you’ll find that there is a direct correlation between being dry and being happy (not to mention safe!)
Warm clothes: No details necessary here, but I ain’t warming up your balls if they get cold- so its up to you to protect the family jewels.
Folding Lawn Chairs: If you have one of the folding “camping” style lawn chairs it would be a good idea to bring one for yourself as some of our most fun will be drinking beer and hanging out…I will have a couple extras, so if you don’t have one don’t worry, just bring your beer coozy!
Cash: Several of the places we may stop near the WMA only accept cash, and I ain’t buying your lunch at the Hunt&Harvest.
Hunting License: purchase license online or by calling 800-5GO-HUNT. Each man needs an Non-resident hunting license ($80), an AR State Duck Stamp ($20), a Federal Duck Stamp ($15), a WMA permit ($10), and HIP registration (free)

Lodging Accommodations / Meals:
Hotel: We will be staying at the Phillips Motel in Walnut Ridge (about 15 miles from where we’ll be hunting). The hotel rooms will be shared by either 2 or 3 guys depending on each room’s capacity, but be prepared to pick up the cost for your part of the room. Our rooms will either be $37/night or $40/night depending on the size of the beds. Each additional person after 2 is a $5 add on. We are booked for Friday and Saturday nights only. Here’s the address and phone number of the hotel for the girls:
Phillip’s Motel
870-886-6767
501 Highway 67-B
Walnut Ridge, AR 72476
Meals: There are a number of very reasonably priced restaurants in the area. There is a good steak house with great prices and big steaks, a great “country club” in Walnut Ridge with cheap draft beer, a Mexican place, and a Chinese joint. Lunches will be at the Hunt & Harvest, which accepts CASH ONLY! We will be eating 2 or 3 dinners in Walnut Ridge (depending on your travel plans): Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday night. Saturday lunch will be a hamburger cookout at the cabin on the river with my extended family after our hunt.

Basic Itinerary:
The main thing here is to communicate when on Friday you can leave so that I can coordinate the fewest number of cars possible for the weekend. Also, its important that I know what days you can hunt and when you’re planning on leaving.

Friday: Depart Memphis – Please inform me as to when you can leave Memphis so I can coordinate dinner.
Arrive in Walnut Ridge (2 hour drive)

Saturday: 4:00am – Wake up call
4:40am – Leave hotel for boat ramp (waders on at hotel)
4:55am – Launch boat and head toward the hole.
5:15am – Arrive at hole and get comfy…longest hour of your life!
6:18am – Shooting Time / Load Guns
6:48am – Sunrise
12:00pm – unload guns and head out of the woods

Sunday: 4:15am - Wake up call
5:00am - Leave hotel for boat ramp (waders on at hotel)
5:25am - Launch boat and head toward hole
5:45am - Arrive at hole and get comfy
6:16am - Shooting Time / Load Guns
6:46am - Sunrise
12:00pm - Unload guns and head out of the woods

Monday: 4:15am - Wake up call
5:00am - Leave hotel for boat ramp (waders on at hotel)
5:25am - Launch boat and head toward hole
5:45am - Arrive at hole and get comfy
6:14am - Shooting Time / Load Guns
6:44am - Sunrise
12:00pm - Unload guns and head out of the woods

Misc. Costs
There’s a lot of stuff that goes into making this weekend possible, and I have found that if I get all of the misc. stuff that we need for the group and give everyone a figure for divvying up the cost its smoother than if each guy tries to bring something to contribute. Here’s what I would propose, and if you don’t like it just let me know- my feelings won’t be hurt (you’ll never get another invite, but I promise not to get my feelings hurt!)
$10 Beer- 2 ½ days of all the beer you can drink. I will pick up plenty in an assortment of Miller Lite, Bud light, etc, and make sure that they are on ice when you arrive. (soft drinks and water also)
$3 Saturday burger cookout at cabin and light breakfast foods
$2 Boat gas – I’ve got 4 boats and motors that we’ll be running.
$15

FAQ – (good info for the wife)
How far away is it? 120 miles…takes approximately 1.75 – 2 hours.
Will your cell phone work? Yes in walnut ridge. No in WMA. Don’t underestimate how frustrating this can be for the wife…Lindy and I have found that I can receive and send text messages nearly everywhere at Black river even though we cant make a phone call.
When will you be home if you hunt until noon? 5:00pm. Allow 2.0 hours to get back to boat ramp, change out of hunting clothes and trailer boat. After hotel check out and packing bags it will be a 2 hour drive + lunch/dinner time.

Driving Directions
1. From Memphis – head west on I-40 and cross the MS river
2. I-55 North towards Jonesboro (approximately mile marker 8)
3. Take exit 23 towards Jonesboro (Hwy 63). Stay on hwy 63 through Jonesboro
4. Approximately 15 miles north of Jonesboro you will see a stop light and the Lawrence County Seed Store on your left. Continue heading north toward the “Exxon/ChesterFried” convenience store.
5. Immediately past the “Exxon/ChesterFried” store you will take a RIGHT on the “Walnut Ridge/Pocohantas” exit.
6. Shortly thereafter the road will split. Take the LEFT split towards Pocohantas.
7. You will go over the overpass and immediately after it take a LEFT following signs to Hwy 34. (You should be wrapping around under the overpass you just came over)
From Hwy 34 – Directions to Phillips Motel
8. Make a RIGHT (SouthWest) onto Hwy 34 and head toward Walnut Ridge.
9. Immediately upon coming into town look for large white sign with red letters pointing to Phillips Motel. You will be making a RIGHT.
10. Follow remaining signs to hotel.
From Hwy 34 – Directions to Cabin
9. Make a LEFT (NorthEast) onto Hwy 34 toward Delaplaine (14 miles)
10. Turn LEFT (north) on Hwy 280 crossing rail road tracks and continuing north for approximately 4 miles. Hwy 280 will be just past the town of Delaplaine on left.
11. When Hwy 280 dead ends, follow aerial photo attached below.