PSA Dont Book Wards Outfitter For Sandhill Crane

[trphyhntr]

Oof 

[yotebuster]

48 minutes ago, 654321 said:

Were you part of this hunt

God that’s hard to watch.  I’m not sure if their guide didn’t tell them or if they chose not to listen, but they weren’t even in the ballpark of being hid well enough.  I’ve killed hundreds of cranes, and you need some type of barrier between you and them, rock pile, fence line, or a blind of some sort.  I got a kick out of him saying how they were coming right at them and then decided to turn at 500 yards.   They were 100% flaring off them, and will easily do it at 500 yards.   
 

Pass shooting isn’t a bad way to go, but you need to hide, and let them get to you.  Those first cranes they were shooting at were honestly probably low enough to kill if they came directly over the top of you, but those never made it even close to their line as they saw them way before they were close enough.   Cranes are super easy to kill.  They have thin feathers compared to ducks and geese and are all head, neck and wing so there’s a big target.   
 

I could see where there’d be frustration with the guide if it was sold as a decoy hunt, but ended up being a pass shoot.  That being said, despite having $4000 worth of full body crane decoys in my trailer, I pass shooting them a fair bit, it can be an extremely effective way to kill them.  You aren’t going to get cranes to commit right into a spread of silhouette decoys, they will as a rule flair about 100-120 yards out, even if you’re hid well, so I don’t think it’s even a real great option unless you’ve got great decoys.  

[wish2hunt]

43 minutes ago, yotebuster said:

God that’s hard to watch.  I’m not sure if their guide didn’t tell them or if they chose not to listen, but they weren’t even in the ballpark of being hid well enough.  I’ve killed hundreds of cranes, and you need some type of barrier between you and them, rock pile, fence line, or a blind of some sort.  I got a kick out of him saying how they were coming right at them and then decided to turn at 500 yards.   They were 100% flaring off them, and will easily do it at 500 yards.   
 

Pass shooting isn’t a bad way to go, but you need to hide, and let them get to you.  Those first cranes they were shooting at were honestly probably low enough to kill if they came directly over the top of you, but those never made it even close to their line as they saw them way before they were close enough.   Cranes are super easy to kill.  They have thin feathers compared to ducks and geese and are all head, neck and wing so there’s a big target.   
 

I could see where there’d be frustration with the guide if it was sold as a decoy hunt, but ended up being a pass shoot.  That being said, despite having $4000 worth of full body crane decoys in my trailer, I pass shooting them a fair bit, it can be an extremely effective way to kill them.  You aren’t going to get cranes to commit right into a spread of silhouette decoys, they will as a rule flair about 100-120 yards out, even if you’re hid well, so I don’t think it’s even a real great option unless you’ve got great decoys.  

What shells and shot size do you use?

[yotebuster]

9 minutes ago, wish2hunt said:

What shells and shot size do you use?

Usually steel 2 or 3 shot. We have to use steel here in ND.  If I could shoot lead I’d shoot 4’s.   If they’re real high pass shooting like in the video, lead BB’s would probably be pretty wicked but overkill.  I’ve been on a 28ga kick the last 4-5 years and use #4 bismuth for them now.  It’ll fold em up like a cheap suit to 50 yards.  If it’s long pass shooting I’ll break out the #7 shot TSS and that’ll smash them way further then I wanna even say on here.  
The take home is cranes are really easy to kill.  If you are struggling it’s because they’re too far or you’re missing, likely the latter.  

[firstcoueswas80]

Man, after seeing that video id be pissed too.

[PRDATR]

20 minutes ago, firstcoueswas80 said:

Man, after seeing that video id be pissed too.

 

Spot and Stalk is what I would expect from Aborigines.

[Coues247]

On 12/28/2025 at 7:19 AM, wardsoutfitters said:

I would suggest this false statement be removed.  

Steve Ward, the founder of your outfitting company, currently has his license revoked for 5 years from azgfd. STFU

[oz31p]

What kind of a self-respecting Hunter hires any guide???

[youngdon]

1 hour ago, Coues247 said:

Steve Ward, the founder of your outfitting company, currently has his license revoked for 5 years from azgfd. STFU

I guess at this point a forum sponsor is out of the question ? 

[krp]

Classic bait and switch... easy 700 bucks without any more effort, just a couple more guys in the truck.

Kent

[wildwoody]

Wow

[wish2hunt]

After watching that video I have to say. I don’t think he “Wards” can out walk me, out glass me and out hunt my butt like he said he could.

[Roofer Billy]

22 minutes ago, wish2hunt said:

After watching that video I have to say. I don’t think he can out walk me, out glass me and out hunt my butt like he said he could.

He surely can't shoot. 

[wish2hunt]

1 minute ago, Roofer Billy said:

He surely can't shoot. 

I meant Wards guide service

[Roofer Billy]

16 minutes ago, wish2hunt said:

I meant Wards guide service

😁 They probably can't shoot either. 

 

16 minutes ago, wish2hunt said:

I meant Wards guide service