FAQ
Q: What are the conservation order dates?
A: Typically February 1st through the end of April. We usually have geese in the area until the middle of March
Q: How many people can I bring for my group?
A: The maximum size of any hunting group will be no more than 12 per day not including 1–2 seasoned guides unless other arrangements have been made in advance.
Q: How much and what type of ammo do I need to bring?
A: Most of our clients bring ½ to 1 case of shells per hunter of 3″ or 3 ½″ shells. The best shot sizes are 1, BB, BBB, T. The larger shot sizes seem to work the best.
Q: Do I need to purchase an Arkansas hunting license?
A: No, you are not required to purchase an Arkansas hunting license during the conservation order. You will need a valid hunting license from your home state and you will also need to contact the AGFC to get your free conservation order number before you arrive. Most people just write the number down on the back of their current hunting license. Please check the AG&FC website for complete details.
Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: We welcome you to bring your TRAINED retriever. For the safety of your dog and the hunters all dogs must be steady to the shot and under control at all times. They must also be trained to hunt out of a dog blind.
Q: Can I bring my kid?
A: Yes; each non-licensed youth must have a hunter’s education card, and must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Youths 12 and under hunt at the discounted rate of $250 per day, per youth. Call 901-373-4868 to book hunts including youths.
Q: What airport do I fly into?
A: Memphis International or Little Rock International. Each is about the same distance from the lodge. And with the recent addition of Southwest Airlines to Memphis, similar priced flights should be available at either. For those with private planes, there is a small airport at Jonesboro, which is about 25 miles away.
Q: Can I book one day of a weekend?
A: No! Our weekends are our most popular days to hunt, and we prefer that your group books no less than both weekend days. However, occasionally, special arrangements can be made by calling 901-373-4868.
Q: What about our meals?
A: If you have selected to go with the hunting package that includes meals, there will be 3 meals a day during your stay. If you decide to go with the Blue Goose package you will need to bring food. The kitchen and grill will be ready for you!
Q: How much do I tip the guide?
A: The normal tip for a guide is $100 per day per hunter. Please don’t forget about our guides! They spend weeks getting things ready before the season and hours getting prepared for your hunt.
Q: Who calls the shots?
A: The guide will call the shots at all times. For safety reasons, the guide will say when to load your guns and when to shoot. Our guides are out there every day and they know how the geese are acting on a day to day basis. They will call the shot when the best opportunity presents itself.
Q: What will a typical day of hunting be like at Bustin-Geese Outfitters?
A: We scout daily and will move our spread daily if necessary. We will leave the lodge each morning early enough to set our spread and layout blinds. We will set our spread according to the current wind directions for that day. No wind usually means no geese, if it doesn’t work in the decoys we will do our best to put you on the geese however we can, and this does include sneaking. Sneaking produces high kill numbers and most of our groups will get to participate in at least 1–2 sneaks while hunting with us. If you have a good hunt in the spread we will stay in the decoys. Either way we will work hard to put your group on the geese. The whole purpose of the conservation order is to kill geese and that is what we intend to do each day.
Q: What do we do with all of the geese once they are killed?
A: We do not waste game at this lodge! All geese will be processed upon arrival back at the lodge. Everyone usually chips in and knocks it out. All geese must be processed before we go out for more! We do occasionally have locals come by that want them if you do not.