NEW Redneck Mallard Duck Blind offering the LARGEST semi-portable solution to all your waterfowl needs.Price includes all SD sales tax - no shipping charges.Holds four hunters.Only ONE in stock. Handguns & Handgun Hunting. be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Nushagak River Bristol Bay Alaska Retired Principal . | | The harvest is Teal, Mallard, Sprig, Wigeon, Gadwall, and more. A short drive west of Los Banos is the Volta Refuge, a 3,000-acre refuge that consistently ranks near the top in number of birds taken per hunter. A large number of hunters use mountain bikes and even large three-wheeled bicycles. Mentioning quotas brings to mind a hunt at Los Banos in December a few years back. Duck Club Membership with Cabin in North Grasslands. The duck hunting season might end in January, but care of your retriever is a year-round project. Most sea duck hunters are serious waterfowlers in search of a unique experience and drakes for the wall. That hunt occurred in 1995, and I had hunted the Los Banos refuge only a few times before. . This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. I use a hand truck with large wheels and tie everything down with bungee cords. The best hunting for species like scoters and long-tailed ducksthe politically correct name for oldsquaws, which is still used by sea duck hunterstakes place a mile or more from shore. Just that quick we had a pair of greenheads down and things were looking up! JavaScript is disabled. Located within the boundaries of Grassland Water District and receives its water only when available. When A Retriever Requires the Pause Button, Calling the Shot is Critical to Waterfowling Success, Heyday Outdoor - HydroFoam Diver Duck Decoys Review & Field Test, Why You Suck at Shooting.and How to Fix Your Faults, Why You Should Be Using Confidence Decoys for Duck Hunting, Interview with Stevie Rogers from Rogers Sporting Goods. It is interspersed with flooded checks and dry uplands. There are many private clubs in the surrounding area known for its abundance of waterfowl. Along with others like the nearby Duckville Hunting Club, the Chesapeake Duck Club promoted environmental policies that protected waterfowl and the marshland in which they lived. 204.2 acres of Agricultural Land that has a conservation easemen. Sorta like a country club membership :lol: This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. As of today the 2021-22 memberships are on hold to provide the new owner with ability to choose whether or not to sell memberships. Dennis is the president of the Grassland Resource Conservation District and the Stillbow Duck Club, which has a long history of waterfowl tradition and waterfowl characters. Two drake greenwings, a drake and hen spoonie and a hen ringneck--hardly a glamorous string of birds but day-savers under the circumstances. Youll be anchored in about 10 feet of water. Adults accompanying junior hunters can also hunt, although only one adult is allowed per two junior hunters. A spray . It's easy to second-guess yourself when you had first choice of blinds and your choice is the quiet one. This Agricultural is for sale on LoopNet.com. Gadwall is bordered on the north by Highway 152 and the east by Santa Fe Grade road. Some of the blinds do not have seating. Parking area provides a short dry walk to any of the blinds. In the early 1900s, the Bay area was alive with market gunning and decoy carving, which is still celebrated here today. S-95 M ari nS tos 1AC. The morning started with heavy fog and shifted into rain as the group shot out of a stand-up blind with a rich mix of species roaring through from three different sloughs. The Duck Hunter's Special includes eggs, meat, hash browns, a biscuit and gravy, and toast. Ive done a lot of layout hunting but never in conditions like this. This collection also includes some ecological studies on Chesapeake wetlands. Stillbow-related Post on https://vimeo.com/180324439. Another flock of longtails wings overhead, their melodic whistle giving them away just before we see them. Wow. (Chevron) - 2270 E Pacheco Blvd. Upon leasing the blinds, he made promises, promises we would soon regret believing. Joined Aug 26, 2013 . Suddenly, a group of ducks appeared to our left in the early morning gloom. rotation on the blinds. Trailer space is a plus. EIN: 87-0326126; . N-37 Chesapeake-Gavlak 19 AC. Easy access. The blinds are either steel box type or concrete barrel blinds. $35,000 for a lifetime membership, $2000 a year. Astute hunters will already be in their waders when they arrive at their chosen parking areas. Give a Gift I am looking to find another person to split the cost with. So clear your At the peak of the market-hunting era, waterfowlers Cameron Freshour was hunting with his wife on Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. They've averaged approximately 4.2 birds per hunter the last few years. The Duck Club property consist of a total of 121.90+/- acres. There is no domestic well. Is this a club, or just a blind.? Mallard is the decoy of choice at the refuges. You must log in or register to reply here. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. You must log in or register to reply here. I spoke with a club manager who oversees three different clubs (Lucky 6, Edgewater and Westside Duck Club). Our destination is as Radcliffe promised: Thousands of ducks erupt from the open-water chop, buzzing around us as Radcliffe and his buddy loosen the tension straps on his two-person layout boat. The cost would be $1200.00 each. I didn't get to the refuge that Saturday until midday because of holiday duties. It is a long, narrow, fairly open marshland planted with water grass, a favored forage of the mallard. For the most part, specific hot spots must be found by watching the birds. Today, Merced is the second-leading county in the nation for waterfowl bagged each year. In California we operate nine private clubs with season long blinds and offer limited guided opportunities for ducks and geese. It fits in the back of my pickup next to the dog box and is ready to go when the wheels hit the ground. Hi everyone, with the upcoming waterfowl season I've begun looking at leasing a 2 man blind up in Los Banos. When we reached our five-bird limits just before 10 a.m., we shared a cup of coffee and rehashed the morning's events before picking up and bagging our decoys. Kesterson does not allow roam hunting, but instead has 32 blinds. This 316-acre club is strategically located between the 7,400-acre North Grasslands Wildlife Area. One of the first families of the American West, the Fleishhackers, owned the club when it was only possible to reach the shooting grounds by train and wagon, and famed actor Clark Gable was a. 12 were here. Need A Buddy? Operation Eagle Claw, the mission that failed. S-26 Sunset Gun Club 182 AC . Published Dec 11, 2017 5:14 PM EST, A spray of 35-degree saltwater hits me in the face every three seconds. There are planted checks--some flooded and some left dry for pheasant. China Island is bordered on the north by the San Joaquin River, while Mud Slough meanders through a good part of it. Hunters must check in at the Salt Slough check station and choose one of four wetland units. Running that far in winter, then settling into a layout boat for the hunt, is dangerous. able to hunt weds, sat and sun. The Freitas Unit, as it is known, provides boat-only access as all hunting is done on Salt Slough. Its almost too rough.. You have plenty of shells? he asks. Los Banos CC Owner/CEO& CHEF Bristol Bay Advenures 1996 - Present 27 years. Editor-in-Chief Skip Knowles is with Beth Shimanski from Savage Arms to get a look at this reliable, soft kicking shotgun. We can also bring a guest with us as long as there is one person from the lease there (Maximum of 2 people in the blind so one of the lease holder could not be there as long as the other is there with a guest). S-27 Lia tnip, Inc. 221 AC. We are a privately owned Waterfowl Hunting club. Just south of Freitas and east of Highway 165 is the West Bear Creek Unit. Stillbow Ranch is a 680-acre private duck club based in the grasslands of California's Central Valley. The birds are edibleat best. He was advertising two clubs last season in the Los Banos / Grasslands area. As I punched the trigger, I had a sickening feeling I had just shot a hen. Still it was a great shoot, thanks to my failure at getting either of my two preferences in blinds. Historically, this is pintail country, but since their decline and subsequent restrictions, they have become less a factor in bag numbers. Mendota is the largest of the grassland refuges with 12,000 acres under management. We have four boxes of Black Cloud between us, and I nod yes. er, unless you plan to shoot mallards only, have a mixture of birds represented in your spread. Dont worry, guys, he says. N-36 Reeves Lake Land Co., Inc. 515 AC. From then on we witnessed an almost steady procession of ducks from near and far. This former private duck club sits amidst other clubs and, though it has no other refuges in close proximity, it is in an excellent flyway. LOCATION: 16491 Cotton Road, Los Banos, California 93635. I knew youd get the hang of it, he says. For world class duck hunting, it just doesnt get much better than this and we look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Established in 1993, it has become a mecca for mallard hunters. The property is in Zone A-1, General Agriculture Zoning, situated in the West/Central portion of Merced County and is . In my decoy bag I have 20 mallards, four sprigs (all drakes), and six green-winged teal. Mendota Refuge is about an hour's drive south of the town of Los Banos and just northwest of Fresno. S- 23 Fly way Ranch 160 AC. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. PDF. O.K., Im terrified! she says, grasping my right hand and nestling down into the boat. The property is in Zone A-1, General Agriculture Zoning, situated in the West/Central portion of Merced County and is presently enrolled in the Williamson Act. Mexican, Bar, American. More information available upon request. It currently operates as an LLC, with two (2) member/owners (50% undivided interest). Mud Slough is bordered on the south by Highway 152, affording easy auto access. It may not display this or other websites correctly. . The Duck Club property consist of a total of 121.90+/- acres. Junior hunters must be accompanied by adults. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. An acquaintance of mine called and wants me to split a spot in a club with him. West Bear first opened to hunting in the winter of 1998. Sounds like the waterfowl is far better though. and environmental issues on the northern wetlands of the Great Salt Lake. This time, shes smiling as she reloadsand shes gentler about it, too. Offered by Geneva Brett DRE# 01223541, Century 21 MM, Los Banos. A cart transports the author's gear on the larger refuges where hunting areas are some distance from parking lots. I don't know nothing about ducks or hunting ducks but have been thinking about giving it a go. (559) 269-250. $1200 a hole is about average/lower average for a spot in a two man blind in grasslands. You may not want to go to that extreme, but consider weight and bulk when transporting decoys. Los Banos, California. I have a buddy that is a member at a AAA+++club in the south grasslands. Club or Co-Op Income: Initiation fees & contributions: $77,000 Income from public use of club facilities: $0 Fiscal year ending Feb. 2011 Fiscal year ending Feb. 2011. You have to focus on the birds in the decoys, and let the rest go. This far south, on the Atlantic coast, surf scoters and longtails are the primary targets. Address: 1416 9th Street 12th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone Number: (916) 445-0411 Website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting California Hunter Safety Course Hunter safety courses are required in most states in order to purchase a hunting license. To the west, Freitas is bordered by Highway 140 and to the east Highway 165 splits what's known as the north and south units. The club remained in operation as of 2019. able to hunt weds, sat and sun. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Not to speak down on WU, but it was not that long ago that my cousin was a member and he had very bad luck with booking his duck hunts. The spot is in Merced County. Subscriber Services. Radcliffe laughs nervously. The blinds are strategically placed adjacent to the "No Hunt" zone. Interested in a blind to. DUCK CLUB FOR SALE - 13915 Highway 152, Los Banos, CA. Take your time, because youre going to get plenty of chances.. Sunday is gonna be good. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Espana's Southwest Bar & Grill - 1460 E Pacheco Blvd, Los Banos. In addition it has four mobility-impaired blinds. Suddenly a pod of pintails--with feet out--were in our face and then quickly flaring into the wind as we jumped to our feet. This club gives a whole new meaning in regards to First Class. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. S-21 Rooney Ranch 2 5 AC. There are several open blinds because of everything that is going on right now. Volta is known for holding large numbers of pintail. Thanks zen, I have been a little leary of WU having seen the ranches they have used to hunt hogs and deer on in my area. level with creative use of layout blinds. All Rights Reserved. One unique feature is that Merced only allows hunting on Saturdays and Wednesdays, and shooting time ends at noon. Adding honker floaters in your duck decoy spread can greatly add to your success. San Luis has a devoted group of mallard hunters, although good numbers of all species of duck and geese can be found there. 33 acre duck club in North Grasslands - Los Banos, CA. Cell: 410.310.6758. Salt Slough is a free-roam area, except it has one blind for mobility restricted hunters. 200 W. Willmott Avenue, Los Banos, CA 93635 | T: (209) 826-5188 | Fax: (209) 826-4984 So, I increase the odds on those non-mallard days. Double Blind available Great Club. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The "spoonie" was resplendent in color but not what we had in mind to shoot that early in the day. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Today is our only chance on a three-day trip, and given how rough the Chesapeake is under a 12-mph north wind, I can see why. Two of the handsome drakes stayed with us. Two of the blinds are goose pits, with room for three people in each. We dont leave until its light enough to see, and the boat ride takes nearly an hour. Easy access from I-5 and the Bay Area. Bar, Dive Bar. But I do love the retro look of Averys new Heritage clothing. Four refuges have blinds reserved for mobility-restricted hunters. New Holland 112 Speed Roller Swather is included. That doesnt work out here. San Luis is a large refuge and has varied marsh and upland cover. Hunters who show consistent results are generally quiet about the areas they hunt, as can be expected. S-26 I had things to do that morning, so when I got to the San Joaquin Valley, I went directly to Los Banos Refuge and got in line for an opening. I was at Los Banos Wildlife Refuge with my good friend James Delormier. He pays no attention to Michelle as she sits up and deliberately shoulders her gun. Duck Club, Los Banos. Nearby Restaurants. Soon, our limits begin adding up. It's adjacent to the Los Banos Waterfowl Management area and the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge. Central California's large refuges offer quality public. STILLBOW DUCK CLUB: Stillbow is a membership owned club that is based upon 30 member-shares. Los Banos Duck Club Openings. DECOYS AND GEAR While the number of decoys you use and how you arrange them are personal choices, I know one successful hunter who only uses six mallard decoys and pursues mallard exclusively. When available, we lease blinds to licensed Hunters Madrone Land & Cattle | Los Banos CA There is a spot to park a trailer and at one of the clubs there is a bunk house to stay in. S-22 Drakes-N-Paynes 16 AC. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Blind number one is a two-man blind, the other five blinds are three man. Legal shooting time was 6:50 a.m. As it drew near, we both began to doubt James' choice of blinds. 160 Acres in Los Banos, CA - $550,000 Drake And Payne Duck Club This is an historic, classic, grasslands duck club. Those willing to pay their dues on public areas can learn secrets of the grassland refuges. If you're interested or know someone who might be interested send me a message or comment below. For information in this regard, call 559/655-4645. seemed very year towards the end of the season when the duck hunting was gettin good he would find someone else in his blind that he booked. If you plan to hunt on normal shoot days for the refuges (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday or holidays) you must obtain a boat permit. The current estimated valuation per share is at approximately $75-80K and any new member must shoot for at least one year as a "shooting member" prior to joining. The Outdoors Forum established 2005, for outdoorsmen by outdoorsmen. Real Estate, Farms, Ranches, Rentals, Condos. Something else to consider is transportation of decoys and other gear to the hunting area. Back in the 50's when all the clubs in my area were built, they sold all the water rights to pay for the land to be leveled, basically to build the clubs. for a club in the grassland a two man blind for 1200 each is about average. HUNTING THE GRASSLANDS Most of the refuges allow hunting on Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and holidays, from half an hour before sunrise to sunset. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Some hunters simply use backpacks. Suddenly, a group of ducks appeared to our left in the early morning gloom. Thread starter jhill528; Start date Apr 14, 2020; J. jhill528 Well-known member. S-94 Dyer 62 AC. Prime location on the Pacific-Flyway for migratory waterfowl. And weve burned through most of a box of shells. Ducks are already dipping over the spread. The main focus of the forum was to help out others in the pursuit of big game, waterfowl, upland hunting and all of the travel and experiences that come with an outdoors lifestyle. When hunting free-roam areas, a race for chosen cells or ponds sometimes occurs. H. HeadsUpHunters . It's easy to second-guess yourself when you had first choice of blinds and your choice is the quiet one. S-93 St ev n Cr k 84 . Kirby Bryan Chesapeake Goose and Duck Hunting. They feed on these underwater bars, and this spot has been full of them. I don't know nothing about ducks or hunting ducks but have been thinking about giving it a go. Contact the Los Banos office for details at 209/826-0463. Dennis is the president of the Grassland Resource Conservation District and the Stillbow Duck Club, which has a long history of waterfowl tradition and waterfowl characters. This collection was tranferred to USU Special Collections and Archives from the Utah Division of State History in 2018. THE BIRDS While the green-winged teal is the number one duck in the grasslands, other species can be found in abundance. This collection contains records relating to the Chesapeake Duck Club and, more generally, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge that document the history of the club and enumerate the environmental When someone suggests to me that camo isnt appropriate attire, I suggest that they mind their own business. Interested individuals should contact Steven Wildblood at stillbowinfo@gmail.com to ensure they are queued up --or, if you are interested in learning more about the opportunity to join our club. Indeed, the Grasslands Refuges offer something for every type of waterfowler. We welcome any feedback on how we can improve LoopNet to better serve your needs. Organizational and financial records include meeting minutes that indicate the steps the club took to manage this portion of the wetlands as well N-38 Tir o Alt o Properties 169 AC. S-24 Old Los Banos Land & aCattle 312 AC. As he motors away, the first flock of oldsquaws is coming our way. A first-hand look and field test with the new HydroFoam diver decoys from Heyday Outdoor. JavaScript is disabled. After waiting 112 hours at Los Banos, I gave up and drove to Kesterson and got a blind immediately. While putting out my blocks, I had seen occasional groups of ducks and geese drifting in and out of the high fog. The limit that year was six birds, but only one could be a hen mallard. Highlights. The layout boat dips and tips nearly 45 degrees with each wave. Obviously you need not be so rushed when hunting a pre-assigned blind; however, if you are hunting a roam area, be ready before you go through the check line. Mallards have now become the most sought after duck on the refuges, and some of the areas are groomed just for them. All weather road that is maintained by the county. Wildfowl's Skip Knowles and Shaundi Campbell of Browning are taking a look at the Browning Maxus 2 Wicked Wing in Vintage Camo. As he rose, shouldering his Remington Model 870 and swinging on the nearest duck, I cried out, "Don't shoot!" Southwest of Corinne at the Chesapeake Duck Club, established in 1903, Ducks Unlimited and volunteers from the club set about wetland restoration work one early July morning. Thanks for the help. Clubhouse, bunkrooms, gunsafes, this is a first class operation. sorry I can not cover it more but I suck at writing, let me know if you would like for me to take a look at it and give you my opinion. The property is situated on the East side of Mercy Springs Road approximately mile North of Henry Miller Road, Los Banos, California, Mercey Springs Road , Los Banos, CA 93635. While I belong to a nearby private duck club, I elected to join James and try the refuge for a change of pace. Looking for blind lease north grasslands. Copyright Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors L.L.C. Located within the boundaries of Grassland Water District and receives its water only when available. USUSCA. Mendota is renowned for its production of mallards, as well as other duck species, and many hunters from central and southern California drive many miles to hunt it. I ended the day with four greenheads and a hen. Juice Bar & Smoothies . Located in Los Banos,. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Mendota is split by Fresno Slough where hunting from a boat is allowed. Radcliffe sets three dozen decoys on longline rigs 10 yards from the boat. He graduated from Campbell High School in 1960. . A rough, open-water sea duck hunt in Chesapeake Bay proves to be an action-packed adventure. Duck Club 460 AC. . Blue Goose is the smallest of the grassland refuges and. Back then water wasn't an issue, and it was 1-5 dollars an acre foot. Pepper Snyder was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1942. You are using an out of date browser. There are 3 in ground double barrel blinds, one single barrel blind with dry walk out and 2 stand up blinds. The sprigs are still there but hunters have had to change tactics and key in on other species. What is the going rate for a spot? Our clubs are located in Willows, Richvale, Biggs, Colusa and Los Banos. If it was too rough, we wouldnt be out here. A rogue wave breaks across the bow and rains upon a pile of scoter decoys. Add to quote; Share Only show this user . It's convenient and takes up little room. 2020 #1 Hi everyone, with the upcoming waterfowl season I've begun looking at leasing a 2 man blind up in Los Banos. Full Rotation High Yields. The harvest is Teal, Mallard, Sprig, Wigeon, Gadwall, and more. S-10 Pocoloco Clu b 160 AC. Fresh Fill w/Juice It Up! I love boats, big water, longline decoys, and divers that come in low and fast. In some years, decent populations of canvasbacks and redheads can also be found here, along with a smattering of ruddies and lesser scaup. If you don't have water rights then the price is 35-40 an acre foot, if available. One of the first families of the American West, the Fleishhackers, owned the club when it was only possible to reach the shooting grounds by train and wagon, and famed actor Clark Gable was a regular visitor. Pretty Bird: A drake long-tailed duck is a trophy for any serious waterfowler.. David Stimac. I gingerly step into the rig, knowing there are real problems ahead if I slip. Its best use is Hunting and Pasture. Field-tested in the harsh conditions of Alaska, these top-performing shotguns are built to take a beating. conditions of the Utah wetlands from 1950 to the mid 1970s. The Club is located on Britto Road, 8 miles east of Los Banos, California (3.1 miles south of Highway 152). Waterfowl hunting is religion around here, but even among the devout followers, relatively few of the area hunters are equipped and willing to target offshore sea ducks. It took just a little coaxing from my call and I had them coming my way. 2,600 acres of well groomed and managed wetlands habitat. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this ammunition benefits children's hospitals and disease research, meaning your day at the trap, skeet or sporting course shooting gives back to those in need. What are the operations cost, water rights, well specs, etc.? Los Banos Duck Club Jan 2013 - Present 10 years 4 months. Logan, Utah. You must log in or register to reply here. Keep your dog cool during summer training to avoid harmful heat-related illness. Many of those birds are taken on public-access lands. 15 were here. People in Los Banos Also Viewed. S-25 The Reedly D uck Cl b 320 AC. Mountain Mike's Pizza - 2260 E Pacheco Blvd Ste A & B. The club is located east of Los Banos off Hwy 152. The current estimated valuation per share is at approximately $75-80K and any new member must shoot for at least one year as a "shooting member" prior to joining. Gadwall, American wigeon, cinnamon teal and shovelers make up the majority of other species of puddle ducks on these refuges, with all providing sport and sometimes day-saving action. More Info. To the east of all the other grassland refuges is Merced. One membership to the Lonesome Mallard Duck Club located at 7861 Coral Road South, Los Banos, CA 93635.Membership involves 1/30 (30 memberships total) ownership of 685 acres of land which includes a member clubhouse, a bunkhouse and a RV park. West Bear Creek is roam-only unit with a lot of potential. happened more than three times. As we walked back to my pickup, it was still cold and windy, but we stopped for a moment to watch the flocks working the refuge. Radcliffe motors into the spread with a landing net, and scoops up ducks before they drift away. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Michelle and I come up shootingand we dont cut a feather from the rocking boat on the first flock. Most hunters prefer the larger birds but many target greenwings for both sport and table quality. Click here for an article entitled "Tune Up That Pup," reprinted with permission from Wildfowl Magazine. Otherwise, Mendota is strictly a roam area. There is also limited pheasant and quail hunting on the property. But the Chesapeake Bay is choppy today, even for Radcliffes big center-console fiberglass boat. S-12 Esgibago Land & Ca tle Co. 160 AC. Operation Eagle Claw, the mission that failed. Hunting regulations for sea ducks are typically set independently of those for other duck species, but because the sport is so specialized, hunting accounts for very little sea duck mortality. They are, however, still a favorite among many hunters. Contact: Kirby@chesapeakehunting.com. Good water. is modeled after Kesterson, with assigned-blind hunting only--no roaming allowed. Copyright Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors L.L.C. The cost is $2400 bucks for the membership which we would split to make it $1200 each. This is what I think: October 1, 2021 - Price reduced to $220,000. Skip Knowles talks with Christian Hogg of Fiocchi about what's new with B&P Ammunition. The duck hunting season might end in January, but care of your retriever is a year-round project. There was a thick overhead fog, with a ceiling of about 200 yards. South of San Luis and Salt Slough Refuges is Los Banos Wildlife Refuge, the oldest in the grasslands and one of the largest. He is no longer a member..Not sure how they are now but if it were my money I would be putting it on the sure thingjust my two cents.. Lots of great info. All Rights Reserved. Have fun! The exterior of the Field Jacket is made from 8-ounce waxed cotton, which protected waterfowlers from the elements back in the day.