Nebraska Snow Goose Hunt With Rainwater Basin Outfitters By T.J. Sirovatka In March of 2006 I was invited to drive down to SE Nebraska to meet Shawn Reiff for the first time and experience Spring Snow Goose Hunting at its finest with Shawn and the rest of Rainwater Basin Outfitters.  I had been speaking with Shawn by phone for some time, and was very appreciative of his offer to finally get to speak with him in person, and to join up with him and his guides for some early spring snow goose hunting in the Rainwater Basin of Nebraska.  Needless to say, I accepted immediately, and my dog Tanner and I began planning for our trek south. At approximately 3:00 AM, after 12 hours of driving, Tanner and I had arrived in Sutton, NE.  This was where we would call home for the next 5 days.  We unpacked our gear and took a much needed nap.  When the alarm sounded at 7:00 AM, Tanner and I awoke to hear the unforgettable sound of hundreds of snows and blues flying over the top of our motel room. After a few hours of scouting, I contacted Shawn and let him know I had made the trip safely and I was ready to go.  Shawn advised me that he had several great spots picked out for the week ahead, and was anxious to get his spreads set up in time.  Shawn then told me of the areas he planned to hunt, and also gave me directions to several places where he had been seeing birds, to give me an option to scout and count bird numbers. The day before my hunt I made contact again with Shawn while scouting around in the Basin.  Shawn told me that he was on his way to meet me, and gave me directions to the field he was headed for to meet with one of his guides, Nick.  Shawn told me it would be a while before he arrived, but encouraged me to go to the field and meet  Guide Nick first.  I again accepted his offer, and made my way to this huge tilled corn field where Nick was setting up one of their large spreads. A short time later I met with Nick, who kindly greeted me and told me he was expecting my arrival.  After our brief introductions we were reminiscing and sharing hunting stories like long time friends, and before long, time had flown by so quickly that Shawn had completed his hour long trip to the field.  At last, it was finally time for me to put a face to this kind and generous man who had twisted my arm enough to drive 12 hours to hunt geese. I’ll skip the mutual hogwash and just say that we clicked immediately.  And before long, I was helping Shawn and Nick set up a field of what seemed to be 2,000 photosock decoys.  No matter how many they say we only put out, my hands hurt for the remainder of the week, and I was the only one who didn’t have any gloves on…….ha ha!  Anyway, I was so happy to have met these two great guys who impressed me with their hard work and love for hunting.  They made me feel right at home, and solidified my feelings that even if I didn’t shoot a bird for the next three days, my trip was well worth it. After setting up the field, Shawn treated Nick and I to some cold refreshments, as we shared some more hunting stories.  After our short break, Shawn advised me that we were now on our way to set up field number 2!  Field 2 turned out to be a field/pond setup approximately 5 miles away.  This was another great spot which looked very promising, even though the pond was almost completely frozen.  After another 2 hours had passed we were done with field 2, and it was just before dark.  As we loaded up the trucks, the sounds of light geese overhead, was music to my ears.  We even enjoyed the whistling wings of several flocks of dark geese and pintails, directly over our heads, as they swooped into our new spread.   Upon leaving the field, I was invited by Shawn to a wonderful dinner at a local restaurant near Shawn’s hunting fields.  At that time I also met with, and was introduced to another one of Shawn’s Guides, Aaron.  And of course, Aaron turned out to be just as kind as Shawn and Nick.  After dinner I was invited to go back with my new friends to their house to put the final preparations together for the next morning’s hunt.  I thanked Shawn and Nick for the fun day, and Tanner and I headed back to our motel room.  Our plans were set for the morning and it was time to hunt. After awaking the next morning, Tanner and I met up with Nick and Aaron at field 1 and got our blinds set up downwind of our decoy spread.  Nick and Aaron hooked up their calling system, as the birds were already in the air.  Tanner and I covered down in our blind and began looking for the closest flock.  I was excited to see string after string of geese heading our direction from the horizon.  And it wasn’t long before the first birds came bombing into our spread.  As I watched the tornado of birds overhead I could feel my finger tapping at the safety, just itching to warm up the barrel of my Benelli.  Tanner was also shaking like a leaf.  As the first flock funneled down, an adult snow goose broke free from the rest and dove into our spread like a jet.  We waited for the rest to filter down into range.  I was impressed with the patience shown by Nick and Aaron not to call the shot too early. I watched as the loner snow put his feet down and landed just down range of our blinds.  I then looked up to see the rest of the flock above, coast out of sight behind us with the wind.  I could not believe the flock never followed the loner in, but knew we were in good shape with one goose already on the ground.  We all watched as the snow goose on the ground began feeding and working his way into our spread. A short time later our landed bird finally let his curiosity take over, as he lifted off the ground and came right into our faces.  When it seemed he was about ten feet over my head, I heard Nick yell those words I had been waiting to hear for two straight days, “Kill him!”  The doors on my blind flew open and I quickly drew a bead.  As soon as I pulled the trigger, my first Nebraska snow goose fell from the ski like a sack of potatoes.  I was right on with my first shot, and my nerves could finally calm down.  Tanner’s too, as he peeled out of the blind and gave chase to the fallen bird.  After his retrieve he was back at my side with our first catch of the day.   Within a few minutes, another group of birds began working our spread and funneling towards us.  I again started to shake as the decent size group neared, and I saw that it contained one lone blue goose mixed in with a number of snows.  The birds got closer and closer as I eased off the safety.  Upon “Kill em’”, shots rang out, and the birds began to scatter.  I lined up that blue goose and let 3 shots go in sync.  As the third shot sounded, I watched as the birds departed our kill zone.  I gazed in shock at how I had not gotten that Blue goose to fall.  As I loaded back up I became delighted to view that old Blue begin his dissent towards the ground, along with one of the snows from the flock.  My second bird of the day was soon in hand. As the morning continued, flock after flock seemed to work our spread just out of gun range, with most of the birds continuing on their push to the NW.  The skies were bright blue and the wind was calm.  Not the ideal conditions for hunting snows, but it made for some beautiful scenery, and photographs.  I enjoyed the companionship of my guides and Tanner.  During the midmorning hours, Shawn met us out in the field with his afternoon clients.  Shawn advised me to set up at field 2 for the afternoon and evening hunt, and of course I agreed.  I thanked Nick and Aaron for the great morning, loaded Tanner in the truck with our birds, and drove to the next field. The next day started off in great fashion.  Tanner and I arrived at the pit blind where we hunted the evening before.  While resetting the photosocks to accompany the change in wind direction, I was caught off guard by a lone snow goose that came cruising into the decoys.  I watched in amazement as the bird coasted over the spread several times, as I stood almost directly in the middle of it.  I then realized that my gun was back at the blind and unloaded.  Tanner and I ran back to the blind and grabbed my gun.  I turned to see the bird cruising back towards me about 20 feet off the ground.  I fumbled hastily to get my gun loaded as the goose swung around the front of the blind and came right back to me.  The lone snow flew right back in front of me for an easy broadside shot.  The first bird was down and I wasn’t even completely set up yet. A while later, after things were in place, the birds all around began to lift and start their outgoing food flights for the morning.  It was a repeat of the day before.  Flock after flock flew overhead.  It was a sight to see.  During the midmorning hours, two unsuspecting snows did make their final approach into my spread before being introduced to my high powered steel loads.  Another three birds were in the bag.   After a brief lunch, Tanner and I were back at it for the remainder of the day.  We concluded our hunt at the pit blind that evening, by simply taking in the scenery, and watching birds fly by.  It was truly breathtaking to see so many birds in a short amount of time.  Especially for a Wisconsin waterfowl hunter who is a primarily east of the main flyway.  This was a waterfowler’s paradise, and I found it hard to leave the blind that evening.  As darkness set in, Tanner and I jumped into the truck and headed for the motel.  We greeted Shawn along the way and thanked him for everything he had done for us.  Shawn invited us back to the house for some food and to relax.  We accepted and followed him back.   As I thanked everyone for their kindness and hospitality, I looked back at how much fun I had experienced the last four days.  I tried to express to them how grateful I was to have made the trip, and how much of an impact they had all made on me.  Hopefully I had done the same.  To make things even better, I was invited back by Shawn anytime I want to hunt with him and to share some more wonderful hunting memories in Nebraska!  Goodbyes were eventually exchanged and Tanner and I were off for one last night away from home. As I drove home, I thought of how lucky I was to have not only made new friends, but been able to experience such a great few days of hunting in Nebraska with such a quality Guide Service.  I was extremely impressed with the way that Shawn and his Guides took pride in their work and preparation to see that everyone that hunt with experiences the best possible hunt.  Their hard work and dedication is second to none. In closing, I sincerely encourage anyone thinking of experiencing or partaking in a guided hunt for waterfowl in Nebraska, with the very best Outfitters, to give Shawn a call.  Rainwater Basin Outfitters is without a doubt your chance to experience waterfowl hunting at its finest, and to make some memories to last a lifetime For additional articles please review: "Magnumitis" by Mike Moen "Decoying Canada Geese" by B.C. Maxima "The Perfect Rifle" by Mike Moen "Planning For Next Season" by Mike Moen "Pheasant Hunting 101" by B.C. Maxima "Hunting Canadas Over Water" by B.C. Maxima "A Guide Tipping Guide" by Mike Moen "Tips For Taking Tom Turkey" by Jim Bennett Copyright 2007       All Rights Reserve