Follow up interview
Landing Zone Outfitters
FLYWAY
We had a few opportunities to get out and hunt together this year and experience waterfowl hunting the way it should be experienced...with success! With the season behind us now, give me your thoughts on how you think it went in terms of success rate and in comparison to years past. I've heard many here in Minnesota say it was the worst they have ever experienced while others thought it was very successful season and the best it has been in years. Your thoughts?
MEILLIER
I had great success this year with running clients in the fields. The clients left the fields with smiles. I've also heard people say that Minnesota has very few ducks. This year we shot over 450 mallards in two months! The reason I think people struggle with finding ducks here in Minnesota is because October is a hard month for ducks due to the warmer weather. The season would be alot more successful if it ran November and December.
FLYWAY
I remember walking away after our hunts together amazed and impressed with the way you and your Landing Zone Outfitters crew conduct your business out in the field. It's clear you are the general and your crew respects and responds to your every call. You remind me of General Patton or General Custer on the battlefield, you have your battle plan prepared every time out and you take no shortcuts. Each command or recommendation you give your crew or clients seems to bring them success each and every time. Your like a chess player who never makes the wrong move out there. How do you do it?
MEILLIER
I start off by studying the birds, the area, the fields, ect. It takes many hours and many miles, but it pays off in the end. I am very strict when I am in the field, but if everyone follows command, the results are always successful.
FLYWAY
Your Benelli and your Beavertail Gunner blind against my Benelli and my Beavertail Gunner blind. Who wins and why?
MEILLIER
Its a draw. I think if we were shooting mallards I would win, but if Mr.Honker came in, I think you would slide over me a tad.
FLYWAY
For your birthday this year I will be inviting 3 of your favorite singers or bands to perform especially for you at your birthday party. Who will I be inviting?
MEILLIER
Immediate Music, Metallica, and Disturbed.
FLYWAY
It's hard not to think of Ben Meillier and the LZO crew without thinking of Beavertail as well. You and your crew are considered a big part of Team Beavertail. For those who may not be familiar with Beavertail and the Beavertail Gunner blind, tell them what they are missing.
MEILLIER
Beavertail has many great products for every situation of waterfowl hunting. The Beavertail Gunner Blind is the blind of the future. It has a spring assist, light weight, and easy set up. It's a no brainer as far as I'm concerned.
FLYWAY
I posed this question to Sheena "Shinedown" Rittenour and I'm going to ask you the same question. I want you to describe each member of your crew in one word, including yourself.
MEILLIER
Ben Meillier: Leader
Tim Peterson: Story Teller
Sheena Rittenour: Creative
Kris Pleiss: Plzzzz
Joe Rebstock: Determined
Luke Oxborough: Die Hard
Joel King: McLovin
Broc Couser: Loud
Nate Maas: Dedicated
Chris Paclik: Stallion
Lindsay Wright: Newbie
FLYWAY
Your favorite movie and favorite tv show would be....?
MEILLIER
The Expendables and Californication
FLYWAY
What is Ben Meillier's favorite meal?
MEILLIER
Subway
FLYWAY
You are an accomplished caller, both duck and goose. If you were to give a seminar or lecture on the basics of calling to those just starting out what tips or advice would you offer? Everybody says practice, practice, practice. That goes without saying. Give the rookies or beginners something more than that.
MEILLIER
Patience is the first thing to understand before picking up a call. Practice the basics - honk, cluck and moan. Listen to your buddies, work together to accomplish the goose and duck call. Lastly, and I can't say it enough, it takes time to learn how to blow these calls. Be dedicated to learning it and you will be just fine.
FLYWAY
Let's talk a little about flagging geese. I've witnessed you and your crew flagging on many occasions and it works miracles. Many seem to think flagging has lost it's effectiveness and the geese are getting wise to it and alot more wary of it. You thoughts?
MEILLIER
I think flagging is your top weapon in your bag. There is a right way and a wrong way to this art. If you watch geese in a field, you will see that every once in a while they flap their wings. I've seen people out in the field with flags flapping back and forth continuously. Now, if you were a goose, what would you think of that?
FLYWAY
How many days in advance do you plan your hunt when you have clients? How do you go about devising your battle plan and getting all of your puzzle pieces in place before you bring your clients out to the field? I have to imagine you or members of your crew are scouting fields daily to see where the birds are and what they are doing. Fair to say?
MEILLIER
Depending on what area the clients want to hunt determines who helps with the scouting. If we have clients on Saturday, we will start the planning and preperation process on Wednesday and will have a concrete plan in place no later than Friday.
FLYWAY
How do you spend your time when our season ends and there are no more ducks or geese to chase around? What are some of your other hobbies or things you like to do in your spare time? Keep it clean!
MEILLIER
The season ends?? I have videos, pictures, and spring snow geese to start planning for. When I'm not doing that I like to ice fish.
FLYWAY
How do you go about getting the best out of your crew on a daily basis during the hunting season? How do you keep them all so motivated and enthusiastic every day? I know you are constantly teaching them and challenging them to be better but there has to be a method to the madness. What is your secret?
MEILLIER
Just by showing them what we have accomplished at the end of the day. For example, exercise, friendship, memories, stories, and pictures to remember for a lifetime.
FLYWAY
You were recently a feature in the Albert Lea Tribune and it was a very well done article. How big of a thrill was that for you?
MEILLIER
It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment. The Tribune came to me wondering what LZO was all about. After seeing it in the paper, it was a nice feeling to see what I have done and accomplished so far. I've only just begun, the best is yet to come!
FLYWAY
I keep having this reoccuring dream, or maybe it's a nightmare. We are in a cold, dark cornfield at 4:30am somewhere outside of St. Cloud. You, myself, and two other members of your crew are singing Lady Gaga and shaking our tailfeathers to it in the cornfield while we are getting ready to set up decoys. Fact or fiction? If this indeed is fact, what were we thinking?
MEILLIER
FACT: Dave Tuttle was shaking his tailfeathers while singing Lady Gaga with Nate Maas. The rest of us were enjoying the laughs. I still have NO idea what you two clowns were thinking!
FLYWAY
In closing, I had an absolute blast getting out and hunting with you and your crew. I admire the way you guys go about your business in the field and I can't wait to get out with you boys again. Always a job well done. I will give you this opportunity to take any parting shots.......
MEILLIER
I would like to thank Dave Tuttle, Adam Andrus and Minnesota Flyway for this opportunity. LZO and Minnesota Flyway had some great times and great hunts together this year, my crew and I look forward to many more!
Minnesota Flyway would like to thank Ben Meillier for taking the time to answer our interview questions.
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