Habitat Flats Co-Owner/Operator
What was the first duck you ever shot and what kind of gun were you using?
VANDEMORE
The first duck I ever shot was a Mallard. I was with my Dad and Uncle and carrying an old single shot 20 guage I believe.
FLYWAY
What is one duck you haven't shot, but really want to?
VANDEMORE
Drake Mallard/Bull Pintail Cross!
FLYWAY
What is your greatest hunting memory?
VANDEMORE
Now that's a tough question!! Having been fortunate enough to be on a lot of hunts, it's hard to pin point one that's way above the rest. Hunting with my Dad, Grandfather, and Uncle is right at the top of the list for sure. I did have a pretty cool hunt a few years ago. I had helped develop a new property that year and put a lot of time into it in the off season. When the ducks came that fall, they came in droves! One particular day it was just my dog and I. I don't get the opportunity to hunt by myself very often and enjoy it when I do. We got set up right at shooting time, the first bunch that came in was a HUGE bunch and they started landing all around us. I quietely unloaded my gun and sat there with the dog for the next three hours watching birds come in and landing and swimming all around us. You can learn a lot from watching waterfowl, that day was no exception. I never fired a shot that morning, but it was the best hunt I had that year for sure.
FLYWAY
Have you ever hunted in Minnesota?
VANDEMORE
Not yet, but I would like to someday.
FLYWAY
Tell us about Habitat Flats and what you do for them
VANDEMORE
I am Co-Owner/Operator of Habitat Flats www.habitatflats.com. We are a full service outfitting operation in north Central Missouri; offering hunts for ducks, Canada Geese, Snow Geese, trophy deer, and upland game. We manage and flood a great deal of property every year, so their really isn't much of an 'off season' so to speak, there is always plenty to do!
Habitat Flats Lodge
FLYWAY
Do you believe in strategizing your decoy placement, or do you believe you can just throw them out there and have success?
VANDEMORE
Yes and no. I believe decoys should be placed strategically in areas that will manipulate the birds to land where you want them to. However, I do not believe in keeping all your decoys 'x' number of feet apart, or you have to run a traditional 'j' hook or something like that. I try to make my decoy set look as real as possible.....basically, if it looks like a decoy set when I am done, then something needs changed.
FLYWAY
Any tips on calling ducks and geese for the beginners or rookies out there?
VANDEMORE
It's not always what you say, but when you say it. If you have some more experienced waterfowl hunters you can go with, pay close attention to what they are doing and when. Try to learn more than just the sound, try to learn the reason behind the sound. Working birds can be a lot more than just sounding good on a call. That being said, experience is your best teacher. Even if you don't think you are doing it right, experience is the best way to learn.
FLYWAY
Have you ever doubled or tripled?
VANDEMORE
Yes, I have doubled and tripled before on snow geese with one shot, but with the sizes of the bunches they fly in that isn't saying much.
FLYWAY
You were in the San Diego Padres farm system, what position did you play and why did you stop pursuing baseball?
VANDEMORE
I played right field in the minors. It was an incredible experience, but not one that I was disappointed to see come to an end. I had to miss two springs in the turkey woods and that killed me!
FLYWAY
Tell us what you do for Avery Outdoors and Zink Calls?
VANDEMORE
The term 'Pro-Staff' has little to do with the word professional in this case. 'Pro' stands for promotional in this case. As a Pro Staffer your main job is to assist the dealers in their special events at their stores. You are on hand to answer questions for their customers and assist them with anything they need. I help do some other things for Avery Outdoors in terms of new products; ideas, testsing, etc but that's pretty much it in a nut shell.
FLYWAY
If you could go on a dream hunt with 3 people, alive or deceased, who would they be, where would you go, and what would you hunt for?
VANDEMORE
Without a doubt my deceased Grandfather, my Dad, and Uncle....my fondest memories growing up are with these guys, they were the building blocks for the lifestyle that I live today. I'd say we would be in a timber hole at one of my Grandpa's old clubs; with a 15mph wind, breakfast under our belts and mid day mallards rolling through the tree tops in the sunshine!
FLYWAY
In your opinion, what has been your greatest accomplishment so far?
VANDEMORE
I haven't really ever done anything all that news worthy or cool. I'd have to say being able to wake up and do something I love everyday of my life is about all the accomplishment I can ask for.
FLYWAY
What is your favorite gun to hunt with?
VANDEMORE
My old standby is a Benelli SBE 1, they got it right when they came out. Not sure how many rounds it's had through it, but it's been through alot and it is still spitting them out.
FLYWAY
What is your favorite duck and goose call?
VANDEMORE
Zink PH-2 for duck, Zink LM-1 Barrel w/ RH-1 insert for goose.
FLYWAY
In all of your years hunting, what is the one "kill" you are most proud of?
VANDEMORE
My Dad's first turkey was for sure the kill I'm most proud of. We didn't have turkeys where I was when growing up as a kid. Being able to put my Dad on his first turkey and teach him a few things for once, that was an incredible experience. Watching over his shoulder and seeing the gun shake from excitement was very cool. I know he has looked over my shoulder a lot in the past and seen the same thing, it was nice to show him an experience he had never seen.
Minnesota Flyway would like to thank Tony Vandermore for taking the time to answer our interview questions. For more information on Zink Calls visit www.zinkcalls.com and to see more videos of habitit flats visit http://www.youtube.com/user/HabitatFlats?feature=mhw4 ) , www.habitatflats.com.
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