After an awesome morning of waterfowl hunting, you still want to do some hunting? Add on our afternoon guided Upland Bird hunt on a private game reserve!
After an awesome morning of waterfowl hunting, you still want to do some hunting? Add on our afternoon guided Upland Bird hunt on a private game reserve!
After an awesome morning of waterfowl hunting, you still want to do some hunting? Add on our afternoon guided Upland Bird hunt on a private game reserve!
After an awesome morning of waterfowl hunting, you still want to do some hunting? Add on our afternoon guided Upland Bird hunt on a private game reserve!
Yes, we have weekday rates and weekend rates. It does not mean you have to book just weekdays or just weekend dates. We have a 2 person 2 day minimum on all guided hunts. Availability is determined at the time of booking. Availability changes daily, so contact us at 855-932-7299 to check availability.
What are the deposit requirements?
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve the dates. Remaining balance can be paid off anytime before your scheduled hunt, or you can pay the remaining balance day of arrival. If you are paying remaining balance day of arrival we only accept cash or Venmo onsite, day of arrival.
What is your refund policy?
The 50% deposit is non-refundable. However in certain circumstances such as death in the family, medical emergency or extreme weather conditions preventing your travel, we will work with you on rescheduling for later in the season or rolling your deposit over to next season.
What type of properties do you hunt?
We hunt a wide variety of properties types such as flooded timber, cypress lakes, willow bottoms, sloughs and flooded agricultural fields. We base our next days hunt on weather conditions, scouting and bird activity. We go where we have the best opportunity to kill our limits. However, if your group prefers to hunt flooded timber only, we can accommodate that but we do recommend taking your guides advice. We want you to be successful and enjoy your time here with Cupped Wings!
What is Check-in & Check-out times at the lodge?
If you booked an All Inclusive hunt with us, check-in time at the lodge is anytime after 6 PM CDT the day before your hunt begins. Check-out time is 2 PM CDT the last day of the hunt. Please do not arrive early as we have cleaning crews getting the lodge ready for your arrival. If you arrive early, you will be asked to leave and come back at the proper time.
Do you offer any discounts?
Yes, we do offer a 10% discount for all women and children under the age of 16. We also offer all active, retired, and reserve military a 10% discount. Thank you for your service! Discounts are based on a per person basis and does not apply to the entire group unless the entire group qualifies for the discount. Discounts only apply to guided hunts. Does not include self guided hunts. Please notify us about your discount prior to booking because we cannot modify your reservation when you arrive.
Do you do any party mixing on Guided Hunts?
Yes and No. During the main waterfowl season, if you book 4 or more hunters in your group, you will NOT be paired with anyone else for the duck hunt. If you book less than 4 hunters in your group then we may pair with with another small group or single hunter to reach that 4 person minimum. If you do not want to be combined with anybody else for the duck hunt, then you must have at least 4. For afternoon goose hunts we may combine you with other groups because we hunt in larger groups for geese. During conservation goose season we hunt in larger groups of 8-12 hunters because of the huge decoy spreads required to hunt snow geese.
Can I bring my own dog?
Yes. If you are doing a self guided hunt, we highly recommend you bring your own dog. If you are doing a guided hunt and you have booked 4 or more hunters in your group you are welcome to bring your own dog. If you are staying at one of the Cupped Wings Lodges, you are allowed to bring 1 hunting retriever per hunt party of 4. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate multiple dogs in a single hunt group and we cannot accommodate house pets. You will need to bring a travel kennel. Clients hunting retrievers are NOT allowed inside the lodge living quarters, but we will have assigned areas in garages or mudrooms for your travel kennels.
What is the minimum and maximum # of hunters I can have in my group?
For all guided hunts there is a 2 person 2 day minimum and a 16 person maximum. On self guided hunts there is a 2 day minimum with a 6 person maximum in your group. If you want to reserve a self guided hunt for more than 6 hunters, please call us at 855-932-7299 to discuss options.
Do you offer any afternoon hunting options?
We do not guide afternoon duck hunts because many of our spots are roosting holes, and we never shoot the roost. We allow ducks to come back and roost in the evenings without disturbing them. However, if extreme weather conditions prevent a safe hunt in the morning, we will plan to hunt mid-day until sunset. We do offer 2 optional add-on hunts for the afternoon. You can book an add-on Speckle Belly goose hunt for $150/gun or an afternoon upland bird hunt on a private game reserve for Pheasants, Quail and Chukar for $300/gun. Space is limited so you must reserve those afternoon goose or upland bird hunts ahead of time.
What is there to do in the afternoons?
You are welcome to hang out at the lodge and enjoy some skeet shooting, playing pool or darts or check out some local duck hunting stores. We do offer optional add-on hunts for those hunters who reserve it ahead of time.
Do you offer Gift Certificates?
Yes. If you are looking to purchase a hunt as a gift, you do not have to reserve the exact dates ahead of time. You can reserve a hunt with the deposit and print off a Cupped Wings Guide Service gift certificate. Once the gift has been given to the other party, they can call us and reserve the hunt dates at that time.
Do you offer Corporate Packages?
Yes, we do offer corporate and small business packages. Please call us at 855-932-7299 to discuss corporate hunt options and to customize the hunt for your group. We can create custom options such as morning waterfowl with afternoon upland bird on a private game reserve, or afternoon goose hunt. We can even customize a meals menu for your corporate group and organize a sheet shooting competition. If you book 10 or more hunters for the All Inclusive hunt and reserve the dates prior to anyone else booking those dates, then the entire lodge can be reserved for just your group.
Do I need a Hunter Education Card?
Anyone born after 1968 must complete a hunter education course and carry a valid hunter education card to hunt in Arkansas. Children under 16 may hunt without hunter education as long as they are under the direct supervision of an adult who is 21 years old. There is no specific age requirement to enroll in hunter education. However, the educational material is based on a sixth-grade reading level. Arkansas recognizes hunter education cards from other states. Arkansas’s hunter education program is recognized in all states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. More info on Arkansas Hunter Education Requirements. However Arkansas does allow for a one time Hunter Education Deferment. The Deferred Hunter Education Code is a one-year permit that allows a person without hunter-education certification to legally hunt. A hunter may apply for a Deferred Hunter Education Code online if they meet the requirements.
What Shot Size do I Need?
We hunt a wide variety of property types. So, depending on the hunting situation, this is what we recommend. When hunting wide open areas such as flooded agricultural fields or large impoundments, we recommend #2 shot. When hunting tight areas such as flooded timber or sloughs we recommend #3 shot. When hunting afternoon goose hunts or snow geese during conservation goose season, we recommend BB shot. If you have to choose one all round shot size that is capable of doing the job in all scenarios, then we would recommend using #2 shot. #2 shot can be used in all situations but using the above mentioned recommendations is going to give you the best performance.
What Kind of Chokes Should I Bring?
It is all about patterning. Determine what choke patterns the best in your shotgun and that should be your preferred choke. The below recommendations are generalized and based off of our years of experience and the shotguns we use on a day to day basis. When hunting wide open spaces such as flooded agricultural fields or large impoundments, we recommend a modified or full choke. If you use a full choke it must be rated for steel shot. When hunting flooded timber or sloughs we recommend a modified choke. When hunting geese during the afternoon goose hunts or during conservation goose season we recommend either a modified or full choke. Again, make sure your full choke is rated for steel shot. If you plan on doing any skeet shooting at the lodge, also bring your cylinder or improved cylinder chokes. The best all round choke if you do not have multiple chokes is the modified choke. And remember, choke size does not matter if you gun pattern's like crap!
How Much Do I Need to Tip my Guide?
We never tell anybody how much they should or should not tip their guide. We have hunters from all over the country from all walks of life. What is appropriate for 1 group may not be appropriate for another. Remember, your guides are not earning a living wage guiding. They earn the majority of their income during the winter months by earning your tips. Their goal is to make your hunt as enjoyable and successful as possible. If you feel your guide did just that, then you should tip them accordingly. We are asked all the time, "What is the average tip so we have a gauge of how to tip?". The average tip is about $50 per hunter per day. Some tip more, some tip less however by the end of the season, this is what it averages out to be. So if your guide or guides worked their butts off for you and you had a great time, tip them accordingly.
Do I Really Need to Bring my Waders?
In short the answer is YES, YES & YES. During the main waterfowl season, we may not always have to wear waders, but having your waders will give you the most flexibility in being able to hunt where the ducks want to be. Although we have many blinds that are accessible without the need for waders, if the birds are not wanting to work in that area, we will not be able to move to a slough bottom or shallow cypress lake or flooded timber hole if you do not have your waders. We recommend bringing insulated chest waders and a pair of insulated knee high rubber boots if you want the ability to move and hunt where the ducks want to be. Hip waders are OK but not advisable because one wrong step and you may have a wet ass for the rest of the day. The exception is during conservation goose season. At a minimum you will want to bring knee high rubber boots and waterproof insulated bibs during conservation goose season.
