Guide Life: Derek McDaniels & Blackfoot Outdoors

Recently, Split Reed caught up with Derek McDaniels (on IG - migr8tr), owner/operator of Blackfoot Outdoors of Lubbock, Texas, to learn how being in the right place at the right time has offered him the chance of a lifetime to chase his dream and follow the migration in the Lone Star state.

FROM DROUGHT TO BREAKOUT

Originally from Nebraska, Derek has been chasing waterfowl for as long as he can remember. Nestled in the heart of the central flyway, there was never a shortage of opportunities to chase ducks and geese during the fall. As he got older, the birds began pulling him down into Oklahoma and Texas and he began a career in the guide world around 2005. He made friends with and started working for Justin Hill of Ranger Creek Goose, based in Haskill, Texas. Things were going great, life was good and the birds were thick until the drought hit some years later and changed everything for that season.

When the drought hit, the water dried up and so did the birds. Things changed in the region for that year, and although looking back now, it was only a temporary setback, it sent the team to become resourceful and to diversify. The crew began traveling to the west to run clients and stay on birds. The Ranger Creek clan began working closely with Brian Schrekenbach of Blackfoot Outdoors in Lubbock and Derek found himself a new place to settle in and call home, becoming one of the main guides for the collaborative operation. The birds returned to the Haskill area for Ranger Creek Goose and several years into this new arrangement, former Blackfoot owner Brian, set his sights on retiring from the industry, struck a deal with Justin and Derek, sold the business, and moved to Alaska. Justin and Derek ran things together for a year until Derek went all in, purchased Blackfoot Outdoors, and began running the business himself for the 2019-2020 season.

BLACKFOOT OUTPUTS

Clients coming to hunt with Blackfoot can expect big wads of lesser geese and piles of sandhill cranes. Located toward the southern end of the Great Plains and positioned perfectly amongst the agricultural landscape between the arid desert to the west, mesquite country to the south and the forested, urbanized areas to the east, the Lubbock area of West Texas offers ample opportunities to hunt large numbers of birds all season long. They get a few ducks, specks, and snows, but cranes and lessers are the bread and butter here. Fortunately, goose and crane seasons essentially run together from the end of October all the way into February. Clients travel from all over the country to shoot their first crane, and many stay for a day or two, taking advantage of the chance to shoot lessers on the same trip. Most days it proves challenging setting up for both cranes and lessers, but every now and then, when the conditions are right and the birds are doing it properly, clients can enjoy a morning goose shoot with an afternoon crane hunt. Derek often runs just one group, assuring that he can interact with his clients and provide them with the best hunting experience possible. Blackfoot also offers lodging in a conveniently located house nearby that sleeps 12-16 and is just a short 30-minute ride from Lubbock. Clients can enjoy a quiet and relaxing time at the lodge or venture into town to experience the city life if they choose.

THE RIBEYE OF THE SKY, THE CHAMPAGNE OF WILD GAME; SANDHILL CRANE

We had to ask how crane hunting differs from goose hunting. Our conversation resolved that generally speaking, cranes are more similar to waterfowl than different. The hunt is conducted with hiding in grain fields, setting out decoys (anywhere from six to 250), being on the “X”, and you absolutely have got to be ready at first light because they come early. The cranes don’t respond as well to calling as geese do and you also need to be much more careful when chasing a crippled crane. Other noticeable differences include the 3-crane daily limit and that lead shot is legal. Derek chuckled as he recounted past close encounters with crippled cranes, “You really need to be ready with your track shoes on. A wounded crane can run, and it will run until it feels cornered and then it’ll fight. They’ll stand up and square off with you and it is not their beaks you need to worry about, it is the claws on their feet – they are razor-sharp and will mess you up! I no longer get within 3-feet of a crane, well, definitely not their feet anyway.”

Since most of us are relatively familiar with hunting and cooking goose, we wanted to talk about the highly acclaimed table fare of the crane as the ribeye of the sky. First of all, yes, it is true, Derek confirms beyond doubt, crane meat is as good, if not better than a beefsteak. In fact, he may or may not serve the mild-tasting crane meat to friends, family, and party guests only to reveal the identity of the dish after they ask on their second and third helpings. When asked about the best way to prepare crane meat, he commented, “Cook it just like a steak, dress it with Lawry’s seasoned salt and DO NOT overcook it – most folks get it wrong by cooking it too long. You can get creative and stuff it with cream cheese and wrap it in bacon, but just season it and grill it medium rare, and that’s all you need.”

THE LUBBOCK LEGACY CONTINUES

Now in his second season as owner/operator, Derek is proud to carry on the Blackfoot Outdoors name and legacy, one of the oldest guide operations in the area. At the time of our conversation, he had just filled the last remaining spot in his books for the 2020-2021 season. Looking back on the road that led him to where he stands today Derek reflected, “I would not have done things any other way. Sometimes you just have to jump in with both feet and let it happen. I was at a crossroads – I made my choice to take over Blackfoot and haven’t ever looked back. I’m ever grateful to my friend Justin Hill who helped me take that leap and I couldn’t have done it without his support. My wife is a saint and my two sons give me all the support I could ever need. I would like to thank everyone else who has helped me along the way.” Derek is looking forward to another memorable season, spending time with clients and putting many hunters on their first-ever sandhill crane hunt. To find out more information and to book your hunt with Derek McDaniels and Blackfoot Outdoors, check out their website!

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