Trip Policy Guide
Ramsey Russell’s GetDucks.com
Ramsey Russell LLC
P.O. Box 873, Brandon, MS 39043
601-214-9737
GETDUCKS.COM TRIP POLICY GUIDE
1. DEPOSIT POLICY
GetDucks.com requires a fifty-percent (50%) non-refundable deposit to secure a reservation ninety (90) days or longer before the scheduled trip date. The fifty percent 50% deposit is non-refundable. The fifty-percent (50%) balance due for “payment in full” is required not later than sixty (60) days prior to schedule trip arrival date unless otherwise stipulated. GetDucks.com requires a deposit of “payment in full” to secure reservations less than sixty (60) days before the scheduled trip. The payment in full is also non-refundable. In the rare instance that hunt fees either in part or in whole may be applied to another hunt package, or towards the balance of another Client, an administrative fee or “rebooking fee” equal to twenty percent (20%) of the total land package rate shall be assessed. Failure to comply with deposit and balance deadlines may result in forfeiture of hunt proceeds. In the instances that one hunter is substituted for another, a 20% rebooking fee calculated as 20% of the land package rate shall be applied. Receipt of any monies, deposits and/or final payments by GetDucks.com is acknowledgement that Client has read and accepts this cancellation/refund policy, terms and conditions, and all responsibility clauses.
Credit card services exist merely for Client convenience. All credit card sales are final: charges for deposits or balances shall be neither disputed nor refunded for any hunt or service rendered or for any reason whatsoever.
Pandemic Policy: In the unfortunate instance that client hunt is disrupted due to pandemic-related border closures, deposits will be applied in full towards the same date-week the following year. Deposits will not be refunded in part or in whole, nor can they generally be applied towards another hunt destination if possible. Trip protection is offered to each client at time of invoicing to ensure greatest protection of client monies. In the instance that borders are open and it is possible for client to redeem hunt, whether with or without vaccination requirements, and whether with or without a negative test requirements to re-enter the United States, clients shall either redeem their hunt during their scheduled timeframe or forfeit all monies paid. If the destination country requires a negative test for entry and the client cannot travel due to testing positive, all monies will be applied without refund to a future date at the reserved destination inasmuch as client provides proof of positive test results, less and except any expenses already incurred by operator preceding the hunt (licenses, permits, etc.).
2. TRAVEL INSURANCE
Hunting or fishing expeditions will certainly offer you an exciting and rewarding experience. Unfortunately, however, one undertaking such an adventure must face the possibility that you or your companion(s) might be forced to cancel your trip at the last moment due to flight cancellation and travel disruptions, illness, injury or other emergency or sustain an unfortunate injury and require medical services or worse, medical evacuation during your trip. Trip cancellation and travel insurance can help protect you and your travel companions from these unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances. GetDucks.com generally strongly suggests the purchase of travel insurance, medical and/or security rescue services. GetDucks Travel Protection is added line-item to each invoice. The purchase of GetDucks Travel Protection is purchased solely at client discretion. Clients declining GetDucks Travel Protection offer and traveling without this or other trip protection policies shall be considered self-insured, understanding completely that they are solely responsible for any monies or hunt services forfeited. Client agrees GetDucks.com is expressly released from all liability resulting from any insurable event. It is wise to always consult with your personal health insurance provider before undertaking any type of travel to determine what is covered in the event of injury or illness during your travels.
3. CLIENT INFORMATION
Client name, contact information, passport number and expiration date, and travel arrangements, if arranged separately , as well as gun information and serial numbers MUST BE provided within sixty (90) days prior to scheduled trip arrival date, must be legible and accurate. This information must be returned promptly; is necessary for gun permits, hunting licenses, and seamless travel arrangements. Failure to return these materials may result in trip cancellation and/or forfeiture of hunt deposits.
4. GROUP LEADERS
It is important that group leaders provide pre-trip information with all members of your party so that everyone is adequately prepared, understands the cancellation/refund policy pertaining to their trip, and has the opportunity to purchase travel insurance (especially anyone with a pre-existing health condition).
5. MEDICAL ISSUES
We suggest that you consult with your physician for medical advice on travel. If your physician is not familiar with travel-related medicine, the CDC offers excellent, up-to-date information on health precautions for travelers by fax; call toll-free 888-232-3299 and follow the recorded instructions. You may also visit the CDC’s Web site at www.cdc.gov.
6. FIELD SAFETY (6-9)
For some reason, more shooters, dogs and pick-up boys take stray pellets when dove shooting than in any other shotgunning activity. There is no reason for this. There’s plenty of room, so guns are placed well apart with an eye to safety. Nevertheless, in fields being harvested, there often are workers or farm animals in proximity – people on horseback or workers will edge into a shooting area, assuming that guns are prudent and will never shoot low. The point is, you have to be aware of this activity and aware at all times as to the position of fellow shooters and pick-up boys. The bottom line is: There is never any excuse for taking a low-angle shot (below 45 degrees). Get that rule in your head; it requires virtually no concentration and will certainly in no way inhibit your shoot. Don’t take chances on shot angles – ever!
7. Check guns to make sure they’re unloaded before leaving the ranch – recheck in the field and again on departure. Don’t be offended if outfitters check them again. Everyone wants to be as safe as possible. Magazine shotguns should be carried with the receiver open; uncased doubles always broken when walking in the field, in a vehicle, or any time when not in shooting position. Don’t hand loaded shotguns to pick-up boys or others. Also, don’t let guides or pick-up boys shoot. Some know how and are competent shots, but this simply introduces another element of risk.
8. If your assigned location is a little off the flight line, or not productive, make sure you let your outfitter know; they will move you to a better place. Someone will always be close by. If you are taking a break from shooting, be aware of others around you. If you are in the open, you may be flaring birds away from others who are shooting. If you have any cause for complaint while traveling, you must immediately bring it to the attention of the GetDucks.com’s representative or agent who will attempt to resolve the situation.
9. It is a good idea to always wear safety shooting glasses to protect your eyes. And protect your ears with plugs or a quality headset type of ear protector. At no time during the hunt or while handling firearms should alcohol, drugs or medications be consumed while hunting.
10. PROTECTED/NON-GAME SPECIES
Many times during the hunt there will be birds in the air, including songbirds or non-game species. Some of these are protected and should not be shot under any circumstance. Check with the outfitter for any other game birds.
11. TRANSPORT, EXPORT AND IMPORT OF WILDLIFE
All game laws pertaining to take, possession and transport or migratory or non-migratory gamebirds or wildlife shall be strictly followed without exception. Links to US Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations are provided, in part, in our Sporting Travel Resources. It is the sole responsibility of clients to be knowledgeable of, to understand, to accept and to strictly adhere to all pertaining laws for locations they are hunting or risk termination of hunt without refund. Furthermore, the client accepts full responsibility for import protocols and all inconveniences, citations, fines, prosecutions, legal fees and/or confiscations of birds resulting therefrom.
GetDucks.com, Ramsey Russell, LLC and their affiliates, employees or others connected do not offer or provide legal or other advice regarding the legality or methodology of (a) export of waterfowl and game birds from other countries or (b) the importation of waterfowl and game birds into the United States. While we will discuss these matters with clients, final authority rests in the jurisdiction of applicable law enforcement and regulatory agencies. The export of waterfowl and game birds from foreign countries and the importation of waterfowl and game birds into the U.S. are the hunter’s sole responsibility, and require knowledge and compliance of all applicable current laws and regulations. We recommend you visit the web site of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to obtain import information, or contact them as necessary to fully understand the process. Regulations concerning the importation of wildlife may be found in 50 CFR Part 14.
Print form 3-177 which you will have to complete and present to U.S. Authorities at your arrival, along with all other required or relevant paperwork. It is essential that the 3-177 form that you will fill out contain the name and full information of the USDA Approved Taxidermist to whom you will send your bird(s) for mounting, if applicable.
When you return to the U.S., please note that when importing game birds through USFWS designated ports of entry, protocols can be complicated and may likely vary among ports. If coming through Atlanta or Miami ports, for example, CPB/USDA requires consigning trophies to your airline’s air cargo, which usually requires that clients use a broker to handle the shipment. It is essential that hunters have all necessary or required paperwork. Preceding travel, it is recommended that clients contact the respective USFWS Port Inspector in writing to notify them of the intent to import, to request any special document requirements, and to discuss protocols.
Federal regulations can be confusing. While the following links can be helpful, contact a US Fish and Wildlife Service wildlife inspector for further assistance:
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) Import/Export http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title50/50cfr21_main_02.tpl
Import/Export http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?rgn=div5;node=50%3A1.0.1.2.8
CITES http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title50/50cfr23_main_02.tpl
ESA http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=50:2.0.1.1.1&rgn=div5
Migratory Bird List http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title50/50cfr10_main_02.tpl
12. HUNTING PRECAUTIONS
Hunting safety precautions (always worth repeating):
•Always treat guns as loaded.
•Never load the gun except when hunting. Keep breeches open when not hunting.
•Always make sure that the barrel and action are clear of obstructions.
•Always carry your gun such that you can control the direction of the muzzle, even if you stumble.
•Always keep the safety on until the gun is brought to shoulder.
•Always make sure your target is a gamebird and that your backstop is not a hunter, building or retriever.
•Never point a gun at anything you do not intend to shoot.
•Never leave guns or ammunition within reach of children or careless adults.
•Never climb trees or fences with a loaded gun.
•Never shoot at a flat, hard surface or water.
•Never drink alcohol or take other mood-altering drugs before or during a hunt.
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