Lake Kapowsin

[RavensdaleYoungBuck]

Hey,
Just wondering if anybody has hunted lake Kapowsin in Pierce County. It looks like a nice lake and is legal to shoot at. Let me know if anyone has any info.
Thanks

[Bullkllr]

Heard of guys hunting it. Don't think there's a lot in the immediate area to draw or hold a lot of birds or keep them wanting to be at the lake

[RavensdaleYoungBuck]

Alright. I might try some decoys and sit in the trees and get lucky. We will see

[mburrows]

Been there once and we didn't even get to shoot. Also heard of guys  getting a few birds. I wouldnt count on it holding birds though, just not in the best area for fowl.

[bowhunter851]

ive wondered bout this lake tooo i live kinda in the area what part of the lake are u gonna try

[KB88]

There will be a magical week or so of scaup and ringers out there. Other than that your looking at few mallards, tons of mergansers and bufflehead, and some widgeon. Late late late you may get lucky on a couple geese, however I wouldn't hold my breath. I quit hunting that lake because of low numbers of birds and high numbers of stumps.

[muzbuster]

There will be a magical week or so of scaup and ringers out there. Other than that your looking at few mallards, tons of mergansers and bufflehead, and some widgeon. Late late late you may get lucky on a couple geese, however I wouldn't hold my breath. I quit hunting that lake because of low numbers of birds and high numbers of stumps.

Yep, used to hunt it a lot 20-30 years ago, but stopped for the same reason. Was always best when everthing was frozen and had to bust ice to get out, also would bust through the brush draging and pushing a small jon boat into the bigger pockets of water back in the marsh area and do very well with mallards, widgon & geese. But that was a loooooong time ago  . You may have a chance for a week or two but you would have to hit it at the perfect time. 

[Mfowl]

Watch out for stumps! No way I would ever head out on that lake in the predawn darkness on a cold winter morning. Surprised more boats don't sink/flip on that lake.

[adictd2hunting]

There use to be a blind set at the south end of lake by the railroad tracks we use to take a canoe out to it early in the morning.  We would park at the little trail at the last pull off down orivil road and pack the canoe to the lake its not far. Good luck

[Andrew8235]

This is my fav local spot lol, we go there every weekend we dont travel for duck shoot me a PM and i will answer some questions if i can

[bowhunter851]

This is my fav local spot lol, we go there every weekend we dont travel for duck shoot me a PM and i will answer some questions if i can

Hey,
Just wondering if anybody has hunted lake Kapowsin in Pierce County. It looks like a nice lake and is legal to shoot at. Let me know if anyone has any info.
Thanks

i think maybe all 3 of us can go out sometime i think that would be cool haha

[Andrew8235]

yah dont get me wrong, there are plenty of places to go that are much better but, its the first place i ever duck hunted, and i love how close it is to me

[akirkland]

Fair at best. Not a lake i would travel to for birds though. Fun for locals but thats it.

[TheHunt]

As a kid I hunted it hard.  We did pretty good early...  But there are areas which the birds hit first.  Just look at the areas where the birds are out of the wind. 

[Odell]

The stumps are brutal!

It is an easy close to home hunt but I have never done well there. Couple bills. Etc. It gets hunted hard. The blind on the south end is huge and trashed, it is pointless as far as camo goes. Couple other spots out of the wind on the back side.

[RavensdaleYoungBuck]

This is my fav local spot lol, we go there every weekend we dont travel for duck shoot me a PM and i will answer some questions if i can

Hey,
Just wondering if anybody has hunted lake Kapowsin in Pierce County. It looks like a nice lake and is legal to shoot at. Let me know if anyone has any info.
Thanks

I would be cool taking a hunting group out there. Hit the south end blind early

i think maybe all 3 of us can go out sometime i think that would be cool haha

[Cylvertip]

Tweakers hit the rigs at the launch pretty hard from what I have heard.

[sakoshooter]

I've hunted it quite a few times over the years. It gets better as season progresses especially for bluebills. The lake has a 5mph speed limit and for good reason. Obey the speed limit and use your head and you'll be fine, even in the dark. 5mph is like a fast walk.  My biggest complaint about Kapowsin is that it always has a couple of sky blasters that ruin the day for everyone else on the whole lake. Be safe and courteous with your shooting and remember that your shooting is spooking the birds circling the other hunters around you. Knowing this, only shoot at birds in lethal range over your decoys. Most of the hunters are on the same end of the lake.

[Smossy]

Lots of thieve's out there breaking into cars... I mean LOTS.  Don't leave anything valuable in your vehicles.

[Andrew8235]

Lots of thieve's out there breaking into cars... I mean LOTS.  Don't leave anything valuable in your vehicles.

I've hunted it quite a few times over the years. It gets better as season progresses especially for bluebills. The lake has a 5mph speed limit and for good reason. Obey the speed limit and use your head and you'll be fine, even in the dark. 5mph is like a fast walk.  My biggest complaint about Kapowsin is that it always has a couple of sky blasters that ruin the day for everyone else on the whole lake. Be safe and courteous with your shooting and remember that your shooting is spooking the birds circling the other hunters around you. Knowing this, only shoot at birds in lethal range over your decoys. Most of the hunters are on the same end of the lake.

 
never had an issue there with being broken into...idk if you are leaving you wallet on the front seat lol but i have never had an issue, i've heard of some break in's but its not quite that rampid 

[buckhunter]

Lots of stumps, very few birds passing threw and lots of vehicles get broke into.

[Bullkllr]

Last time I was at the launch at least 2 rigs were broken into while I was there and there was window glass evrywhere in the lot.

[akirkland]

Sounds like we need to hide at the launch and go tweeker hunting instead.

[Smossy]

Lots of thieve's out there breaking into cars... I mean LOTS.  Don't leave anything valuable in your vehicles.

I've hunted it quite a few times over the years. It gets better as season progresses especially for bluebills. The lake has a 5mph speed limit and for good reason. Obey the speed limit and use your head and you'll be fine, even in the dark. 5mph is like a fast walk.  My biggest complaint about Kapowsin is that it always has a couple of sky blasters that ruin the day for everyone else on the whole lake. Be safe and courteous with your shooting and remember that your shooting is spooking the birds circling the other hunters around you. Knowing this, only shoot at birds in lethal range over your decoys. Most of the hunters are on the same end of the lake.

 
never had an issue there with being broken into...idk if you are leaving you wallet on the front seat lol but i have never had an issue, i've heard of some break in's but its not quite that rampid 

I've never been broken into either. But the word travels fast. Its infamous for thieves. Unless you can access from the opposite side of the lake or private land. I wouldnt even park my vehicle personally. We used to fish there but after coming back and seeing glass all over and vehicles shattered time and time again, On top of hearing about other people seeing it on different occasions. Its not worth it to me.  The trout fishing is great. If you can get a boat go off the dock and head to the most western corner and do figure 8's with pink and silver wedding rings and about 50 feet of line trolling behind you on low. Never had a problem reaching a limit of good size fish up to 18 inchs.

[Dustin07]

the number one reason to avoid kapowsin is the crime.  last time I was there was mid day on a sunday when it was packed, (maybe a month or two ago) that's about the only time I go anymore, many eyes. I parked over fresh broken window glass and wondered if more would be there when I returned.

I've shot all kinds of ducks and some Canada's on Kapow. numbers are weak, but if you want a really beautiful buffie, you'll find one there mid to late season.

the stumps exist. go very slow, oar speed, and you'll be OK, but be wise and careful.

all in all, its not the best hunting, but its a place if you have nowhere better to be. 

[ballstothewaal]

I hunt Kapowsin at least once a week. Lots of Bufflehead, Mergansers, and other diver ducks. I usually see a few groups of Mallards and wigeon early in the morning. Never pulled a limit but I hardly ever leave there with nothing!

[jackmaster]

bring your waders and go jump shoot the apple orchard to the south end of the lake, i dont beleive that part is hancock but check to be sure 

[krapmit]

I live in orting and all the public launches get hit often around here. I would leave your doors unlocked and take out anything of value. A lot of windows get bashed out. Happened to a buddy this summer

[Dustin07]

I live in orting and all the public launches get hit often around here. I would leave your doors unlocked and take out anything of value. A lot of windows get bashed out. Happened to a buddy this summer

is the private launch (erikson i think?) finally closed for good? I was there this summer and they were open but I heard they closed shortly after. for 0'dark:thirty hunting I"d prefer to only park there I think.

[bowhunter851]

im down to take a trip to kapowson

[RClare1223]

The south end is hancock. They own all most all the property around the lake. I live across the rd from it and havent heard many shots in the mourning the last few weekends. I used to hunt it alot its like most the lakes around here just depends on the day how good it can be. But watch out for the bears ive seen 5 within 100 yards of the lake 2 of which are in my freezer. 

[Jellymon]

Had our gas lines cut in the parking lot with half the gas stolen. With that lakes reputation, there aren't enough birds there for me to hunt it anymore. 

[ctwiggs1]

I would launch at the private launch - safer on the rig.

[Bullkllr]

I would launch at the private launch - safer on the rig.

If you're talking about Erickson's resort it is closed. Sign says until further notice.

Seems like I heard it sold or is for sale

Too bad; they've been there forever.

[ctwiggs1]

yeah no kidding.  After the old man died though that place went to hell in a handbasket.  livestock wondering through the other guys house, rarely any repairs to the dock, etc. 

That sucks

Curtis

[waoutdoorsman]

I hunt this lake quite a bit, and mostly for divers, ringers, bills, and buffies, but managed to bag a few mallards as well. I've never had an issue with break ins yet but there is plenty of shattered glass in the parking lot.

As far as the stumps go leave the motor at home I've never had an issue with oars but I have seen some stumps slightly submerged with rebar sticking out of them motor or not that could mess a boat up real quick.

[deltaops]

Sounds like hunting season in a different order is due for that area.