Sea Duck hunting questions

[seth30]

so they are like a scaup or ringneck when it comes to cleaning  

[DrakeKill]

I say leave the dog; its tough work for them, without worrying about lions and seals; Rocks, tides, and cold water are enough to wear out a retriever quickly - a good outboard and a long handled net to scoop 'em up is what I use.

I don't know who said john boat, but where I run for long tails is more like deadliest catch for ducks; 100+ft of water, drifting in the wind on 3ft rollers - wont do it without a serious hull and some sides.

smack 'em, don't wait at all and shoot again immediately once they hit the water, no matter how well you think you hit them! When they dive, and they will, have all guns in the boat ready to go (except maybe the driver) move the boat to the last spot you saw him on the water and start counting and scanning. Dive times:

harlis: ~60 seconds
scoters: ~90 seconds
long tails: up to 2 minutes

once they pop up don't hesitate, repeat process until bird is bagged or you run out of shells. (Bring lots of shells).

It can be a bit of chaos but its a darned good time, as mentioned previously know the rules about shooting from a boat for your area and keep things safe!

[h2ofowlr]

so they are like a scaup or ringneck when it comes to cleaning

Nope, those are way easier.   

They are like splitting the leather grain in your boots.

[hntrspud]

  The skin is super glued to the meat. 

Skybuster- nice Cans, what brand are those?

[h2ofowlr]

The skin is super glued to the meat. 

Skybuster- nice Cans, what brand are those?

The last person I said nice cans to, just about got me slapped.     I definitely didn't ask which brand they were.  I just assumed they were real.   

[hntrspud]

  I knew I would get a response about that. 

[Patarero]

For scoters, a string of clorox bottles or crab pot floats will work.  Does not take much.  My buddy would hunt sea ducks out of a Carolina skiff, no blind.  Fun to shoot, but not very good table fare.  Golden eyes are a bit more discriminating, but don't taste much better.

[seth30]

This saturday morning is the day for my first sea duck hunt.  Thanks for the info and help

[lokidog]

This saturday morning is the day for my first sea duck hunt.  Thanks for the info and help

Good luck, I've been seeing a lot of Scoters.  Not much else besides mergansers though.

[seth30]

Today just sucked from start to finish   First thing we hit was a half mile of mud that we had to push/pull the boat through.  Got out there finally to the water soaked in sweat and covered in mud at 0630.  We set out and strung the decoys and as I am half way through the line I look back and notice there all clumped.  Okay easy fix instead of just clipping them I also tie the clip in place.  After a few hours the line would turn from straight into a P pattern.  There were large amounts of vegetation clumping  up on the scoter decoys and pushing them around.    After 4 hours of watching Scoters in the distance and countless buffleheads and wigeon bypass us we decided to call it quits.  As we were getting ready to leave a flock of ducks landed on the other side of my line.  I didn't know what they were and let them go   Turned out they were Hen Black Scoters.  Sea duck hunting is harder than I imagined but I will be out there again soon to try my luck again

[washingtonmuley]

Are you using one anchor on each end of your longline?

[seth30]

Yep, I may have to make a heavier one though.  There was at least 10 lbs of plants on each decoy.

[washingtonmuley]

The tidal exchange does make it difficult at times. You are not the only one to experience this. The joys of open water sea duck hunting. Good luck

[lokidog]

I wonder if you would get less stuff hanging on them if you let the end swing with the current??  Then just reposition your boat if they shift too much.

I saw my first Oldsquaw of the year today.

[seth30]

Went out today with ackbizzle and we did great on those scoters.  You guys werent lying they are some tough birds.  Thanks again for all the help   The drake is going to be mounted