looking to get my young dog on some ducks near Spokane!

[Wingman509]

So I thought I might just throw this out to any experienced waterfowlers without a dog. I am looking to get my 11 month old blm on some ducks. We have been going to fishtrap and there is not much out there. Don't get me wrong I have enjoyed it and I am in the learning process as well. We got our first duck last weekend and it was awesome! However after having him healed next to me for four hours and only able to send him on to one bird I feel like he needs a little more action to help him learn the whole aspect of the hunt. I could definitely use some help my self being around experienced duck hunters and callers. I don't even need to hunt as long as long as he is getting some retrieves in. We are members of the Spokane bird dog association and He has his started retriever title in Nahra and two junior hunt passes in akc so he is pretty well trained for his age. We just started working on his handle but I would not be looking to send him on blind retrieves really. I just don't want him breaking and staying patient knowing what is expected of him in a blind or even camouflaged in cat tails or whatever.  I am not looking to take or scout anyone's secret spot. I really just want to get some good work out of him. Real hunting is just different than training or test and he showed me some good patiences witch was awesome but a few more retrieves would be awesome! Like I said I don't care if I even hunt. He is a great dog with a lot of promise. We are both newbs and are learning together!  We are located in Spokane so somewhere around there would be awesome. I am just throwing it out there...I will continue doing my best on my own to scout and find spots in the mean time! I hope to maybe go on a guided trip when I can afford one too! Thanks for reading!

[goosegetter79]

If you've got a boat I would head to eloika lake it has ( or at least it use to) have ducks and geese on it. Also the pend orielle river but need a boat at those places. It's been 2 yrs since I lived in Spokane and hunted them. You can hunt sprague as well but there is a section on the west end that is off limits. Hope this helps some and good luck.

[hdshot]

Aaahhhh shucks, we hunted Burbank today in the good blind and bagged 2 limits worth.  We don't have a dog and have some good draws left in my group, so if you want to make the trip down there later in the season PM me.

[EWUEAGLESHUNTER]

There is a register to hunt on Glorfield Rd. in Whitman County, once we start getting more rain and snow, the flat floods out, there is usually some good days of hunting out there early on b4 it freezes over.Check out the reserve to hunt program as well http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/hunting_access/private_lands/type/56/ there are some private lands open to hunt now because of this register to hunt program and a few places have decent spots to go set up some decoys on. I know Whitman county better than the other counties that have land enrolled in this program. Anyways check it out, you can PM me if you have questions.

[WALLEYEGUY]

Moved to spokane 11 years ago and like you bought a lab pup and started hunting fishtrap and crab creek with limited sucess.  Got a boat and learned the Pend Orielle river and was consistaly in the birds.  If you have any access to a boat shoot me a PM and I well give you more details.

[Wingman509]

Moved to spokane 11 years ago and like you bought a lab pup and started hunting fishtrap and crab creek with limited sucess.  Got a boat and learned the Pend Orielle river and was consistaly in the birds.  If you have any access to a boat shoot me a PM and I well give you more details.

That is the thing I have a boat but it is just a 12 ft Lowe Jon boat and all I have is a little 55 pound thrust electric trolling motor. So it is not really a good option for big water. Especially moving water.I am going to just keep scouting away until I find some better options. I can also get into the SBDA property by Medical lake and it don't hurt I have the combo to the gates because I am a member. I just heard there is a lot of jump shooting from people walking in off the road? So I don't know how good of an idea that is. So may try to find someone willing to hunt there and maybe look for some help with decoy spreads and calling. I also hears a duck whistle is always more helpful than a call for rookies too?   
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[goosegetter79]

Eloika lake would be perfect for that set up. From the public launch head sw from there and set up in the tall grass by the outlet stream. Pull ur boat into the tall grass in the water and shoot the ducks from ur boat.

[Wingman509]

Eloika lake would be perfect for that set up. From the public launch head sw from there and set up in the tall grass by the outlet stream. Pull ur boat into the tall grass in the water and shoot the ducks from ur boat.

Is there much traffic there as far as other hunters? I bass fish there but never thought about waterfowl.

[goosegetter79]

There wasn't when I use to hunt it. (2 years ago) When I did see other people they would head towards the north end.