Eastern WA January 17th & 18th - Where to hunt from boat?

[Markhoran]

RE: Eastern WA - January the 17th (Friday) & 18th - Where to hunt from a boat? Or walk-in using a boat?

Hi,

Novice hunter with 90 hp camo boat, dog, decoys and 3 friends.  Have been hunting public land out of Skagit County this year (friendliest  hunters I have ever met).

With the cold weather and the Pot Wholes frozen over (do they usually though back out?) - Where are some places that I should look into that will work with this cold weather?  Are there good public places to hunt at on the Entiat or Banks Lake?  Any other recommended Lakes that I should look into that may not be frozen over?

Boat launch locations close to hunting?
Inexpensive clean motels?
Any other suggestions welcome.

Thanks,

Mark

[YJ Guide Service]

Pend Oreille River over here is always a good choice. There is a motel in Newport to stay in don't know the name of it. Boat launch in usk and davis rd as well as right over the bridge from Newport in the Idaho side of the river. Good luck hunting.

[Markhoran]

Thanks for fast response. Googling right now.

All other suggestions greatly appreciated?

I should be focuses on Christmas and not duck hunting.

Merry Christmas - Mark

[magnus100]

Ramps at Davis rd and by bridge at usk are/were very frozen up last week.  If you can launch at usk or cusick you may not be able to get to shore to hunt since river is/was frozen way off shore.  Might be worth a daylight drive up before you go thru the trouble to find you can't get in to hunt.
Mike

[Badhabit]

North of Wenatchee on the Columbia you could probably get in some good diver shooting around that time. I know some hunters that travel up that way and further just to pull the trigger on divers. One common theme from them is bring lots of ammo. It seems divers are very durable ducks and knocking one down is not all that bad its the 8 or so follow up shots to immobilize it that eats the ammo.

[Odell]

I would chase divers on the upper Columbia River. Wells Pool or up by bridgeport. Its a long haul so being there over night gives you a chance to figure it out. Often they fly all day regardless of weather. Good luck!

[Markhoran]

Thanks again.

Divers?  Would this be like shooting Sea Ducks?  Similar or different bread?  I will also look in the regs.


Mark
 

[Badhabit]

Redheads, Canvasbacks, Bluebill.

[Brad Harshman]

Talked to game warden Friday at Wanapum Reservoir.  Said most the birds/successful hunting is around Tricities.  Thats all I know, but at least its something. 

[Odell]

Thanks again.

Divers?  Would this be like shooting Sea Ducks?  Similar or different bread?  I will also look in the regs.


Mark

similar in the set up and shooting action. You don't need a special card though. There are some species related limits so check the regs.  Set up on a point. Put out a bunch of decoys and bring lots of shells. Can, redheads, goldeneye, ring necks, bluebills, bufflehead...all the coots you can handle and get some wigeon and a mallard or two as well.

It might be slow right now, haven't been over.

[Markhoran]

Hi

Hi again,

Narrowed it down to hunting Near Bridgeport.  Any suggestions on a specific area near Bridgeport.  When looking at Google Earth....looks like I would be going west of the city because of a dam.  Now concerned about where the bird sanctuaries may be in the area??? Weather says a low of 25 and high of 39 for Saturday.  Assuming river does not freeze with these temperatures. 

Thanks for any other info,

Mark 

[ducksdogsdownriggers]

Hi

Hi again,

Narrowed it down to hunting Near Bridgeport.  Any suggestions on a specific area near Bridgeport.  When looking at Google Earth....looks like I would be going west of the city because of a dam.  Now concerned about where the bird sanctuaries may be in the area??? Weather says a low of 25 and high of 39 for Saturday.  Assuming river does not freeze with these temperatures. 

Thanks for any other info,

Mark

Bridgeport or Brewster?  Brewster Bar, Rufus Woods, or somewhere in between?  You could also boat down/launch in the Pateros area too. Are you headed over Thurs night?  If so, you probably won't have to worry about much as far as other hunters go on Fri morning and can use Fri to scout for your Saturday hunt.  PM me if you want some some general areas that tend to hold birds.   

River does not freeze, backwater areas can, though I don't think many are right now.
Be careful, the water does fluctuate.  It shouldn't be a big deal, but you don't want to get stuck.
There is Reservation land in that area, you can get a permit and the Brewster gas station if you don't want to worry about it.

[Odell]

How did you guys do?