Newby in Ridgefield

[Planeguy4]

First post here. I hunt SW Washington and Ridgefield NWR often so I'll post updates occasionally. Today I Had to break about 1-1/4" of ice to set my decoys but it was futile. I Only saw 3 Pintail after opening and they were out of my range. This cold spell sure has the ducks laying low at the Refuge, In fact I didn't see another duck until about 4pm.  Plenty of Geese though. I missed my first go-round but scored later on a single Cack. I don't know if I outright killed him on the shot impact but when he hit the ice that was it. Light hunting pressure today as there were about 8 blinds still available after the draw. I'm told if we have snow tonight/tomorrow they will probably close the refuge on Thursday as it's too difficult to traverse the hill.....scott

[EastWaViking]

Welcome aboard!

Ridgefield was my old HS rival... I went to Washougal HS.

[Fishnclifff]

Hey welcome.
I hunt Ridgeield regularly.
I was gonna hunt today but the weather was clear and the new fireplace warm.
I hope they don't close thursday, I was hopin to hunt.
What blind did you draw.
We had #13 sat, got 6 birds.
Hope to see ya down there.

[Planeguy4]

I hunted blind 14 today. Usually a good draw and I have been successfull there many times. I had many geese comming into my spread but blind 15 seemed to be scaring them all away, they finally scored on 3 birds and left by 10:30. Pretty slow until about 3pm and then I finally scored. I only shot 3 times today and didn't hear very many shots in the entire area. I'll bet the numbers will be way down. I'll be there Thursday also if it's open...scott

[Fishnclifff]

Cool. Look for a red toyota pickup or a blue toyota
Name is Cliff by the way.

[Fishnclifff]

Ridgefield is closed to hunting on Thursday Dec 18

[Trashmonkey]

Hi guys,

I've been watching the numbers from Ridgefield and they seem really down this year.

[ELKBURGER]

Nice to see another member in ridgefield, welcome aboard! What part of the area are you in?

[Planeguy4]

I'm just above Abrams park. 3 mi to the check station. Nice and close, except in cases where you don't get a standby blind. Then I have to go home and listen to everyone esle shoot until I can come back for a later hunt. I would agree the numbers seem pretty light. I have also hunted Vancouver lake and not seen a lot of ducks there either this year. Maybe after this cold spell we'll see a change...scott

[goosegunner]

   Whats up with ridgefield closing? duck hunters dream of weather like this and they close the refuge.  I'm also new to washington so I'm trying to figure out were to hunt been to vancouver lake killed birds both times but what a joke. Been to ridgefield once hunted blind 12 off early moring standby,was hoping to figure more of the refuge out over the holiday break but it's been closed.

[Planeguy4]

I'm dreaming of the weather after this storm. Most ponds are frozen and when it breaks the birds will move. I was told Ridgefield NWR is closed because of the snow and ice that accumulates on the hill and bridge making it impassable to motorists. Yes I believe it could be plowed and most of us hunters would have no problem, however when the gate is open, the public is welcome to the wildlife tour and you will have hundreds of tourists piling up on that single lane bridge or trying to get up or down that hill..scott

[Fishnclifff]

I heard the road to the refuge is damaged.
Anybody with any info?

[goosegunner]

 I don't know about damage, but when I called the hotline tonight to see if the refuge was going to be open on sat 12/27 the recording said the road was still impassable do to the weather.

[Planeguy4]

I hope there's no damage. I may have to take a walk down there and look around....scott

[Planeguy4]

The main entrance gate is still closed.. The road from the top looks good, but I didn't go any further than that. I'll check tomorrow with the RNWR office in town...scott