West side duck hunting help

[95powersmoker]

Hi,

I have a interesting situation. I have a very strong passion for duck hunting and try to get out every Saturday and Sunday of the season. The entire offseason is spent gathering gear and other odds and ends. My biggest issue is that I am not good nor do I really have a lot of time to scout. The time part isn't so much an issue as not really knowing how to scout birds. Because of this problem, I keep hunting the same crappy wdfw land and maybe pick up a bird or two every other weekend. I'd like to see some success but I know that's dependent on the work that I put in. I would really appreciate if someone had some tips or tricks on scouting waterfowl besides just spend some windshield time. Driving around aimlessly does me nothing. Being able to read where the birds are going is more of what I need. I think that would really help me out and then I can start to grow in this sport.

Thank you.

[lokidog]

Do you have a boat available?  Years ago we used to put in on the Snohomish R. at the ramp just downstream of Snohomish and hunt the river.  There are some backwaters and bends where decoys can be put out. Sorry I can't help with much more than that.  I really liked hitting the rivers when all of the fields would be frozen, like last week.

[95powersmoker]

I do have a boat. More geared for fishing. Not camo painted or blind. But I like that idea. Also, I'm not comfortable driving it in the dark just yet. Are you talking about the ramp off Lowell road? maube pm me some more info if you wouldn't mind?

[lokidog]

PM sent.  Just by a roll of camo burlap, that stuff covers really well.  I used to hunt out of a red inflatible with no problems.

[270Shooter]

Instead of hunting one weekend, take a drive and scout, talk to landowners and try to get permission.

[Special T]

Successful duck hunters keep a journal and scout a bunch.
Some important things to keep in your journal should be weather related. Wind direction, how much fast, rain, river level Where you see birds, what direction are they leaving to /coming from. Detail your sucessful/ unsucessful hunts.

Most of the duck hunting on WDFW lands in that area can be VERY productive but only with certain condition.
Hunt the morning and scout the evening especially for the next day.

[95powersmoker]

Thanks guys, that's really helpful. I can drive anywhere but knowing what to look for and keeping notes of it is a good idea.

[bowhiker]

Dont shy away from hunting in the afternoon later in the season. I've found there are less people but more importantly you can see where the birds go in the evening. That can set you up for a morning hunt. It could also lead you to private property to seek permission to hunt. The last time I goose hunted a few weeks ago I watched 100's of geese drop in a field(public land) that nobody hunted because of the walk to it probably. It was in the afternoon about 4pm and made for a great set up the next day. Ducks and geese too. Ive had multiple times like this, but I dont always get access to private land when their working other fields. Usually because of cattle or its spoken for already. The right door can lead to some great hunts.

[moocher97]

Have you considered eastside yet? plenty of opportunities there. 

[95powersmoker]

I wish I could cut out more time to get over there. In a perfect world, I'd be living over there hunting or scouting every weekend. I've got to put in a couple more years over here though.

[lokidog]

I wish I could cut out more time to get over there. In a perfect world, I'd be living over there hunting or scouting every weekend. I've got to put in a couple more years over here though.

Hae you been getting out locally at all?

[wadu1]

PowerSmoker, try the local DU chapter in Monroe I know some of the local folks and they could take you under a wing. That is what I did down here in Tackyma.

[irishevox]

How far are u from whirbey island? I would have no issue taking u out

[95powersmoker]

PowerSmoker, try the local DU chapter in Monroe I know some of the local folks and they could take you under a wing. That is what I did down here in Tackyma.

That's a great idea. I wonder who I need to get in touch with for that.

How far are u from whirbey island? I would have no issue taking u out

Not far. Other side of the water just east of everett.

I wish I could cut out more time to get over there. In a perfect world, I'd be living over there hunting or scouting every weekend. I've got to put in a couple more years over here though.

Hae you been getting out locally at all?

Yes I have been out a few times. Not in the boat though.

[wadu1]

PowerSmoker, try the local DU chapter in Monroe I know some of the local folks and they could take you under a wing. That is what I did down here in Tackyma.

That's a great idea. I wonder who I need to get in touch with for that.

How far are u from whirbey island? I would have no issue taking u out

Not far. Other side of the water just east of everett.

I wish I could cut out more time to get over there. In a perfect world, I'd be living over there hunting or scouting every weekend. I've got to put in a couple more years over here though.

Hae you been getting out locally at all?

Yes I have been out a few times. Not in the boat though.

Try District Chairman;   David Foos duckfoos@gmail.com, got hid name from the DU State Website

[95powersmoker]

Awesome. Thank you wadu.

[irishevox]

Pm me

[95powersmoker]

Pm me

Your inbox is full...

[irishevox]

I will delete some. Now

[DAMdoug]

Hello, I am new to this forum and I have been an avid waterfowler for 30 years. I just moved to western Washington from Montana in July. I have not hunted in Washington at all and I am looking for someone to go with. I have everything with one exception I need to replace my outboard (18 to 25 hp outboard). I would really like to go after some sea ducks. You can PM me if you want. Thanks Doug

[Armysfdiver]

Hello all, I'm to this site, and also looking for some hunting partners to finish up duck/geese season. Been hunting with a friend on the East side but his business has now taken him out of Country for awhile. I've been hunting over 30 years now, but don't know anyone or where to go on the West side. I live in Lake Stevens, and since I'm in between contracts I can go during the week. I would be grateful if someone would be willing to take me a long. Thanks for the consideration.

[lokidog]

DAM, ARMY    you should post up on the Forum home page under Waterfowl there is a "sticky" thread at the top called Open Seat Thread.  There is also an introduction "sticky" somewhere near the top of the home page.  Good hunting.

[Armysfdiver]

Hahaha.. Yep, I was Navy for 7 yrs, and later went in and retired from the Army. Thanks for your advice Lokidog.. Greatly appreciate it

[DAMdoug]

Thanks lokidog, I reposted

[pjb3]

what kind of boat?
Get into sea dukkin'
FUN and no problems finding the birds

[95powersmoker]

what kind of boat?
Get into sea dukkin'
FUN and no problems finding the birds

It's a 98 alumaweld stryker. More of a fishin boat than anything.

[pjb3]

Its alll good, been out on a canoe as long as the weather is OK, can always find a spot wehre I go

[95powersmoker]

I need to spend some time this summer building some sort of blind to cover it. It's pretty shiny.

[lokidog]

Camo burlap can work pretty well.  I used to cover a red inflatable with it.

[pjb3]

Got a pic of the boat?
If you don't wanna paint it, as Lokidog said, camo cover is great

[95powersmoker]

This is what I got. Don't want to paint it, just need to blind it up

[pjb3]

Hmmm, it is bright and tall but sea duck are stupid in my thinking

[lokidog]

Not that stupid....   Although I did shoot my first oldsquaw out of my 21' white Trophy.   

[pjb3]

Not that stupid....   Although I did shoot my first oldsquaw out of my 21' white Trophy.   

Ok, maybe color blind
Scoters are the easiest birds to get, oldsquaw are harder in my experience

[Oldguy]

If I were you, I'd find a partner with a duck boat set up and trade him fishing trips with you in return for hunting with him. (Or her)

[95powersmoker]

If I were you, I'd find a partner with a duck boat set up and trade him fishing trips with you in return for hunting with him. (Or her)

That's a good idea. I will have to keep that in mind.