Nisqually refuge

[Revwrangler]

Ok so I just took the kids to the Nisqually wildlife refuge today to walk around and learned that you can duck hunt in certain areas of it. I got the map and figured out where and even went to check out the boat launch. Looks simple enough. Here is my concern I will be hunting out of my kayak and my thought was hunt low tide and jump hunt some ducks, but How tough are the currents to deal with out there? Looks to me like water moving in all sorts of directions.

  Any tips and advice for working the water out there from guys who have done it would be appreciated. And if any one of you happen to hunt it in a small boat (I.E. Kayak, canoe, sneak boat) would you consider letting me tag along for a day? I know I am figuring this out extremely late this season, but would love to get out at least a time or two this season so I am ready for next season. Thanks in advance!

[eastsidemallard74]

I hunted in a bigger boat, but, I can tell you the water drops fast.  And make sure you know the boundaries, there a little weird.  Good hunting though

[HuntinCrazy]

The tides on the Delta are tricky to figure out! I would suggest you grab a tide book, head down to the launch. Take some binos and walk out on the pier. Just watch the tidal runs and see what area holds water and when. I have hunted it many times out of my four rivers layout boat. Note: NEVER ever launch with a NORTH wind!!!!!!!!!

I've hunted there for years and have still spent the night lol....ain't too fun. But anyway good luck

[Revwrangler]

Thanks guys. I am wanting to try by next year to get a better duck boat, but not sure it'll happen. Depends on money.

Eastsidemallard74 what kind of boat were you hunting it in?

[eastsidemallard74]

Thanks guys. I am wanting to try by next year to get a better duck boat, but not sure it'll happen. Depends on money.

Eastsidemallard74 what kind of boat were you hunting it in?

I have 19' Smoker with a 90 pump. We have hunted down the main canal to the east right off the launch, and set up, around 20-30 yards off land, to try and help witht the tides, got stuck in the mud for several hours. They move in and out fast. And is sticky mud. The second issue, personally for me is the amount of hunters in the small area.

[Revwrangler]

The advantage I have for it being too many hunters is that I have Monday's off. So I can get out on a day that most guys are working.

[sakoshooter]

I've hunted Nisqually for over 25 yrs and mostly out of my 15' canoe. I use a home made dbl ended paddle. Kind of like a kayak paddle but with bigger blades and little long also.  Ever since the refuge removed the dikes, the small water areas have turned into big water areas with a high tide and dangerous with wind at these times.
All good info already posted but I'll add that if you make sure you've got a high tide coming sometime during your hunt, you can always get out of there. Get out there and learn it and have fun. And if the wind changes to the N, pick up your stuff fast and get out of there OR stay put in a safe area untill the wind dies down. I've been out there in about every kind of storm you can think of and it's not a fun place with a N wind especially with a high incoming tide.

[kenbell27]

Be careful getting out of your boat in that mud. A good friend of mines dad drowned out there after his motor stopped running. He got out to pull his boat and sank to his waist. They did not find him until the next morning when the tide went down.

[lokidog]

Thanks guys. I am wanting to try by next year to get a better duck boat, but not sure it'll happen. Depends on money.

Eastsidemallard74 what kind of boat were you hunting it in?

This one looks like it might work if you are on a budget.  I'vve hunted many years out of a 12' Starcraft.  Easier to hide than a 19'er and you can still drag it off the mud.      

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,168257.0.html

[Revwrangler]

I've hunted Nisqually for over 25 yrs and mostly out of my 15' canoe. I use a home made dbl ended paddle. Kind of like a kayak paddle but with bigger blades and little long also.  Ever since the refuge removed the dikes, the small water areas have turned into big water areas with a high tide and dangerous with wind at these times.
All good info already posted but I'll add that if you make sure you've got a high tide coming sometime during your hunt, you can always get out of there. Get out there and learn it and have fun. And if the wind changes to the N, pick up your stuff fast and get out of there OR stay put in a safe area untill the wind dies down. I've been out there in about every kind of storm you can think of and it's not a fun place with a N wind especially with a high incoming tide.

Would you consider letting me follow you around in my kayak out there for a day?

[metlhead]

Every kind of storm sako? What about a tornado?  BB's on the lower C Sat.

[sakoshooter]

Every kind of storm sako? What about a tornado?  BB's on the lower C Sat.

Yep. Tornado also. Partner filmed this year's tornado at Nisqually.

[sakoshooter]

I've hunted Nisqually for over 25 yrs and mostly out of my 15' canoe. I use a home made dbl ended paddle. Kind of like a kayak paddle but with bigger blades and little long also.  Ever since the refuge removed the dikes, the small water areas have turned into big water areas with a high tide and dangerous with wind at these times.
All good info already posted but I'll add that if you make sure you've got a high tide coming sometime during your hunt, you can always get out of there. Get out there and learn it and have fun. And if the wind changes to the N, pick up your stuff fast and get out of there OR stay put in a safe area untill the wind dies down. I've been out there in about every kind of storm you can think of and it's not a fun place with a N wind especially with a high incoming tide.

Would you consider letting me follow you around in my kayak out there for a day?

Only have two more weekends left and I'm not sure where I'll be going. My advice this late in the season would be to make a few trips out there after season to learn the lay of the land and the refuge boundaries etc. Or make a trip or two while season is still open and take your shotgun. There's always next year though.

[Revwrangler]

Thanks I'll give that a shot. I planned on spending a lot of time in the water there this off season to get used to the water so when next season rolls around I am comfortable with the area.