new hunter - help me not be an idiot

[mynameisadahn]

Hello,

I'm in Olympia and started hunting last year.  I'd like to do some duck hunting in the state wildlife areas around here (Nisqually, scattercreek, etc).

I don't have a boat so that would rule out Nisqually and some other areas, as I understand.  I don't have a *trained* dog either. 

So my question is, would I be an absolute ass to try jump shooting ducks in Scatter creek and some of the other wildlife areas around here.  Assuming that I don't see any other hunters in blinds. 

Similarly, would it be rude/idiotic for me to try dove hunting in these areas?  the state webpages say there are some doves in the areas with fields.  With dove hunting I would be staying in the brush but not nearly as concealed as w/ ducks.

If anyone has better ideas for where I should be going, that would be appreciated too.  I know there is better hunting in other areas but I want to be close to town, given family obligations etc

[Copperwood]

pm me

[Curly]

Jump shooting Scatter Creek is probably not going to be too productive, but hey it could be worth a shot.  Wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

Jump shooting is hard to do because it's just simply hard to find good places to jump.  You'd be better off finding a pond somewhere to set out decoys.

Doves are going to be real tough to do much good on in areas around here.  The numbers are so small that it would be hard to get much shooting in (if any).  You can happen into a couple here and there but I don't know how you'd target them?  I see the occasional dove out in Capital Forest but I can't think of a good way to hunt them up there.    I suppose you could drive the roads hunting for grouse and you could run into a dove or two you could take note of where they are and then go and sit somewhere hoping to get a couple to fly in range. 

[BigGoonTuna]

there are a ton of doves around thurston county, but they're the eurasian collared(invasive) kind.  unfortunately they seem to mostly hang around the suburbs where you can't really hunt them.

you may want to try to knock on some doors but as far as public access goes, prepare to be pretty disappointed unless you invest in a boat.  that would open up your options for the nisqually and chehalis rivers.  however, i don't think there's a single public lake locally that isn't in a "no shooting" zone.  you could probably get some target practice walking along the skookumchuck river at the game fields, not a lot of quality ducks but lots of mergansers going back and forth.

[Fishnclifff]

Take a look at Ridgefield  Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield.
Couple hr drive.
You can apply for reservations or hut the lottery.
Pm me if ya got questions.