Legal hunting land question - Puget Sound

[Duckhunter14]

I agree with finding a rocky shore. In my experience they stay on a rocky shore in a protected bay at night then fly out into more open water (still relatively close to shore) to feed during the day. Find a good spot between the two areas and they are very easily decoyed. Make sure everyone in the boat brings binoculars and only one person shoots. Often times it can be difficult to tell a hen harlequin from other sea duck hens, so be extra cautious. They often times group up as they buzz the decoys and killing two could happen, we try to shoot single drakes or wait for a really clear shot.

As mentioned above; killing one is not difficult. Finding the spot is. And its no surprise why, they can be tough to come by. After we killed our three in the boat earlier this year a banded drake backpedaled and landed 20 yards from the boat. That was tough!  But the rule on my boat is if you're not going to mount it you don't shoot one. No reason to just shoot one for fun  . They are beautiful little birds and I love getting out once a year to target them. Even if I don't shoot.

Good luck in your adventure for the wood duck of the sea. People from all over the country come to the PNW and Alaska for a chance at one. Hope to see a success pic when you punch your one for the year.

*Also to reinforce what Loki mentioned...water swat them again if they aren't belly up. If they dive they're gone. And shooting from a propelled motor is illegal. Therefore making follow up shots on wounded birds very difficult.

Clint

[lokidog]

Mind blown! Yes I just read that you MUST be anchored there. Which means you are touching the land below the water. So the point of that law is to not allow you to hunt by floating over the private land I guess. Kind of rude if you ask me, Im not trying to steal their land, I just want to shoot some ducks which weren't theirs to being with!

Actually,  I think the point is to keep guys from blowing through the rafts of birds more than anything.

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[lokidog]

My original responses were thinking of South sound.

Good thing it doesn't apply out here since I drift shoot most of my birds....

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[bigmike86]

On drifting: How many lines do you have out and how do you keep them separated? Do you anchor to dofferent parts of the boat or have one anchor point and some type of spreaders?

[Special T]

Mind blown! Yes I just read that you MUST be anchored there. Which means you are touching the land below the water. So the point of that law is to not allow you to hunt by floating over the private land I guess. Kind of rude if you ask me, Im not trying to steal their land, I just want to shoot some ducks which weren't theirs to being with!

Actually,  I think the point is to keep guys from blowing through the rafts of birds more than anything.

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It was actually to keep people from skulling into flocks of snows, and drifting into the flocks. A very effective method used in other parts of the country.

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[Special T]

On drifting: How many lines do you have out and how do you keep them separated? Do you anchor to dofferent parts of the boat or have one anchor point and some type of spreaders?

You don't need it for harliqui. 90% of the tide land owners that get mad are oyster/clam farmers or gun clubs. Too shallow and wrong terrain for harliquin.

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[bigmike86]

Team,

Thanks so much for all your help. I shot 4 new species today that I have never shot before! What a day!

First I missed some scoters, so that was a bummer, but then I shot a random bluebill hen, and one each goldeneye drake! (Only had to chase one of them half way across the sound...tough birds...). Then I missed a redhead!!!! Dag nabbit! But I shot a redbreasted merganser to finish off the day. I have always wanted to shoot a goldeneye and I am so happy that I had so many birds decoy that I could pick out 2 drakes. What a treat that it was one of each type! Thanks again for all your help, specifically the people that PM'd me and gave me your super secret spots

-Big Mike

[lokidog]

 

[Whitenuckles]

 

[washingtonmuley]

Team,

Thanks so much for all your help. I shot 4 new species today that I have never shot before! What a day!

First I missed some scoters, so that was a bummer, but then I shot a random bluebill hen, and one each goldeneye drake! (Only had to chase one of them half way across the sound...tough birds...). Then I missed a redhead!!!! Dag nabbit! But I shot a redbreasted merganser to finish off the day. I have always wanted to shoot a goldeneye and I am so happy that I had so many birds decoy that I could pick out 2 drakes. What a treat that it was one of each type! Thanks again for all your help, specifically the people that PM'd me and gave me your super secret spots

-Big Mike

Redhead in the sound?

[bigmike86]

I'm not a waterfowl ID expert but it had a redhead with a blue bill. It swam into decoys so i got a pretty good look at it. Dont ask why I missed...super bummed...