Pothole Waterfowlers

[eastsidemallard74]

It's been a rough year, doesn't seem like the birds are here like normal. Is anyone else seeing the same thing? Anyone having lights out hunting? I'm shooting birds, but just a few every time out.

[boneaddict]

I assumed it was the warm temps in November and the migration just hadnt come in.  There was so much open water up north.  That should not be the case now.   Im seeing lots of birds in the lower valley now, so maybe there is hope there as well.  Weird waterfowl year for sure though

[Mfowl]

I've noticed the same thing. I drove from Spokane back to the westside on Sunday, not for hunting. I barely saw any birds anywhere. While passing through Moses Lake at about 11:00 am I only saw one flock of geese heading out to the fields and a couple small groups already in the fields. The lake itself was void of birds. I hunted the Potholes area the 2 weekends prior and bird numbers were very low. Both ducks and geese. They should be thick right now. I think with the warmer winter it has been the birds are still stacked up north of us somewhere. I think a lot of the geese that were in the basin in early to mid November bounced back north as well. Hopefully things will turn around for the last leg of the season and we will get some decent bird numbers in January.

[92xj]

Plenty of ducks in private ponds/lakes as well as in private flooded corn and dry corn in the basin.  Also, plenty still north of us.
Geese are here in good numbers.
Need ice to freeze the private and you will start seeing more in the public areas as well as see some fresh birds from the north come in.

[kodiak10]

I think I am going to drive east tomorrow for a camping and water fowling trip. I was going to hike far into a spot on public land that has had little pressure and lots of birds in the past when I visited it in the early season. I really want to get on some birds that are less wary. Been seeing lots of birds on the westside, but I feel like having a relaxing weekend away from the crowds and the tides. I just hope my efforts pay off! 

[boneaddict]

Sounds like a great weekend.   

Havent checked the forcast.   Do you like hunting in the fog?  Its solid today here in the Yakima

[EWUeagles]

I feel like there have been quite a few birds around but like always you need to look. The weather has been weird for sure and with the recent warm up it does seem like birds are back on small water, which normally means private lands. Pot holes seem to have plenty of ducks and geese I just think they aren't where they normally would be this time of year.

[kodiak10]

Yeah I am planning on cold foggy weather, and some showers the first day. The fog should be nice, I had a fun foggy hunt at this location in the early season. Its so pretty out east, as long as the weather isn't too heinous, I should have fun!

[vandeman17]

Plenty of ducks in private ponds/lakes as well as in private flooded corn and dry corn in the basin.  Also, plenty still north of us.
Geese are here in good numbers.
Need ice to freeze the private and you will start seeing more in the public areas as well as see some fresh birds from the north come in.

  I am seeing lots of birds but lots of open water as well. Too many quiet places to hold up

[eastsidemallard74]

Ok, so it's not me. I saw Wed/Thurs it's supposed to be in the upper 40s low 50's here. STUPID>>>>>> Anyways thanks, I'm(NOT REALLY) glad everyone seems to be having same issues.

[WSU]

Not many birds around Olympia from what I've seen.  I know we get some from E. Wa when things get cold.  Anyone have a good feeling for where our western Wa birds come from and what conditions we'll need to bring more in?

[Guzman]

Where are they at? Good question. Numbers for the upper basin have been low all year. It has been the warmest I have ever seen. Mont lake in Moses Lake is still ice free which in 15 years I have never seen. We haven’t had any snow. However we are the upper basin. It is a long ways north to Alberta where the ducks come from and Alaska where our geese come from. Historically cold weather hurts the upper basin for numbers more than it helps it.  Will say that weather changes and front push birds out of routines. Birds get pushed to new areas and dumb up. For those headed to the basin watch the weather. We have had a ton of moisture. Once the rain stops and temps drop at night it could be pee soup fog for a few days which is going to make things even tougher.

[Badhabit]

My buddy who live on the hill above the lake said yesterday afternoon he saw probably 15,000 snow geese land in the Potholes. He said they are pretty noisy birds.

[HookedOnQuack]

Looks like the temps are starting to drop there in Moses again, hopefully brings some fresh birds in. We are headed over the weekend after Xmas, will be my sons first time in a layout after some geese!

[Guzman]

Hunted by QH area. Not many birds on refuge. Talking to hunter there 1st truck was there by at least 2:30 in afternoon and last truck 3:30 am to full parking lot. Didn’t look like a lot of ducks shot. I was going to hunt afternoon but guys still out there from the morning, no shots for hours and I didn’t see any ducks flying.

[Chesterdog]

Looks like the temps are starting to drop there in Moses again, hopefully brings some fresh birds in. We are headed over the weekend after Xmas, will be my sons first time in a layout after some geese!

Are you guys hunting on a guided hunt or going after them on your own? 

[eastsidemallard74]

My buddy who live on the hill above the lake said yesterday afternoon he saw probably 15,000 snow geese land in the Potholes. He said they are pretty noisy birds.

if it were along the dam side, it was probably the raft of Snow geese. There's a few thousand sitting on the lake now.

[eastsidemallard74]

Hopefully now that the lake is freezing up, less places for any new ducks that come in, won't have as much water to go to