Planning early goose at willapa

[Cannakoi]

As the title says I'm planning on a early goose hunt at the willapa refuge. Last year we were in the pit blinds provided and had an ok amount of birds.
This year I'm considering taking my canoe or buddies 14ft skiff to hunt the mud flats.
I have hunted nisqually and know that the flats can be dangerous with the wrong footwear. My question is are the flats at willapa similar? What unique features do I need to be careful about?
I know that it has some very large flats and understand that going slow and spending and afternoon scouting at high tide will probably be safest.
Just would like to have a safe hunt pushing a bit away from the comfort zone.
Thanks for any and all knowledge guys.

[duck1187]

Willipa has nasty mud in some areas and is very shallow and flat in some areas so the tide goes out very fast and far

[metlhead]

I hunt the bay a lot. If you venture out upon the flats at high tide, you will get stranded. Better option is to go out on the low incoming to learn the channels.  Grass tussocks and marsh will stay dry to 9' high this time of year. Geese use the edge near the grass, which allows a good hide. Barren flats are an all out effort and prolly a wate of time. Main channels with good flow generally have sand and can walk easy. Watch out for cuts on top of the marshes. They can break a leg or drown you quick. Some are only one foot wide, and six deep.

[Cannakoi]

Thanks man that's a ton of help. I will definitely run the channels before going in early morning.

I hunt the bay a lot. If you venture out upon the flats at high tide, you will get stranded. Better option is to go out on the low incoming to learn the channels.  Grass tussocks and marsh will stay dry to 9' high this time of year. Geese use the edge near the grass, which allows a good hide. Barren flats are an all out effort and prolly a wate of time. Main channels with good flow generally have sand and can walk easy. Watch out for cuts on top of the marshes. They can break a leg or drown you quick. Some are only one foot wide, and six deep.