New to this

[Dreamingofmule]

Hello all

 I’m Brett I’m 32 and I’m in western Washington by Arlington. I work construction full time and dish wash part time . Never duck hunted before and was hoping to get into it this year . Recently got the Mossberg 88 Combo.  Duck hunting opens October 15 , the same day as general deer season is that correct ? Just making sure  that I read that correct as it  Just seems weird to me for some reason that they both open the same day.

I’d imagine most people deer hunt untill deer season is over and then start the red duck hunting season. If anyone wants to show a newcomer the ropes I’d love to tag along with someone for my first time. I promise I’ll never go back to any spots or give
Them away . I read the all about duck hunting in Washington but still hoping to go out with someone my first time.

 Thank you for your time

[MeepDog]

Hi Brett welcome to the forum. Youre right, a good rule of thumb is duck general always starts the same day as deer modern. Just make sure to pay attention to that short break in the season. Another thing to really watch out for is which days goose and/or scaup are open. Scaup have a later season start but can be fat tasty birds. In some areas geese aren't open every day so make sure to read the regs even more closely if you're looking to shoot a goose. Many areas are easy and open every day, but where I live we can only shoot geese Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Edit: unless I'm mistaken duck season should start Oct 14th this 2023 season. That's when modern deer starts.

[WWA]

The NW chapter Meets at the Twin City Sportsmen Club on the second Wed of each month. The first round of trap is on us. Rob Wingaurd normally does a presentation on the private lands program he administers Stanwood to the Canadian boarder. Im not sure when he will be doing it, but it is a great presentation. We also have a mentor program that is best to get in on it while we have mentors before the slots fill up.
Twin City and the NW chapter have a Facebook page

Twin City is open every Saturday 10am till 2pm and 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 3 till 830pm
26933 64th Ave NW, Stanwood, WA 98292
Phone: (360) 629-3474 only answered during open shooting

[Dreamingofmule]

The NW chapter Meets at the Twin City Sportsmen Club on the second Wed of each month. The first round of trap is on us. Rob Wingaurd normally does a presentation on the private lands program he administers Stanwood to the Canadian boarder. Im not sure when he will be doing it, but it is a great presentation. We also have a mentor program that is best to get in on it while we have mentors before the slots fill up.
Twin City and the NW chapter have a Facebook page

Twin City is open every Saturday 10am till 2pm and 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 3 till 830pm
26933 64th Ave NW, Stanwood, WA 98292
Phone: (360) 629-3474 only answered during open shooting

Thank you for this !!

[Dreamingofmule]

Hi Brett welcome to the forum. Youre right, a good rule of thumb is duck general always starts the same day as deer modern. Just make sure to pay attention to that short break in the season. Another thing to really watch out for is which days goose and/or scaup are open. Scaup have a later season start but can be fat tasty birds. In some areas geese aren't open every day so make sure to read the regs even more closely if you're looking to shoot a goose. Many areas are easy and open every day, but where I live we can only shoot geese Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Edit: unless I'm mistaken duck season should start Oct 14th this 2023 season. That's when modern deer starts.

 Yes the 14th , that is my bad. Thanks for confirming.

And I would love to get into geese and have never heard of scaup!! Mainly just want to stick with duck untill I get the hang of it and go at least a couple times before I open my variety up

[300rum]

  

I work construction full time and dish wash part time .

[hdshot]

Today’s climate is very hard for a new public waterfowl hunter to start without a hunting partner or two. Do your homework making sure it is even worth it with these gas prices before getting all the equipment such as decoys. You don’t need a hunting license to scout, practice shooting clays, and get a duck call to practice.  There is a retirement boom atm causing more pressure than ever and duck numbers have crashed on the east side. So study the duck numbers and breeding pairs on ducks unlimited. Hope the official breeding pair survey will be out soon for 2023.

Last year for me was the first year not buying a license since 1986 because of the lack of ducks with heavy pressure.  Goose hunters today have to have private land access that can hold geese at times of the long season and have friends to help out with scouting with these gas prices.  Car pool hunting is more important than ever for us average guys.

[Dreamingofmule]

Today’s climate is very hard for a new public waterfowl hunter to start without a hunting partner or two. Do your homework making sure it is even worth it with these gas prices before getting all the equipment such as decoys. You don’t need a hunting license to scout, practice shooting clays, and get a duck call to practice.  There is a retirement boom atm causing more pressure than ever and duck numbers have crashed on the east side. So study the duck numbers and breeding pairs on ducks unlimited. Hope the official breeding pair survey will be out soon for 2023.

Last year for me was the first year not buying a license since 1986 because of the lack of ducks with heavy pressure.  Goose hunters today have to have private land access that can hold geese at times of the long season and have friends to help out with scouting with these gas prices.  Car pool hunting is more important than ever for us average guys.

That’s a bummer to hear!! Thanks for all the advice

[hdshot]

It’s a bummer for everyone. Back in high school I could drive five miles and get a few ducks jump shooting early season.  All neighborhoods now. Also for ducks over water, if you don’t have a dog could really limit your hunting areas as well. 

[WWA]

Several folks whom participated in the mentor mentee program are now mentors. You get out what you put in. Active members have made hunting buddies, and normallygeneral scouting information dis shared. When asked about a specific spot members will often tell you something useful about the area..

Aug 26th 9am the NW chapter is having a blind maintenance work party, and it's a great opportunity to learn the Samish Island unit.

[MeepDog]

Hi Brett welcome to the forum. Youre right, a good rule of thumb is duck general always starts the same day as deer modern. Just make sure to pay attention to that short break in the season. Another thing to really watch out for is which days goose and/or scaup are open. Scaup have a later season start but can be fat tasty birds. In some areas geese aren't open every day so make sure to read the regs even more closely if you're looking to shoot a goose. Many areas are easy and open every day, but where I live we can only shoot geese Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Edit: unless I'm mistaken duck season should start Oct 14th this 2023 season. That's when modern deer starts.

 Yes the 14th , that is my bad. Thanks for confirming.

And I would love to get into geese and have never heard of scaup!! Mainly just want to stick with duck untill I get the hang of it and go at least a couple times before I open my variety up

Scaup are a type of diver duck. You'll want to learn to identify them because they have a smaller limit and shorter season. Identification of ducks is half the fun. The most valuable tools other than a shotgun is chest waders, ideally neoprene to help with buoyancy and the cold. You'll have to scout beforehand to figure it if retrieving birds is possible without a dog. Dogs would possibly tie with chest waders for utility but you don't buy those on a whim at sportsman's. Don't be afraid to sneak around and jump shoot ducks or coots. You can get a lot of action in a day walking around when everyone else is asleep in a blind.

[metlhead]

Get a boat and you'll be killing ducks while everybody else is sneaking around looking for access