Nisqually Delta Hunting Area

[texas fling]

I am heading out in the morning. I have never hunted this area so it will be an exploring hunt and maybe I will get lucky. I am a little fearful though. I have heard alot of horror stories about public hunting areas. Recently about a Skagit Flats pulbic area. I guess the place was a zoo. For the waterfowl version, road hunter.
I was a little confused about the regs reguarding use of decoys on wdfw land, so I called 'em & they said that on the Nisqually Delta hunting area that it was legal. Has anyone hunted this area and if so do you have any tips or suggestions.

[Wack-N-Stack]

I have hunted there for many years. First, its a 'boat only' show. The only area open to hunting is axcessed by water.
Second, the tide must be in your favor or you'll be high and dry.
Let me warn you strongly......the mud there is very dangerous, much like quicksand. You can get stuck there very easily.
That being said, the hunting is hit and miss. This late it is best with a big freeze that ices up the fresh water. There are mostly widgeons with a few pintails. This spot use to be much better but now is managed for the birdwatchers and nature fricks that like to walk the trail around it. It cretainly is not managed for waterfowl.

[actionshooter]

I have hunted there for many years. First, its a 'boat only' show. The only area open to hunting is axcessed by water.
Second, the tide must be in your favor or you'll be high and dry.
Let me warn you strongly......the mud there is very dangerous, much like quicksand.

I'll 2nd that, I had a VERY cold night when I got stranded by the tide (15 years ago) and a friend of mines, father died out there close to 20 years ago b/c he got stuck in the mud and the tide came in.
Be careful out there.

[billythekidrock]

Let me warn you strongly......the mud there is very dangerous, much like quicksand. You can get stuck there very easily

Very dangerous indeed. No matter how strong you think you are or how solid the bottom may feel, NEVER leave your boat if you get stranded during a low tide.

I'll 2nd that, I had a VERY cold night when I got stranded by the tide (15 years ago) and a friend of mines, father died out there close to 20 years ago b/c he got stuck in the mud and the tide came in.
Be careful out there.

I remember when her father died. I think about it whenever we fish the green can.

[texas fling]

Thank you all for you input.

[Antlershed]

How did the hunt go? It was very slow in the Nisqually Valley yesterday...not much flying at all.

[texas fling]

How did the hunt go? It was very slow in the Nisqually Valley yesterday...not much flying at all.

I do not have a boat that I can hunt that area with. I went down there knowing that it was boat access only and just looked around. Checked out the boat launch. Went to the game refuge. Was there for the mornings lift off. It was spectacular. Lots of game in there. Could not get close enough to the areas that are legal to hunt to scout them. The only access is by boat. At any rate it was great to see all the bird there. If you haven't visited that place. I strongly recommend it. By the time I was done, I was stoked for the next hunt.

[Antlershed]

The only problem is the Geese flight pattern when they leave the refuge, and it goes like this....Take off from the refuge, fly up the valley, maybe get shot at once or twice, and fly back to the refuge. They've got it figured out.