Where to hunt ducks in Skagit?

[johng]

Hello all,

Still a novice hunter here in the 206.

I have heard/read that Skagit County has some good duck and honker hunting.  Can someone tell me some good places to go? 

Also, do you need a dog necessarily?  I am wondering if I got a good pair of waders if there are places I can hunt and still get my duck if I knock one down.  Don't have a boat either but really want to get better at hunting (plus I enjoy it!) so if there any suggestions you could provide that would be much appreciated.

Thanks much,

John G.

[T-Bone]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/skagit/

A dog helps, but isn't a necessity. You do need a tide book for safety and to hunt productively.

Tom

[snocohunter]

If you research some of the areas listed on that page you should be good. Be prepared to walk, and be prepared for some early hours competition from local guys who will get up at O'dark-thirty to get to a good spot. I've heard of guys showing up at 2am at one particular spot on that list, and witnessed guys there at 4am. Good luck, and be careful with the tides.

[nwlynx22]

Tide book is a must like mentioned but there are tons of public spots that are good with just waders. You'd also be hard pressed to beat a avery expandable decoy pole(it's nice to have an extra 10-16 feet). Drop me a PM and maybe we can catch a hunt. 

[johng]

Thanks for the advice guys!  Gonna get me a pair of waders and some good boots oh and a tide book and will be trying my luck soon.

Cheers,

John

[road.kill]

All of the above information is good. Waders are good. You dont need a dog in some areas. A midmorning/afternoon to evening hunt is good sometimes to when you are new to an area to check out the lay of the land and possible shooting/retrieving locations without a dog

Just a heads up, some areas have irrigation/channel ditches running through the areas and they can be deep so dont test the water with both feet. Been there, done that

[h2ofowlr]

If you cross a ditch and the water appears to be black, it is.  The stench will eventually wear off when you throw the waders away.   

[road.kill]

Some of that stuff is pretty nasty

[Caseyd]

If you cross a ditch and the water appears to be black, it is.  The stench will eventually wear off when you throw the waders away.   

 

[AKBowman]

Tide book is a must like mentioned but there are tons of public spots that are good with just waders. You'd also be hard pressed to beat a avery expandable decoy pole(it's nice to have an extra 10-16 feet). Drop me a PM and maybe we can catch a hunt. 

So a tide book is necessary...I'm guessing that its best to hunt the incoming tide?

[nwlynx22]

It sure helps. Some spots you can just work with the tide going out or in. But if you plan on setting a spread and working birds better use the book. Or I like protides website has some nice features on it also.

[h2ofowlr]

I just look at the tides online befor heading out.  This is a good site:  http://www.saltwatertides.com/