They are Here!

[Shannon]

I think the migration has finally picked up. The last several days I have seen a lot more local ducks. What has everyone else seen? They are just starting to use the fields that I hunt. I hope this current cold snap keeps the ball rolling.

[saylean]

Lots of geese and ducks flyin over Lake Sammamish...

[h2ofowlr]

I had a nice group of mallards come in and picked out 3 drakes.  All 3 had bright orange feet.  A good sign.  The northerns are starting to trickle in.

[jordano]

Very nice! stoked about that! =)

[spur_ride]

i have started seeing alot more honker geese over cacklers the last couple days. might have something to do with the snow level dropping to 200ft this weekend. either way i say bring em' on in. im ready for some fat red leg mallards 

[chim-chim]

Have seen a couple of red footed mallards and some cacklers and big honkers were i hunt there starting to come in seen a good pintail drake today (no gun) havent seen any widgeon yet

[General Disarray]

all drakes eventually get bright orange feet, it has nothing to do with northerns.  Just like people saying they shot a "fat Northern", northerns come in skinny and put the fat on between now and Feb.  Locals that have been loafing on the refuges are the ones that have the fat reserves.

I shot a true northern last saturday, banded in Alberta on Aug 11 of this year.  The only true way to tell if a bird is a northern...

[carpsniperg2]

yep, they are starting to show up in full force. can't wait for them to start using our fields

[Whitenuckles]

I agree. The numbers are starting to show up. But I dont think its near the peak of the migration yet.

[Dustin07]

all drakes eventually get bright orange feet, it has nothing to do with northerns.  Just like people saying they shot a "fat Northern", northerns come in skinny and put the fat on between now and Feb.  Locals that have been loafing on the refuges are the ones that have the fat reserves.

I shot a true northern last saturday, banded in Alberta on Aug 11 of this year.  The only true way to tell if a bird is a northern...

the northern ducks also say oot instead of out and end all of their quacks with 'eh?' just another way you can tell, fyi.

[Shannon]

I had my first great inland field hunt of the year. We were done by 8 AM. They are still trickling in but we need a nasty week of weather up North for a boost to the migration.

[h2ofowlr]

The larger flocks are starting to hit the fields.  I was packing out by 7:30 despite the dark morning.  It was a quick shoot.

[Dirt_Bag]

I had a nice group of mallards come in and picked out 3 drakes.  All 3 had bright orange feet.  A good sign.  The northerns are starting to trickle in.

The orange feet are caused by hormonal change, Not a ducks location. The closer to breeding season the more colorful they get

[gadwall]

yep, they are starting to show up in full force. can't wait for them to start using our fields

Hey Carp,
You must be just like the rest of us diehard nimrods, hunt d*mn near everything?  HA! HA!

Gad