McNary (Burbank Slough)

[Idahocougar]

I got drawn for Nov. 10 #1 pick and Nov. 14 #7 pick at McNary. I've heard that the early season can be kinda slow but it really picks up after the first push of mallards hit the area. Anyways what my question is does anybody have any experience hunting McNary. Any info such as water depth, what kind of birds to expect, blind selection, ect. would be great. Thanks for any help.

[General Disarray]

delete this post and I'll pm you...

[chester]

Id take G.D. up on that offer 

[400out]

if it playes out like it does most of the time around here 50 deg. one day the 0 for a week and it will all freeze up and you'll go to the river! Enjoy! you can have that rat race there are much better spots around than in the game wardens lap 

[duckaholic]

only hunted the corn field on stand by a few times, but I'm always driving by the area and have seen a LOT of birds working the water there already, it should be a good year this year, i wouldn't worry about the bird numbers at all but the crowd on the other hand is something else. and the blinds are WAY to close to each other. 

[HoofsandWings]

only hunted the corn field on stand by a few times, but I'm always driving by the area and have seen a LOT of birds working the water there already, it should be a good year this year, i wouldn't worry about the bird numbers at all but the crowd on the other hand is something else. and the blinds are WAY to close to each other. 

That is why everyone wears wide brim hats, so when the t-shot rains down on you, you can ignore it. Of course if you see a duck flying across the slough or flying way up in the ozone layer, you can send some 3 1/2" t-shot in the birds direction.

[Hot Lunch]

McNary hasnt shot worth a chit in the last 3 years.

Before that is used to be epic.

Blinds 6, 17,19 are the top 3 every year. You'll be hunting around your closest friends, loud calls and as many decoys as you can pack are the ticket.

They post how many birds are killed out of each blind, so you can look at the spread sheet to get an idea of whats hot before you pick.

Nov. is prime time for McNary so I would plan on going on your pics.

[duckaholic]

i think that the whole calling thing there is pointless there. u don't NEED to call at a single bird just have the decoy spread nobody else dose and you will do fine. most people that hunt there over call anyway so the quiet spread is were they want to be.   

[400out]

i think that the whole calling thing there is pointless there. u don't NEED to call at a single bird just have the decoy spread nobody else dose and you will do fine. most people that hunt there over call anyway so the quiet spread is were they want to be.   

You've hunted with the seattle hunters too 

[HoofsandWings]

After you have hunted McNary awhile, you will see the same faces each year. The locals buy an annual pass. Many of them work at jobs that start in the afternoon on Wednesdays.
This year will be a little different as there are so many unemployed hunters, the number of blinds hunted each day will be greater and the number of hunters per blind will be higher.
McNary is also a great place to practice your calling. I have seen and heard hunters who are helping their buddies who are new to calling. You first hear a good caller, then one not so good, going over the same routine. Good place to try out that new call you just bought. Even some of the locals do this as their wives object to practicing at home.

Someone here correct me if I am wrong, but if you go down to the river and practice out of season, you can get a ticket for harrassing migratory waterfowl.

[General Disarray]

i think that the whole calling thing there is pointless there. u don't NEED to call at a single bird just have the decoy spread nobody else dose and you will do fine. most people that hunt there over call anyway so the quiet spread is were they want to be.   

yep, that's all it takes!!

[HoofsandWings]

One question for you McNary old timers here. Up to a couple of years ago, I would occasionally hear this guy usually in blind 1 or 2 playing the harmonica around mid-day. Has anyone heard him lately?

[General Disarray]

One question for you McNary old timers here. Up to a couple of years ago, I would occasionally hear this guy usually in blind 1 or 2 playing the harmonica around mid-day. Has anyone heard him lately?

Haven't hunted there in 9 months .  And I try to avoid Blind 1 and 2 like the plague.  Pass shooter central and the cripple blind, no thanks.