new waterfowler

[Boyne Valley]

Hello, everyone.

I've been lurking for a while, but thought I'd introduce myself.

My name is Michael, and I've lived in Washington for about 4 years.

I grew up in a non hunting family, and it took a while to realize there was something missing from my life.   

I didn't start hunting until my late 30's.  Started with turkey, and have added quail, pheasant, and chukar to the list.

I tried deer hunting this year, and am addicted, although still eating tag soup.  I'll have to hunt harder during the late season.

I'd love to do some duck/geese hunting, but learn best from mentorship.  I'm not looking for someone to teach for free, but I can offer a couple things in trade, if anyone is interested...

First, I have a GREAT upland dog... a 3 year old vizsla that the a great pheasant dog.  I also have a membership at Cooke Canyon hunt club, near Ellensburg.  I'd pay for an afternoon on pheasants, using my dog, in trade for some duck or geese shooting.

Second, I love to fish.  Mainly, I fly fish, but I would pick up a day float trip for steelhead in exchange for some waterfowling.


Let me know if anyone is interested.  I work in construction, and things are fairly slow right now, so my schedule is pretty open.

As far as guns go, I'd be shooting my old 16 g. SxS.  I keep looking at the Benelli Nova, but haven't made that purchase yet...


Take care, and thanks for reading,

Michael

[carpsniperg2]

Welcome Michael! there is some great guys in here that i am sure will love to take you under there wing and show you around a bit. very nice to offer a trade in return. welcome aboard. you will enjoy your time on this great site.

[ducks55]

Sounds like a great offer for someone with the time... That's unfortunately not me.. There are some guys on here that would be good to get with.

Also just wondering....do they even make steel for a 16g?? 

[Flytyerboy95]

the nova is a kick butt gun, just sayin

[Boyne Valley]

Ducks55,

Yeah, shells for my 16 can be hard to find.

And, since she's around a wee bit old... as in, not only a 16 SxS, but a HAMMER 16 SxS, I don't put steel through her.   It's lead on the range, and nonTox in the field.. Yes, it isn't cheap.  But it *is* a lot of fun to shoot.  I usually don't even remember pulling the hammer back any more... it just seems to happen when the barrels come up.

It isn't the most appropriate gun for ducks, but since it's what I have right now...

Michael

[ducks55]

Ducks55,

Yeah, shells for my 16 can be hard to find.

And, since she's around a wee bit old... as in, not only a 16 SxS, but a HAMMER 16 SxS, I don't put steel through her.   It's lead on the range, and nonTox in the field.. Yes, it isn't cheap.  But it *is* a lot of fun to shoot.  I usually don't even remember pulling the hammer back any more... it just seems to happen when the barrels come up.

It isn't the most appropriate gun for ducks, but since it's what I have right now...

Michael

Completely understandable.. if you do look at new guns though... for the price you can't beat a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870.. new they can be had for less than $300 if you find the right place.


Good luck this season.

[daddy]

Where are you at I can offer some duck hunting in the tri city area.  Burbank, Finley, Patterson.  We are not big into the migration yet. and i am not a high budget hunter but I would be happy to take you with.  Most of the time I just go by myself.

[Boyne Valley]

Where are you at I can offer some duck hunting in the tri city area.  Burbank, Finley, Patterson.  We are not big into the migration yet. and i am not a high budget hunter but I would be happy to take you with.  Most of the time I just go by myself.

I'm on the south side of Seattle.   When I moved here from Michigan, I could have stopped just about ANYWHERE and been in nice country... the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Eastern Washington... but NNNOOOOO... I just *had* to cross the mountains to the wet side.   I know... but I have a tendency to make some bad decisions... Even worse, the woman I moved here for (I told you I made bad decisions) and I are no longer together.  I really don't belong in Seattle.

I"m definitely not high budget, either.  Exactly the opposite.  But I *am* a quick learner, and just need someone to explain the what's and why's to me... Other than neoprene waders, I haven't invested in decoys or calls... Lot's of choices, and I don't have a rational basis for choosing one over the other, yet.

If things heat up over there, I wouldn't mind the drive.  That's an awfully pretty area, and a likely spot for me to try to fill my deer tag during late season.



Ducks55,

I did look at the 870.  Hard to go wrong with that gun, esp. for the price.  The Benelli just seems to fit my cheek a bit better, and I can find them for *close* to the price of an 870... Often at $379, but lower at times.


.Michael

[arnoldmc1]

You are close to the best waterfowling there is on the west side!  The salt is really fantastic.  I live on the Long Beach Peninsula and the Willapa bay area is one of the most fantastic waterfowl areas I have seen.  I have hunted waterfowl now for 40 years mostly on the east side.  I moved here from Spokane where I lived for 42 years.  Just recently retired and moved here, account of the outdoors.  I have never seen so much wild life here and so much for a hunter and fishermen to do.  Went for a drive today and seen hundres of water fowl and two herds of elk.  But back to the duck hunting, would be glad to take yo out here and show you the ropes of duck hunting.  I have all the time in the world and duck hunt by myself by walking in.  Do have a duck boat but see no reason to use it.  Got a limit of ducks just yesterday.  e-mail me and maybe we can get together.