Need waterfowl help in Columbia Basin

[GWP]

The 'locations' part of it is important. My wife and I drug our boat all around E-Wa last year only to find ice at our usual spots. We like jump shooting a lot, but the water is too frozen for that for the most part. Hard to find a spot unless you know someone, or have property that is waterfowl friendly. Rather then drive around looking, you could be learning and shooting. Just sayin'!

[followthescience]

Thanks again for most of the advice folks, and thanks to the guy who's gonna hook me up with a spot in a blind for paying it forward and keeping people in the sport and expanding their repetoire--mine in this case.  He understood, as lots of people don't, that what comes around goes around.

For the folks who keep telling me to go with a guide, no thanks, but thanks.  I won't need to, and moreover, I don't want to.  But I appreciate you all thinking that's the way to go. 

For those who want to share actual knowledge of the sport, those without the big hunter's egos and matching insecurity, thanks for keeping the advice or offers coming.  My offer to you is good, and I'll be sure to offer my knowledge in future posts on the site.

[halflife65]

Well, good luck - it sounds like you found a good hookup with the blind.

Oh yeah, I have an ego  , I just know when to shut it off because I don't know too much about a subject (other than attempting to live vicariously through someone like yourself and attempting to convice you to do what I want to do.  Good for you for doing what YOU want to do, though.)

[Ellensburg]

I was just joking around science. But seriously, just get a boat and go for it. Didn't mean to be rude, and if I had any better advice to give, I would.

[T-Rip]

Science,

I will be in Tri-Cities for the weekend hunting waterfowl. My plan is to continue to educate my sons on the specifics of quality duck and goose hunting - Training them to know what it takes on location, decoys and calling to get Birds fully committed and in the decoys for quality shooting. Of course we have a lot of fun, and I enjoy the boys during some of their AH - HA moments as they learn the game.

We are working on a new outdoor show proposal to Versus and the Outdoor Channel for a youth hosted hunting and fishing show. There is interest my sons Max and Dom, that's all we can say for now so we will be taking lots of pictures and some video.

I'm familiar w/ that area as I lived there for 5 years - You are in a very good waterfowl area. If it is easy to hook up we can share some blind space.

Here's a link to one of our hunts - http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,62567.0.html

[Dustin07]

duck hunting can be a challenge in this state. most guys don't want to hunt with you until you have something to offer them in return  but there are a couple really great guys that would take you out, although they are on the west side.

look up the wdfw public spots and just spend a day visiting them, watching the birds, and learning. take your shotty, you never know. These past few years I have made a list of over 20 new locations mostly public, that I actually *like*. Some of them are in your neck of the woods.

I was just joking around science. But seriously, just get a boat and go for it. Didn't mean to be rude, and if I had any better advice to give, I would.

I thought it was funny 

[Happy Gilmore]

Lots of public land to walk into on the Burbank side. Hit the peninsula. Buy a dozen decoys out of the want adds. Won't cost you a lot. Get up early in Tri- Cities for a spot. Consider camping out over night if you find one you can wear your waders to retrieve ducks. Thats the way my brother in law and I did it around the Tri-Cities for years. Most tri-city birds are call shy from most guys down there who call their brains out at every passing bird at 35,000'- less calling and just a couple well placed decoys can be all you need to have some fun. Buy a little bag of dekes, put on your waders and get to your blind by 2am or ealier if its a good one.

thats why I don't duck hunt down there much anymore.

[GWP]

Ok, I'll give up one of our 'secrets' if you will. We jump shoot on canals and rivers and ponds. We carry ONE decoy per person. If they are flocked they have a bag with a rubber band on the head. If it is just me, I carry one hen. They have a long string (20'-30')attached as well as the weight. You tie up the end of the string so you do not loose it, and toss the decoy out. That way you can recover it with out wading in to get it. Yes, sometimes it takes a few throws to get it where you want it. We have gotten plenty of birds using one or two decoys, whether we were in the boat blind, shore blind, or land hunting. Call just enough to get their attention then wait. Make sure you are well hidden. This has worked well for us.