Columbia NWR Lottery

[GCRocketman]

I got drawn ... 4 dates ... Two dates in October, and one each in November and January

Anyone hunted over there?  Any good?  Waste of my gas? 

[CP]

It's hit or miss.  Congrats on the draw.

[HoofsandWings]

If you should decide not to hunt some of those dates, notify the refuge. They plan to penalize noshows.
Better yet send in the money for all dates.

[GCRocketman]

If you should decide not to hunt some of those dates, notify the refuge. They plan to penalize noshows.
Better yet send in the money for all dates.

Oh ... I will.  No worries there.  Gives someone else a chance to hunt if they know you aren't gonna show

[Madison]

if you can't scout it, it is a gamble.  Can be very hit and miss. Mostly miss the past few years.

[GCRocketman]

if you can't scout it, it is a gamble.  Can be very hit and miss. Mostly miss the past few years.

Well ... the lottery draw is is assigned blind hunting so scouting wouldn't help all that much.

Any day afield is a damn sight better than any day at the office, right? 

[HoofsandWings]

I don't see how scouting will help. You can sit in the parking lot with binoculars, if you wish.
But if you decide not to, remember to leave the money at the site.
The geese fly over that field all of the time. Getting them to come in is a different story. I have had hundreds of geese fly over me while on their way to somewhere else. I don't think antiaircraft guns are legal.

[HoofsandWings]

Words of advice.
Some of you sound like you are new to the goose pits.
Rule 1. Make sure there are tire tracks leading to your blind. That means they have gassed the black widow spiders which are there every year.
Don't go into the pit until you have shined a flashlight into the pit and checked it out. If the floor is moving then you have a herd of mice to deal with.
I usually duct tape my pants in the early season. I would bring a whisk broom and sweep the bench. As for the mice don't sit suddenly as you may squish one.
There are coyotes running around. Don't shoot. They and pheasants are a protected species on that field and you would be guilty of poaching.
Lastly, the warden has climbed into the pit with me to check my shotgun, ammo and license. He will ask you to empty your pockets and blind bag to make sure you only have 25 shells. This has happened only a couple of times to me.
If the warden is new, he will sometimes drive up to the pit to check you out. Be nice to him and suggest he meet you at the pivot.
The trail leading to the pivot is very rough and I would not suggest a cart unless there were two of you pulling it.
The porta  potti is small by most standards. Your knees will stick out the door.

[Madison]

yes of course scouting it is a waste of time.  I would never want to know how many birds were in the area or using the fields.  By all means go hunt it on your days.  stay out of the other areas that actually have birds using them.  I thank you in advance. 

[GCRocketman]

yes of course scouting it is a waste of time.  I would never want to know how many birds were in the area or using the fields.  By all means go hunt it on your days.  stay out of the other areas that actually have birds using them.  I thank you in advance. 

LOL

I know what you're saying ... but its a drive for me, so it's not like I can do a whole lot ... I am gonna go at least the weekend before to scope it out.  My point about the scouting was - I'm limited (for the hunt draw area anyway) to where I can hunt ... so whether there are birds there or not ... its not like I can go to a different blind and hunt it, or move my blind location ...

Unless there's something about the area that I am not aware of (VERY likely in my case) ...