Question on hunting salt on foot

[johng]

Hello fellow waterfowlers!

So, I am hoping (Lord's willing) to get out and hunt a bay up in the Skagit area.  I have been there before and we basically just hunkered down by a big log and did some pass shooting with some limited success.

What I am wondering now about is what I have seen other guys do: head out to the sea shore on foot, put out a few deeks, sit on a bucket or in a clump of grass and wait for the ducks to come in and then blast them!   

Specifically my question is on the tide changes and what time you would be out there to hunt.  From looking at the tide tables low tide for that area is around 11am on Saturday.  Would it make sense to be out there earlier around legal shooting times (like ~ 7am) or is it just not worth it and best to be in a spot by around say 10am?

Thanks for any tips you can provide!

- Jg

[Special T]

Hunting the salt is a fickle event. I would say it depends on many factors. And those factors change ore often because of the tide. I ususally see mor low flying birds first thing in the morning, but at the same time have been out under the right conditions and limited out in 45 min because of the weather.
Only way to find out is go!  Just remember any ditches or low areas that you cross will fill up much quicker than where you are hunting, don't get stranded!

[h2ofowlr]

Hit it first light or during the incoming tide.

[Glockster]

Don't bring too many decoys.....4-6 is enough.  You'll need to follow the tide line...in or out depending.  The birds feed at the tide line so you want to be able to move your deeks quickly.  Don't hunt an incoming tide on your first tidal attempt....hunt the outgoing.  The tide can move amazingly fast. We don't want to here about you on the news. 

[johng]

Thanks for the tips guys.  If I can shake this cold I will be out there Saturday morn.

[BigGoonTuna]

watch out for the potholes in the grass

[lokidog]

I was going to suggest hunting outgoing as well, that way, at worst your decoys are sitting on mud at the end of your hunt.  Hopefully you have a dog, if not, be sure to bring a fishing rod with a heavy floating lure with lots of hooks.

Best thing is to pick a tide chart and then get out there at high tide, see where and where you can't go and then write down the water heights so you can remember it.

Good luck.

[MP123]

I'm not sure exactly which bay in Skagit you're planning on hunting but some of the areas have a very silty bottom almost like quicksand.  Not much fun sinking over both knees in muck and then trying to walk in your waders.  Especially with the tide coming in. 

Good luck though!

[johng]

So it sounds like hunting the high tide (outgoing tide) is safer... I think this might work ok then because from looking at my tide tables the area has a high tide time of 6:10 am.  Sunrise is at 7:50am tomorrow and shooting time is 7:15am tomorrow.

So I guess I will be walking out around 7am to my spot... how does that sound to you more experienced dudes?  Unfortunately I don't have a hunting dog yet so I guess I might have to go with the fishing pole method... that sounds rather interesting...  Maybe use a buzz bomb?  haha...  Actually that doesn't float.  Didn't think I would be checking my tackle box for duck season.   

Thanks for all the advice,

Jg

[johng]

One more question... is it worth going out to hunt the salt in Skagit tomorrow considering the weather forecast?  It is supposed to be mostly cloudy tomorrow with a 10% chance of rain.  I have heard, and experienced, that not much is flying around with a non rainy day like tomorrow is supposed to be.

What do you guys think?  Is it worth getting up before 5am tomorrow?   

Cheers,
jg

[Special T]

Well here is what i would tell you. Go hunt the first hour or so then go walk as much public area as you can so you can get an idea what hunting an incoming tide would be like.  I have hunted days like tomorrow is supposed to be like and considered it a part huntin/ scouting day...

[Skagit_Hunter]

Scouting is you best bet....Your talking some dangerous hunting. Maybe try walking out there in daylight without a gun and decoys would be in your best interest. There are many bad holes, Ditches covered with grass and so on. There is a reason you don't see a lot of people doing it.
Besides getting hurt. With incoming tides you may loose you avenue of escape.
No bird is worth your life. I have seen some come back without decoys, Some come back without gun. Some luckier then He!!
to make it back at all...but wet and hypothermic that had to leave the waders behind.
Since you don't know tides, conditions.... Let someone know where you will be at. And when you will be home. Easier for 911 to find you. 

[seth30]

Scouting is you best bet....Your talking some dangerous hunting. Maybe try walking out there in daylight without a gun and decoys would be in your best interest. There are many bad holes, Ditches covered with grass and so on. There is a reason you don't see a lot of people doing it.
Besides getting hurt. With incoming tides you may loose you avenue of escape.
No bird is worth your life. I have seen some come back without decoys, Some come back without gun. Some luckier then He!!
to make it back at all...but wet and hypothermic that had to leave the waders behind.
Since you don't know tides, conditions.... Let someone know where you will be at. And when you will be home. Easier for 911 to find you. 

x2

[lokidog]

You might think about wearing a life jacket just in case you do drop into a hole.