western wa

[sffguitar]

So Im checking out a lot of wildlife areas in western wa.... Has anyone ever had any experiance with the crescent lake wildlife area? Please let me know...would love to do some duck hunting out there....anyone have any experiance with any other wildlife areas in western wa. Please get back to me, PM me if you must...I just would like to find some alright public places to hunt this fall...IM A NEWBIE to waterfowlin. Note: I have a boat. No dog....

[Ray]

If you have a boat but no dog I hope you don't have to swim for some of those birds 

[sffguitar]

Hah....Ive got a nice little trolling motor. I would just troll over and retrieve the duck. My dogs name is minn kota. hah.

[CP]

I’ve hiked the Crescent Lake area but I’ve never hunted it.  It’s a little to suburban for my tastes.  It is mostly a pheasant release site but there are some wetlands in the woods at the rear of the area.  These hold mallards and would be interesting to hunt.  There are also a few deer in those woods.  Part of it borders the river, lots of jet sled activity there. 

[Ray]

That area is pretty suburban as CP says. Go look at it for yourself. I have never hunted it but the fields look like they would be a good place to catch some Canadian geese at daybreak. That is if you can sneak up or setup before they know it.

Trolling motor - not very good if they land in the reeds. Good luck though. I think the boat would come in handy either way. Just is a shame if you have to leave a bird because you cannot get it. Don't get me wrong. I would use a boat without a dog but there are some places where the dogs really come in handy.

[ICEMAN]

Yep, we have spent many an hour bog hopping chasing a wounded duck. Really have to call the shots right, so no more can hit the bog. New dog in the blind this year, first dog for us...

[Ray]

The dogs can really be handy when there is a current in the water too. That way they can retrieve the birds if you also need to shoot more birds as they come in.

[sffguitar]

Itd be nice to have a dog...but I just have to make do with what I have. A dog is on the agenda for the next couple years but for now we will have to work with what I have. How are the skagit flats? are most of these public waterfowl spots pretty filled up with other hunters? Let me know of your expierances. I really appreciate your feedback on all of these guys. thanks

[Ray]

There are lots of hunters in many parts of the skagit area. But there are also lots of birds. I like it there however some places can get a little too busy for my liking.

[ArtistNhunter2]

Hey SFF, welcome!  I've hunted Crescent Lake and Stillwater for many years. Duck hunting is best after the
pheasant season closes. PM me for more info.

[clawdad]

I have two labs mom and daughter. Mom is 4.5 and I have hunted her every season The daughter is 1.5 and this will be her first season except for the last day last year she got to go. I know some areas we hunt  are so thick it is tough for a dog to go in there and you probably wouldn't want them in there anyway. I would bet that with out dogs we wouldn't retrieve 1 out of 3 ducks. There are many times when you lose birds even with dogs. Last year the last day I took Savage my pup, only because I told the wife I would but then tried to back out and she said " your take her" so I took both dogs. Bella is my momma dog and she is steady so I had my partner take her and I kept Savage on a leash. I flushed a big greenhead when we were jump shooting and folded it. I was really pumped for Savage to get her first retrieve I took her over close to where it dropped and turned her loose. The drake was sitting in the water with a busted wing,She marked it on the water and was heading for it, the moment he saw her he dove under the water and disappeared. We spent the next 30 minutes searching the cattails and never found it.  She didn't get a retrieve the rest of the day. So I have had all summer to think about it. You can't get them all, but without dogs (unless you are on open water) you will have a tough time. Not to mention the more time you spend looking for birds the mores birds will flare by you being out of the blind.

[jackelope]

the geese do not frequent those fields as much as you would think. they tend to stay more on the private lands around the valley. there can be real good duck hunting there at times.
i don't think the lake is what would be my first choice of location. you could do good there leaving the boat at home....watch out if the valley is flooded though, and if it is, bring the boat along.