Get duck boat or quit?

[hdshot]

You don't need a boat. You need a secluded spot that gets little pressure. I also agree with the previous post that you don't need to kill a limit every time you go out. I like being outdoors and wathcing the sun come up, Best part of the hunt in my mind......

gl, Hunting is what it is, make the most out of what it offers you...


RTPSRING

No way in hell would I buy a boat for hunting if I were you. If you are already thinking about giving up the sport, I don't think that buying a boat will be the cure-all. Thats like someone who gets frustrated with their golf game and buys a  golf cart and new clubs to help them enjoy the sport more.

Its a big investment for someone who is already so discouraged.

My advice would be to go about your daily life and see how you are feeling in August/September. If the hunting season isn't on your mind and you feel like you could do without....

If you are like me and you are counting down the days til' opener, then it proves that you really have a connection with the sport.


Good luck, and I hope that you make the right decision for yourself.

Just seems today good or it is just a bust most days with no in between.  At one time we always got ducks at first light no matter the weather.  Getting harder because work gets more and more demanding leaving no time to spot birds for the next day.

It's far past fustration and being discoraged.  All hope is lost and trying to find method or something to bring the hope back as a freelance hunter. 

[hdshot]

Not trying to thread Jack, but I feel the same way about elk hunting and after a few months the fever comes back.  Hopefully the fever comes back with your waterfowl hunting.

Your cool man, thanks and from a serious elk hunter as well.  I have heard some real bad stories that keep me away from elk.  One of my teachers back in high school talked time to time how one of his elk got jacked.  Sounds like it came down to not wanting to do something stupid and lose his job after the fact.     

[270Shooter]

do you live on the east side?

[hdshot]

do you live on the east side?

Yes, live on the east side. 

Everyone, called about Lund Alaskan boats today.   Good sounding product, expensive, and sounds safe.  Salesman said these boats were used for the Valdez oil clean up.  OK?!
 

[Cap.Silver]

HDShot ,
don't get discouraged ,sometimes things happen .....

[270Shooter]

Look on craigslist for duck boats. If you cant find one then quit 

[hdshot]

Look on craigslist for duck boats. If you cant find one then quit 

I don't want to die.  So far only have seen beer cans for duck boats since surfing craigslist the past few months. 

[Shannon]

People can make excuses to why they aren't doing something or "Whoa is me" all the time. Just quit! If you need a forum to keep you motivated to hunt, you better pack it up now. It was an odd duck year but there were plenty of birds to kill.

[270Shooter]

Where are you wanting to hunt at? Unless you are planning to hunt the columbia you wont want a great big boat. We hunt the columbia out of a 12ft boat with a 20 horse merc and I've never felt scared in it. Fished outside drano with it for summer steelhead too.

[Heartsblood]

It's all a matter of perspective. I started hunting three years ago. I have never taken even 10 birds in the entire season. I hunt alone (mostly) with no dog. Every year has been extremely enjoyable. I guess I just don't know any better having never shot a limit or several limits for that matter. I LOVE duck hunting. And I work dang hard at it. It's strange for me to hear people discouraged when they shoot more birds in two days than I do all season. They're unhappy and I'm "livin' the dream" from my perspective. Each year has been better and better for me and I have memories that I'll never forget. I took 8 ducks this season, which is the same as last year. But this year I didn't get out once in January which actually made me feel really good about my season over all - made me feel like I had improved over last year even with the same number of birds.

I'll say it again - Heartsblood plus eight birds made for one stoked hunter.
                          Heartsblood + 8 ducks = stoked

What's your equation?

[Skagit_Hunter]

What side of the state are you thinking about hunting?  I have a nice duck boat and never used it once this season!  Hunted walk in locations.

My boat never seen water either.
This season was tough on a lot of people. But to give up because of one bad year
some of us hunted back in the 4 and 5 bird limit seasons that ended in Dec.
Those were bad years for most.
There is nothing you can do about it now. Just look to next year

[hdshot]

It's all a matter of perspective. I started hunting three years ago. I have never taken even 10 birds in the entire season. I hunt alone (mostly) with no dog. Every year has been extremely enjoyable. I guess I just don't know any better having never shot a limit or several limits for that matter. I LOVE duck hunting. And I work dang hard at it. It's strange for me to hear people discouraged when they shoot more birds in two days than I do all season. They're unhappy and I'm "livin' the dream" from my perspective. Each year has been better and better for me and I have memories that I'll never forget. I took 8 ducks this season, which is the same as last year. But this year I didn't get out once in January which actually made me feel really good about my season over all - made me feel like I had improved over last year even with the same number of birds.

I'll say it again - Heartsblood plus eight birds made for one stoked hunter.
                          Heartsblood + 8 ducks = stoked

What's your equation?

I started in the late 80's and got to hear the thunder as the ducks lifted off the water by the 1000's for their morning flight for the grain fields.  Things have change so much, farming is better now leaving little to no scraps for the ducks and corn is harvested and disked by october.  Not long ago there would be lots of standing corn feilds waiting to be harvested all season.  My Dad would not let me shoot ducks out pheasant hunting because it would fill up the freezer to fast.  A few years ago he told me he wished he could turn back the clock so he could let me have better memories of our hunts togethor at my young age and losing out on the chance.  But I said Dad its cool back then it was a different mind set back then which was if your going to carry a gun you have to act like an adult.  No youth seasons or draws and no hunting doe without the tag.  25 seconds or 25 years it was all the same rules.  Sorry went long but had to cover for the old man!       

[TheHunt]

YOu can build one of those hybrid boats for pretty cheap.  You can add some length and width to it and take it out to some bigger water.  Put a 4 hp motor on the back and you are good to go.

[hdshot]

People can make excuses to why they aren't doing something or "Whoa is me" all the time. Just quit! If you need a forum to keep you motivated to hunt, you better pack it up now. It was an odd duck year but there were plenty of birds to kill.

Excuses? When I got injured in the blind I didn't mess up anyone's hunt.  Heck I most likely gave the other blinds a belly laugh watching me fumble out of there in the pain I was in.  Thanks for your thoughts.  Sorry if I came on thick but this is not easy choice. I just want a vibe if hunters happy with their boats or not?  Never have boat hunted and have been learning a lot here.  This is a whole new world that I could enter which has had a lot of deaths.  I am finding out though hunters like the small boats just fine which I am surprised but can see why.  Some don't.  Next season is going to be brand new for me whether there or not.  If there, it's going to be different methods.  Sure, I wish I could be sharing ideas but I have zero right now.         

[full choke]

I am sure it has been mentioned here, but here is my feelings on boats- get one. Waterfowling from a boat is one of the best things you can do! That said, you don't have to hunt out of the boat. You can just use it to get to some new spots. That is probably the most common use. I don't use my boat nearly enough anymore, but I have it as an option. Be smart with it- go check out new spots during the day, in nice weather. Don't go launching a boat at 3am in January on water your not familiar with- that is how accidents happen. Know the capabilities of your boat- a 12' with a 7.5hp gamefisher is NOT what you want to be navigating the Columbia with in December. Also- remember this: if you can get there by boat, so can everyone else. The hike in guys can get away from others simply by putting in more shoe leather. Have fun, but be safe.