Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: pickardjw on November 03, 2021, 04:41:28 PM

Title: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: pickardjw on November 03, 2021, 04:41:28 PM
Wondering how most people like to hunt waterfowl here in Washington. Being from southern Alabama, you pretty much needed a boat to get anywhere to hunt. I've hunted fields and ponds mostly up here. 2 votes so pick your top two if you can't choose! Hopefully I narrowed down the majority of the options. Only 5 allowed.
Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: Badhabit on November 03, 2021, 04:56:03 PM
There is something special hunting a corn field and having a tornado of ducks circling/landing 20 min before the end of shooting time. The action is fast and furious.
Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: Skillet on November 03, 2021, 05:27:34 PM
I used to love decoying ducks and geese on lakes and rivers, and geese in the corn fields east of Potholes reservoir when I had that hookup. Jump shooting puddlers in the scab rock country was always a great time as well.  You had a nearly equal chance of shooting ducks as a coyote or a pheasant.

Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: Stein on November 03, 2021, 06:48:33 PM
I think I do about 90% of my hunts in either a marsh or sheet water.  It's not really a question of my like as much as it is where a guy can get access these days.
Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: 270Flat on November 03, 2021, 07:48:44 PM
I think I do about 90% of my hunts in either a marsh or sheet water.  It's not really a question of my like as much as it is where a guy can get access these days.

Similar situation, just different set up…
Haven’t had the opportunity to field hunt (seems like a great bet in my area) just end up w/ deeks on the water. Scouted this year specifically for fowl just haven’t made it out yet w/ out of state hunting and work. Having floaters it makes field hunting more difficult. I did find a pvc adapter for my floaters. My son seems to think it will work. Either we end up at our local small river or local big river. All I know is it should be fun for the boys.
Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: pickardjw on November 04, 2021, 10:30:46 AM
We used to be able to sneak into our blind and listen to the mallards in the pond in front of us wake up. Always wondered exactly what was going on in this video (or audio)...
Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: h2ofowlr on November 04, 2021, 10:41:45 AM
I am setup for all the above mentioned.  My favorite is probably hunting fields or flooded sheet water fields.  It's relatively easy for walking in and setup and the birds work very well in NW Washington.  I have multiple duck boats, but I find I rarely take them out anymore.  When I can be in and out of a field with ducks in hand in a short period of time and don't have the hassle of launching a boat or boat in tow, it makes it nice.

Yesterday I walked into the field, setup decoys and was limited in 20 minutes.  Picked up decoys and back to the truck and on my way home.
Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 04, 2021, 10:51:51 AM
I love hunting geese in cornfields but here in SW WA, the competition is just too insane. Add to that I don't have a dog and have to chase geese down, I don't do it anymore. I'd love to go, but waiting until 4AM (earliest time to access our public land spots) to go out to a spot and seeing people already there with their full setup completed, really sucks. I would love to have a dog, but can't (Mrs. Pman says no dog), and a boat or kayak for ducks.
Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: metlhead on November 04, 2021, 12:16:21 PM
Since machine gunning a roost is frowned upon in this country, and expensive, I'll stick to decoying birds in tight. I get so much enjoyment watching my dog work, both ducks and upland. Most layouts are on the coast or the Columbia. I do have a tiny pothole on the Yak rez that is stupid good for mallards and woodies. Big water all the way.
Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: CP on November 04, 2021, 01:09:03 PM
Sneak boat & punt gun.

Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: metlhead on November 04, 2021, 01:16:54 PM
I'm imagining the wood that the gun is mounted to becoming rotten and taking that cannon in the face. Bad day
Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: hdshot on November 04, 2021, 07:05:58 PM
With shotgun shells but a unicorn is becoming easier to find!
Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: dilleytech on November 05, 2021, 02:04:02 PM
I think for most it’s whatever type is available near you. For me it’s big river hunting. Hunting small water when decoying is my favorite. But nothing beats long hikes jump shooting pot holes and river banks. You don’t have to wake up so early and it takes a little more hunting skill.
Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: KFhunter on November 05, 2021, 02:25:52 PM
We used to be able to sneak into our blind and listen to the mallards in the pond in front of us wake up. Always wondered exactly what was going on in this video (or audio)...

That's a Bobcat caterwallering
Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: KFhunter on November 05, 2021, 02:30:40 PM
I haven't waterfowl hunted for prolly 30 years, but I just got done stringing up a dozen floaters and gonna try it.

Last time I hunted there was two spots on your license to stick stamps...

Now I just one federal stamp that took me 6 different offices to find and no state stamp anymore, just a waterfowl permit printed on the license  :dunno:

But I got a 5 gallon bucket of steel shot from way back when  :IBCOOL:


Now to see if I can get my Britts to adapt to blind hunting...they got 5mm vests they getting used too
Title: Re: How Do You Like to Hunt Waterfowl?
Post by: Stein on November 10, 2021, 07:39:18 AM
You still have to buy the state stamp, they just don't give it to you - a rare form of government efficiency. :chuckle:

The migratory permit fee is the old "state duc stamp."  I think you can still send in a copy of your license and they will mail one to you if you are into collecting them?  I know WWA is involved in the program, I'm sure someone here can chime in.
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