Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on April 23, 2022, 08:39:02 PM
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I put this in "other big game" because they are not easy to find on public beaches.
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Access to areas that hold them is more restricted than hunting.
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Public/private, long hikes..
Boat only access areas..
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You think the moon affects hunting?
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Low tides are dependent on the moon.
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Unless you're a diver, have private access, or a boat..
You have limited opportunities to even find one, let alone dig one.
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Limit is 3 a day, but I only dig one a year.
Just to say "I did it!"
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Digging a 4 foot deep hole on the beach is hard work.
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I question my motivation.
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Sure, they taste good...
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But not that good..
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Every other mollusca is easier, and just as delicious.
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Why even work that hard for one?
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The "trophy' is the picture, and sense of accomplishment.
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As I plan this year's quest for "the one", I am aware that it really isn't about the food, it is about the experience and time shared with friends/family more than just getting a clam.
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Anybody else "hunting" Geoduck this year?
Post by: Wphunt on April 23, 2022, 09:20:07 PM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on April 23, 2022, 09:43:05 PM
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We will have pictures.
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Actually starting out on private beach that maybe has them, then going to my "secret" public spot to get our one.
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It's just that I have seen people actually show pictures of multiple limits (3+)
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And just digging one kicks my ass.
Post by: 253shotgunner on April 23, 2022, 11:14:32 PM
Post by: DrAri on April 24, 2022, 12:13:15 AM
Post by: Encore 280 on April 24, 2022, 06:57:35 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on April 24, 2022, 08:12:27 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on April 24, 2022, 08:13:09 AM
Post by: Stein on April 27, 2022, 10:22:10 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on April 28, 2022, 06:44:38 AM
Post by: elkrack on April 28, 2022, 09:37:39 AM
Every time I get an itch to do it I just watch a YouTube and after that any desire to do it myself has mercifully passed.
Thanks for the tip! Other than to get a good workout in I don’t see the satisfaction. Lol
Post by: GWP on April 28, 2022, 09:44:43 AM
Geoduck digging is the ultimate tide to table adventure for us clam diggers. :) 253sg
Don’t lump me into your ‘clam diggers’ group. I dig clams. Now days with a clam gun.
I have no interest in hand digging 3’ down and burying my arm up to my armpit and staying there to pull up one ‘bigger’ clam.
:bdid:
Post by: pd on April 28, 2022, 04:30:34 PM
Here are some more ideas: IG @puget_wild
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on April 28, 2022, 06:50:52 PM
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I can get one for eating without any problem...
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However, the "hunt" and effort provides an excitement much like other big game.
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Recreational harvest is limited to very few tides a year.
Access to productive beaches are limited.
Equipment is specialized..
(My Geoduck tube is family heirloom)
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Yes, going a full arms deep in the mud for an ugly clam, after digging 3 feet down, is not what most people call "fun", but the sense of accomplishment is why I do it.
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Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on April 28, 2022, 06:56:33 PM
Anybody use a garbage can or big diameter stove pipe? Makes it a lot easier, keeps things from caving in around ya. Years ago we'd order geoduck steaks at the old Kingston Inn, damn good! :tup:.
I have a 24"x36" tube with handles that has been in my family for years.
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Definitely makes digging the hole easier.
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But it is a pain to carry.
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on April 28, 2022, 07:14:10 PM
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She found it, we dug it.
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Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on April 28, 2022, 07:26:06 PM
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That's why I do it.
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We actually dug 3 that day.
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Mike and I agreed that 2 was enough, until she found one on her own...
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We had to dig it...
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Her "trophy"
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OIL experience for some.
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I like to do it more often than that.
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1 a year.
My goal.
Easiest big game in Washington.
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I'm happy with an elk every 4-6 years, and they are much more work.
Post by: Wphunt on April 28, 2022, 07:27:00 PM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on April 28, 2022, 08:15:33 PM
Great pic stik.Yeah, Michael Hellickson even had shirts made for his "team"
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'Clubwealth" Real Estate..
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16 people showed up for the bbq, but you can see who actually dug in the photo.
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We had cheerleaders, but they only came out for the bbq and didn't think digging a big hole in the mud was fun.
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I know that Michael and his family had more fun.
Especially because they all pitched in on the hole, and their daughter was the one with her ear in the mud reaching down to wiggle the thing loose.
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!!
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Mom found it while Mike and I had agreed that one apeice was enough.
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Then his wife yelled at us, "is this one" ?
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Insisted that because she found it on her own, we're digging it!
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So, yeah..
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It's not for everyone.
Why bother?
Not worth it.
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600+ people on a public beach (Dosewallups) with only 7..
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Reminds me of elk hunting.
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It's easy to say it's not worth it.
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Success is measured by attempting to succeed.
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100% on a 3 day trip to get a Geoduck.
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6 years in a row.
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And you are right...
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It's not fun, it's not worth it.
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I guarantee that I won't be the only one on the beach.
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Wierdos.
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Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on April 28, 2022, 08:23:31 PM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on April 28, 2022, 08:43:13 PM
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Explains to me that it takes 4+ years for one to grow.
Recommending that I find private, or boat only access.
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Public beaches?
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Yeah..,
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Only 3 weeks a year, one week a month.
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Public beaches are not always open for clamming.
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Honestly it is worse than elk hunting.
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I dig a "Duck" a year.
Not because they taste good, it's because saying "I can" is not the same as saying "I did"
Post by: AL WORRELLS KID on April 30, 2022, 11:32:08 PM
This year it's open for Clams, Mussels, and Oysters for harvest April 1 through May 31 only, (too bad as the Lowest Tides are later in the Summer.)
A Geoduck Gun makes digging a whole lot easier, as it holds the sand from falling back into the hole as you dig. :mgun: :tup:
Post by: Teepee96 on May 01, 2022, 07:48:36 AM
Kopachuck State Park when it was open during the lowest Tide of the Summer, was the place to find Geoduck, Butter Clams - Oyster harvesting and Crab (that you could catch by hand just by going out wading using a small net tied on to a long Bamboo pole.)
This year it's open for Clams, Mussels, and Oysters for harvest April 1 through May 31 only, (too bad as the Lowest Tides are later in the Summer.)
A Geoduck Gun makes digging a whole lot easier, as it holds the sand from falling back into the hole as you dig. :mgun: :tup:
Hey Al, where'd you find that top picture? It used to be in a article wdfw had on their site but I haven't been able to find it.
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 01, 2022, 07:58:56 AM
One of the major issues.
June, July, and August have the lowest daytime tides.
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The best beaches are only open Sept-may.
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:dunno:
Post by: GWP on May 12, 2022, 07:11:54 AM
As I stated in original post, it is more the challenge of finding and digging that is my "reward"
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I can get one for eating without any problem...
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However, the "hunt" and effort provides an excitement much like other big game.
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Recreational harvest is limited to very few tides a year.
Access to productive beaches are limited.
Equipment is specialized..
(My Geoduck tube is family heirloom)
.
Yes, going a full arms deep in the mud for an ugly clam, after digging 3 feet down, is not what most people call "fun", but the sense of accomplishment is why I do it.
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I was pretty much kidding. If I was younger I would be right there with you. Shoulders will not allow it these days. Probably knee's, back, neck, bla, bla, bla, as well.
I have done plenty of very lopsided 'reward vs. work' type stuff 'just because'.
Post by: Flaming Antler Outdoors on May 12, 2022, 07:43:34 AM
Post by: GWP on May 12, 2022, 08:50:52 AM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 12, 2022, 09:57:00 PM
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That's even what the biologist told me...
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Public beaches get hammered.
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Great picture!
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Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 15, 2022, 09:24:07 PM
Post by: Alchase on June 15, 2022, 09:26:23 PM
Got one!
Nice one
Yum, Geoduck casserole!
Post by: WAcoueshunter on June 15, 2022, 09:27:32 PM
Post by: Alchase on June 15, 2022, 09:35:22 PM
Post by: dc on June 15, 2022, 09:36:47 PM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 15, 2022, 09:38:24 PM
Post by: Alchase on June 15, 2022, 10:41:41 PM
Then the other would did like crazy around the hole until it was big enough to find the Geoduck.
We actually got pretty good at it.
But that was 40 years ago :chuckle:
Post by: 253shotgunner on June 16, 2022, 08:21:52 PM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 16, 2022, 10:45:31 PM
One Geoduck today.
Post by: LongBomb on June 16, 2022, 10:49:17 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on June 17, 2022, 06:51:18 AM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 17, 2022, 11:08:45 AM
I've never been after them but I do dig in the ground for a living. What's an average sized one yield for meat? One enough for a meal?
They are the largest clam,. One is enough for a meal for 2+
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 17, 2022, 11:24:25 AM
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I could dig 3 a day.
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But I don't.
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It's almost work.
Feels like work.
I hurt afterwards like it was work.
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I feel satisfaction from completing it like work.
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And am just lazy enough to not really want to do more (because it is work)
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I just cannot help myself.
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Would rather take manilla clams, shuck oysters, and catch crab.
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Digging a Geoduck (to me) is like the difference between killing a deer, or an elk.
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I feel a sense of accomplishment just being able to dig one.
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Post by: 253shotgunner on June 17, 2022, 12:48:52 PM
As a professional, what would you use to dig a hole three to four feet deep in various sandy and rocky conditions? I've seen people use shovels, post hole diggers, manual augurs, razor clam guns along with specialized geoduck tubes. What would you use? Thanks, 253sg
I've never been after them but I do dig in the ground for a living. What's an average sized one yield for meat? One enough for a meal?
Post by: WAcoueshunter on June 17, 2022, 02:17:22 PM
I've never been after them but I do dig in the ground for a living. What's an average sized one yield for meat? One enough for a meal?
The three I dug yielded 5.8 lbs of cleaned meat. The yield is very high, mostly muscle and not a lot of guts.
Post by: storyteller on June 17, 2022, 02:23:43 PM
And yes, the thrill of the chase was the best part of the adventure.
Post by: Jpmiller on June 17, 2022, 07:19:44 PM
@Jpmiller
As a professional, what would you use to dig a hole three to four feet deep in various sandy and rocky conditions? I've seen people use shovels, post hole diggers, manual augurs, razor clam guns along with specialized geoduck tubes. What would you use? Thanks, 253sgI've never been after them but I do dig in the ground for a living. What's an average sized one yield for meat? One enough for a meal?
Well my first choice would be an excavator :chuckle:
Without having any experience my first choice would be a shovel. With any hole over a foot deep post hole diggers are a pain to do anything in, I like a bigger hole. I've never had to try to fish something out of a hole or find something in the ground and wished my hole was smaller but I've had lots of small holes I really wish I'd dug bigger. I assume the same is probably true for geoducks.
Post by: Jpmiller on June 17, 2022, 07:21:15 PM
Post by: Alchase on June 18, 2022, 12:07:04 AM
Then your partner would just dig like crazy.
We actually go very good it.
I have not tried it in 25 years though. I do know three will make the best Geoduck casserole you have ever tasted.
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 18, 2022, 08:28:44 AM
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They are locked in tight as a tooth.
They don't go nowhere.
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 18, 2022, 08:42:43 AM
Just dig deep!