Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: ducks4days on December 18, 2023, 10:59:11 AM
-
Blue skies. No wind. Warm temps. It makes me sick just thinking about it.
-
Yes it does. Use it to your advantage. Get in early to their daytime loafing area and disappear. Lotsa birds out therr
-
Yeah I've seen hundreds of mallards in fields with standing water over the past couple weeks. Some in groups of 300+ probably.
-
I saw 1000's of ducks on the water this last weekend. They all know where not to get shot at. Tried the floating island trick yesterday and shot more ducks that swam to us than would fly to us... Rough hunting birds when you are getting them to swim to you easier than fly to you.
-
I don't mind weather like this. Keeps half the hunters home because they think birds don't fly or something. We have been doing very well on them despite the lack of weather systems.
-
Motion on still water seems to be the only thing working for me. I just re-did my jerk rig instead of heading out Sunday, hoping for better success this weekend.
I havent had a skunk day yet, but a lot of days only taking 1-3 with no wind and no clouds :/
-
It was tough for me and my son on Sunday. Some shooting very early and then completely dead by 8:15-830. Could really use some more weather
-
It’s tough but scouting can pay off more than ever. Lots of birds around with lots of places for them to go. Be where they want to be and enjoy them.
-
With these mild temperatures been spreading more time outside and thought have not seen a goose fly over the house like I normally do for several weeks by now but finally watched a flock fly by the other day. Good bbq weather for some ribs and a brisket hoping the super El Niño doesn’t live up to its reputation like it has.
-
I don't mind weather like this. Keeps half the hunters home because they think birds don't fly or something. We have been doing very well on them despite the lack of weather systems.
You must have some good private?! Finally saw a flock of geese on a golf course for the first time this fall near my work today. Normally geese flock in there fast when the golfers can’t golf.
-
Geese don't count on the wetside. Things are vermin and have taken over any available space. Cackler numbers are crazy high also.
-
There is an abandoned 10 acre apple orchard behind my house that produced a lot of fruit this year. Every morning for the last 6 weeks 30min after sunrise 45 Honkers come in and stay until sun set. The number never changes its the same birds every day.
-
Last week it was a bluebird day and 40 degrees. I went out for an afternoon hunt, getting to my spot around 1:30. Luckily the sun was at my back or else I would have been wearing my shades and maybe even sun block. Killed a limit in 3 minutes.
Not normal but I have had plenty of good hunts in nice weather :dunno:
-
Maybe you could offer an open seat to Ducks4days as he seems to not be so fortunate
-
Maybe you could offer an open seat to Ducks4days as he seems to not be so fortunate
I don't know about over there but on the eastside, too nice of weather hasn't been a concern for a while. Lots of clouds, fog and drizzle lately and in the forecast going foward.
-
Maybe you could offer an open seat to Ducks4days as he seems to not be so fortunate
:chuckle:
Bluebird days can be productive when they dont come in long strings. Ducks respond to change. Tides do a lot of heavy lifting over here to move birds, but we need changing weather to do its job too.
Or I should quit my job and just move east where too nice of weather isn't a concern.
-
I don't mind weather like this. Keeps half the hunters home because they think birds don't fly or something. We have been doing very well on them despite the lack of weather systems.
You must have some good private?! Finally saw a flock of geese on a golf course for the first time this fall near my work today. Normally geese flock in there fast when the golfers can’t golf.
Public and private. I am close to the salt and it is loaded with birds. I just scout every day and see where the birds are and try to hunt the spots that area available with birds. Some folks only hunt one spot all season and base the birds in the area on that spot. Unless you have colder weather or an abundance of feed to pull them to the same spot constantly, your stuck scouting for them.
-
I was struggling with the amount of open water. There is water everywhere (eastside)
-
My area on the coast does well in fog. Birds appear quick and close. My spot tomorrow doesn't. Bright sun is best as it really hides the blind. Wind is my preference of element anywhwere I hunt.
-
My area on the coast does well in fog. Birds appear quick and close. My spot tomorrow doesn't. Bright sun is best as it really hides the blind. Wind is my preference of element anywhwere I hunt.
Wind up this way always makes for a good hunt as it kicks up the birds on the bay and breaks up the big rafts. Unfortunatley we haven't had much for wind this season. Spotty at best. I drove around earlier and lots of birds in the various fields and some big old rafts sitting on Skagit, Padilla and Samish Bay. Even saw a lot of brant.
-
Geese don't count on the wetside. Things are vermin and have taken over any available space. Cackler numbers are crazy high also.
Crazy on the east side haven’t seen much even in the areas that can’t be hunted. Unfortunately no matter how many geese, they are almost impossible to hunt for the average because only a precious few can get access to private for some consistent hunting these days.
What is this law about having to compete a safety course to buy a semiautomatic hunting firearm with a 10 day wait? We have to take hunters ed again?
-
Not really buying that. Spent this past weekend near Ronald. Sunday morning there were two flocks of geese on Cle Elum lake. Could easily take a kayak out to a point and shoot geese. Numbers over there may be down but places to shoot them are available. Just gotta be creative.
-
Not really buying that. Spent this past weekend near Ronald. Sunday morning there were two flocks of geese on Cle Elum lake. Could easily take a kayak out to a point and shoot geese. Numbers over there may be down but places to shoot them are available. Just gotta be creative.
Wish my former hunting partner didn’t buy it either but he refused to hunt with me on the public so he could follow his new friends with great access. So now I don’t hunt atm.
-
I don't mind weather like this. Keeps half the hunters home because they think birds don't fly or something. We have been doing very well on them despite the lack of weather systems.
100% we've been having fantastic hunts!! while half my buddies are sitting around bitching about weather
-
I don't mind weather like this. Keeps half the hunters home because they think birds don't fly or something. We have been doing very well on them despite the lack of weather systems.
100% we've been having fantastic hunts!! while half my buddies are sitting around bitching about weather
Why are your buddies bitching and not hunting with you?
-
I don't mind weather like this. Keeps half the hunters home because they think birds don't fly or something. We have been doing very well on them despite the lack of weather systems.
100% we've been having fantastic hunts!! while half my buddies are sitting around bitching about weather
Why are your buddies bitching and not hunting with you?
Why do you always spam the waterfowl forum with negativity? Some of us are having a great time in the field! You should try it
-
3 man in the fog. I believe I know why numbers are declining.
-
I don't mind weather like this. Keeps half the hunters home because they think birds don't fly or something. We have been doing very well on them despite the lack of weather systems.
100% we've been having fantastic hunts!! while half my buddies are sitting around bitching about weather
Why are your buddies bitching and not hunting with you?
Why do you always spam the waterfowl forum with negativity? Some of us are having a great time in the field! You should try it
Was wondering why he was spamming negativity about his buddies on here instead of taking them hunting. Also was not the one that started this thread. Believe me, I know about being spammed by weak excuses from hunting partners.
-
Blue skies. No wind. Warm temps. It makes me sick just thinking about it.
Nothing wrong with calm nice weather when there are this many birds around. Just adapt to your set up being easier to pick apart. Better blinds, more realistic decoy spreads.
-
Beautiful morning. Not ducky. Gotta be in their spot
-
Blue skies. No wind. Warm temps. It makes me sick just thinking about it.
Nothing wrong with calm nice weather when there are this many birds around. Just adapt to your set up being easier to pick apart. Better blinds, more realistic decoy spreads.
Not that easy for the general public with a lack of birds in the air on nice warm days in the areas with reasonable access. My former partner refuses to hunt with me on public for those reasons and takes the easy way out by following his new partners with all the private.
-
Blue skies. No wind. Warm temps. It makes me sick just thinking about it.
Nothing wrong with calm nice weather when there are this many birds around. Just adapt to your set up being easier to pick apart. Better blinds, more realistic decoy spreads.
Not that easy for the general public with a lack of birds in the air on nice warm days in the areas with reasonable access. My former partner refuses to hunt with me on public for those reasons and takes the easy way out by following his new partners with all the private.
Yeah it’s basically impossible. Way better to just stay home and complain on the couch and forum.
-
Been a really tough year with this weather for sure!
-
Public refuge, warm overcast weather. Work hard read the birds and have fun. Limit with the wife before noon
-
Kinda consider myself general public. Can't say I've shot birds on private land in 51 years. Got multiple places to choose from. Really would like a nice freeze though to put some birds on the river close to home. Those 2 minute shoots at first light are sumpin. Partners stayed home too
-
Has anyone been hunting Skagit? I've hit it twice during the winter break and struck out both times. Seems like the ducks in the area are pretty wary, even during moderately high wind events.
-
Not Skagit, but our coastal haunt is stil holding tremendous numbers. The balmy weather and tide schedule had us struggling in the light movement of birds this morning. A morning with my daughter is always fun. Managed our two limits of wigeon just in time to get her off to work.
-
My son and I got out for the first time today and it was terrible. Went to some back water off the main river that usually does well when everything else is frozen. We only saw 3 ducks flying up river and 2 groups of high flying geese in 2 hours. Jumped a couple off a beaver pond on the hike out but they were out of range. I figured with a light sprinkle birds would be moving more. The crows and song birds were far and few.
The most exciting part of the day was someone driving on the freeway just before shooting light saw my son with a headlamp and shot gun (he was hauling gear) and called WASP. They showed up to investigate someone with a long gun. He handled the encounter well for being 15 and the trooper was super cool with him. Did check his license and ammo though.
-
My son and I got out for the first time today and it was terrible. Went to some back water off the main river that usually does well when everything else is frozen. We only saw 3 ducks flying up river and 2 groups of high flying geese in 2 hours. Jumped a couple off a beaver pond on the hike out but they were out of range. I figured with a light sprinkle birds would be moving more. The crows and song birds were far and few.
The most exciting part of the day was someone driving on the freeway just before shooting light saw my son with a headlamp and shot gun (he was hauling gear) and called WASP. They showed up to investigate someone with a long gun. He handled the encounter well for being 15 and the trooper was super cool with him. Did check his license and ammo though.
lol that’s funny. People are crazy.
-
Not Skagit, but our coastal haunt is stil holding tremendous numbers. The balmy weather and tide schedule had us struggling in the light movement of birds this morning. A morning with my daughter is always fun. Managed our two limits of wigeon just in time to get her off to work.
Congrats! Sounds like a great hunt.
-
Sunny with gentle breeze. My compaint is more about the bad tide cycle right now
-
Some cold wouldn't hurt. We have a fair number of birds in the area but becoming very stale. The ducks are becoming more decoy and blind shy. Having to use well hid layouts or natural hides and add realism to the spread. We are still getting our birds, but definitely having to work for them.
-
Where are all these birds you guys are speaking of?
-
Funny I was in the middle of typing a smart A'd remark and had to shoot some wigeon. They're out here, and lots of em. Private fields were loaded in the valley on the way out also
-
Not much in my area currently. Hopefully this weather brings em down!
-
If yer not seeing birds, give a really good location of your spot and maybe someone can explain why you arent seeing birds
-
:yeah:
-
Bang bang bang. Wind, sunshine, 45 degrees….. completely unideal for ducks right . Crazy fun day on the east side today. Ducks did it great
-
So is anyone else seeing ducks still? I drive by the same water holes every few days and they have plenty of ducks on them.
-
There doesn't seem to be any shortage between orient and Spokane the colville river flats has quite a few flocks of geese. With all the mild temps they are going to the big water at night and have plenty of fields to eat in during the day.
-
Coast and it's drainages are loaded. Only one other person out this afternoon and reverse tides equal no reason for birds to be out flapping around and showing off. Guarantee if you blew through all the marshes in an airboat you'd be amazed what is out there.
-
Seeing lots of ducks. A few spud fields had the wrong chemicals sprayed on them, so they didn't pass USDA. The entire field was turned with all the spuds on top. Game dept. says it's now a baited field, but it sure is sucking all the birds in the area to it. Probably 20k birds strong. Did a 2 hour scout on Friday and saw birds all over. A good sign.
We hunted this morning and large flocks coming into us. Perfect timing as the ones we had been hunting were becoming more challenging to decoy.
-
Driving past Wanapum today @430 and watched wave after wave of mallards moving toward Mattawa.
-
There definitely seems to be new birds moving in. Snow coming this week too, the last few weeks of the season will be a blast.
-
Driving past Wanapum today @430 and watched wave after wave of mallards moving toward Mattawa.
Tons of birds all up and down the Columbia
-
Is anyone seeing a buildup of birds in Skagit yet? I was up there on Saturday, and I've never seen so few birds.
There are a couple of new birds that were buzzing my blind, but on the whole the birds were high and few.
-
So is anyone else seeing ducks still? I drive by the same water holes every few days and they have plenty of ducks on them.
Been seeing tons of ducks the last month. Higher then normal numbers for this time of year.
-
Is anyone seeing a buildup of birds in Skagit yet? I was up there on Saturday, and I've never seen so few birds.
There are a couple of new birds that were buzzing my blind, but on the whole the birds were high and few.
Not sure where you drove in Skagit, but there are a lot of birds up this way. My guess is you missed them with the nice weather. Lots of people did really well on Saturday despite the weather due to Friday nights wind and rain storm. One group shot 105 birds Sat. morning.
Out driving today I saw several fields that had over 10k birds working them today.
-
I was at a certain extremely well-known spot. Didn't see a huge amount of ducks rafting out on the sound. I did however see a lot of ducks hanging out in the fields. I'm sure field hunting on private land would have been great!
-
I was at a certain extremely well-known spot. Didn't see a huge amount of ducks rafting out on the sound. I did however see a lot of ducks hanging out in the fields. I'm sure field hunting on private land would have been great!
There are a ton of birds in the valley, but they are pretty stale. They have been getting shot at in the same places for a couple months, and they know where the good potato fields and safe water is. You would be shocked at how many ducks can tuck into a ditch a half mile from a paved road, and BOY are there a lot of ditches in the skagit valley.
-
Going back to that story bouts the tater field being off limits. Seems odd. Was is because the field was tilled?
-
Going back to that story bouts the tater field being off limits. Seems odd. Was is because the field was tilled?
I agree, kind of seem arbitrary to me. And what is frustrating is at least one of the fields was a feel free to hunt so there goes another opportunity. This one had been tilled. Can't speak to others.
Bottom line is, farmers did what they did not hunters. Just about all ag land hunting comes down to what the farmers left in the field. This is a little slippery slope.
All the while there are guys with leases who plant corn and barley specifically for hunting and never harvest it. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with that. But the comparison of the two doesn't work out in my mind.
-
Exactly what I was thinking without going down the corn pond hole. Ducks eat the spuds or old plants?
-
Exactly what I was thinking without going down the corn pond hole. Ducks eat the spuds or old plants?
They go wild for spuds after a freeze and they get mushy. Historically some great hunting has been spud fields after a wet fall when a lot of crop gets left in the field. That was the case two years ago.
-
Pretty arbitrary, agreed. Someone with money could challenge that one, pretty decent argument that is normal agricultural operations I would think.
How many unharvested potatoes equates to baiting? It isn't one or a hundred or even a thousand or every potato field would be off limits. They are hunted all the time, even WDFW managed properties.
The fact that it actually attracted birds to the property could have been what triggered it as off limits. :chuckle:
-
I had a conversation on this exact subject with the game warden recently regarding a WDFW program field that had recently been deemed "baited" due to the dumping of spoils by the farmer leasing the property. He was understanding of my disappointment so no ill will toward him. But I do think its pretty steamy BS. I dont really see the issue here. Like KPSkagit said, hunters didn't do this. Why should they lose opportunity and access because the farmer leasing the land from the landowner operated in a certain way. If I'm not mistaken aren't tax dollars also subsidizing the farmer for the publics' access? Do tax dollars get reimbursed for our loss of access? The farmer is being paid by two entities here and one is screwing the other over... not that it matters but the ducks are feeding just as heavily on the green grass in this spot than they are spuds.
- The field is supposed to be open to the public, if people are following the law and not shooting more than their bag limit what is the harm. A lucky few have a couple really good shoots for a couple days and weekends and then the birds figure it out?
- The hunters disperse some of these birds that are funneling into this one field that now nobody has access to and is taking away the opportunity of all the surrounding areas.
- If I were a warden I would use this spot as a sting operation. Lots of temptation to overshoot when things are hot in a spot like this.
Also I talked to the landowner before the warden and he was pretty upset it was shut down. Wanted me to get after it ha.
-
I don't think farmers get paid to make their land available to hunters.
They might have been motivated to sign up for another program for different reasons, and that might a stipulation of that plan however.
-
I don't think farmers get paid to make their land available to hunters.
They might have been motivated to sign up for another program for different reasons, and that might a stipulation of that plan however.
Farmers get paid to enroll in the WDFW public access program. Its basically a pittance, but money does change hands.
Farmers leasing fields for hunting absolutely get paid.
-
I don't think farmers get paid to make their land available to hunters.
They might have been motivated to sign up for another program for different reasons, and that might a stipulation of that plan however.
Farmers get paid to enroll in the WDFW public access program. Its basically a pittance, but money does change hands.
Farmers leasing fields for hunting absolutely get paid.
Oh for sure i am aware of farmers signing hunting leases.
There was a farmer in the late 90's that had a prime goose spot along the river. Rumor was he got $5000 from a guide for the season. I dont know what they pay now but at the time that sounded pretty good to me.
-
I work with farmers up in the Skagit Valley and WDFW pays them to either grant access to some hunting grounds or to allow hunters to actually hunt their fields. Never asked how much they get
-
I work with farmers up in the Skagit Valley and WDFW pays them to either grant access to some hunting grounds or to allow hunters to actually hunt their fields. Never asked how much they get
I've been thinking about public-private access lately. What are the major obstacles to getting more farmers to sign up?
-
I work with farmers up in the Skagit Valley and WDFW pays them to either grant access to some hunting grounds or to allow hunters to actually hunt their fields. Never asked how much they get
I've been thinking about public-private access lately. What are the major obstacles to getting more farmers to sign up?
Probably the farmer trying to get along with his neighbors and how densely populated the farming area is. Nothing worse the a neighbor who does things for his/her own gain and disregards those who he farms/lives around.
-
I work with farmers up in the Skagit Valley and WDFW pays them to either grant access to some hunting grounds or to allow hunters to actually hunt their fields. Never asked how much they get
I've been thinking about public-private access lately. What are the major obstacles to getting more farmers to sign up?
Main thing I have told is people abusing their land. Leaving garbage, shell casings, driving where the farmer specifically said not to.
-
I work with farmers up in the Skagit Valley and WDFW pays them to either grant access to some hunting grounds or to allow hunters to actually hunt their fields. Never asked how much they get
I've been thinking about public-private access lately. What are the major obstacles to getting more farmers to sign up?
Probably the farmer trying to get along with his neighbors and how densely populated the farming area is. Nothing worse the a neighbor who does things for his/her own gain and disregards those who he farms/lives around.
Makes sense in a lot of areas, but there's a lot of open space in the Skagit region.
-
I work with farmers up in the Skagit Valley and WDFW pays them to either grant access to some hunting grounds or to allow hunters to actually hunt their fields. Never asked how much they get
I've been thinking about public-private access lately. What are the major obstacles to getting more farmers to sign up?
Main thing I have told is people abusing their land. Leaving garbage, shell casings, driving where the farmer specifically said not to.
Makes sense. I've seen a lot of spent shells in the private area I've been hunting and it's pretty disappointing.
-
I also think there is some liability considerations. That said I have heard that enrolling through DFW provides protections for the farmers from liability. Not confirmed in any way by me.
All the mentioned barriers add up. Toss in the fact that just about every farmer has a close friend or family member who wants to hunt and many would rather stay out of the DFW program and have people they know on their land.
But yes, I think the key term is "normal agriculture practices". Do farmers harvest crops they can't sell? No. Do farmers dump products they can't sell/store? Yes.
-
Also,
In the specific case I know of. There is a lot of Riff-raff that would use this property to access areas to illegally snag salmon and do other illicit behavior. By enrolling it in this DFW program it was a double win because now it is under more steady observation and management of a governing agency with LEOs.
*also, I have heard from several farmers that stopped letting duck hunting go on because with certain machinery it detects metal and shuts down. All the spent shells were an issue. No idea if this is true or not but just what I have been told. Always do your best to clean up your shells.
-
Makes sense, there are inescapable pros and cons.
How does the WDFW find land owners, or is it land-owners finding them?
-
Makes sense, there are inescapable pros and cons.
How does the WDFW find land owners, or is it land-owners finding them?
It's a bit of both, but mostly its Rob Wingard reaching out personally to ask.
-
Also,
In the specific case I know of. There is a lot of Riff-raff that would use this property to access areas to illegally snag salmon and do other illicit behavior. By enrolling it in this DFW program it was a double win because now it is under more steady observation and management of a governing agency with LEOs.
*also, I have heard from several farmers that stopped letting duck hunting go on because with certain machinery it detects metal and shuts down. All the spent shells were an issue. No idea if this is true or not but just what I have been told. Always do your best to clean up your shells.
The metal detector is correct. The farm I hunt has this issue from others so end of season I usually try to do a walk through and pick up the ones that get missed.
-
The cold snap seems to have done the trick
-
Nice! Sounds like I need to get out there this weekend.
-
Being the internet police and all…one lanyard, 8 ducks, perhaps 4 pintail??? Maybe throw a picture of a boat full of shooters up as well. Preferably with a background picture so we can see what kind of water your playing on :)
-
Being the internet police and all…one lanyard, 8 ducks, perhaps 4 pintail??? Maybe throw a picture of a boat full of shooters up as well. Preferably with a background picture so we can see what kind of water your playing on :)
My 7, plus the one my dad got. Mostly gadwall, teal, one each pin and mallard. The water was the wet kind, cold this time of year but it plays well :)
-
I thought gadwall had yellow legs?? Only yellow legs I see are on the greenhead. Just sayin'.
-
Bit of color from the river this afternoon before the thaw.
-
Ducks everywhere from what I can tell.
-
The cold weather makes them a little more predictable. All the pond/skinny waters are frozen up and the bigger moving water even has iced up. If you can get at it they can be had! I’m unfortunately on the mend and missing the best part of the season with recovery from foot surgery.
-
Being the internet police and all…one lanyard, 8 ducks, perhaps 4 pintail??? Maybe throw a picture of a boat full of shooters up as well. Preferably with a background picture so we can see what kind of water your playing on :)
My 7, plus the one my dad got. Mostly gadwall, teal, one each pin and mallard. The water was the wet kind, cold this time of year but it plays well :)
Better limit than one of the public hunt spots I was at. A guy had a drake pintail and 6 pintail hens that he said were wigeon. Who was I to argue. :chuckle: :chuckle:
-
Stupid people are why we can't have nice things
-
Went out this morning to traditional cold weather open water spots only to find them locked up with ice. Our go to spots that are always open have succumb to the bitter cold. Hiked out and scouted. We did find a puddle of open water in a place I haven't hunted in years and smacked a teal. I think we can almost stick a fork in duck season this year.
-
Three more weekends to go here on the west side and it is really going well. Ice here is a blessing. I'll put the fork in the duck poppers!
-
These will do! Not seeing many folks out though.
-
Went by my pond again today. 50ft hike and 150 mallards. Gonna get em again sunday. Rain and wind on the menu. Most of the ducks are sitting on the ice. Spinner wasnt very effective yesterday. I switched to a 5 duck jerk string. Game on. 10 yd shots again
https://photos.app.goo.gl/CSFmtRKWRECorEdq8
Pics post faster for me as a link. Bad service out here