Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: bhammac on October 19, 2025, 03:30:26 PM
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My local is marsh is closed due to "infrastructure" projects, great timing.....
That said, I'm tired of fighting the masses on the West side. I have very young kids, a demanding full time job, and simply don't have the time trying to hunt on the weekends fighting to carve out a little piece of hunting battling everyone else. I don't have the money to pay for leases and still believe in the American dream of hunting public ground.
My loose plan is to just pick a week this season and drive out to the east side and hunt. I've got sneak boats, canoes, field gear etc. I grew up in the Mississippi fly way, have hunted ducks for 30 plus years, and know what I'm doing. I also know not to ask for honey holes. I'll put in the work and keep my mouth shut.
Question is: if you were to take a week of hunting ducks in Eastern WA. Where would you loosely go? DM me, tell me to go to hell, whatever, just looking for some info as I've never been.
Thanks.
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Potholes.
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Potholes in Nov. Hunting mid week is your friend. Shoot me a pm when your closer.
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Columbia River around Burbank and Paterson can be great depending on migration. As others have said potholes can be a ton of fun.
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I'd take that week on the eastside chasing quail then come back to the westside and pound the ducks. Overall much better shooting and there really is a tremendous amount of quality land that is public access. 45 minute limits this morning on a leisure start about 0830. One other gun about a mile to the north. Ifn I had to shoot ducks eastside, Yak rez. Got a few spots to crush instant limits of mallards and woodies before chasing quail.
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Thanks all.
What's the ideal set up for a boat/motor in potholes?
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Hi @bhammac
As others have stated, Potholes is what you're looking for. You get all options - more public land than you could ever cover in a week; wasteways, ponds, big water, etc. You also have the added bonus of great upland hunting if waterfowl is slow.
Lots of boat options can be productive, but most are just using the boat to get from A to B. I have seen kayaks or 14-16ft with mud motors in the wasteways, or bigger jetboats on the main lake. I can get my 18ft v hull w/ prop far enough back for some decent spots too.
I am biased as a westsider who loved the area so much I bought a house right behind Potholes state park. We rent it on AirB&B and cater to sportsmen, so it's fully outfitted with everything you need as well as a 45ft boat parking spot. It's a great spot if you're out for a week exploring the area.
Not sure if I'm allowed to link it here, but I'll try. Feel free to DM me if you want more details, I'm happy to work a discount if you're staying for a week.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1269702372609822635?search_mode=regular_search&adults=1&check_in=2025-10-21&check_out=2025-10-26&children=0&infants=0&pets=0&source_impression_id=p3_1760975901_P3uFbdDhu9jZCdmb&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_search_id=9a11409a-2dcd-450e-b870-1f43e516bb3e
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I would second potholes. I hunted potholes at a very well known site last week and did very well. Lots of mallards and pintails right now. If you search the WDFW website, you can find some great tips.