Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: Shannon on November 10, 2009, 09:16:43 PM

Title: They are Here!
Post by: Shannon on November 10, 2009, 09:16:43 PM
I think the migration has finally picked up. The last several days I have seen a lot more local ducks. What has everyone else seen? They are just starting to use the fields that I hunt. I hope this current cold snap keeps the ball rolling.
Title: Re: They are Here!
Post by: saylean on November 10, 2009, 09:17:52 PM
Lots of geese and ducks flyin over Lake Sammamish...
Title: Re: They are Here!
Post by: h2ofowlr on November 10, 2009, 09:20:06 PM
I had a nice group of mallards come in and picked out 3 drakes.  All 3 had bright orange feet.  A good sign.  The northerns are starting to trickle in.
Title: Re: They are Here!
Post by: jordano on November 10, 2009, 09:28:20 PM
Very nice! stoked about that! =)
Title: Re: They are Here!
Post by: spur_ride on November 11, 2009, 07:57:36 AM
i have started seeing alot more honker geese over cacklers the last couple days. might have something to do with the snow level dropping to 200ft this weekend. either way i say bring em' on in. im ready for some fat red leg mallards  :drool:
Title: Re: They are Here!
Post by: chim-chim on November 11, 2009, 08:15:21 PM
Have seen a couple of red footed mallards and some cacklers and big honkers were i hunt there starting to come in seen a good pintail drake today (no gun) havent seen any widgeon yet
Title: Re: They are Here!
Post by: General Disarray on November 11, 2009, 08:31:34 PM
all drakes eventually get bright orange feet, it has nothing to do with northerns.  Just like people saying they shot a "fat Northern", northerns come in skinny and put the fat on between now and Feb.  Locals that have been loafing on the refuges are the ones that have the fat reserves.

I shot a true northern last saturday, banded in Alberta on Aug 11 of this year.  The only true way to tell if a bird is a northern... :rolleyes:
Title: Re: They are Here!
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 11, 2009, 08:36:45 PM
yep, they are starting to show up in full force. can't wait for them to start using our fields :drool:
Title: Re: They are Here!
Post by: Whitenuckles on November 12, 2009, 06:56:51 PM
I agree. The numbers are starting to show up. But I dont think its near the peak of the migration yet.
Title: Re: They are Here!
Post by: Dustin07 on November 13, 2009, 07:18:31 PM
all drakes eventually get bright orange feet, it has nothing to do with northerns.  Just like people saying they shot a "fat Northern", northerns come in skinny and put the fat on between now and Feb.  Locals that have been loafing on the refuges are the ones that have the fat reserves.

I shot a true northern last saturday, banded in Alberta on Aug 11 of this year.  The only true way to tell if a bird is a northern... :rolleyes:

the northern ducks also say oot instead of out and end all of their quacks with 'eh?' just another way you can tell, fyi.
Title: Re: They are Here!
Post by: Shannon on November 15, 2009, 04:12:31 PM
I had my first great inland field hunt of the year. We were done by 8 AM. They are still trickling in but we need a nasty week of weather up North for a boost to the migration.
Title: Re: They are Here!
Post by: h2ofowlr on November 15, 2009, 05:46:34 PM
The larger flocks are starting to hit the fields.  I was packing out by 7:30 despite the dark morning.  It was a quick shoot.
Title: Re: They are Here!
Post by: Dirt_Bag on November 15, 2009, 09:55:05 PM
I had a nice group of mallards come in and picked out 3 drakes.  All 3 had bright orange feet.  A good sign.  The northerns are starting to trickle in.

The orange feet are caused by hormonal change, Not a ducks location. The closer to breeding season the more colorful they get
Title: Re: They are Here!
Post by: gadwall on November 16, 2009, 08:49:37 AM
yep, they are starting to show up in full force. can't wait for them to start using our fields :drool:

Hey Carp,
You must be just like the rest of us diehard nimrods, hunt d*mn near everything?  HA! HA!

Gad
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