Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: gallion_t on September 14, 2021, 11:20:28 AM
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Looks like they just came out. This was my first year putting in.
I got:
#6 on Thanksgiving
#12 on 12/26
Anyone else get anything?
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0 draws for me at McNary or Umatilla this year. A bit surprising as I only apply for week days at Umatilla, and have never been skunked before. But, the number of applications has climbed significantly these past 10 years for the same number of blind spots. Lady luck did not smile upon me this year.
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I read state duck stamps were up 25% last year and days afield up 35% if I remember correctly.
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2 buddies and I put our daughters in for the youth hunt and all 3 did not get selected. E-mail said 28 applicants and 25 slots :bash:
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2 buddies and I put our daughters in for the youth hunt and all 3 did not get selected. E-mail said 28 applicants and 25 slots :bash:
Thats some horrible luck right there.
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I got #6 on Jan 8th. Hopefully my buddy did better. Still excited! :tup:
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I got one, I got diddly squat last year. Hoping the next refuge draw gives me just one good one!
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I drew a # 12 on McNary and 0 on Umatilla . My hunting partner drew a #1 & #3 on McNary.
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Pulled a #1 at Irrigon in Dec. Haven’t had a decent pick in probably 4 years.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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2 buddies and I put our daughters in for the youth hunt and all 3 did not get selected. E-mail said 28 applicants and 25 slots :bash:
Neither of my kids were selected for youth either. The odds were about impossible so I called them. The email was a mistake and they sent out the correct number of youth applications in the adult email. I was still sad my kids didn't draw but felt better that they were 2 out of some 30 plus that didn't draw along with your kids instead of 2 out of only 3 that didn't draw.
I got one #1 pick on a Wednesday that I wanted :)
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Well both my son's were selected for the youth hunt on the 13 of Nov. We only need one blind we have #7 and #22. If it's aloud I would like to offer up #22 to someone in exchange for some information. We have never hunted McNary or done any waterfowl hunting so this will be our first time so just looking for tips and what to expect.
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I don’t think you can offer it to someone. I guess your kid could go up and out their pick in and then just decide to not go there and go to other blind.
What are you wanting to know? Do you have a dog? You pretty much need a dog to hunt there.
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We don't have a dog well not one that would go get a goose or duck. Was thinking of using an inflatable kayak for retrieval. Was wondering also what species like mostly speckled bellies snows or mostly ducks. We have never waterfowl hunted before also Wondering likely hood of 10 and 12 year old to get a couple birds?
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Something tells me your expectations aren’t going to be met
Chances of any type of goose are pretty darn low.
People do all right for ducks but I think historically the average is around 2 ducks a person. Being that you are low on experience it could easily be a tough day. I would prepare mentally to get zero one or two ducks. That is just reality.
I have hunted 100’s of times down there. I don’t remember anyone without a dog. I am sure people do. You just are going to have to cognizant of shots. There are a lot of reeds so you can lose birds in reeds. And a lot of blinds get deep fast.
Blind 6 is a good blind and you can wade out a ways.
My dad doesn’t have a dog and lives there. He doesn’t hunt there. The millet pond and school house area are better plays if you don’t have a dog. The refuge worker might help you with selecting a blind.
From the outside looking in I don’t understand. Why not find some small ponds closer to home to figure things out before driving a long ways and not having a dog
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Maybe reach out to locals on the westside who are happy to take parents/kids out for some really good shooting. Might get s real good experience
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I have never hunted mcnary but always wondered why? You have to put in and it seems results usually aren’t great. I mean it’s not hard to find good duck hunting on public land. Is it just the allure of winning something?
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Thanks for your input. We could hunt local for sure but it's also fun to explore the state and it adds to the adventure of the experience to travel a little. We stay with an uncle just across the border in Oregon during the hermiston rodeo. I was doing some exploring and looked into the refuge thought it would help us take the leap into waterfowl hunting if they drew and that's why we put in. Either way if we can get a bird or two the boys will be happy and if not I guess we just won't put in next year and try a spot over here on the west side. Either way we will be over there that weekend if your interested in joining us in the blind I think they said the limit is four people but only youth can shoot. Or if anyone else has a high success hunt they would be willing to bring a couple of youth on that would be awesome.
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Only youth can shoot???? Is this some special hunt there?? ANyways, just getting out with your boys will be great, birds are the bonus.
Best of luck :tup:
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That's my understanding. Youth weekend draw hunt from the refuge. I don't know much about it will be first ever waterfowl hunt. I agree get them take the chance have a great time and memory either way!
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thought i would chime in. My buddies and I do a 5 hour road trip every year to McNary and make a weekend out of it. hotel room, bar, bird killing. Well worth the trip and have been doing it for 5-6 years now. Lots of birds and if you keep the decoys close you will not need a dog for the most part. A dog is super helpful however. We once had to axe through 15 inches of ice and that was a whole other level of fun. This year we plan to add a day and try out some public land in the area either before or after our selected day. Your kiddos should have lots of shot opportunities.
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Take the boat, take some dekes, take some calls and for sure pack plenty of snacks and drinks. No such thing as a bad duck hunt. Actually there is, so don't go in over your head and be safe with the bang sticks.
When my kids were small they were way more into snacks and cooking in the blind than anything that happened outside the blind.
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Thanks for the encouragement. Just a dad / new hunter trying to make memories and hopefully some new traditions. I'm sure we'll have a blast either way. Will let you guys know after the hunt either way.
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Well we made it out saw lots of ducks but couldn't get many to get close enough. Had a good experience but no ducks for us. Had blind 16.