Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: bear on December 07, 2021, 07:11:24 AM
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Only seeing a fraction of the ducks that last year gave us. Talked to a guy on the dry side and he said he’s not seeing them either. Are they still coming? Or is this it for this year?
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A lot of factors last year that are different this year. For one its just getting cold up north. This last week should bring them down.
Also the sheer volume of standing water is a big pain. Birds are not concentrated like you'd hope. You go out on the bay and there are thousands but drive around the fields and its a few here, a few there.
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There is so much open water.
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Some will. But, they are already here. Have been for some time.
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As others have said, with the amount of open water, the normal amount of birds could easily be here but just don't appear to be as many given how spread out they are. Over here on the eastside, temps are starting to drop as well up north in Canada. If that holds out, I would expect to see a flow of some fresh birds over these next few weeks but we will see. Won't stop me from getting out regardless
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I've seen some strange stuff to the opposite, birds seem very concentrated. There is tons of water around but 90% of it has no birds. On the places they like, there are rafts of hundreds and thousands. I've never seen that before, usually every puddle has a mallard or two.
This is the time of year we always wonder when the cold will push more down. It will happen, hopefully.
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I've seen some strange stuff to the opposite, birds seem very concentrated. There is tons of water around but 90% of it has no birds. On the places they like, there are rafts of hundreds and thousands. I've never seen that before, usually every puddle has a mallard or two.
This is the time of year we always wonder when the cold will push more down. It will happen, hopefully.
Wouldn't by chance be the first field to the west when you come down off of Starbird Hill into Conway is it? That one most definitely sees a lot of birds.
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That's one, several like it. With some places 100% flooded it's like sheet lakes. I did see a flock of mallards swimming around a WDFW parking sign which was ironic. There was a guy parked on the county road standing by his truck looking like he was thinking about taking a poke at them. I had similar thoughts.
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I've seen some strange stuff to the opposite, birds seem very concentrated. There is tons of water around but 90% of it has no birds. On the places they like, there are rafts of hundreds and thousands. I've never seen that before, usually every puddle has a mallard or two.
This is the time of year we always wonder when the cold will push more down. It will happen, hopefully.
This is what I have found too. Massive rafts of ducks.
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On my drive to and from work I usually see hundreds in the flooded fields. But not this year. We have had lots of sheet water before and still seen ducks. But just have not seen that many around.
I have not even bought a stamp yet. But I will around Christmas. I retire New Year’s Eve. So plan ton hunt three days mid week with the dog till season closes, ducks or not.
I don’t think the cold up north has been enough yet. :dunno:
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I remember back in the late 80’s to early 90’s when I started was like going to the grocery store when my dad and brother threw out the decoys. Never will see that type of good consistent public hunting again.
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Is anyone else seeing more Pintail than ever before? It's crazy the amount of pintails in the area I primarily hunt.
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I’m not seeing as many ducks as usual on my place. I’ve got 25 acres of flooded sheet water and between 12 and 60 ducks using it at any given time. I’ve only hunted the place twice this year….back in October. There was a ton of ducks and Cacklers then. Seems to me to be kind of a weird year for ducks. Maybe they’re hanging north following the freeze-line, maybe they’re scattered?
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Almost everywhere from Western Washington to Idaho I’m hearing reports of no birds compared to normal. Most are saying they are still coming. I’m doubtful
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Seems to be plenty of birds in the Mid Columbia. They seem to be most all black with white beaks? :dunno:
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I hear the same thing. But, I am spending time in the field and know that it is not true. Plenty of birds, just scattered Most are not available as they spend time on private land. There is a lot of water. If we get a good freeze, you'll see hoardes on the open water from all the local fields.
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Seems to be plenty of birds in the Mid Columbia. They seem to be most all black with white beaks? :dunno:
:chuckle:
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Seems to be plenty of birds in the Mid Columbia. They seem to be most all black with white beaks? :dunno:
I heardeded that them uns is the best eatin’ ones!!!
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Is anyone else seeing more Pintail than ever before? It's crazy the amount of pintails in the area I primarily hunt.
This has been my experience so far this year. Its like they didn't bother to continue heading south.
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Seems to be plenty of birds in the Mid Columbia. They seem to be most all black with white beaks? :dunno:
I heardeded that them uns is the best eatin’ ones!!!
I shot some of those a couple decades ago so the dog would have something to retrieve. Not one to let things go to waste, I breasted them out, cut them thin marinated them for 24 hours and then smoked the hell out of them in an attempt to make jerky. I may have gotten the hell out of them, but I did not get the coot taste out. They were TERRIBLE. I tried to give some to the dog and she would not touch them - keep in mind she would clean the cat box if given the opportunity!
Last ones I ever shot!
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I saw the most coot I have ever seen the other day, probably at least 50 in just the area I could see from the blind. If the state didn't inexplicably limit the number of shells a gun can take to 15 I would have done a bit of conservation.
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Shoot the Coot, they are terrible nest robbers for nesting ducks... :twocents:
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Been cold here the last few days in the Wenatchee Valley and surrounding areas with more cold predicted through the holidays. Slack water and small ponds are freezing up and I am seeing more and more birds jumping back and forth from the river.
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Shoot the Coot, they are terrible nest robbers for nesting ducks... :twocents:
I agree, it's just tough when the state only allows 15 shells and the limit is 10 snows, 4 dark geese and 7 ducks.
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Ice is forming and they are concentrating a bit. I managed some shots yesterday.
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took a look yesterday and today and my fingers are crossed for a big push.
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Plenty of birds around and been seeing some really large feeds as well. Just have to do some driving to find the birds. Some spots I haven't been able to get into, but others have produced easy limits of birds. I have found them in many new areas this year, where I typically wouldn't see them or spots that typically don't have water. If your only poking around in the traditional spots you hunt or drive by you may be missing them.
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Finally started seeing some birds. Gonna be a big push to the end of the season. ✌️
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Shoot the Coot, they are terrible nest robbers for nesting ducks... :twocents:
I agree, it's just tough when the state only allows 15 shells and the limit is 10 snows, 4 dark geese and 7 ducks.
15 shell limit?? Since when? Asking for a friend
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Shoot the Coot, they are terrible nest robbers for nesting ducks... :twocents:
I agree, it's just tough when the state only allows 15 shells and the limit is 10 snows, 4 dark geese and 7 ducks.
15 shell limit?? Since when? Asking for a friend
Hunting Island, QH Fields and state blind locations are all 15 shell restriction areas.
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Shoot the Coot, they are terrible nest robbers for nesting ducks... :twocents:
I agree, it's just tough when the state only allows 15 shells and the limit is 10 snows, 4 dark geese and 7 ducks.
15 shell limit?? Since when? Asking for a friend
Pretty sure that’s on refuges.
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Shoot the Coot, they are terrible nest robbers for nesting ducks... :twocents:
I agree, it's just tough when the state only allows 15 shells and the limit is 10 snows, 4 dark geese and 7 ducks.
15 shell limit?? Since when? Asking for a friend
Pretty sure that’s on refuges.
Only certain refuges mainly on the westside that I know of
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Shoot the Coot, they are terrible nest robbers for nesting ducks... :twocents:
I agree, it's just tough when the state only allows 15 shells and the limit is 10 snows, 4 dark geese and 7 ducks.
15 shell limit?? Since when? Asking for a friend
Pretty sure that’s on refuges.
Puget Sound, any state land I have hunted and all of the private lands access programs, so pretty much all of the public land except the deltas not in the wildlife areas. I believe it's statewide for all of the private lands programs, even the ones that require a reservation and only have one party hunting per day.
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I do not think the 15 shell limit applies to all state land. Below is an excerpt from the "Skagit Wildlife Unit Hunting Guide".
Note the 15-shell restrictions at the Samish, Johnson/DeBay Slough and Island
Units (as well as the Spencer Island Unit near Everett). According to WAC 232-
16-770, “It is unlawful to have in possession more than 15 shotgun shells or to
fire (shoot) more than 15 shells in one day” on these Units. Hunters are not
allowed to return to their vehicle or boat for more shells after entering the field
with their 15 shells
There are a number of other public spreads that are not listed.
It does appear many of the register to hunt areas are 15 shot limited.
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6 degrees in south Canada this morning. Its making hard water north of us.
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WAC 220-414-050 Shotgun Shell Restriction Areas.
It is unlawful to have in possession more than 15 shotgun shells or to fire (shoot) more than 15 shells in one day on the following areas:
Section a. The Island Unit of the Skagit Wildlife Area in Skagit County.
Section b. The Spencer Island Unit of the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area in Snohomish County.
Section c. The Samish Unit of the Skagit Wildlife Area in Skagit County.
Section d. The Johnson/DeBay's Slough Hunt Unit of the Skagit Wildlife Area in Skagit County.
Section e. All lands managed by the Department north of East Anderson Rd and west of the Dungeness River in Clallam County.
It is unlawful to have in possession more than 25 shotgun shells or to fire (shoot) more than 25 shells in one day on the Nisqually Unit of the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area in Thurston County.
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That leaves LOTS of land with no 15 shell restrictions.
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I think I'm gonna try this prank on my kids this weekend... "Hey kids, this spot only has a 15 shell limit so be very careful how and what you shoot at because you only get 15..." I would save lots of money lol
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That leaves LOTS of land with no 15 shell restrictions.
Sure, there is land and salt accessible by boat as well as some walk in access in the river bays when the tide is in your favor. Tons of private land, maybe the pay to hunt guys are still in business.
I wouldn't say lots, I would say some. Much of the land public land hunters use is restricted in this area. The state does a decent job, I'm just not sure why you restrict the ammo to less than a limit of birds. It's like saying fishing is open, limit 5, but after your third fish you have to cut your hook off.
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15 shells is plenty adequate to kill a limit of birds. I also believe that it only stops a little bit of the skybusting because many folks don't abide by those rules anyway. Sneaking in an extra 5 or 10 shells would go mostly unnoticed.
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Seems like the last 3 days more birds are in my area. The floodwater is finally getting down to a level the ducks like too! Enough birds to spur me out to spruce up the blind for a hunt in the morning!
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Sideways! I’m always sideways! 😂
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Seems like the last 3 days more birds are in my area. The floodwater is finally getting down to a level the ducks like too! Enough birds to spur me out to spruce up the blind for a hunt in the morning!
That is a good trick- fill the blind with water and bring 'em in close! :chuckle:
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Funny! 😂 The blind is a 5’x10’ concrete septic tank with the baffle formed out. It’s got a false floor in it for pumping out rainwater. It had a 3’x10’ roof on it before the flood. A floating log probably ripped it off. I took my rowboat out after the flood, found it and tied it off to a tree until today. That thing is heavy! Everything’s back to normal now awaiting tomorrow’s hunt!
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That leaves LOTS of land with no 15 shell restrictions.
Sure, there is land and salt accessible by boat as well as some walk in access in the river bays when the tide is in your favor. Tons of private land, maybe the pay to hunt guys are still in business.
I wouldn't say lots, I would say some. Much of the land public land hunters use is restricted in this area. The state does a decent job, I'm just not sure why you restrict the ammo to less than a limit of birds. It's like saying fishing is open, limit 5, but after your third fish you have to cut your hook off.
You are overlooking, or not realizing how much land there actually is. I can think of 12 different locations just off the top of my head in Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish counties alone that are productive where there is no shell limit. And those are just the places I know of, there are definitely more than that. All are only boat/kayak accessible, but a boat and duck hunting is like a dog and duck hunting. They go hand-in-hand.
I do not like the shell limit either, but I rarely find myself hunting the places where shell limits exist. Those places are usually zoos or they aren't very productive anyway. I still don't like that they limit the people that hunt those places. 15 shells is enough for ducks sure, but what if the snows or Canadas come? I don't see the point, sky-busters are going to skybust and just run back to their truck for more shells.
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Dang it! I meant to be in a cornfield today but did not want to drive over the pass! Have fun out there!
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Took my brand spanking new Winchester SXP out today. I like it! 7 mallards out of 10 shots. Deep fried scallops in black bear lard and hot black coffee to boot! A good day!
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I suppose this one never left…
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/v47/boneaddict/EE32BFE7-31BA-4917-AA9E-E377FF41E9B4.jpeg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/v47/boneaddict/86AE688A-DAE7-4B9F-AE39-13EF9B0EA9E3.jpeg)
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Here is one with orange feet
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/v47/boneaddict/A0131CE9-3500-40D5-BA16-343F1E1A60B6.jpeg)
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Took my brand spanking new Winchester SXP out today. I like it! 7 mallards out of 10 shots. Deep fried scallops in black bear lard and hot black coffee to boot! A good day!
great pic!!!!
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I suppose this one never left…
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/v47/boneaddict/EE32BFE7-31BA-4917-AA9E-E377FF41E9B4.jpeg)
that is one beautiful bird
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/v47/boneaddict/86AE688A-DAE7-4B9F-AE39-13EF9B0EA9E3.jpeg)
Looks like a "storm" is coming with that wigeon. Very nice shot :tup:
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Getting pics like that is way tougher than shooting birds. Nice job!
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Dang it! I meant to be in a cornfield today but did not want to drive over the pass! Have fun out there!
Good call. Took me nearly 3 hrs to get from Monroe to Cle Elum today
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Getting pics like that is way tougher than shooting birds. Nice job!
Thank you. That looks like a wonderful day. Great blind set up.
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My son and I have only gotten a few mixed bag ducks this season. They are around, but not anything like the old days...Tons of snows around. Are the snows winning the nesting battle up north vs the ducks?
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Getting pics like that is way tougher than shooting birds. Nice job!
Thank you. That looks like a wonderful day. Great blind set up.
Thank you! It’s been a multi-decade process. 30ish years and things are starting to look good for me for having my own duck hunting place. I drove by this place for 20-25 years (twice a week) hoping to own it someday. Now I do! I bought it 11 years ago and it took a year or two to figure it out. Still a process….ducks are ducks!
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My oldest granddaughter hunts with me occasionally, 18 y/o. No grandsons or sons. My granddaughter will be a great wife someday. She’s a good one! I’m 60 yo. Still a bit of time to watch it play out. 😁
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I haven’t hunted ducks this year but I have spent a fair amount of time in the field chasing geese. I also have been driving the river every day above wenatchee the last month. To me duck numbers are way down from 20 years ago and down from last year which was one of the slower years. It is very cold in Canada this week. If you don’t see them by now they aren’t coming.
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I have not seen the swans yet this year.
Every year they hang out in a field by my house for a few weeks.
First time in years I have not seen them.
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Swans are holed up in Monte.
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Plenty of swans in Whatcom county. They were a little later this year though
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Skagit County and Island County loaded with Swans and a lot of geese around too.
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I am anxious to see what these next few weeks hold. Middle of next week they are calling for cold and dry, down around zero at night so the river should heat up nicely.
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Skagit County and Island County loaded with Swans and a lot of geese around too.
You aren't kidding there, more swans than normal in the places I go. Too bad a MT swan license isn't valid here. I guess the WA swans are much more endangered than the ones in other states. :chuckle:
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Starting to see lots of ducks below Ice harbor dam. Yesterday there was a HUGE flock of pintails, never seen so many. Also a huge flock of Mallards, with some golden eyes, common mergansers and geese mixed in. White pelicans on the island.
It was an impressive site
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The next cold snap will most likely push more Black bodied white beak ducks down into the Mid Columbia zone. Shoot straight!
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My son hunted with friends last night. He reported a ton of ducks working corn. I think the ducks might be on their way. It was a good report.
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I retire in a week, going dust the dog off and spend the last month duck hunting kinda easy like. :tup:
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Congrats to you ghosthunter. Anyone making it career retirement deserves the good life. Feet down mallards and stupid wigeon to you
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Congrats to you ghosthunter. Anyone making it career retirement deserves the good life. Feet down mallards and stupid wigeon to you
Thanks
Held out to 70 to max SS. Been double dipping since November. Last day 12/31/21 4 pm.
But on call only till then. Hitting the ducks on Tuesday. :IBCOOL:
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little sumpin from this afternoon to stoke that fire!
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What 20 gauge load do like?
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Late season, shooting the BOSS 5s. A bit overkill with birds feet down in the blocks at 25yds, but hits em hard and makes em dead.
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Late season, shooting the BOSS 5s. A bit overkill with birds feet down in the blocks at 25yds, but hits em hard and makes em dead.
5 shot? I’ve been wondering about those boss shells and what size for a 12. I use to shoot 2 shot steel. Crushed a goose with 3 shot Hevi metal though out at good distance. Wondering if I should go smaller in size for ducks now.
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Always a compromise, but pattern density is very important. That size shot is a legit killer to 40yds.
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I retire in a week, going dust the dog off and spend the last month duck hunting kinda easy like. :tup:
Congrats!!! Blast away sir.
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Plenty of widgeon around yesterday
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We hunted last night. Had 3 pintail work us for a sec or two and moved on. Not much else except high flying geese...
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There should be a lot of full bird straps tomorrow! I would fill mine but going to Hawks/Bears. Good luck and be safe out there!
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I'm around NE wa and geese was all over a few weeks ago.
Not so much any more . It got cold in a hurry ,Majorty must of moved on.
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Columbia below the Snake should get real busy with this cold spill
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Yep lots of geese flying today!
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Took us a bit of effort and a tank of gas but we got into the mallards today pretty good. 11 in 45 minutes after we found them. Should have limited but wanted to let them stack back in for tomorrows hunt and it was damn cold for the pup so we got out of there early this afternoon. Be careful with your dogs in this weather.
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Had some snows flying by our place today, don’t normally see them these far up river. Probably due to the fields down river being frozen over.
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3 man limit on 21 green heads today. Good times
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Froze out before they got to my spots. Still very low water lines as well, decoys still in storage.