Mcnary Duck Hunting

[DuckSlapper]

Hey Guys! First post I've done on here so stick with me. 

Aways wanted to go down to the Tri-cities for duck hunting so did some research and found out about the lottery system. Got my picks in on time and ended up drawing pretty good for one day which I'm excited about. It's on January 4th I believe. I've looked into the " Blind history" to see which blinds shoot the best historically, but with it being that late in the year, is it a possibility it's all frozen and not huntable? Can I go out the day before and scout the whole area? I usually don't hunt unless I know that there's ducks using an area, where their coming from, and enough to make it worth leaving my 2 month old baby at home haha. Also I hate breaking my 7 month old Chessie's heart of not killing birds.  Any other advice as to hunting this area would be much appreciated!

[KDB]

Make sure you call the hunter hot line before you come if the weather's cold.

[boneaddict]

You can on the umatilla, but not sure how mcnary works. I’d assume similiar. 

[Edog]

I've had some really high picks in the past that were wasted because of either govt shutdowns (Federal Refuge) or freeze outs.  Definitively call as this place does freeze up.  It can go weeks without being huntable in bad conditions.

[Badhabit]

I have had some epic field hunts there. Maybe hard water but if the birds a using the fields it can be a good hunt.

[ArroyoS]

Anyone know if you can hunt the Umatilla Refuge on the Washington state side?

[270Flat]

I’m pretty sure it’s froze up right now.

[Big6bull]

Do you guys think mcnary will stay frozen through the season with the current forcast? Looks cold

[Mfowl]

I think a pineapple express is gonna need to blow up through the basin to salvage any public land hunting. Besides the river perhaps. Looks bleak in to the holidays so hopefully in the new year!