Umatilla Refuge

[DuckSlapper]

Hey guys, I drew a #6 at Umatilla lottery this year. Looking for a little intel on the area. I've read where the " Best" blinds are as far as duck harvest data, but curious what the movement of ducks are like in the area. Roost on the Columbia then head to the fields? Roost on the refuge? If someone knows the area a little more, id greatly appreciate it! Thanks.

[hdshot]

What time of the year? I think you’re talking Burbank and can freeze up solid late and just look at blind statistics before your turn to pick. Also remember the numbers don’t reflect what kind of ducks are bagged and have been burned badly thinking going to get on the green heads only to find out it’s a good pass shoot for ring necks. Barf! Very heavy hunted now so the pressure sets how flocks move even on good duck weather days. Early season is probably the best this year since breeding survey numbers have been poor but you never know I guess.

[300rum]

The best thing to do is go a day or two before and see where the ducks are concentrating and then try to get one of those blinds.  It moves around...

[burritosupreme2]

How does someone sign-up for that hunt. Also how do you find info on it?

[Edog]

The best thing to do is go a day or two before and see where the ducks are concentrating and then try to get one of those blinds.  It moves around...

What this guy said.......never used a lottery pick out there before without scouting it the day before.  Hard to get any picks so if you do worth taking the time to check it out.

[Mallardmasher]

We have two #1 picks at Umatilla and 1 #1 pick at Mcnary in Jan in our group.  Along with a couple other picks. This time of year do we hope for frozen conditions or more moderate conditions, any insight would also be appericiatrd

[Klickitatsteelie]

Water does freeze up out there so if it’s freezing temps you can count on water to be locked up with ice

[Edog]

I've lost a number of high picks over the years due to freeze out.  More of an issue at McNary.  Umatilla has a lot of river spots.  Historically end of December first of January can be some of the coldest times and freeze outs happen often then.  Ironically enough end of January the water is almost always open.  My point is probably depends when in January your pick is as far as freeze out possibility.  Supposed to be an El Nino' year so may be warmer this year than typical.  Time will tell.  Bottom line as I shared above I would ALWAYS scout it the day before if you have a pick that high.

[lovetogrouse]

If you're talking about McNary, Blind9 is a great website that contains reports from many of the blinds.

I'd recommend looking at the wind direction before selecting a blind.

https://blind9.com/