Pend Orielle River?

[Idahocougar]

After Christmas I'm heading to the Pend Orielle River for the 1st time. I'm planning to do a bunch of scouting and hopefully some hunting if I find any birds. I've always wanted to shoot a nice redhead drake, there isn't any where I normally hunt. I have an Otter stealth and a small mud motor so I'll be able to get around within a mile or 2 of the boat launch. Any recommendation on how I should go about hunting redheads or any suggestions where I should start my search? I have both Washington and Idaho license so can hunt either state.

Have a good Christmas and thanks for any feedback.

[bullseeker]

I have always had good  luck around Usk. Been a few years since i have shot a Red Head, but they are always flying around. I would check out Indian island and Dead cow slew. There is launches in most of the small little housing developments open to the public. Just stay below high water and try not to hunt in front of somebodies house. And I have always found it helps to have some diver decoys rather than just all mallards. And for sure do some scouting and find where the ducks want to be and go easy on the duck call. I find the duck whistle seem to work and small grunt typ0e duck call works well. Beat of luck and shoot me a pm if you would like to hook up and hunt.

[magnus100]

I sent you a personal msg Idaho.
Mike

[becker]

I was up there the xmas eve.

Lots of ducks and geese flying around.

Lots of snow. Lots of ice along the shorelines.

Managed 5 ducks, no geese.

New flying snow all day.



Went back on the 29th. Icy roads.. ground temps cold, air temp 35.. lots of black ice.
launch was no longer snowy by very very muddy, little shore ice, little snow.

Set up a nice spread in a new locations.

Did not see 10% of the birds we saw the day before xmas.

Managed one goose, 5 ducks.

Left just in  time as 4 guys passed our spread then parked boat down river from us preparing to try and pass shot standing behind a tree.


They did not bother us, But I hate it when I take the time putting out decoys to have a group set up down from you and would more than likely interfere.  Oh well, that's hunting.

Better than the time we had to run 2 guys off trying to set up decoys not 50 yrds from our spread, in fact right between our blind and our boat..

[bullseeker]

Went up on Friday and saw few ducks. Hunted by the paper mill and heard and saw lots of Geese up river and towards the East. Shot  one mallard hen and had a couple Buffle heads swimming in the spread. Really slow day. Took a drive when I was done and saw a few birds on shore by Dalkena mostly Geese. Will try again in a week or so.
B

[HighCountryHunter88]

hunted it today, real slow. the few we did see were very shy. lots of guys out today too.