Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Waterfowl Reports


Recommended Posts

I have been seeing the geese flock up in Elk River and Ramsey along hi-way ten. It is getting me excited. I just ordered a few duck calls today as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Been seeing some geese in the St. Michael area moving around in the mornings and evenings. Only two weeks to go!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you plan on heading out to western mn for duck opener be prepared for extremely high water. We were out scouting a month ago on Marsh and the north end of LQP and the water was higher than I've ever seen it that time of year. I do know it has went up since then as well.

If you are not in a boat and have a spot out there that you normally hunt from the cattails and throw some decoys out you probably want to get out and check it out before opening morning. It's deep and it could be dangerous if you're not ready for it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah I was was a little harsh. The river is seriously full of Honkers right now...I have not been able to scout to see where they are going but a river hunt might be a fun one the week of opener!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you plan on heading out to western mn for duck opener be prepared for extremely high water. We were out scouting a month ago on Marsh and the north end of LQP and the water was higher than I've ever seen it that time of year. I do know it has went up since then as well.

If you are not in a boat and have a spot out there that you normally hunt from the cattails and throw some decoys out you probably want to get out and check it out before opening morning. It's deep and it could be dangerous if you're not ready for it.

The boat ramp at twin bridges on hwy 119 is still very flooded out. water isn't going down anytime soon. Still flooding way up to Browns Valley and all that water has to get through bigstone and marsh yet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure if I am seeing more because I am excited the season is right around the corner or not, but down here in the Scott County area I am seeing a lot more duck movement in the late evening. Not sure if the local ducks are just moving more with the subtle changes in the seasons happening or not, or, if the teal are starting to make their southern trek.

Been seeing ducks on most of the areas I have scouted, and tons of woodies hanging out. Geese are starting to move into the newly cut fields and have noticed some flocks cruising around more.

Probably just me!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Saw a cpl nice flocks of mallards flying around near sunset this evening.... Nice to see em starting to flock up! Can't wait for the season! I'm really liking the new regs. I think they did a great job trying to accommodate everyone...

Wish they would have stuck to 1 hen mallard but I like the 3 woodies and the layout of the season!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been noticeing a lot of woodies flying around the Zimmerman area in the evenings seen a few teal but not the numbers that I would expect to see yet. seeing more and more geese around also.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have seen the same thing Elwood but not as many teal. I am going down South to Louisiana in 2 weeks for there early season teal and hunt there for 5 days. I let you know how it goes--first time for early teal season--been hunting big duck down here for the last 5-6 years after our season is over b/c I didn't want to stop hunting. One of these days during the season, we should go on a hunt together Elwood--I'm in zimmtown too.

A few days ago I saw a lot of geese feeding early in the morning along 101 in rogers/otsego in the cut wheat feild.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds good strait-meat I hope to be out quite a few mornngs as I work second shift so if you can go let me know..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been down on the minnesota river scouting for ducks for the youth opener and i have to say that I am seeing alot more wood ducks than I have seen the past couple seasons. I have seen a few teal but not to many, If the woodducks continue to hang out through youth season and the opener, should be in for some good shootin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's my Nodak report for you guys: there's ducks here grin

No, seriously, should be a good year for numbers. However (and this is a biggie) all the water could make pinpointing birds difficult. In fact, you may not experience "more birds" when hunting simply for the fact that they will be so spread out.

I predict many people running traffic this year. Find yourself a juicy looking slough, set up some dekes, and spend the day out there scratching birds. If you play the weather and chose your days (and put in some decent time scouting) you ought to have a grand time.

Mark my words: this could be the end of an era. I know lots of you don't like the "doom and gloom" outlook of habitat, but I will testify that there is a lot less CRP than in the past. Non-farmed marginal land is what ducks, geese, upland birds and deer NEED to survive and thrive. So get out there and enjoy the bounty while you can. If we don't see a reversal of attitude toward the "farm every square inch of land" mentality, and if we don't see the state and federal government putting more incentive to farmers to stop farming those lands, the "good-ol-days of hunting" may already be behind us...

Food for thought...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seeing lots of geese up by bemidji feilds are full just hard getting permission... Then was down in buffalo a week ago seen a couple hundred only like 40 in my feild but whatever duck and goose numbers look better this year since awhile.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just got back from the foley area and the fields that had wheat in them are starting to fill up with geese and sandhills one of the fields has about 250 geese in it and 20 sandhills in it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went out tonight, only managed to get one honker, we had one flock come in and just had poor shooting, and had a few lookers, but other than that it was a pretty slow day. I am hoping more birds will be heading south soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Huh. I don't believe there is a state in the U.S. that goose hunting is open in right now.

Nebraska South Dakota, North Dakota all have early goose seasons that start in August

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I couldn't find that in the Nodak laws but this is what the season reads

Open Area: Statewide

Opens: August 13 Closes: September 15 (Except in Missouri River Zone)

Daily Limit: 8

Possession Limit: 16

Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset

Missouri River Canada Goose Zone

Open Area: See map below

Opens: August 13 Closes: September 7

Daily Limit: 8

Possession Limit: 16

Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good call, I was looking in my SD rulebook thinking it was ND and assumed both were the same. Too many rulebooks for too many states.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Im with carpshooter. I bet he went to wisconsin. I also went out on friday, only managed to get 4. Woulda been a pretty special hunt if we coulda hunted thursday though. Two groups didnt ask the landowner went out and both shot limits, which put the birds a lil on edge.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seen alot of woodies and teal in the Minnesota river valley yerturday not many geese flying we never pulled the trigger but enjoyed the teal landing in our goose decoys

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Kettle
      Walked today and yesterday, flushed 9, shot at two and got two. Hopefully next year I'll have a dog to hunt with. Still warm up here, skim of ice on ponds. Weather has been nice. Hopefully walk a bit more the next few weeks. Been pretty cautious walking for birds to not interfere with deer hunters. There sure are not the deer hunters there used to be 
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.