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

Very few ducks on a metro lake this morning. Heard the same thing from a party that was down there mon morning....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

went out yesterday same lake a 10th of the birds still managed 12 and add to that 4 Wanton wastes could tell they were day old birds a little more leary of finishing off. Still a great day out in the boat for being public water

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hunted minnesota river this morning 2 small flocks of teal and 2 flocks of wooducks, missed wooducks, below tree line and didnt see them in low light conditons until to late frown

Link to comment
Share on other sites

North metro. Nothing. Geese flared.Mojo. One small flock of ducks seen. Tundra swans migrating all morning

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Limited out this morning on a solo hunt out West. Plenty of mallards in the area and GWT. Fun hunt and the birds worked well and had all shots with feet down and cupped up in the decoys. Passed on many divers (ringbills, cans and buffs) Geese were moving in big flocks too. Ice starting to form on some of the small pole holes. Tomorrow should be good too. I felt like I was hunting in ND. wink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Full Moon and NW winds are usually an exciting combo this time of year. I'll be out on Lac tomorrow. It was too windy for a count but I'm hearing good things. There were reports of a big number of snow geese on Marsh lake earlier in the week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Definately a big push of ducks clouds were black up here seemed like the push started sunday got a limit for 6 on a lake north of bemidji then went monday night cooked some duck in the duck blind with a few buds didnt reeally focus on shooting birds but shotten and [PoorWordUsage] the whole time went out this mornig and shot abunch of mallards even got one with a band... might try tommorrow depending if we eat duck tonight hopefully it will still be snowing tommorrow morn though

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did some scouting this morning.

Found some divers.

Hope they are still there in the morning.

Expect new arrivals today with the wind the last couple.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just got back from my first nodak trip of the year, LOTS of juvie snows, this spring should be another blood bath. 4 days of hunting we shot 246 snows, wich one the days we only shot 24, 16 lesser canadas, 1 greater, and with the mallards the thickest i have seen limits came quick. Met some of nodaks finest and shared a hunt with a father and 2 sons which in turn lead to dinner and bird cleaning at there house and hopefully some life long friends!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Was out for a bit this AM. You'd think this wind would have help. Not where I was in the north metro. Very few birds seen, but I was only out for the first hour or so. Hoping for something to improve by the weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went out today, got 3 ducks. But really it only counts as 1 because 2 of them were coots. The other was a hen mallard. Saw a good amount of ducks, just couldn't get them to come in. Ice is starting to form a little bit. At the boat access there was some skim ice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went out west again to the same spot and maybe about 50 or so ducks on the water. It was night and day difference. It was very slow. Did manage to get a nice drake mallard though. Passed on two solo hen mallards that landed 10 yds from me. Scouted around and found a whole wad of ducks. Hunted them in the mid morning and filled out on 5 GWT. Fun hunt. Most mallards and teal I've seen so far this year in one spot--would guess close to 500--fun to watch. Also found 3 large rafts (150-200) of ringbills. Geese were on the move as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cornfield.Nothing. Saw 2 small flocks of geese heading towards big marine. Heard 5 deer shots and had a nice buck walk through the end of cornfield. No waterfowl shots heard. Done with that place till everything freezes but rivers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Say Albino, did you shoot the coots deliberatly or by accident? If you chose to shoot them do you eat them? They are actually pretty good ya know. If you shot them by accident that is unfortunate and you'll have to study the "bird ID" book some more.

And if you just shot them for the hell of it you really ought not do that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Took some PTO this week. Tues was a great hunt. Mallards and cans everywhere. Me and my dad shot 10. 6 mallards, 2 cans, ringer, and a redhead. Should have had our limit of mallards but messed up on 1 flock (I forgot to put a shell in the chamber and my fathers gun jammed after one shot). Another flocked buzzed us and the dog flared one flock. Wen the ducks were pretty much gone compared to the day before but managed 4. Some big flocks of mallards were seen but much harder to commit and less call responsive. Thurs we only got 2 and saw even less ducks. From what I heard mon and tues were the days to be out. Couple buddies managed a limit of mallards on thurs but had to be in the right spot as not to many people had much for ducks on wen and thurs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

North metro. Not many ducks seen but man were there geese !! Have not seen that many in a long time. Couple flocks of mallards before shooting and maybe 20 afterwards. None came close. Looking back now I should have a limit of geese but never shot. Wanted them to decoy and they never did. Too many real birds just down the shore!! Wish I would see some of these new ducks in the area.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

yesterday on my way to work I noticed a pothole that hasnt held a duck all season and it was holding around 200 mallards this is off of 94 north of ,

maple grove

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Elwood, I know the pond you are talking about. The one that looks super ducky but there is NEVER anything on it? I saw bout 100 birds on it today. I'll be out mon and tues forsure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mallards are hitting the metro big time right now. Canada is cold and the birds are moving down. Missouri is having a strong opening week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Saw a lone mallard and then a flock ofabout 20. Also 6-8 divers. These were not new birds. Heard a fair amount of field shooting. Nothing close for me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was out near Hugo this morning, saw a ton of mallards and a good number of geese. Also saw four or five huge flocks of migrating ducks, couldn't tell what they were, long ways up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I saw the same as you guys this morning as far as mallards, the most I've seen this year. Went out with my son got my first limit of the year, nice mixed bag. Birds were flying non stop all morning. Saw a ton of Buffleheads too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tons of new birds seen on select public sloughs in the SW metro this weekend!!! Mallards in the hundreds, divers of all kinds, teal, woodducks and geese. O and the swans were everywhere so make sure you identify your target!!! Sloughs are drying up and cant get decoys out so pass shooting has been the new norm. Ended the weekend with a few bills, a mallard, a teal and a good old Shoveler for two guys!! Teal and divers were flying so close to the cattails that when we saw them they were already past us. Mallards followed the swans and would sit in no mans land. Heard of good field shoots in the area. Heading out to LQP next weekend hopefully they stick around for a while weather is looking ok besides the 20's at night. I'm doubting that the S zone will even have open water by season end but I can hope!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A few lakes in the central part of the state was reported to have divers by the hundreds and one lake close to a thousand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some good quick jump shoot Canadian Mallards yesterday on WMA's west of the metro. Lots of Mallards grouped together in out of the way pot holes.

full-39083-13866-weekendducks.jpg

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.