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

Sounds like a dandy week, B@ssmaster. Was out for several hours today and saw few waterfowl in the area. Mid-afternoon, so it was a poor time to judge. 80 degrees, and tons of mosquitos! Very tough conditions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went to a lake west of Otsego. Never got a shot. About a thousand coots in the middle. Hard to compete with them. Some ducks out there but they would just get up,fly in a circle without coming near the shore and go back down. This high pressure system has been here long enough ! We need changes. Did see one high flock of cacklers moving south.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmmmmmmmmmm Lake west of Otsego........................I am sure that lake is not a secret.

whistle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Found a flooded standing corn field that was finally holding birds. We got our woodie limit and one drake mallard,were going to give it a try in the a.m. should be good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

we saw a few ducks and managed to get a bluebill and a mallard and stringerless I think I saw that same flock of cacklers this morning when I got home they went over the house no mistakeing the calls of those birds

Link to comment
Share on other sites

no shortage of ducks in eastern south dakota this morning. scouted for honkers last night but didn't get the field so I picked a random wpa to go to this morning. buddy shot his first duck band (drake mallard) and we had 15-20 different flocks of mallards work the dekes as well as a few honkers. our shooting sucked after the wind switched on us but we each walked out with a handfull of green.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Had one of the slowest goose mornings I've ever seen around the Lac qui Parle area. Saw a loner around 8:00 that wanted nothing to do with our setup, and four others came in at 8:30 that we killed one out of. Those were the only geese we saw all morning. Drove around for an hour, even by the refuge and didn't see a bird. I don't know if the hot weather is affecting the action, but there were no birds to be found.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Had one of the slowest goose mornings I've ever seen around the Lac qui Parle area. Saw a loner around 8:00 that wanted nothing to do with our setup, and four others came in at 8:30 that we killed one out of. Those were the only geese we saw all morning. Drove around for an hour, even by the refuge and didn't see a bird. I don't know if the hot weather is affecting the action, but there were no birds to be found.

did you scout? not much for migrators down yet, but guys are putting the hurt on the birds that are around...saw some pretty impressive hunts on facebook from a certain maxxed out guide... whistle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Was in southwest MN and had a much slower day than last Sunday. Saw quite a few birds but still was 1/4 of the birds I saw last weekend. 3 hunters - 5 ducks. Still a nice morning

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We got one ringee this morming and saw a few ducks during shooting hours but WOW we saw hundreds of divers and mallys 15 min or so be fore shooting hours started.. They never came back Oh well thats duck hunting be back at it again tomarrow...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Same lake. Same story. Coots and ducks in middle. One did make a mistake and come to us and we got it. Spoonie hen !!!!!!!!! 3 mojos,a dozen geese and over 65 duck dekes of mixed species and not one flock even gave us a second look ! Idiots across the lake hunting geese with rifles I think. Had to be, as high as they were shooting at them !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our family went out this morn. the four of us got our woodie limit quick only one hen(someone said they were sure it was drake uh! ha!) and one mallard drake. That was all we seen woodies and the one mallard. Must say it was a blast in the flooded corn my wife got the honors of taking the last wood duck, me and my two sons were amazed at the shot she made, she says shes good we said more like lucky.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Carlos Pool nine from 3;30 - sunset. 1 woodie drake. Only shot we had. Could have had a few others but you all know the story: apparently they are making 6 1/2 inch shells now !! Really, really sad to see !! Was suprised by the lack of ducks after 4. Maybe they have been hunting till sunset every night and the birds are nocturnal already !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

was out tonight near hugo. the first hour and a half was slow. saw a few off in the distance and then a couple honkers. then i had to come in and i shot and all h3ll broke loose and there were birds everywhere for about 10 min then done! like someone shut of the switch. untill sunset when all the geese came back to roost.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mosy there are birds are on Lac qui parle, not a ton, you just have to scout a little bit. Last two weekends 56 honkers, 4 blues and 10 ducks (mixed bag). Saturday was insane, 9 man 27 bird limit, got some good video footage of it, hopefully we'll have it this week.

I think it will be another week before we get a push of birds into the area. The reports up in Winnipeg look pretty balmy this week before cooling down next weekend. Birds have moved into Oak Hammock Marsh, but it may be a few weekends yet before we see any of them.

Here's my facebook link for some pics

http://www.facebook.com/pages/MaXXed-Out-Guides/97833614222?ref=ts

Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://www.oakhammockmarsh.ca/pdf/migration-counts-2010.pdf

This is the migration count for Oak Hammock Marsh. This is the refuge that holds the majority of the birds that migrate to Lac qui parle. It's suprisingly accurate because I can match up the majority of the large drops in birds here with large arrivals at lac qui parle in past years. The exception was last year, but that was the strangest year I have ever seen...ever.

[Note from admin: Your post has been edited. Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank you.]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great weekend on the rice pond. Saturday morning there were 100s of ducks on the pond when we broke the water...sounded like a jet plane taking off. When shooting hours arrived, we ended up with 4 divers and plenty of misses...just my 8 yr. old and I this weekend. We ended the day early since he had a soccer game...didn't go back out. Sunday morning was the same with 100s of ducks on the rice...we left early to do some things with the fam some we could come back out for the evening hunt. There were small groups that would pop in and out but once the sun got close to the skyline, then it was flock after flock after flock. We got our 12 birds for the day and then just sat and watch the pond fill up with ducks...amazing to watch. He had a great time...he said "I can't wait for next Saturday Dad". smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Two of us hunted a bean field on Saturday morning running traffic for honkers and only had 4 come in and whacked em. There were not many around, only saw a few flocks. There were 4 of us hunting Sunday morning and saw many geese and some ducks so we shot 15 geese and our limit of mallards...Pics will be in the waterfowl photo section.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We got one ringee this morming and saw a few ducks during shooting hours but WOW we saw hundreds of divers and mallys 15 min or so be fore shooting hours started.. They never came back Oh well thats duck hunting be back at it again tomarrow...

Same area as opener? Debating on heading north again in two weeks or heading west after some rooster. Watching the weather at the moment to see what it's going to do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No not the same area but I ve herd about really good reports by a couple of so called locals they said most birds they have evre seen.

Just have to scout and Ive heard good things from BR

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hunted three miles east of the outlet of Lower Red Lake on Saturday. Only four people hunting at all in this area. We had a guide get us reservation permits and boy was it fun. Shot 3 mallys, a couple bluebills, and one big canada. Really warm and little wind though. Will probably head back up there this weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think my 18 year old has it figured out. He has 3 of my boats stashed around Anoka county and hits each of his spots like a milk run. Doing good every day. No limits but birds that he can decoy without some [PoorWordUsage] shooting when they cross the county line ! He says today he saw a push of ringies. Got a HUGE honker. It wingspan is as wide as his arms out to the side. I told him to quit sending me pics of birds every day before I quit my job ! It's killing me !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went out by myself this morning and had some luck. A lot of corn coming out in the LQP area, so I set up on a corn/bean field edge and had good luck. Shot two within 20 minutes and should have had a 3rd, but the shadow from the blind was flaring them at 70 yards. Also jumped a couple woodies.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hunter, where were you huntin in hugo? i was on a private pond near your description...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not many birds left around our area now. Hard frost this morning. Seems like most of our regional birds have moved south. Not seeing much in the air either mornings or evenings.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Carlos this morning. 2 gads with 1 shot. A BWT and a ringie drake. Did not see much else. Not a lot of shooting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got 4 ringers, a grean wing, and a mallard yest. Today 4 greenheads and a mixture of gadwall, teal, woodies, but no ringers. Not sure where they went. Got a total of 11 today and couldn't find a couple. Lots of shooting this morning and lots of ducks. Western MN

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.