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

Deer hunting Sat and Sunday and then headed out to hunt big water out west Weds, Thurs and Friday. Hope the lows on Tuesday night don't lock up all of the water. Think we should still be fine the middle of next week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went to Onamia Thursday evening. Flock of mallards in the distance. Pair of ringbills with one down and another paid out too far. Spoke to a local who hunts nearly every day and he said it has been slow. Said the one he got the day before had corn in the crop. Not much rice on the lake and a lot of shallow water that had enough weeds to choke up the prop a few time. I thought it would have been better with the cold coming in. Anyone have any reports about ice further north?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ringie hen,Mergie hen,Woody hen. Saw about 100 ringies. Birds that have been here long enough to shy away from the hunting spot. Geese too. Locals that know exactly where they are safe. No migrating flocks noticed. Geese or ducks. Only heard 2 single deer shots. Ringie hen had some mono line on her. Swivel and split shot too. Not tight just wrapped around her body once. Weird.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mopped em today. More shooting than whole season up to this point. Steady stream of high flying migrants all morning. Ducks and geese. Birds we got decoyed perfectly. Feet down. Worst season so far, forgotten in the first flock of decoying birds. Shooting locals still yesterday. Today, migrants. Shame the majority of it will be over in a few days if the wind lays down at all during the nights. Maybe we should have " rollover" days from season to season because of ice cover.;) Ha.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Saturday and Sundays was out deer hunting with no luck. Was watching the weather and realizing the duck season was coming to an end. Couldnt resist the water. Went out yesterday and the birds made me forget how miserable my season has been to this point. Birds worked beautiful and decoyed nice. Ended up with my first Bull Can is 7 years and 2 drake Buffies, 1 hen, and a bill. Was out today and the wind cut right thru, birds worked great again. Before we had all the deeks out birds were trying to come in. Swans and geese were flying south by the flock. Finished with 3 bills, one greater and two lessers, 3 buffies 2 drakes and a ruddy. Should of had more birds but it seem that we would only hit one bird per decoying flock. What a great last two days. Hoping for one last mallard hunt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice!

I took an extra large hen woody last Friday while scouting for deer in central MN. Was surprised to get her at this time of year. Also jumped a flock of about 20 mallards to soon to be in range but I was perplexed by what I saw. Most all of them were big, beautiful drakes but one with them was black - like all black and roughly the same size.

I asked die hard duck hunter friend what it might be. His best guess was a lost scoter. He sees them from time to time in western MN. If it was, glad he got away. Not enough taxidermy funds available right now.

Pretty good numbers of divers whistling through and lots of swans

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Could have been a black duck as well. Drakes are very dark especially this time of year. I see them come through this time of year with mallards. Just a thought.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cold as snot on the range, lakes are iced over, will be hunting the river the next week or so to see if i can pick up any stragglers, got a buddy coming up Sunday to hunt Monday, the low is 7 degrees with a high of 17. Anyone ever have a motor freeze after you ran it and sat foe awhile. I am running a standard outboard.

Kettle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ye ive had an engine freeze but was my own fault keep the lower unit under water at all times .and either start engine every once in a while .. to help prvent it feom freezing .. if it would lock up remozve engine cover and rotate fly back and forth by hand till impellar breaks free. And pray you dont brake it

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's a much darker black duck than the couple I've seen so far this year. I know blacks and mallards will hang together and that makes the most sense. Hard to say for sure but my memory recalls the bird to be darker yet than the one pictured. I guess between the two, I'd have to ask how much a person sees the white of the scoters wings while in flight? I don't recall seeing white on the wings.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Had my old Evinrude freeze up when I had it in the tilt position one time on a day like we have been experiencing. It was beached and waves were hitting the back of the boat and freezing it in the tilt position. Took some serious chipping to get it to lower again when we wanted to go. Something to remember.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Birds are really pouring through north central MN right now. We pounded out 2 limits in a couple hours this morning(all G-eyes). I think that will do it for me this year. It will be difficult to get on any lake around here after tonight. As much as I hate to say it I might have to organize my ice fishing gear this weekend.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Finally!!! Had a great mallard shoot today. Went out for a mid day try, set up about 10:30. Stretched it out as far as I could till 1:00 to take my fourth fat greenhead! I needed a day like this, landscape was stunning and birds were flying!!

Find ANY open water and you have a chance at some nice birds.I hunted tiny flowage with some lil open pools, when they showed up, they come in nice!

Birds seem blind to white camo! grin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Found some open water this morning and it was a big bust. Saw some ducks. Had a couple flocks of g-eyes buzz us. That was it. Barely any mallards and very little geese.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After a great shoot two days ago, the last two have been a different story. Only seen a handful of ducks today and yesterday, geese are thick! But, I want ducks !! Over water!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Solo hunt in Rosemount in a field with cut corn. Geese and mallards were thick, can't wait for tomorrow morning.

full-36675-51210-1459949_494239077361250

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Drove through Fergus Falls today and I saw thousands and thousands of geese. Most were high fliers, but I did see some working a cut corn field not too far off the road. Wish I coulda been hunting!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This might be a long shot but a buddy and I were planning on Lake of the Woods this weekend, however, the water is a little hard up there. So we are looking for other options. Anyone down south have suggestions? We are open and have decoys for geese.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

heartattack- PM me, I live in hibbing and could point you in the direction of some birds that I found in the general area. I packed all my stuff away for the year.

Kettle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 months later...
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

The morning started off slow me for, but it sounded like a war zone. Then about half hour after legal shooting hours it started. First shot first wood duck made a splash.  Then a pair of mallards came in locked up and 3 shots and no splashes. I do not how missed them they looked like geese compared to the young wood duck. Then had some screamers come by and did not even waste a shell they looked to be bluewing teal.  Then a pair of wood ducks came and well they to nice splashes. I miss a couple teal and called it around 9 am. I do not want to burn the pond out. I know my camera date is off by a day but I do not know how to fix it. 

Duck Hunt 2015 #1.jpg

Duck Hunt 2015 First morning results.jpg

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Overall slower than usual opener for us in south central mn. Between the 3 of us we shot 6 woodies and 3 teal.  Few mallards flying but didn't get a chance to commit with others on the slough taking pot shots at them as they circled. Few small flocks of geese flying but none of them even gave a look to any groups on the slough. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I shot my first banded duck this weekend. It was a drake woody. I called the number and it was tagged in KY, last march. Pretty neat and they are sending me an official certificate.

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hunted SW of Morris. Kicked up a bunch of teal and a few larger ducks at sunrise. Got a few shots in the first hour, dropping a couple teal, 2 mallards, and a wood duck. Was absolutely nothing flying after 9 am. Will wait another month until birds come down.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

IMG_0506.thumb.JPG.60295209db8d4f4812e52IMG_0526.thumb.JPG.e81577c1d9ee0466972ecIMG_0545.thumb.JPG.a3ea2577c36d1d959275aIMG_0541.thumb.JPG.e2ec5478bca82ea9609e3Have been hunting the St. Louis River pretty heavy this year with success. Made a trip out to WInnie last weekend and did very well. It has been a good year so far, can't wait for the upcoming weekends when it really starts to pick up!IMG_0470_(1).thumb.JPG.79f4cade7ffa387beIMG_0498.thumb.JPG.b04145692f2e205477bbb

 

Edited by nlayne882
  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice pics nlayne! You ever get or see any black ducks up in the northeast part of the state where you hunt?

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.