2019 Duck Geese Goose Waterfowl Opener (2018 Too)

[monstermoose78 2,256]

Holy snow!! It was coming down this morning around 8 am. Had geese flying but could not see them. Got buzzed by many flocks looking the wrong way as I could not look into the wind and snow. Had plenty close enough but never fired a shot. Off to the rifle range tomorrow with the old man. 

[Wanderer 1,713]

Snow?!  Hadn’t heard.  I’m still in Nodak and it’s been sunny and 69-70 degrees for highs!  Big wind yesterday but not so much today.  Birds are around but you have to look for em.  Been driving about 4 hours a day scouting.

[leech~~ 1,077]

18 minutes ago, Wanderer said:

Snow?!  Hadn’t heard.  I’m still in Nodak and it’s been sunny and 69-70 degrees for highs!  Big wind yesterday but not so much today.  Birds are around but you have to look for em.  Been driving about 4 hours a day scouting.

 

Just so we're clear. You left this kind of harvest to drive around in 70 degree weather for 4 hours a day, why again?

 

[Wanderer 1,713]

2 hours ago, leech~~ said:

 

Just so we're clear. You left this kind of harvest to drive around in 70 degree weather for 4 hours a day, why again?

 

 

Good pics have been hard to come by.  But...

 

Yes, these are water pics mainly but we’ve hunted fields too. The field hunting has been tough for us with the size of crew we have and the age mix.  Good times; good people.

 

Besides, a guy that likes divers needs a little water tossed in.  I saw my bucket list can but wouldn’t water swat him to claim him.  Didn’t get a chance at him on the wing.

Edited October 21, 2018 by Wanderer

[monstermoose78 2,256]

Before the snow started! That wind was wicked. 

[leech~~ 1,077]

11 hours ago, MJ1657 said:

Post some of your waterfowl hunting pics Leech. 

 

Not hunting the wet birds this year sorry.  So you mistook my lil funny to Wanderer?  I think he knows I was just pulling his chain.     Good Luck.

Edited October 21, 2018 by leech~~

[Wanderer 1,713]

Snow?  Yeah I finally ran into some today.

 

 

And I HAD to get them on the tailgate! 

 

And that is one of the reasons to leave that stuff in MN for a little while.  

[Wanderer 1,713]

It was a better morning duck hunting than deer hunting. 

[Wanderer 1,713]

Didn’t quite have the repeat of yesterday but managed to eek out some birds over an extended morning.  

 

[IceHawk 1,715]

Nice birds love the goldeneyes

[Wanderer 1,713]

Hoping to keep it up this weekend but those lows in the mid-teens make me shiver a little just thinking about it!

 

In a boat I wouldn’t give it a second thought but paddling gets stuff wet, including my hands.  Will probably rely more on lines this weekend than loose blocks.  I’d like to have the room of a boat though for that.

 

Give and take.  Still learning this late season stuff but I’m really enjoying it.  Anyone else still chasing the birds?

Edited November 5, 2018 by Wanderer

[MJ1657 384]

If some new birds show up I'm hoping to Saturday and Sunday morning.

 

We have about 250 geese regularly coming to the farm and our duck pond. They have seen and heard everything and are not interested. 

[Wanderer 1,713]

3 hours ago, MJ1657 said:

They have seen and heard everything and are not interested. 

 

Good chance there will be a few new birds in this weekend - I think anyway.

 

Do the feeder flocks start small?  If they do, try just 2-4 of your best dekes out alone in a part of a field they haven’t pounded yet.  Sit back, don’t call, and see what happens.

 

I learned a lot the evening I hunted alone in ND and let birds pass my spread without shooting.  It was going to be a landing gear down shoot or nothing.  I finally pass shoot two big Canadians when the feed was already well on and it was obvious they didn’t want a spread.

 

4 birds became 40 which became 400 which became 4000 in maybe 30 minutes.  It was pretty epic.

[Wanderer 1,713]

Checked some spots last night in the 11 degree temps.  No good!  Once the wind laid down the water started skimming over.  I saw more ice with snow on it than water in ducky spots through central MN.

 

Yes, BIG water might still be play but I’m not planning on paddling anything this weekend unless I find a surprise somewhere or get offered a ride in a bigger boat than what I have.

 

Might have to settle for deer this weekend.

Sigh.... 

[monstermoose78 2,256]

Find a little river or stream 

[Wanderer 1,713]

1 minute ago, monstermoose78 said:

Find a little river or stream 

 

I’ll be keeping my eyes open and checking hidey holes.  I’m just not planning for or expecting anything.  At least not like last weekend.

[CANOPY SAM 119]

Geese, ducks and swans have been POURING out of Canada over the last 3-5 days!!!  There's a BUNCH headed toward you boys down south!  Our water is freezing up solid in the north.  They won't stay here long.  They rarely ever do.

 

[knoppers 84]

big lake had about a thousand geese on it today, the most I have ever seen out there. also seen massive flocks of mallards coming off the corn fields flying into big lake.

[MJ1657 384]

We went from 250 geese to about 2000 at the farm this week. They we're almost all gone by yesterday. 

[monstermoose78 2,256]

Wow

[Wanderer 1,713]

Da last birds are a headin’ out.  Bummer.

 

There are still some around and they’re awesome late season beauties but the finding and getting to them can be tough right now, that’s for sure.

 

I passed on an offer to go out this weekend; the group got a little big for my preference.  They did OK.

 

Still haven’t hung up the shotgun yet...

[Wanderer 1,713]

A friend from western MN sent me a shot from last night.  The big Canadians are around.  Man, they’re hardy!

[gimruis 467]

Honestly, I think there are a number of geese that don't even migrate south anymore.  They just live in the river which is open all year round.

[Wanderer 1,713]

5 hours ago, gimruis said:

Honestly, I think there are a number of geese that don't even migrate south anymore.  They just live in the river which is open all year round.

 

Agreed, there always seems to be some geese over wintering.  I continue to see geese flying around and roosted in open rivers.  Swans too.  Had a pair circle me tonight while I was ice fishing.  It’s getting to be an ordinary thing - seeing swans in the winter.

[Rick 1,035]

2019...Ducks, Geese, Waterfowl Opener.... what ya planning and who's gonna get their goose? 

[Wanderer 1,713]

Still working on the goose this year.  I haven’t had as much opportunity as I hoped.  I’ve heard some have done really well in the area but they’re also the ones who’ve done their homework and have good fields to hunt.

 

Duck Opener for me should be the Baudette area.  Never seriously hunted up there but we have a place to stay and a duck toon to use so why not?

[gimruis 467]

I plan to go on the opener.  With all the rain this year, I am thinking there will be no shortage of water.  I hope its not 85 degrees out.  About 60 and cloudy would be pretty ideal.  Wouldn't bother me if I didn't harvest a goose because then I don't have to eat it.

[Kettle 329]

This will be my second year not waterfowl hunting in Minnesota. Some of it is due to being too busy with school and some has to do with the pressure of hunting we have in MN. I'll save this year to go to Alberta or Saskatchewan next year.

[monstermoose78 2,256]

Being part of my brothers wedding on Saturday and then slaying ducks Sunday 

[MJ1657 384]

We got a couple one morning. Need some crops to come off for the goose hunting to pick up at home. We're still a couple weeks away from making corn silage. We're usually done by the end of August or so.