Duck Hunting in Humbolt

stick flicker · 10-08-2007, 03:42 PM

I recently got a job for the winter near Humbolt Bay. I have done some online research, but what I really need is someone who knows the area to give me the low down on hunting ducks in N. California. Please help!

FeatherBusterOSU · 10-08-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stick flicker

I recently got a job for the winter near Humbolt Bay. I have done some online research, but what I really need is someone who knows the area to give me the low down on hunting ducks in N. California. Please help!

I am not sure about that area. But I know that the wildlife refuges north of sacramento have some great hunting (sacramento, delevan, grey lodge etc.) the orland area also has some good hunting. It's quite the drive but it would be worth checking out if your in the area. LOTS of rice and corn fields in that valley. Good Luck!

-Jimmy

MarshBum · 10-08-2007, 06:37 PM

Humboldt Bay!!!

Those are some storied waters! They have long held a tradition of waterfowling. From what I've gathered, from way up here in Oregon, is that the bay sees some serious pressure during the season from hunters, and an increasing number of anti-hunters. Seriously, it's become a larger and larger problem with confrontations.

Anyhow, I also gather that the hows and wheres and what not are closely held secrets because of the pressure.

All that being said, I hope one day to gun that bay. There are some very serious old timers down there that can be regarded as the current grandfathers of west coast duck'n.

I know this isn't very helpful. I hope you consider it encouragement to learn the hows and wheres and soak up all the experiences you can while you're down there.

Good luck!

Geoff

Salty Walty · 10-08-2007, 11:26 PM

It has been awhile since I lived there 89-94 but this is off the top of my head. There can be some good hunting on Humboldt Bay NWR. It was a fee/lottery system when I lived there. There are some spots with access from land but much was done from boats. I learned how to row and hunt from a scull boat down there. This was one of the most exciting ways to hunt ducks I have ever experienced. There is some hunting on the lagoons North of Arcata. We hunted from some of the jetties out of Samoa. November was the big month. There is a very long history of Brant hunting there. Look at the weather and a blow from the South and the South Bay will be hopping. Best tasting birds I ever ate too. There is a special Canadian Hunt down there that had started a few years after I left also.

As marshbum said there are some very hardcore oldtimers and they can be hard to approach. The other thing he said about access being restricted is unfortunately true also antis and the increase in development has cut the area down too. There was a huge DU Banquet when I lived there as well as one for the CWA CA Water fowl Assoc.

The valley refuges can be good but you need put in reservations for the hunts and the # of good blinds is small and the free roam area takes some scouting to find the good areas. It was a 3 1/2 hour drive from Blue Lake to Delevan. If you had a good reservation it was worth the drive. The pheasant hunting can be really good on the Sac. Area Refuges also. The day fee was $10 last time I was there 01' and probably went up.

Hope this helps.

stick flicker · 10-09-2007, 07:43 AM

Thanks for the encouragement, its really hard to leave the area. Fulltime work in my feild is hard to find these days so when the oppurtunity came it was hard to say no.
I just started duck hunting last year here and put in alot of cold wet duckless mornings before finding some of the good local spots. Needless to say I became addicted to the hunt and hope to continue my duck hunting passion. I really like calling to the birds, and getting them to respond.
As far as the antis go if they want to stand out in the rain all the more power to them, I won't be getting into any arguements about my right to hunt. Sounds like California needs a few redneck Oregonian's to show them a thing or two.
Scull boat hunting sounds like a real art, and might be just what I need to try. Good shooting this weekend, maybe I will see you out on the marsh. Cheers.

MarshBum · 10-09-2007, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stick flicker

... and hope to continue my duck hunting passion.

You really could not have picked many areas better than Humboldt to continue!

I know of one argument with some antis that escalated to point of someone threatening to shoot a hole in a boat. Very ungood, but things worked out. It's best to hunt during the week if you can.

Good luck, and if you think of it... report back here your goings on. I would like to follow your adventures down there.

Geoff