Where are the ducks?

[BillH]

I hunt a little club lake near Roy (SE of Banks). Yesterday one little flock of pintails flew over about 300 yards away but wouldn't come in. This is a repeat of my hunting experience since the December windstorm. Four times out, two shots fired! I'm hearing very few shots fired elsewhere in the area, so I'm not the only one wondering where the ducks went. Is it just my area or has this season just gone in the toilet since the big storm?

[Tar Heel]

Bill,I think it's pretty much all around. I wonder, does anyone know where to look to see how many ducks are in the Skagit area? I guess those birds will winter there unless it gets cold in the PNW marine areas. I have a lot of other theories probably shared by others, but no way to prove or disprove them.

[Bootstrap Bill]

I think you will find them spead out across the state in all this sheet water on the ground. We need a good freeze to push them into the open water.

[duckduckgoose500]

I have spent countless hours and miles looking at sheet water, back water, big water and have seen very few birds. Areas I would have killed multiple limits by now have not even been hunted. It's just one of those years. And hunting is hunting so I guess we will hope for the best in January or hunt until the next day and start looking forward to next year!

[DukAddict]

Originally Posted by duckduckgoose500

I have spent countless hours and miles looking at sheet water, back water, big water and have seen very few birds. Areas I would have killed multiple limits by now have not even been hunted. It's just one of those years. And hunting is hunting so I guess we will hope for the best in January or hunt until the next day and start looking forward to next year!

Exactly, its hunting and thats the way it goes. You just have to work harder and do what you can to have the best hunts possible, and sometimes your best just isn't enough. With a lack of birds this season I look forward to next year when hopefully it is a better season

Brett Neffendorf

[jmike]

All my normal spots have been below average this year ..nothing seems to help..high river ,rain , wind , just not seeing good numbers of ducks .I dont have the time to put the chase on this year ...if you are willing to put on the miles there are birds in the upper Columbia baisn.....my buddy and his crerw have been doing really well in Patterson Slough...that said ...WHERE ARE THE BIRDS....?????.............mike

[lor]

As a 2nd year ducker, I'm glad I started hunting from the opener.
Most of my casual duck hunting friends decided to wait for the perfect storm to bring the northern birds that really never arrived.

The early season action was great and even if the late season doesn't pick up, I consider it a successful season.

[SImudBogger]

i dont even have my 2008 license yet, thats how motivated i am!
The trout ponds and wetlans behind my house are usually PACKED with mallards and widgeon this time of year. This year its just a few local mallards that are always there. the only difference is that this year there is a small flock of geese, about 30 westerns that fly between the ponds and the baseball field next to my house each morning.

[willametteriveroutlaw]

There at around a couple of farms I hunt.
I have literally seen more ducks in the past 2 trips than I have seen all season up to this point.. I have all your birds in my spot now. I woudld say we have seen 2000+ a day the last week.

[CW59]

The ducks are down here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CW

[doubleoxL]

I don't know what you guys are talking about. We have had a great season this year.

[DukAddict]

I think that in certain areas of the state the hunting was very good. I had a great year OUTSIDE of the willamette valey and the sauvies island area. It took alot of traveling and scouting but I got into alot of birds in the month of December.

Brett Neffendorf

[DukAddict]

I think that in certain areas of the state the hunting was very good. I had a great year OUTSIDE of the willamette valey and the sauvies island area. It took alot of traveling and scouting but I got into alot of birds in the month of December.

Brett Neffendorf

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Neff, that your Goldeneye on the end? lol

[DukAddict]

HAHA No, Joe that would be YOUR goldeneye that you some how came back with after you were mysteriously looking for a mallard?

Brett Neffendorf

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Nahh, and I promise I didnt shoot 3 shells at it either haha

[Get Bit]

Brett,

Its great to see that someone has been able to find the time to travel outside the area to find birds. It's ben very frustrating for ducks around our area. It's also nice to see you were able to hook up with your dad on a few hunts. I was thinking about him the other day when Hawaii and June and Mouse were on TV playing Georgia. The days I spent watching Hilhi and PSU play football are some of the fondest memories I have as a kid. I hope all is well.

Get Bit

[DukAddict]

Originally Posted by Get Bit

Brett,

Its great to see that someone has been able to find the time to travel outside the area to find birds. It's ben very frustrating for ducks around our area. It's also nice to see you were able to hook up with your dad on a few hunts. I was thinking about him the other day when Hawaii and June and Mouse were on TV playing Georgia. The days I spent watching Hilhi and PSU play football are some of the fondest memories I have as a kid. I hope all is well.

Get Bit

Hey Bud good to hear from you. Yeah my dad and I absolutely love watching the Hawaii games together, its funny how he still knows half of the stuff they are running from the run and shoot offense haha. Speaking of Mouse, I sent him an email about coaching the other day and talked to him on the phone a couple years back, hes a great guy.

It was awesome getting out with my dad to kill some honkers. He hadn't shot a honker in a few years and to call in birds and say "dad its your shot" is something I will never forget. If I could only hunt 5 days a year with one person I would pick my dad everytime... Even if we do argue with alot of things

Brett Neffendorf

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

Originally Posted by DukAddict

Hey Bud good to hear from you. Yeah my dad and I absolutely love watching the Hawaii games together, its funny how he still knows half of the stuff they are running from the run and shoot offense haha. Speaking of Mouse, I sent him an email about coaching the other day and talked to him on the phone a couple years back, hes a great guy.

It was awesome getting out with my dad to kill some honkers. He hadn't shot a honker in a few years and to call in birds and say "dad its your shot" is something I will never forget. If I could only hunt 5 days a year with one person I would pick my dad everytime... Even if we do argue with alot of things

Brett Neffendorf

Papa Neffs the man Now dont lie, and go for the tear-jerking story, I know why you gave him the shot....cause your were more into the whole sky killing thing last week

[DukAddict]

Originally Posted by OR_Bo_Huntr

Papa Neffs the man Now dont lie, and go for the tear-jerking story, I know why you gave him the shot....cause your were more into the whole sky killing thing last week

Hey Joe good to see you just confirmed that you wont be getting anymore invites with me and my dad hahahaha. Just kidding. Cant wait for OSU next year man!

Brett Neffendorf

[Hunt'nFish]

Nice post Brett! Good to see you gettting out with your Dad!
Hunt'nFish

[lentz]

Went out today on the Columbia and we did allright. Managed to put 6 in the bag. Missed a few, let a couple go, and some did not want to decoy but it was still enough to keep it interesting.