Coast Duck Hunting

[DuckmanDan]

Hello fellow duck hunters -

I've been a "Eastside" duck hunter for the past five or six years and have only hunted the East side of the mountains. All that changed about two weeks ago with the birth of my first child (a beautiful baby girl). Now I will need to spend more time near home and was realizing that I better start spending more time looking to hunt closer to the wife and kid. :grin: Since I live in Sherwood I was thinking that the best bet might be a short trip out to the Lincoln City area or somewhere along that portion of the coast. However I am not familiar with the area and was wondering if anyone can suggest ideas for starting my scouting. Should I be focused on bays? lakes? rivers? tidal flats? Where do you find ducks at the coast?

Should I try to go further north? I hear there is some shooting around Astoria area? Any suggestions are welcome -I don't want to push you out of your favorite areas - just looking to shoot a duck or three once in a while.
:grin:
DMD

[nitrobass]

I grew up hunting coastal bays, but south of the Lincoln city area. There's always a ton of ducks that migrate down the coastline. You'll need a boat if you want to get serious about it. Plan on shooting lots of wigeon, teal, mallards, and some pintail along with a fine selection of turd ducks. You'll have to learn to hunt the tides. This was always the prime time of the year for duck shooting over there. Good luck!

[Grain of Salt]

TURD DUCK......in case you didnt know, is the duck you shoot after da secund duck, which comes after the foust duck

[Quasimodo the fish killer]

I have never done much coastal hunting for ducks but I do a lot of bay trolling and seems to me that the tidal flats always have a lot of ducks in them and over them.

I think those would be the best to look at since most tidal flats are going to be public domain.

as someone stated above you will have to watch the tides with short days it could be long after dark before the tide comes in enough to get you boat unbeached.

Quasi

.

[skahorse]

Dan,


I haven't personally done a whole lot of coastal duck hunting. But I have seen a lot of widgeon in the Tillamook Bay area. Also, check out around Youngs Bay in Astoria. There's also hunting east of Astoria at Lewis and Clark NWR. (I'd imagine all of these spots need a boat to get access)

I don't know alot about any of those spots, but I've heard they are all huntable.

Something I've always found extremely helpful, is how willing the ODFW is to help. Give the local office a call in that area, and just start asking questions.

--Skahorse

[Bill Monroe]

Drive through Wheeler, north on 101, through Nehalem, turns left up the hill, then comes down and straightens out. Way before the left turn to Nehalem Bay state park, there's a road to the left. I think it's "Tolle" or "Toll"...maybe something else. Anyway, drive all the way to the end, which is the upper bay marsh. Used to be a path through the brush onto the tidal flat...go out there and turn left. Lots of pockets of water and channels. tug along a canoe if you want. Go out at low tide and hunt the incoming...windier the better.

[DuckmanDan]

Thanks everybody - I appreciate your tips for sure! I will need to start spending some time out there scouting and learning the tides it looks like. Looks like I have something else to be thankful for at Thanksgiving next week - Ifish!

DMD

[8-guage]

I lived in Lincoln city last year and hunted a lot there. I will hunt there a lot this year too. Hunted the Salmon a lot but it's difficult to find public access. Look around the Bridge right out of town where everyone fishes for salmon. Just down river from that bridge is a few holes that they are always dropping into.
Also, try Siletz bay way out on the spit. There is a point out there that is always productive. Hunt it on low tide. Be careful where you hunt!!! It's not all legal. Also, scout the little creeks and streams around the area. There are always pockets where they will just land in the smallest pools!
Good luck,
Micahel

[Norm]

I'm not a duck hunter, but I hear the morning volley on or near tillamook bay. Does anyone know if there are public duck hunting area's on/near Tillamook bay? Is all the shooting going on over private ponds near the bay? Just curious since I hear lots of shooting start at daylight on the weekends.