Nebraska or ND Duck Trip?

[jparrucci]

We are trying to plan a duck trip for sometime in mid to late October. I am the only one in the group who hasn't hunted ND. Cost is somewhat of an issue as well. Any advice as to whether you can freelance a Nebraska duck hunt in the North Platte region? Unlike North Dakota, I assume we need some decent sized boats to hunt that bigger water? Is there plenty of hotels nearby, areas to stay etc? I see that the pheasant season doesn't open until the end of the month as well, which takes away a lot from the trip. Any input as to which is a better option would be great, a long with any advice if we do decide to take the Nebraska route.

[Lonedrake]

Your best bet is ND. That time frame is a little early for Platte river hunting. I have never hunted the Platte but from what I know its a faily shallow river and boats are not needed and the good spots are mostly taken.

[Gordie]

What do you mean freelance a duck hunt in Neb unlike nodak

I did great on ducks last year in nodak and all I took were my boys and my boat no guides nothing how much more freelance can you get. I would choose Nodak its awsome.

Good luck

[TrophyEyes]

I would go to ND. I am actually doing the "Freelance" hunt there with a couple buddies Oct 21-24. We have permission on 5,000 and it could be awesome or a complete bust, but having hunted ND before I highly doubt it will be a bust. My friend confirmed that the worst day of Duck hunting in ND is still better than the best day in MN. I just know the last time I went to ND we shot 114 ducks/geese, and 14 varieties of birds. One morning 6 guys had their limits in less than 35 minutes. We also had 6 birds that could have been mounted, they were absolutely beautiful.

[jparrucci]

Freelance as in not paying for guides or leased land. I confirmed with a friend who has hunted there, that in all likelyhood we would be too early for Nebraska in late October. He said there is great hunting to be had-if you have access to a guide service or private land. From the sounds of what he said, the public land gets pounded even worse than around here in MN. Pretty sure we are set on ND at this point though.