field reports

[Guest]

On Saturday, we saw tons of woodies, couldn't get 'em to decoy but got a few on pass shots at about 50-55 yards. Saw HUGE flocks of geese, 100's in one flock. Got the itch for goose hunting on Sunday, set out all the shells and big feet on Sunday morning, only to see that when the day broke, it was all fogged up! We couldn't harldy see the tree line of our hay field 100 yards away. We were hearing some honkers, and called them in, when they finally materialized they turned with the wings set for our deeks. Turned out to only be a pair though, dropped both clean. But those were the only geese spotted all morning, added a couple woodies to the bag as well. Sunday should be the day!!! Good luck to all.

By the way, did anyone else encounter an extremely late shoot out on saturday? I heard more shots fired between 4-5 than I did all day around us in the South Metro. Some people!

[Flipnripem]

How`s anybody doing in south central part of the state? Hunted a large slough on the bigger water and shot zip! There is so much water the ducks are back in the littse potholes. Have never encountered this until this year. Plenty of ducks fust can`t get to them. It will get better! Going to try around Madison lake area. Anybody else hunting there? Where should I avoid because of heavy pressure? Flip

[Fisher Dave]

Flipnripm <-- close enough

I have encountered the same problems in the southern *flatlands* .. ducks all over .. in the flooded fields anyways.

I made it out today for a couple hours to a huge surprise .. there was nobody out on a well known near metro hunting water. I heard very few shots off in the distance from other lakes. The problem came to there were no hunters to move the birds. I didnt have any birds near me until the end of my morning hunt, the rest landed wherever they felt like it (right in the middle of the lake). Im actually going to try to focus my attention on waters that are recieving some pressure because of this reason, this weekend I'll try to get to the more *out of the way* potholes to get the ducks vacating the heavily gunned sloughs.

I personally think if we could keep the weekend warriors from skybusting (not referring to all hunters) the hunting would most likely be great during the weekends... But I'll stick to reality, we all know that theres at least one in every group of boats that is convinced they are carrying anti-aircraft guns and unload at ranges of 100+ yards. On occasion you actually see a bird get dropped out of the stratosphere from these guys, but the bird is rarely recoverable.

North metro hunting isn't looking too good so far guys .. thought this may help on the weekend plans if your from the metro and stuck close to home.

[Guest]

Flip,
There are many sloughs throught that entire area if you put in some truck time the are pretty easy to find. Waseca has a good population of ducks but there has been alot of hunters out every day. I havent been over there yet but i have plenty of buddies that live in that area. Heading to the Fairimont area right now!

[Guest]

I live in Waseca and the first few days were decent but I really haven't seen much since...have gotten one duck since sunday and i've been hunting pretty steady this whole week. I was thinkin about goin to the Fairmont area this weekend...how is it down there?

[Flipnripem]

Hey guy`s, I`ll be on the German-Jefferson chain tomarrow. Fished it alot and know my way around good enough to set up in the dark. Definatly sneaking a rod in the boat! Hope we get some banging. I`ll let you know when we return. Any action on Elysion?

[HUNTER2]

Went over to LQP this mourning for some goose action. Really dead. Only 2000 geese on the refuge. I think we need some cold weather up north.

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Hunt&Fish tell you drop!

[Guest]

Fairimont area has plenty of ducks. We have been shooting 4 or five every time we go. There are also quite a few geese.

I have been noticing more and more geese floating into Austin. Hopefully I will get to them this week.

[Long Gray Line]

Went out this morning just north of the TC, saw lots of teal and woodies still around. The way they were flying (low and with destinations in mind!) they still must be local birds. The mallards are grouping larger, 15 - 20 birds with very few singlies and twosies winging around.

[Bryce]

Had hunter2 out on Mud by New London (actually the river off of Dilley's landing) this morning. Typical story of should have been here yesterday. Between sheets of rain we managed to boat 2 woodies and a teal. Lots of ducks moving Sat. Be careful of Cans in the area. Immature and hard to ID. Off to ND next weekend. Any reports for the Oakes area?

[Flipnripem]

Jefferson area has ducks to be had. There is so much new water in the fields the mallards were hard to come by. Woodies and teal, a few divers. We had a pair of cans suck right in, nice. Yes the flew unharmed. From Madison lake south we saw very few birds. Sounds like west and north of our location is the place to be. Hey walleyepimp, I didn`t know you were a local goose hunter? I`m sure iv`e seen or run into you afield before. I mainly drive a black and gray ranger with a black topper. Pull in and say hey some time. Flip

[Flipnripem]

Jefferson area has ducks to be had. There is so much new water in the fields the mallards were hard to come by. Woodies and teal, a few divers. We had a pair of cans suck right in, nice. Yes the flew unharmed. From Madison lake south we saw very few birds. Sounds like west and north of our location is the place to be. Hey walleyepimp, I didn`t know you were a local goose hunter? I`m sure iv`e seen or run into you afield before. I mainly drive a black and gray ranger with a black topper. Pull in and say hey some time. Flip

[Guest]

Hunted Peats bog WMA today. Nothing at all. Saw very few ducks. The few ducks flying had somewhere else they wanted to be, flying high and riding the wind.

[Tim L]

just got back from LQP saturday was pretty slow 4 teal today was a different story lots of teal & mallards ended up with a drake and hen and 4 teal windy and rainy seen alot of geese flying this weekend no shots on the geese maybe next weeekend.

[Flash]

What a weekend. Found a picked corn field that was flooded. Set up Sunday morning and five of us bagged 19 Mallards, 5 Pintails, 4 Woodducks and 2 Widgeons. Most fun I've had in a long time.

[Bogsucker]

Hunted pool 5 backwaters on Sunday. Saw very few ducks, mostly woodies. Did bring home 2 mallards and a pintail.

[Guest]

Flip,
I drive a black and grey dodge with a topper and a Rapala sticker on the back.

Hunted a field tonight. Had plenty of action but could'nt get them to commit to their death. We did luckily scrape 1 short of our limit.

[Guest]

Where's Duckaholic's report? If you read this Duck, I'll be hunting around "Shooters" Thurs. thru Sunday. Don't know exact dates, but I'll be around, are you?

For my report(s). Slow around Otter Tail County, but there are people who are having success. Mainly young, "local" mallards, woodies and occasional ringbills. I haven't experienced anything hot, except when I worked a river I found lots of birds. I haven't seen any new birds yet, but last Sat. there was a lot of migrations heading south.
Good huntin'!

[Guest]

Hunted a slough in pool 4 yesterday mourning. Baged 4 mallards and 2 woodies. The bird were flying everywhere in the mourning. Things slowed down at about 10:00. Anyone else hunting around Red Wing?

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http://fishingminnesota.com/rtsports/

[This message has been edited by rt_sports (edited 10-09-2002).]

[Guest]

Eric, I haven't had a chance to get out yet. Let's hook up sometime and hit the sloughs.

Mark

[Ozzy169]

Dying down real quick around So. Metro, few flocks of mallards, pintail, redheads. Teal and woodies are on the move and need to have alot more crops harvested real soon!!

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Get 'er done

[Guest]

Went out last night for a short hunt in the paynesvile area. Got two teal. Saw a lot of ducks, mostly teal. I also saw a big flock of snow geese. Heading out tommrow don't know where yet. Thinking about north lake, down by hastings.

[Flipnripem]

Hey w.p. We have been on them all week but the clear sky`s have kept them in town till after shooting hour`s. Tuesday we shot two lesser canada`s and a pretty ross goose. He`s going to tom`s in clarks grove. Tomarrow morning should be awsome. I`ll let ya`ll know how we do. Duckin is on the back burner till new ducks come down. Lot`s of mallards in town. Flip

[Flipnripem]

Hey w.p. We have been on them all week but the clear sky`s have kept them in town till after shooting hour`s. Tuesday we shot two lesser canada`s and a pretty ross goose. He`s going to tom`s in clarks grove. Tomarrow morning should be awsome. I`ll let ya`ll know how we do. Duckin is on the back burner till new ducks come down. Lot`s of mallards in town. Flip

[Guest]

Flip,
I noticed the same thing. They are leaving town about 6:40. Morning are the only option. This cold weather should change things. I was in a wedding this weekend so did'nt get out at all. Will be hitten em some time this week in the morning. There is definaly no shortage of them lessers. The flocks I have been seeing are huge!