Die Hards ONLY..we wont give up till the season ends!

[Guest]

Ice? No problem...
Lack of birds? All we need is one....lol
Cold? Who cares...

So who's gonna chase em this weekend? I'm making it a 3 day-er. Planning on hitting the Willmar area for starters, then maybe over towards Litch.

What are your plans for the next to last weekend?

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www.marcum.com

[Guest]

Do you think the Mississippi around Brainerd will be holding birds or possibly whitefish? Or do I need to look south? Got my deer last weekend and the dog is still upset that he did not get to go.

[Guest]

Miss is open, should have birds, especially North of town. Not sure about Whitefish.

[loc9fisher]

hey fella's! i think i fit into this catagory when i say that my MN duck season won't start until the weekend before thanksgiving. but when it does ill be out every day until the season ends(and hopefully get frozen to my boat like last year). most likely on the mississippi. or if i can find a pond that some swans are still using.

btw, when does the duck season end? i haven't picked up a reg book yet and im curious.

hey tom, do you know any of the locals around litchfield? i've got a ton of family around there.

take care......loc9

[This message has been edited by loc9fisher (edited 11-11-2003).]

[Sartell Angler]

Hey,
The waterfowl season ends on November 25th, which I believe is a tuesday (at least it was last year). I'll be out busting ice this weekend....this is by far the most rewarding time to be out. Any birds that you do get are just that much sweeter, and in my opinion there is no more beautiful place to hunt than a semi-frozen river....good luck to all of you for the rest of the season....make it count!
S.A.

[Guest]

No, do not know anyone out there but a buddy got into some good field hunting there this weekrnd and thought I might try to find the water that they are using.
Any ideas?

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[email protected]
N.P.A.A. # 841
www.marcum.com

[loc9fisher]

sorry tom, i haven't the slightest idea of where to start looking for open water in that area. there are so many lakes and potholes and rivers.

if you're out by swan lake, there's a stream that flows out of the lake that i think you might be able to hunt(check a prim map to be sure). don't know how deep, but its about 10-20 yards across. usually see alot of birds there once everythings froze up. good luck to you and you partners.

take care......loc9

[smallies24]

Anyone know if there are many birds holding on the refuge on swam lake near nicollet? I was thinking aobut doing some field hunting but didn't know if it froze and if most the birds had moved out of the area.

would really appreciate any info, thanks

Brian

[IceHawk]

I plan on hunting the sauk river near Rockville this weekend, we have been getting some of those fat late season mallards out there lately. As far as I'm concerned this is the best time of the year for duck hunting, you just can't beat the sight of those big greenheads landing in a spread against a frozen background.

P.S The ducks and geese are loaded on the river by the Sartell paper mill, saw lots of flocks landing and sitting in corn fields around the area. If your a avid waterfowler this is the time to be out.

[Sartell Angler]

Ice Hawk-
Not to encroach on your spot or anything, but how does someone go about hunting the sauk river near rockville? i have seen mallards aplenty driving by on highway 23 when going out ice fishing in december and january in years past. if you don't mind, could you tell me how to get to a landing, and what to expect. Would a 14ft and a 9 horse do alright, or should we bring a jonboat or the canoe? There aren't really many huntable birds in the sartell area currently, and the sauk seems like the last to freeze (if ever). Are there quite a few spots that can produce those greenheads you are talking about? Any information would be greatly apreciated, and i'd be sure to keep it on the down-low.

S.A.

[Wigeon]

I hunt the sauk river by Rockville too,last weekend there were a bunch of birds sittng on the river from Rockville to St.Cloud.I was out last night a bagged 2 big greenies.There is a canoe access on #139 north of Rockville,alot of guys drop in there and float the river to co.rd.121 by St.Joe or to miller landing by St.Cloud#138.Canoe or jonboat would be your better option,lots of rocks and low water levels.I think the co.rd.121 bridge to Miller landing is the better float.

[smallies24]

I meant swan lake if that makes a difference

[IceHawk]

Sartell Angler: I am fortunate to have permission to hunt quite a stretch of land in that area. I decoy hunt but as Wigeon said alot of guys float hunt and the acesses he described are some of the best. Get a plat book , find landowners and ask permission I'm real confident you would gain access to good locations. There are alot of good areas that hold birds but certain locations hold birds with consistency, so a little scouting will pay off big. There are also a few islands located in that stretch of river and by setting up on them you will find great success decoying birds. I hunt the whole stretch of river from C.S to Rockville and I will tell you most of it can be hunted by Waders or hip boots. And as Wigeon stated there are alot of shallow spots so I would advise a canoe or johnboat.

[Flipnripem]

Yep, this is it. The prime time. All those sissy`s at home who call themselves duckers. Ha Ha. It ain`t ducken unless you can bust up the ice on the way out. I will find open water with ducks. If not the field hunting has been awsome! But there is somthing about shooting over water that sucks me in bad! I`m there. Flip

[Sartell Angler]

Wigeon and Ice Hawk:
Thanks a lot for the responses, especially so quickly. I might try out the river in the afternoon on saturday just to see what it is like, and if I find a promising spot will probably hit it up on sunday. Good luck this weekend.
S.A.

[bluebill97]

The mississippi in stcloud was full of duck, and I mean full of ducks and geese. I wish a guy could hunt there in town!!!! You couldn't even see water the river was so full of ducks. this was on the way back from deer hunting sunday on highway 15 through stcloud. As far as a guy could see up the river was ducks! Makes a guy want to get out again I'll tell you that!!! Is there anywere you can hunt in that area?

[Guest]

Upriver or downriver, as long as ur far enough away from homes and out of city limits.

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N.P.A.A. # 841
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[honker23]

It is a fun time to be out on the water/ice. Less people to compete with as well. Was out last weekend, Sat everyone left the lake by 9:00, we stayed till 3:00 and wound up with 12. Something about flocks of 75-100 trying to land in a small hole cut in the ice is awesome. Will be out this weekend, good luck to the die hards!

[yellowlab]

Does anyone know if when I float the river this weekend if I need to be wearing orange? Being deer season I think you have to until you get to a blind. But the boat is the blind in this situation? Any help would be great.

[Guest]

Dont know if you have to....
BUT I SURE WOULD!!!

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[email protected]
N.P.A.A. # 841
www.marcum.com

[Flipnripem]

All I can say is last weekend I sat on a river for some ducks. I heard a slug fly directly over my head and land in the creek. If there are any deer in the area, the orange will not help you. Do not put yourself in a position like that.

[yellowlab]

I hear you guys on the safety aspect. I probably will wear it. What happened to not shooting unless you know what is behind the intended target? There are times that I think I'm going to stop hunting because of all the stupid hunters out there.