first trip to LQP

[Big Jeff]

Heading to LQP in two weeks for the first time. I am wondering a couple things

Are there both puddle and divers in the area or is more weighted one vs the other. I know there also geese but mostly later in the year.

Also what is the current like on the river/ back waters. It says mostly 5 it less is that truly accurate?

Feel free to pm also if you would rather.

[Big Jeff]

Any one ever been there?

[Markula]

Yes and it was totally awesome.

[MDD]

Hunted LQP for over 30 years around the Appleton area. I have always enjoyed hunting the area because of the mixed bag. Early on it's your traditional local ducks with Mallards, teal, woodies. As the season moves on you'll see gadwalls, widgeon, bills, more mallards, etc. There are many areas to hunt along the river both N and S of the refuge and may other lakes and slews so one day the ducks can be there and the next day they have moved to a different area. Scouting is extremely beneficial if you can do it but I have a few favorite spots and have always shot ducks. Geese, when it comes to numbers, is not what it used to be. Don't get me wrong there is still some excellent goose hunting but I remember years ago there would be 40-60,000 geese on the refuge at this time of the year and over 100,000 later and the last report as of last weekend only had 2,000 geese on the refuge.

[icecold]

As of this morning there is aboat 14,000 geese at lac qui parle, i want to take my sons on a goose hunt, due to lack of funds i cant hire a guide, with this low of numbers for geese, does it pay to try the public blinds that the refuge offers? any better side of lake to sit on north ,south ??? Thanks

[roosterslayer]

I was out there with a guide on Sunday and they were saying only about 7 thousand geese are around. we shot five and saw a bunch but these birds have been tested and weren't interested in decoys. had a blast a hope some new fresh birds start moving down

[Todd Caswell]

Do you guys that use guides in MN realise you can do a 3 day freelance trip to ND for about the same price, have some satisfaction that you did it yourself. Plus you'll acually shoot some birds rather than bird watching. Never paid for a hunt and never will...

[roosterslayer]

That's great but it doesn't do me any good until I can afford decoys and learn to call. I have used the guided trips to help lean decoy spreads etc....maybe one day when my kids are older I can spend the money on me and start going at it alone like you.

[Bryce]

@ Todd. Says the the guy who's dumping nodak to go back to Canada

You see my trainers are getting married? Could be a heckuva party with all the dog people they know. Guessing Texas. Redheads on the bay as a side trip for wedding guests.

[icecold]

Has anybody ever rented a pass shooting blind from LQPgoosepits along lac qui parle, they rent them for 30 bucks a person for a full day. or would a person have just as good luck for 3 dollars a person using the state refuge blinds???

[carpshooterdeluxe]

Has anybody ever rented a pass shooting blind from LQPgoosepits along lac qui parle, they rent them for 30 bucks a person for a full day. or would a person have just as good luck for 3 dollars a person using the state refuge blinds???

You'd have better luck buying beat up honker shells off of classifieds and ask permission for a field XX miles off the refuge where they are feeding. Unless there is a giant influx of new birds or seriously bad weather, the pass shooting is all sky blasting and hoping for that golden BB.

[Maxxed Out]

Ice Cold - pass shooting is what it is. Pass shooting. We have people that shoot a lot of geese from our pass shooting pits...when the conditions are right. Cloudy windy days and of course snow, are traditionally your best time s to be out. Sunny days, windy or no wind are going to be tough.

There are some benefits to hunting on private land such as no shot shell restriction and not having to reregister after lunch. I'd wait about 2 weeks, at a minimum, before coming out if you want to pass shoot.

[icecold]

Maxxed out, thanks for the info, will get in touch later in nov after deer hunting.