Theif Lake

[R OTTER]

I didn't hunt saturday, sat in a tree stand most of the afternoon/evening. Sunday was good two geese and four mallards ( one mallard had a band on it) I was by myself so the hunt was pretty short. Had a few flocks land in the decoys and took a few pic. Had a good time.

[norwall]

1tofish thanks for the info. Did you make it out on the lake this past wknd?if so how did ya do? Yeah I figured due to lack of rain and what I been reading it was going to work,which I can deal wit for a good hunt. I was just hoping there would be more water as myself,dad and uncle are taking my grandpa up there. which could be difficult for him to get out,but knowing him he'll get out there. Were bring 2 boats 1 a johnboat w/motors. But I'll make sure to bring the wadders and push pole 4 sure. One other thing have you ever hunted grain fields for mallards up there this is something I would like to do. once again thanx

[norwall]

congrats on the banded mallard,always a bonus to get a lil jewlery from the birds. Did ya see alot of birds flying too I supose there were enough people to keep the birds movind around huh? what did you use to get out on the lake boat or canoe or just walk out w/wadders? we noticed alot of new geese in our area w/a few lessers showing up too. I was reading a few reports of people shooting a few divers on the opener as well. thanks for the update and good luck on in the tree stand

[R OTTER]

I was about four miles north of the lake in a field. If I can't find a field to hunt in I'll go to the lake and use a canoe or waders. I hunt around agassiz, thief lake and Roseau bog area and sometime Lake of the Woods. but I'm mainly a field hunter. It's been a couple years since I've shot one with a band, kinda neat. I've been doing battle with a really big deer, so far he's winning.

Yes, I saw alot of mallards and geese on sunday and on the way home I saw a lot of birds heading back to the lake. Talked to a guy who hunted the Roseau bog and they shot a good number of ringnecks over the weekend, so there are some drivers around, thats good. Any time you need a update just yell, I'll stop by the week your up. Good luck, be safe.

[norwall]

yeah we like to hunt fields also. Thats something I think were going do. We hunt the fields all the time down here. I talked to a guy on here last week and was wondering if it was easy to get permission to hunt the fields, he said it was easy. We'll have to scout one day and follow a flock out to a field and see where there flying and all that good stuff. What do ya guys have for grain and I would imagine if it gets turned over the field hunting is done,as the mallards probally move on? Down here we got corn so it doesn't matter if it gets turned over

[R OTTER]

I don't think you'll have any trouble getting permission to hunt a field,everyone up here is pretty good about letting someone on. The only way you'll get turned down is if someone else is already got permission. All the grain is off and most of the beans, still some corn and flowers are left. I've had some pretty good mallard shoots late in the season. You'll be fine.

[norwall]

maybe this wknd some new birds will filter in

[R OTTER]

I'm sure we're going to lose a few birds but new ones should move in. Lots of ducks in the Roseau bog area, a friend was there for four days had no trouble getting ducks.

Saturday was a bust for me picked the wrong field. Sunday was ok, two geese no ducks. I didn't see a mallard on sunday. Thief Lake was still pretty good from what I'm hearing. And the Roseau River is kicking out a few walleyes also, plus a few grouse if a person wants to take the time to walk some of the trails.

[norwall]

Hey whats up guys getting read to make the trip up there. has any new birds showed up.looking for a quick update. whats the lakr holding now ang changes in the water depth? probally got lowe right? thanx

[R OTTER]

We lost some birds from last week in the wind but I did hear some divers have moved on to the lake and they are still getting mallards. Plus some S/B have moved in. But we did lose some honkers. I'm not seeing as many as the last couple weeks. The lake is still low and you'll fight with a little ice in the mornings if it don't warm up some. If it stays cold the birds will have no choice but to use the lake it should be good. Most of the fields are black and many of them have been gone over twice. little bit of beans, corn and flowers to come off but not many. A corn field I hunted a week ago is starting to hold birds again going to let it build for the weekend. good luck.

[R OTTER]

I talked with a guy who works at Thief Lake today. he said it's going to be some work to get out on the lake but the duck hunting is really good.

[norwall]

hey whats up,just got back from thief got there last sun. First off thanx for the tips and advice it really helped out yeah the water was low but I had chest wadders and pullled our boat through the land to the lake til there we could run a 6hp motor it was some work but I've seen worse.As for the ducks there were lots of ringos the first day on tues.the lake was iced over we brike ice and set up seems like alot of birds left though all in all pretty good we shot redheads cans ringy bluebills bluegoose mallards(didnt see many) wigeon

[R OTTER]

Glad to hear you had a good hunt. Didn't get a chance to stop in, next time if your up this way. We lost a lot of geese in the past week. I hope this isn't the end for us.