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Michigan Duck and Goose Hunting Archive

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Posted By:
John-Cottenham
Field Editor

Sunrise side 09-05-2009 19:32
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
I know that some here like the WWB area and like all say the water is definitely up. However there is a detour sign for road work on Pine River road. Don’t worry, they are working on the bridge just east of the road that goes into the state launch. Area looks great and I talked to one goose hunter whose son took one gander today and then was learning to back the trailer down to load the boat. Good job kid!

jacduck I worked out a new deal in Texas this past winter. I quit hunting snows when I get 5 or have used all 12 of the shells I carried. Worked pretty well since I tended to control my shooting. Mostly came home with ammo left over and often with the self imposed limit.

Posted By:
rick-hungerford
Field Editor

Small Lake in Tuscola County 09-03-2009 16:45
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
I missed Tuesday, something about a day job getting in the way of hunting.

Got out with a friend that did some scouting. Shot 4 on a small lake that the land owners wanted cleaned up on Tuesday. Went back today and shot the only bird we saw. Not pristine but the whole idea of this season is tied to removing some less than desirable beach and lawn destroyers.

Guys in the fields around us expressed varying levels of success. Some found corn fields cut for silage. It seems like mostly large groups coming out at first light and things are over in the fields within an hour. There is so much cut wheat, rye grass and other green fields the birds move a mile down the road and sit there all day.

Coming and going, fields with cows were full of birds. Maybe I need to invest in an Ole’ Bessy Blind. I have seen them used in Nebraska on snows. Any body else?

This weather has stalled any move of flight birds. Normally you can set your watch to the 5th to start seeing TVP birds coming down the shoreline. Even with the full moon and light north winds, unless something changes up North, they look to be late this year.

May sit out on the Bay tomorrow and Saturday, will post thereafter.

Everything else is between seasons!

Posted By:
John-Cottenham
Field Editor

middle of the mitten 09-02-2009 09:29
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 35-40 Degrees
I opened goose on my old home lake and did not see a goose. Talked to property owners and they still are crapping on the lawns. Checked a field that I had solo permission last year and found 4 guys who the owner thought was me also got permission. 0 birds taken but some seen at least. Gonna get ’em later I guess.

My YLF did a good job of staying calm as about 100 woodies flew by and then swam through the decoys.

jacduck

I worked out a new deal in Texas this past winter. I quit hunting snows when I get 5 or have used all 12 of the shells I carried. Worked pretty well since I tended to control my shooting. Mostly came home with ammo left over and often with the self imposed limit.

[Edited By John-Cottenham on 2009-09-02 09:31]

[Edited By John-Cottenham on 2009-09-02 09:32]

Posted By:
Fowl Mood
Guest

Michigan water levels 08-28-2009 19:17
– – –
The water level of Lake Michigan (and Lake Huron – they’re at the same water level – connected at the Mackinac Bridge) is up one inch in the last week (and 1″ higher than one month ago). That’s because of increased precipitation (esp. at the south end of Lake Michigan – Michigan City, Indiana had 2.7″ of rain Thursday and Thursday Night) and low evaporation. The Grand River in Grand Rapids is at 186% of average flow at 7:45 PM Friday evening. Rainfall since June 1 is about 3″ above average in Grand Rapids. Lake Michigan/Huron stands 11″ higher than last year and the lake is now only 4″ below the long-term average level. Lake Superior is up 3″ in the last month, up 1″ in the last year and 4″ below average level. Lake Erie is 6″ above one year ago and 3″ above the average level. Lake Ontario is at the same level as one year ago and 4″ above the average level.

Not sure how the water has affected local breeding Mallards but we’ve got one of the wettest summers on record going. Hopefully the waterfowl have benfitted as well.

Posted By:
ndhager
Guest

thumb 08-28-2009 09:21
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 60-65 Degrees
Trying to find geese is posing a challenge this year. Some birds around, but they are scattered and not using wheat stubble consistently. It seems that the birds are not as concentrated or consistent this year as in years past. I am seeing a few wood ducks around.

Posted By:
rick-hungerford
Field Editor

Saginaw Bay Fish Point Area 08-26-2009 10:51
Cloudy, High Winds – 60-65 Degrees
I was up last weekend (sorry for the late post) and fought the high winds and rain putting the finishing touches on our cedar blind.

Water is way up and building, which is unusual for this time of year. Normally, we loose water the month before the Season.

Areas that were dry two years ago no have enough water to float boats. No time like the present to start scouting.

Lots of bluewings moving through right now. This cooler weather will probably puish the majority South. I did not see the build up as in prior years, but this has been a wet cool summer, so my guess is the teal are not stopping long and are headed to the warmer climes.

I did see one small group of divers, they were grey blobs in the distance, more than likely young ring necks or redheads.

Goose sightings for this time of year have been way down. Rumor has it a semi load of wheat was dumped by accident up around the rock quarry off Bayport road. The result was to pull every goose for miles around to the free food and sheltered water. The DNR found out and made the farmer clean it up. Hopefully this explains the poor number fo birds sighted on the Bay. And sorry guys, don’t call, the quarry doesn’t allow hunting.

The corn in the managed area looks tremendous but is still very green. I was unable to catch up with Tim Geary and crew, but the higher water should allow for early pumping this year. Hopefully, the reserved hunts on the first two days of the season will have more huntable zones and blinds.

That’s about it for now. Don’t forget life jackets, flares and other safety stuff this year. You can count on more enforcement in the area this year cause its easier to get around.

Everything else is between seasons!

Posted By:
john-wickham
Field Editor

Traverse City 08-24-2009 20:05
Cloudy, Occassional Rain Showers – 50-60 Degrees
Salmon fished this weekend and it was SLOW!!! We fished the west bay on Fri. and got 3 then got skunked on Sat. Went to Platte bay on Sun. and got skunked too but we did see a lot of divers flying around at sun up.

Posted By:
John-Cottenham
Field Editor

08-21-2009 10:14
– – –
This is stolen from the MI Duck Hunters Assn web site. It is interesting how to s for repainting plastics as well as how to buy paints in the colors you might need.

http://www.takeem.com/tp.php

jacduck I worked out a new deal in Texas this past winter. I quit hunting snows when I get 5 or have used all 12 of the shells I carried. Worked pretty well since I tended to control my shooting. Mostly came home with ammo left over and often with the self imposed limit.

Posted By:
John-Cottenham
Field Editor

middle of the mitten 08-21-2009 09:44
– – –
I have not had a lot of time to scout it out around here but all conditions look great. Problem with that is birds will be scattered. Goose count looks very good but I have not seen them using the wheat fields much yet.

When I say busy I did what many of you dream of. I bought a house (shack really) in ND as a hunting base. Hopefully when we get done with the fixin’ my son will really get back into hunting ducks and bring the 2 grandsons with him. Object a family legacy and a place to use it.

jacduck I worked out a new deal in Texas this past winter. I quit hunting snows when I get 5 or have used all 12 of the shells I carried. Worked pretty well since I tended to control my shooting. Mostly came home with ammo left over and often with the self imposed limit.

Posted By:
rick-hungerford
Field Editor

The Entire State 08-20-2009 16:12
Arctic Blast – Froze Out
You Know you guys the one way to make this site more active is for you to get more active.

You don’t have to be an editorialist to be a field editor. You just need to DO IT.

We haveFE’s on here that haven’t reported in a year.

HEEEEELLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOO.

JUst apply. THey are dying for people to volunteer.

Even if you don’t want the responsibility or th e desire.

JUST POST.

There are other sites including MDH and DU.

But this is the only site that is non-political.

They just ant a few bucks for opening a channel for people like us to communicate.

In the vernacular of LARRY ________

GET UR DUUUUUUNNNN!!!

Everything else is between seasons!

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Michigan Duck and Goose Hunting Report Archive

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Posted By:
rick-hungerford
Field Editor

The entire State 08-20-2009 16:03
– – –

Posted By:
BPage
Guest

Saginaw Bay 08-20-2009 13:31
– – –
Just thought I would start out the new season with a “Thank You” to the Field Editors who report on line. I have watched this site for several years and greatly enjoy the reports from John W., Michael M., and John C. (and others). Since I spend most of my time hunting out of Bud’s Landing, I greatly appreciate the comments of Rick H. This web site has declined some the past couple of years but since I still work and have little scouting time all of your comments are welcome. Maybe, over the next year, we can generate more interest from those who take their hunting seriously.

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

Traverse Bay 08-19-2009 22:44
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 60-65 Degrees
Pintails seen flying over M-37 on my way up to Munson hospital last week.

Today was the first sunny day in the last week and it’s started to rain again with the forcast to only hit the 60’s for tomorrow.

we have yet to see any real summer weather here along the Manistee. The Pine River is well off color and the swamps and backwaters are full. Ducks coming down will have no trouble finding the out of way places to hole-up.

Salmon should be in… I’ll verify this week.

MM

Posted By:
wwn1
Guest

08-19-2009 16:00
– – –
Anthony Santoli, Ohio FE, has a second-hand report of high duck numbers on Lake St. Clair, including what sounds like a big jump in redheards. Any of our resident LSC experts care to weigh in with what they are seeing up that way? Good numbers of the big divers, if true, sure would be good news.

Posted By:
rick-hungerford
Field Editor

Saginaw Bay Fish Point Area 08-18-2009 12:02
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Well August 15th has come and gone. And the Bay around us is already in preparation for the new season.

Early bird hunters have their blinds already started. And the cedar swamps have been trimmed for dressing up the blinds.

Water continues to be plentiful. As a matter of fact, there is a marked channel between Maisou and DaFoe. The first time in 5 years or more. Getting around the Bay does not appear to be a problem for this year.

But remember, the rocks that were in plain sight last year are now 1-6 inches below the surface. The unwarry will be spending a lot this Fall on lower units on their outboards. The best advice is to mark your routes with a GPS in the daylight and follow them in at O’dark thirty.

The cool summer has stalled the arrival of early ducks. Lots of baby mallards around, but the bluewings are just starting to show up. Geese are starting to return from the golf courses.

The high water and summer storms have wrecked havoc on the wild rice beds. But the wild celery and duck potatoe has flourished. Even zebra mussels beds on the inside have returned with the cooler water. This should bode well for the inside diver hunting which was very poor last year. Who knows maybe we’ll actually get a crack at some Cans this year.

I’ll be up this coming weekend, will give another report then, including conditions on the Managed Area.

Everything else is between seasons!

Posted By:
john-wickham
Field Editor

08-14-2009 14:38
– – –
Here’s the season dates if you haven’t seen them already.

Duck seasons will run Sept. 26 – Nov. 20 and Nov. 26-29 in the North
Zone (Upper Peninsula), Oct. 3 – Nov. 29 and Dec. 5-6 in the Middle
Zone, and Oct. 10 – Dec. 6 and Jan. 2-3 in the South Zone.

There is an open season on canvasbacks this year as well as expanded
opportunity for scaup. The daily bag limit is six ducks to include no
more than four mallards (no more than one hen), three wood ducks, two
redheads, two scaup, one pintail, one black duck and one canvasback.

Early Canada goose season opens Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 15
statewide, except for the Upper Peninsula and Saginaw, Tuscola and Huron
counties, where it runs through Sept. 10. The daily bag limit is five.

Regular goose seasons are Sept. 16 – Oct. 30 in the North Zone; Oct.3 –
Nov. 9 and Nov. 26 – Dec. 2 in the Middle Zone; and Oct. 10 – Nov. 12
and Nov. 26 – Dec. 6 in the South Zone, except for designated Goose
Management Units (GMU). The daily bag limit is two.

In the Saginaw County and Tuscola/Huron GMUs, the goose season is Oct.
10 – Nov. 12, Nov. 26 – Dec.6, and Jan. 2-31 with a bag limit of two.

In the Allegan County GMU, the season is Nov. 28 – Dec. 21 and Dec.
28-Jan. 17 with a bag limit of two.

In the Muskegon Waste Water GMU, the season is Oct. 13 – Nov. 14 and
Dec. 1-12 with a bag limit of two.

Elsewhere in the South Zone, the late season is Jan. 2-31 with a bag
limit of five.

Hunters may also harvest other geese during the regular and late goose
seasons in their respective zones. The bag limits are 10 snow, blue and
Ross’ geese in combination; and one white-fronted goose or one brant.

Hunters are also reminded of the Youth Waterfowl Weekend on Sept.
19-20. This hunt is statewide for licensed youths 10 to 15 years of
age. Youths must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or someone 18
years or older. The adult will not be allowed to hunt waterfowl and is
not required to have a waterfowl hunting license. The daily limits are
the same as those allowed for the regular duck season.

To learn more about hunting opportunities in Michigan, visit the
DNR’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrhunting.

Posted By:
BPage
Guest

08-04-2009 20:14
– – –
Citizens group meets Saturday and then the Commission meets next Thursday. We should have answers next Friday.

Posted By:
mallard 1 duck
Web Member

08-03-2009 11:43
– – –
Has anyone heard about the bag limits for Mich yet? Should be sometime this week?

Posted By:
John-Cottenham
Field Editor

middle of the mitten 07-22-2009 06:14
– – –
Concealed weapon vote today. Call your senator ASAP

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20090722/D99JEFTG0.html

Concealed carry in all states measure needs 60 votes today!

Posted By:
rick-hungerford
Field Editor

Sagniaw Bay Fish Point Area 07-06-2009 09:24
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Over 70 Degrees
Fished around North Island on Friday. Came up just short of three limits in 3 hours. Didn’t get out early and got blown off around 2:30 PM. Had to work to find a feeding school, but then it was like ducks in a barrel, then just a fast they moved or stopped biting with a wind change.

Mid-day stay away from the pack and find your own fish. Water is warming and clearing, fish spook if they are chased too hard.

Still draggin meat, bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses (green and copper worked best) Did catch one nice fish on a long-line Hot-N-Tot, so the switch to plastic may be on soon. 15-20 foot, almost anywhere. 1.7-2.0 mph, slower and you get cats and drum. Look for fish to start migration to the Outer Bay in the next few weeks, water is warming 67 dgrees on the surface.

On Suday, I took a tour on the airboat with my two best girls, Judy and Bell. Stayed away from nesting areas, just ran open channels. Water, water everywhere. Had a mild S 6-10 mph. Areas that haven’t seen water in four years can now float light boats. Higher water is slowing the phragmite growth, this should bode well for cattail resurgence. Rough weather the past few weeks hasn’t helped the wild rice, but the celery and duck potatoe beds look great.

Saw a few early mallards and what looked like young redheads. Geese are on molt, so the only way you will see them is with a golf club in your hand.

Drove by the Managed Area, fields are all planted and appear to be healthy but behind the private fields surrounding. Most corn looks good all over, some late plants and soybeans got washed out. But over all it looks like a bumper corn year AGAIN!

Let’s hope the reports from Canada and the Praries are true and we get to see some ducks this year.

Drop me a line if you got questions.

Regards,

Everything else is between seasons!

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Michigan Duck and Goose Hunting Report Archive

  By

Posted By:
rick-hungerford
Field Editor

Sagniaw Bay Fish Point Area 07-06-2009 09:07
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Over 70 Degrees
Fished around North Island on Friday. Came up just short of three limits in 3 hours. Didn’t get out early and got blown off around 2:30 PM. Had to work to find a feeding school, but then it was like ducks in a barrel, then just a fast they moved or stopped biting with a wind change.

Mid-day stay away from the pack and find your own fish. Water is warming and clearing, fish spook if they are chased too hard.

Still draggin meat, bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses (green and copper worked best) Did catch one nice fish on a long-line Hot-N-Tot, so the switch to plastic may be on soon. 15-20 foot, almost anywhere. 1.7-2.0 mph, slower and you get cats and drum. Look for fish to start migration to the Outer Bay in the next few weeks, water is warming 67 dgrees on the surface.

On Suday, I took a tour on the airboat with my two best girls, Judy and Bell. Stayed away from nesting areas, just ran open channels. Water, water everywhere. Had a mild S 6-10 mph. Areas that haven’t seen water in four years can now float light boats. Higher water is slowing the phragmite growth, this should bode well for cattail resurgence. Rough weather the past few weeks hasn’t helped the wild rice, but the celery and duck potatoe beds look great.

Saw a few early mallards and what looked like young redheads. Geese are on molt, so the only way you will see them is with a golf club in your hand.

Drove by the Managed Area, fields are all planted and appear to be healthy but behind the private fields surrounding. Most corn looks good all over, some late plants and soybeans got washed out. But over all it looks like a bumper corn year AGAIN!

Let’s hope the reports from Canada and the Praries are true and we get to see some ducks this year.

Drop me a line if you got questions.

Regards,

Everything else is between seasons!

Posted By:
John-Cottenham
Field Editor

NORTH DAKOTA 07-01-2009 11:03
– – –
You’ve seen the reports here is an interview with the biologist talking about the ND surveys.

http://www.gf.nd.gov/

jacduck I worked out a new deal in Texas this winter. I quit hunting snows when I get 5 or have used all 12 of the shells I carried. Worked pretty well since I tended to control my shooting. Mostly came home with ammo left over and often with the self imposed limit.

Posted By:
John-Cottenham
Field Editor

middle of the mitten 06-30-2009 17:14
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 60-65 Degrees
Water, water everywhere and ducks mostly mallards and woodies are still flying some. 2nd hatch looks good too. I say a group of mallards just out of the shell by the size and there were 11 of them I could count. Too bad that someone pulled the boards on the flooding and now it is dry. Looks good here guys!

jacduck I worked out a new deal in Texas this winter. I quit hunting snows when I get 5 or have used all 12 of the shells I carried. Worked pretty well since I tended to control my shooting. Mostly came home with ammo left over and often with the self imposed limit.

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

Hoxeyville 06-23-2009 17:09
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Well the heat has reached us here in the “north”. I can’t believe it was only 2 weeks ago that we had a consistent 60 degree temp. What happened to “spring”?

Well, the first hatch of robins was good. We had a nice hatch of grouse out back on the creek. I killed my first rattler as well as a big racer that was as long as I am tall (I held it up – headless of course). Found that baby herons make an unbelievably awful noise at night when they perch above your house (don’t know if the darn things make that racket in the wild).

Hoxeyville has no waterfowl to speak of, so that is about that…

If you chase the hatches here in Mich, you’ll be happy to know the Hex is on and mousin has heated up as well.

Posted By:
bmyers
Guest

06-15-2009 12:29
– – –
I’ve seen a few flocks of 40-60 birds flyin high heading north over the last couple weeks..

I was amazed at the one flock, nearly 60% of the birds wings looked like they had been sky busted. I know they’re heading north to molt but had never seen such a large number of birds in such poor condition (feather wise). Wings looked more like sieves.

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

Hoxeyville 06-04-2009 23:04
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 50-60 Degrees
Not much in this part of Michigan for waterfowl. It is surprising the heck out of me. With all the swamps and wetland around here, I thought I’d see some serious breeding pairs.

We have one resident pair of canadas and a trio of sandhill cranes. The Herons hatched 3 young and boy do they make a gosh aweful sound.

The pups and I found a woodcock nest and we have an active grouse nest that hatched out 4 chicks the other day.

Otherwise, Flyfishing season is in full swing even with this pathetically cool weather.

Just trying to keep you aprised of the happenings round here… Varmints tallies for the season are at 3 opossums, two fox one rattler and a racer. All egg-eaters

Posted By:
John-Cottenham
Field Editor

middle of the mitten 06-01-2009 14:42
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 60-65 Degrees
I do believe you are right. It appears that the flocks are gone from here near Gladwin and I saw one headed north but missed the chance to follow them on radar last Friday. A friend from Freeland reported much movement Thursday and Friday. Did anyone catch them on radar???

jacduck I worked out a new deal in Texas this winter. I quit hunting snows when I get 5 or have used all 12 of the shells I carried. Worked pretty well since I tended to control my shooting. Mostly came home with ammo left over and often with the self imposed limit.

Posted By:
rick-hungerford
Field Editor

Saginaw Bay Fish Point Area 05-31-2009 13:40
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Over 70 Degrees
Fished rough water both Friday and Saturday. Was paid back with limits both days for three fishermen.

Fish all over, went South of Thomas’s Cut, ended up trolling North all the way to DaFoe.

Most aggressive fish were in 15+ ft. Bottom bouncers (2-3 oz), crawlers (orange harnesses) and in line boards were the order of the day. All the keepers were solid fish, probably threw back 50 under sized fish. Bodes well for the reproduction on the Bay.

Zebra mussle beds all over. Saw tons of geese, probably 10 groups moving North along the shoreline 50-100 birds each. This in support of John’s post.

From now through July, the Lower Bay will only get better for “Eyes”. Don’t trust weather reports, they were wrong both days. Saturday PM we had a serious “not forecasted” storm cell move through with hail and 60 mph winds. Watch the sky and pull up if winds and clouds move in.

I know this still isn’t about ducks, but its a fun thing to do, and the eating isn’t bad either.

Everything else is between seasons!

Posted By:
CVG
Guest

05-29-2009 12:07
– – –
DRIVING DOWN 12 MILE AROUND NORTHWESTERN HIGHWAY AND IT MUST OF BEEN ONE OF THE FLOCKS OF MOLT MIGRANTS THAT EVERY ONE TALKS ABOUT AT LEAST 100 GEESE HEADING NORTH IN ONE BIG FLOCK

Posted By:
John-Cottenham
Field Editor

middle of the mitten 05-26-2009 08:27
– – 50-60 Degrees
They flocks of Canadas are bunched up I expect the move any day now. Keep an eye on nexrad if the weather is clear enought to differentiate.

jacduck I worked out a new deal in Texas this winter. I quit hunting snows when I get 5 or have used all 12 of the shells I carried. Worked pretty well since I tended to control my shooting. Mostly came home with ammo left over and often with the self imposed limit.

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Michigan Duck and Goose Hunting Report Archive

  By

Posted By:
John-Cottenham
Field Editor

middle of the mitten 05-13-2009 07:10
– – –
Time to watch for the molt migrant move guys.

I am seeing flocks of geese banding back together after the nuptials. When they start flocking up it means they are preparing to move north to the southern James Bay region to molt and loaf in luxury.

I normally see the movement about June 5 but you should keep an eye on it. When you see the birds moving take a gander at radar and maybe you can follow them on the trip.

jacduck I worked out a new deal in Texas this winter. I quit hunting snows when I get 5 or have used all 12 of the shells I carried. Worked pretty well since I tended to control my shooting. Mostly came home with ammo left over and often with the self imposed limit.

Posted By:
rick-hungerford
Field Editor

Saginaw Bay Fish Point Area 05-07-2009 19:57
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 60-65 Degrees
Fished last Saturday, or should say bounced around for a couple of hours. Found one 20 incher that wanted to come to the box, you have to cull the weak ones.

Water, water everywhere. Up at least 6 inches from last Spring, probably more.

Let’s hope that more water equates to better nesting success.

Lots of goslings already. One group had 8 little ones, better than last year.

Ducks still on nests, I did see some Buffleheads on the water.

The only bad news is the numbers of cormorants, unbelievable. I saw one raft at least 200 yards long and 10 foot wide. Now thats worse than any gill net ever set.

Somebody needs to do something here.

Keep the faith, only 5 months to go!

Everything else is between seasons!

Posted By:
John-Cottenham
Field Editor

Snow Goose expert 04-16-2009 17:30
– – –
I get stuff from ND since I am practically a native. At any rate there is a big discussion on snow geese in other states that I hunt so I thought I would share this 19 minute video interview with you guys. One of the things I got our of it was the snows have moved from traditional nesting grounds that would allow them to overfly MI spring and fall so that may be a major factor in our not seeing them like many of us used to in the olden days…..

Cut and paste the link and sit back and listen to an expert researcher.

http://www.gf.nd.gov/

jacduck It is not the limits I get but the HUNTS I get that makes a great season. And I don’t shoot spoonies!

Posted By:
rick-hungerford
Field Editor

Saginaw Bay 04-13-2009 21:11
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
The Bay lost a friend this week.

Ken Wiersma. My stap father in law.

He loved the Bay, as much as I do.

Walleye master catcher and an under study of “pick a letter on the compass and follow it” master of boat driving.

Only after three trips did he offer the fact that his hearing aid still worked.

Seldom in this life time are we given a gift of true friendship, no questions asked. That was Ken.

My favorite day with him was in the goose blind he helped me set out before Opening Day.

After WWII, he never wanted to handle a gun.

We sat there in the early morning lite, drinking coffee. And as luck would have it, two dumb ones listened to my bad calling, folded wings and came in.

My old Charles Daly, over and under went Bang, splat….. Bang spalt………

He dryly looked over at me and asked “was it this hard all the time?”

I answered ” Only on special days!”

That was the last goose retrieves for my dog “Sammy” and the only retrieves that Ken ever saw.

The best wish I have for Ken is that he finds the winds of Heaven pushing him over schools of fish and that he marks them all before I get there.

Everything else is between seasons!

Posted By:
rick-hungerford
Field Editor

Saginaw Bay Fish Point Area 03-25-2009 14:08
Cloudy, Occassional Rain Showers – 40-45 Degrees
Just returned from the Bay.

If you ever want to see birds, now is the time. Ice is out, and the geese and ducks are too plentiful to count.

One small bay that we hunt held over two thousand divers. Tons of every species. And the geese and swans make such a racket, you can hardly sleep at night.

Kind of makes you wonder why we don’t see this build up in the Fall.

If you have the chance drive by and take a look at God’s bounty.

Everything else is between seasons!

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

hoxeyville/caberfae area 03-20-2009 13:25
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 35-40 Degrees
Welcome to spring.

This the first day of spring, we’ve had the following here in the valley:
-A pair of nest searching geese looping the skies in the evening.
-A pair of teal circling the bigfoot dekes I put out to welcome the northbound canadas.
-Lots of blackbirds have been around since last week. They arrived two days ahead of the robins who now fill the yard.
-Migrating lampreys have found their way up Hoxey creek (to their demise LOL)
-Skunks can be occasionally smelled on the evening breeze (get ’em before they mate!)
-The piles of snow have dwindled to scant traces in the shadow of the pines.
-Trees are budded up and getting ready to green.

With all this, we have a new season. Many of us worry about the demise of our country or our jobs. We worry about what next week will bring. I’ve been caught up in it as well. Take the time to notice the changes around you and remember that we got to this point in the history of Man by being the best we could possibly be with what sense has been bestowed upon us. Enjoy the little things that each day brings us.

Cherish what you have and hug the little ones. As sure as tomorrow will come, we too will rebound from that which tethers us today.

Posted By:
rick-hungerford
Field Editor

Saginaw Bay Fish Point Area 03-08-2009 18:31
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Drove up this weekend to see how the Lodge faired through the winter. Things are fine.

Friday afternoon was beautiful sunny and 60ish.

Tons of geese are back. I personally saw a dozens flights of between 20-60 birds fly along the shoreline.

A word to the wise, many are still venturing out for walleye. Places the ice is still 2-3 feet thick (before the Saturday rain). But people are crashing through closer to shore. Might be time to put the ice rigs away and start fishing the rivers.

Everything else is between seasons!

Posted By:
ducknut@sbcglobal.net
Guest

snows 02-19-2009 18:49
– – –
Papa Goose; There used to be a large population of snows that migrated from James Bay in Ontario non-stop to Delta National Wildlife Refuge at the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana back then. Three square was a prime food for them back then, and many snows were winter residents of the coastal marshes of Texas and Louisiana where it was found. Rice agriculture to the North of the marshes grew over time, and the snows started to utilize that habitat instead of the marshes. Sometimes, if it was a late hatch, and the young weren’t real strong, some flocks would have to stop for rest, and those were the ones guys would see in fields in central Michigan, or get shots at on the bay. My understanding is that it’s only a remnant of that population that gets to Delta now, and I don’t think any snows fly non-stop that far anymore. Agriculture along the way changed that and they learned to make stops along the way like other fowl do. Take care, Ducknut

Posted By:
rick-hungerford
Field Editor

Not 02-19-2009 18:37
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
Papa Goose, they still fly over, they just don’t stay. I have camped out in the Bay during the season and heard them flying over at 2:00 in the morning on a clear night.

The other thing that has happened is that the States to the west of us have effectively moved or pulled the migration that way by improving both Fall and Spring habitat.

If you draw a line from James Bay southwest to say Texas, it comes right over Michigan. There are still way too many Snows, but a shame you have to go elsewhere to see them. If you want a trip go to Southern Illinois in about 3-4 weeks. You won’t believe what you see.

Atleast thats my understanding.

Everything else is between seasons!

Posted By:
papagoose
Web Member

South end WigWam Bay 02-15-2009 11:21
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
When I was a Kid, say in 1968, I would be out phasent hunting and see 200 or 300 snow Geese going south and today in the Fall I’ll see maybe 2 or 3 snow Geese in a flock of canaida’s , Can any one explain to me and others what happened to all those snow Geese.

papagoos of Standish Mi.

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Maine Duck and Goose Hunting Report Archive

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Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

None 05-02-2010 05:03
– – –
Well I find myself again in the Port of Dutch Harbor Alaska on a Port call. If you have been fololowing my posts you will know the story. This past Sept marked 12 years serving my courtry in the Coast gaurd. My wife (who is doing a wonderfull job raising 2 boys (2 YO and 6 month old) and 2 Black Labs in the San Fran Bay area. Have you ever heard or seen of Magone Mairne Salvage….maybe on Dirty jobs with Mike Rowe….well it is right by where my ship is moored up…a 378′ 40 year old high endurance cutter with twin 12 cyl Fairbanks and Morse Opposed Piston Diesel engines (1938 Technology) aka rock crushers (the boat I’am on) I have about 2 more months up in the Bering Sea. So far this patrol I have seen the South edge of the Polar Ice Cap and some very angry ocean. I have not been back to the great state of Maine since July 2008 and have not hunted at all since leaving.

tight lines

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Coastal 11-17-2009 07:59
– – –
Does anyone have a Sea Duck report?

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

San Fran Bay 02-25-2009 10:12
Cloudy, Occassional Rain Showers – 60-65 Degrees
Well this is not a Maine report but instead an update on my activities out here on the left side of the counrty (California). Time has flown by for me since my wife and I moved out here in Sep and was excelerated with 2-3 month deployments on a Coast Guard Cutter. I have seen many counrties I prolly would never have gone to in a lifetime…from Panama to Dutch Harbor Alaska all before 2008 came to a close! When I returned home after my last patrol to the Bering Sea I recommisioned my 19′ Lund and took my father (who camme for a visit) for a shake down cruise. All in all we put 35 miles of water under the hull…we saw San Fran, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge! I have fished once for the elusive Steurgon and have been skunked. This Winter started out as very warn and dry but now has turned into the rainy season and not allowed many boating days. In a few weeks I will be back out to sea and back to the daily grind of ship life. I have not pulled a trigger since 2007 but I have seen many Surf Scoters on the Bay that I will check out next Fall if it is legal.

All for now

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

10-13-2008 15:52
– – –
Paul Reynolds…where are your field reports? Someone needs to pick up where I left off! Whoose whackin and stackin ducks? I now live in CA and will not be hunting at all this Fall. Someone needs to put a dent in the eider population. It eats me up knowing that I will not be able to hunt them for at least 2.5 more years. Post up some Maine hunting pictures at least. I’m getting home sick.

later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

3200 miles in 8 days! 09-22-2008 21:21
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Well I am in the “Great” state of California near San Fran. It took me 8 days to drive out with the wife, 5 month old son, 2 labs, and my boat in tow. We decided not to drive more than 400-500 miles a day which made it easier to hit the road the next morning. Now that I am here I am lookng forward to getting the hell outa here! Too many people and the traffic bites. However I will make the best of it. As soon as the pile of boxes disapates in the garage and I can get to my boat I plan on scouting out hunting and fishing spots within the bays and delta. The wheather is great, cool nights and warm days with low humidity. If there is anyone on this site that has any info on hunting and fishing around Alameda and would like to share? Please PM me. I have posted on myfishfinder.com about local knowledge and I have had no replys.

Later

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2008-09-28 18:35]

Posted By:
moderator
Guest

09-08-2008 12:55
– – –
Andrew, thanks for all of your help to the members for the past 3 years. We appreciate it and wish you the best out West.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

06-26-2008 15:22
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – Over 70 Degrees
I’ll be off to the left side of the country, California (Alameda) July 5th thanks to Uncle Sam. And then fly out the 11th to Elsalvador to meet my new ship. Had a blast as one of the Maine Field Editors and also enjoied a few hunts with other fellow members. Will need some help on the West Coast with hunting and fishing advice!

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Sebago Lake 05-03-2008 08:15
– – –
There are some great pictures of landlocked salmon at www.myfishfinder.com. People are slaying them up by the Songo River, Naples, Casco area. Yesterday seemed to be the day to go. I’m at work all weekend! Sewn on smelts!!

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Sebago Lake 05-02-2008 20:01
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
No joy at Sebago Lake yesterday! I launched out of Jordan’s Bay and trolled from the half way point oput to Squaw Island. There were other boats fishing by Squaw Island as well. I makred fish in all water depths. Had 2 trolling rods out with shiners on slider rigs and a DB Smelt in the prop wash. The water averaged 44. Wanted to go up to the state park where the action was rumerd to be but that was about an 8 mile boat ride and not enough time!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Sebago Lake 04-30-2008 20:49
– – –
Going to Sebago Lake tomarrow. Stopped in the Kennebeck Angler tackle shop up in Bath today to look for some frozen smelts. The word on the streets are big “Slab” salmon on trolled shiners with slider rigs. So I suckered up and bought some shiners and 2 slider rigs and will see how many “Slabs” I will catch. The boat is ready! I installed a connector rod from my main engine to my 15hp kicker so I don’t have to look like a fool and steer the kicker from the stern. Tomarrow should be a fine fishing day.

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Maine Duck and Goose Hunting Report Archive

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Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

04-15-2008 09:52
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Well the CG gave me orders to the CG Cutter Sherman yesterday, report by 15 July. The boat is out of Alameda, Ca and is 378′ long. The boat does a lot of Alaska Bering Sea patrols. Wasn’t expecting this to happen….oh well..it could be worse. I’m an East Coast guy! I hope I can keep on hunting and fising over there…new territory to scope out. Anyone that has any info on or around Alameda please pass it my way!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

None 04-09-2008 10:47
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
Well I the CG is moving me somewhere by mid June, don’t know where yet! I have listed my house for sale (MLS#886219) if anyone is lookinjg to move to Maine and be near the city of POrtland than this house may be right for them! Will keep you posted.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

03-22-2008 10:32
Cloudy, High Winds – 30-34 Degrees – Ice
I’ve been a bum since my last post, no ice fishing, not much of anything! Am waitung for the Coast Guard to hurry up and give me orders to where ever and also for advancement. July 2008 is when I am all done in Boothbay and that is coming up quick. My wife is due any day now so life is a bit stressfull!! Also working on renewing my Captains License and aquiring my Transportation Workers Identifacation Card (TWIC)which I must have if I am a licensed Captatin. Almost done with both. The TWIC card. I just need to go to Portland and give them some info. The Captains License requires a mandatory trip to Boston to get electronic finger prints taken and to sit with an evaluator and go over all the forms I have filled out. Not sure if I will get much fishing in This Spring letalone the Summer if we end up moving. Oh well. 12 more years to retirment!!

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Sebago Lake 02-25-2008 15:46
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Fished Sebago Lake, Jordan Bay during the Ice Fest. It was a very good day wheather wise. I had no flags whatsoever! There were people fishing about halfway out to Squaw Island. I would had prefered to fish out in the deeper water but I was on foot and found a 50′ spot and set close to the bottom. There were cars driving all over the lake. I parked on the ice but I did not feel comfortable driving down the bay! I did have to park on the ice just off the boat ramp as there was no parking spaces in the lot. Fished from 1030 to 1700. I checked the the weigh station before I left and there were only 3 fish checked in the entire day the 1st place Touge was 7.39 LBS. I am not sure if the tournament went into Sunday or not but I am glad I did not spend the $30 to enter the tournament!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Cumberland 02-18-2008 13:08
– – 10-20 Degrees – Ice
Fished Forest Lake this past Saturday with a friend from work. It was calm and clear in the am AM about 0900 and the wind came up about an hour later. Fished ten traps. Had one flag on an Artic Warior type trap which uses a jigging rod. It was on super clearance at Beans so I gave it a wirl. As the fish came to the hole the hook caught on the ice and whatever I had came off. At least I got to fight somthing on my jigging pole! Fished until 1600 and then headed out. It was a cold day. I also brought along my new Scout one man ice sled/shanty I bought at Beans for a song and dance. They have some super sales on all there ice fishing supplies!! Scouted Sebago Lake today for the upcoming Winter Fest. Although it was foggy I drove to the South end and there were a bunch of shacks out and then drove to the Raymond boat launch, not as many shacks there but it was froggy! The tournament starts this Saturday, $30 single entry fee $50 family fee with admission to the state wide tourny March 8-9.

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Bodoinham 02-09-2008 11:15
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 30-34 Degrees – Ice
Went Smelting last night for the first time! What a freaking blast!!!! have been telling myself over the past 4 years that I would go, at least once every Winter of course something would get in the way! So I went with my duck hunting buddy and brotherinlaw up to Bodoinham right by the bridge off RT 24. We rented a shack for $20 a head which included bait (Blood worms). There is a wood stove (in every shack) inside that will keep you very worm and each side of the shack has 8 lines that you set at what ever depth you want, my lines were just off the bottom. When the line starts moving just a little, set the hook. All in all we caught about 3 dozen. Fished from 2130 till 0050. The tide was low at 2130. Idealy you want an incoming tide from dead low at night (so I’m told). I think the Smelt camp was called James River Bend Camps? If you want to go you can look up Smelt camps on www.Iceshanty.com or go to the Department of Marine Rescources web sit and there is a link for most of the smelt camps in Maine. It’s a bit cheaper during the week! This one camp had about 15 shacks (2-4 man) There was one roudy group that would hoot and shout when they caught one and then all the other shacks would pipe in as well. I think that the custom of catching your first smelt is to dispatch it by biteing it’s head off. If you want somting fun to do with your family, friends, girlfriends or spouse smelting is a whole bunch of fun and is a true Maine expirence that will keep you coming back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Contact: River Bend Smelt Camps, RT. 24 Wallentine Rd, Bowdoinham. 207-666-5945

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2008-02-09 15:12]

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2008-02-10 15:37]

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Cumberland 01-26-2008 20:14
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 30-34 Degrees – Ice
Fished Forest Lake today and had 8 flags for 3 bass. Had one bass topping 4lbs. Biggest I have seen from this lake. Started fishing about 0815 and had a flurry of flags and then it died out by 1000. We drilled holes here and there and managed 3 more flags. I think there were some perch messin round with the shiners! Will be going Sun bout noon time. Beautiful day to be on the ice!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Raymond Pond 01-23-2008 16:42
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 35-40 Degrees
Fished Raymond Pond this past Saturday or should I say I ate grilled hot dogs and drank beer while watching the tipups! My bro-inlaw’s brother bought a camp on the pond and we all fished in front of the camp. We caught nothing but a group out twords the middle showed us a bucket containing 3 Largemouth Bass from 3-4.5 lbs each. Hope to get out this coming weekend!

Later

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2008-01-23 16:43]

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

01-14-2008 11:09
Cloudy, Accumulating Snow – 30-34 Degrees – Ice
I am officialy done with my hunting season. The boat is winterized and covered up. Went Seaduck hunting 3 out 0f 4 times this Fall/Winter and managed 7 Eiders and one nice White Winged Scoter. One hunting trip was called off due to ice! This season was worse than last years fishing season by far. I guess I should be thankful for getting out when I could! This past weekend I replaced and rewrapped 4 guides on a couple fishing rods and finished up cleaning and oiling up the last of my fishing reels for next year. Snuck out down to the lake to ice fish and managed 1- 2.5 lb largmouth. There is about 6″ of the white stuff here in Cumberland and it’s still coming down hard. Hopefully we have an early Spring!

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2008-01-14 11:13]

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Scarbourgh 12-29-2007 16:13
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Well I finally went out today on a very last minute seaduck trip with my bro-inlaw. The plan was to go hunt out near the islands but the marine forecast was issuing a small craft advisory. We met at the ramp and I new we prolly would not be able to get offshore, the wind was very strong. Due to the low tide I had to push the boat off the trailer and drift out to deeper water before lowering the engine to start it. When I went to start it the battery was as good as dead so I started up my 15HP kicker and beached the boat. I always bring a battery booster with me and got the engine fired up…all was better. The kicker has saved me for the second time now and the booster twice as well, money well spent! About a quarter of the way to the islands I turned around after taking a couple six footers on the port bow. The waves usually stack up at the mouth with any weather and then calm down a bit farther out, not so today despite the small seas predicted for the AM. Better safe than sorry. We hunted in mid chanel several hundred yards down from the breakwater and had a string of 15 eiders tied off to the stern. There were several large groups of eders flying up and down river, some circling our small string. All of the shooting was pass shooting. My first shot produced a Hen Eider (one pellet to the breast at about 50 yards, full choke, 3″ #1)….lucky! After that we took turns missing Eiders, White Wing & Common Scoters and several Old Sqaw. We called it quits by 0930 and headed home. We passed a small 12′ boat with 2 duck hunters. They were tied off to the red nun near the dayboard……very cose the houses on the opposite shore. Was a good day…a wet one!

Later

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2007-12-30 15:11]

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Maine Duck and Goose Hunting Report Archive

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Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern, ME 12-15-2007 08:32
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 10-20 Degrees – Ice
I went to bed last night with dreams about doing some mother freakin damage on the sea duck population add to that I had invited two people (father and son)on there first sea duck shoot. Needless to say I was both stoaked and nervous about the trip. Then there was the wheather to deal with. Well I got to the boat ramp in Saco only to find a group of hunters standing around at the entrance to the road in. After asking if all was ok they said the ramp was all iced up. So I drove in and sure enough the ice was indeed frozen to the ramp and the water was iced out to 30′. I beat myself up trying to think of ways to launch the boat SAFELY. So I opted to call the trip off. There were other ramps aroud but I knew they would be iced up as well. It may be over for the year, due to the ice and my free time. I guess if I had enought time I could clear the ramp out the day before but with these temps it would just ice up again. Oh well, at least I gave it a go. There were about 3 other hunters that pulled into the ramp only to turn around. My dog Murphy was a bit depressed as well.

Till next time.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern ME 11-24-2007 22:48
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
This Fall has been a bit dim. Have not been out duck hunting but only twice and have gone deer hunting about 6 times and have not even jumped one. My wife is on bed rest until the end of March so I have to be around the house to help her out. Hopefully I can get a chance to go duck hunting at least once with my dog Murphy.

All for now.

Posted By:
paul-reynolds
Guest

Scarborough 11-18-2007 08:23
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
Hunted the marsh yesterday, there were allot of red breasted mergansers around. Saw one small flock of geese that left the marsh early. We shot the few mergansers that came into the decoys. There were several flocks of mallards and blacks flying through but none were interested in our spread. We had one golden eye that caught us by surprise and made it away unscathed. I was hopeful the recent weather change would push more birds in the area but there seemed to be less bird in the marsh now than had been in weeks past. I plan on getting out over the thanksgiving holiday weekend as much as possible. Have a good turkey dinner and remember all that we have to be thankful for.

Posted By:
paul-reynolds
Guest

biddeford 11-14-2007 17:02
Cloudy, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
Hunted Saco Bay this weekend. The water was rough and the birds were not flying as well as I would have liked. We took a few scoters and shot at a few eiders. There were small flocks of Oldsquaw ( I will never call them long tailed ducks) that buzzed the decoys but none came in. I am hopefull this weather change will move more birds into the area.

As for the earlier part of the season the warm weather has not helped much. I have a grand total of twenty birds that had been shot so far this season. I took a nice hen widgeon in Scarborough in October and the rest have been teal geese and a few mallards.

I hunted up north in September and our group took 47 geese in two days of hunting. We also took a small bull moose to round out the trip.
The first half of the season does not get me too excited as I like to get after the migrants in the late season. There has been a large flock of mallards roosting on the Saco river at night and this flock usually grows as the weather gets colder. Well thats all for now I will let you all know how this weekend’s hunt goes. Till then stay safe.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern ME 11-11-2007 12:32
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
It has been a rather slow start for me this Fall hunting wise. I had a fairly big test to study for to move up here at work and then around the same time had to put in for jobs coming open this July. Before all this I lost a coworker in a car accident. So With all this behind me now I am getting out more. Went deer hunting twice now and sea duck hunting twice as well. Have not seen any deer yet. Lat time out for deer I saw a Mink, or at least something that looked like a ferrat. Hope to get out for deer or ducks on Tuesday.

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Mid Coast 10-26-2007 16:09
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Today I saw my first oldsquaw by Round Pond. Also saw several small groups of surf scoters. I have yet to shoot one! Have not been out since last report. I had a new electrical panel put in the house and decided to stick around for that. This weekend is suposed to get snotty! Saturday the 27 is the resident opener for deer. On Monday it opens up for all. Last year it rained reel good on the opener. I will be working all weekend as usual.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern ME 10-18-2007 10:40
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
Hunted out of my “secret spot” on Tuesday. Had a low tide at 0848, legal shooting was at 0526. Went with my usual hunting friend. We had 5 strings set out a bit after legal time. We saw a lot of eiders, more hens than drakes. The drakes were imature and I didn’t see mature drakes. Also saw about a dozen white winged scoters. I took a nice mature drake that I hope to put on the wall. Didn’t see any oldsquaw. This time last year I was coverd up in common scoters and the eiders showed up in mid November. It’s funny how it changes season to season. We did some scouting and located some new places but they are more exposed to the ocean and any wheather. Saw a tuna fisherman sitting off Wood Island trying to get lucky. The new blind workes great. I just need to weigh down the netting a bit as it tends to blow with the wind. Hope to go again this weekend. Almost forgot…the total for the day was 10 eiders 2 of which were hens and 1 white winged scoter. We lost on cripple!

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2007-10-18 11:45]

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Mid-coast 10-14-2007 16:25
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
For the past several days I have seen many eiders in small to moderate goups in and around Boothbay harbor and the surrounding tidal ledges and islands. Today I took a trip up to Bath Iron works and saw many boats fishing for stripers infront of BIW. One boat landed 2 stripers within 5 min of arriving there. They were using tinker mackerell hooked onto an Eagle Claw circle hook with 30″ of mono leader. Above the barrell swivel they had a 4oz egg sinker and were fishing it on the bottom. The fish they landed were close to 30″. I decided to head down to Popham Beach and at the lower end of the river I saw thousands of eiders. Most were probably pushed into the river by the passing Noreaster. Hope to get out Tuesday and at least take my first shots of the season. Asdo I have posted some recent offshore fishing pictures in the photo gallery. Check em out.

later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Casco Bay 10-03-2007 18:01
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
My father and I went out grouse and woodcock hunting Monday afternoon down in Kennebunk in some of my old stomping grounds. We hunted some good cover and only flushed one nongame bird and a chipmonk. Tuesday I had planned to go seaducking but had arrived home late Monday night and my boat was not set up for duck hunting. A friend called me later and wanted to go mid-morning so I awoke early on Tuesday and got the boat ready. This was more of a recon hunting trip than a reg hunting trip. We did set up and had some eiders and common along with surf scoters give us a wide flyby. The ducks were being pushed around the bay by the local lobster boats hauling traps. The wheather was great and my new blind looked and preformed great. I have taken pictures of it and once I load them off the camera I will post them under “Duck Boats”. Lastly my father helped me weld up a 2 wheeled “dolly” out of 3/4″ angle iron, 3/8″ steel rod, some fender washers and two old bmx tires. It looks and works slick. The idea came from Waterfowl Magazine a few years ago.

Later.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Mid Coast 09-30-2007 20:46
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Since my last entry I have built my blind on the Lund. It turned out real well. Am waiting on one more 12’x20′ camo net tarp and an outboard cover from Cabela’s. The blind should be more effective in covering the entire boat from the water line up to a seated person, about mid chest height and the bow platform. I splurged and bought an outboard cover for the kicker. Last year I had a ragged blind only on the Port side of the boat and nothing on the stbd side. So I hope this helps to bring the ducks in better without spooking. Hope to get out Tuesday for the second day of the sea duck season (both reg and sea duck open tomarrow Oct 1). My livewell needs to come out of the boat and the 3 bags of decoys need to be put in the boat along with all my other crap. Tomarrow I will be upland bird hunting with my father down in Kennebunk, somthing I have not done in years!
Have been seeing a lot of drake eiders in and around Boothbay Harbor. Mostly immature drakes. Have not seen any squaw yet. Today I saw 6 Surf Scoters by Isle Of Springs. Hope to take one for the wall this year. Hope I hunt more than I fished this year and that the wheather isn’t too nasty but a little colder sooner for hunting sake. My dog Murphy is ready to go for this season. His little brother Kirby most likely will not hunt this year unless I do some serious training! I should take him a few times by himself maybe with Murph. It’s a lot to handle both of them in the boat. Will see. On another note My wife and I are expecting an addition to the family March 30. Only 6 more months to go. She does not want to find out the sex, althought I am certain it will be a girl!

Later

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Maine Duck and Goose Hunting Report Archive

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Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

NONE 09-14-2007 20:52
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Well I have have not been fishing since my last report, but instead have been working on my freaking house. Will it ever end? along with neglecting all the fish that I should have caught this summer I have also neglected my 2 four legged friends. The “Murph Dog” is showing rust and my little guy Kirby just hasn’t had much training except for obedience which he should have down pat by wintah. I hate to neglect them but the house just takes so much time out of the things I’d like to do. Will be changing that soon! October 1st marks the opener for sea and puddle ducks and I am off the 1st and 2nd. I will pick up 60′ of sched 40 pvc pipe for my duck blind on the Lund. Will post pics. Also owe pics of my last shark and cod trip…sooooon. Just started getting the hunting itch tonight. It usually takes time to set in. It is a differant itch than fishing but just as itchy. The results of this years doe permit drawings are out and I have one for WMD 21…4 yrs running.

Later.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Cape Cod Bay 09-05-2007 21:01
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Over 70 Degrees
My wife and I recently took a weeks vacation down in Eastham Mass. We rented a small “Cottage” for a week. I brought the boat with me. We went out Monday from Rock Harbor, a small very tidal harbor. The wind was strong out of the North and there was a 3-4′ chop. I fished a little as my wife chummed for me. We called it an early day and headed in. We went out again on Tuesday and it was flat calm. Found large schools of sand eels but caught no fish for some reason even after trolling with down riggers. There were schools everywhere and they were certantly very nervous. On Tuesday we wnet to “P” Town for a whale watch and had a great time. Had whales right up against the boat. We left for home Sat morning. On labor Day my bro-inlaw and I went off shore for sharks and bottom fish. We stopped short of our waypoint by 5 miles and were about 4-5 miles out due to the building seas. I deployed the drift sock to keep us in the right direction and also set out a shark rod with a mackerell and a tuna rod with a squid. The dogfish found us quickly and began eating up our baits so I reeled them up. Next we sent down our cod jigs and produced a small cod of 18″. We also were cathcing dogs along with cod. In all we landed 9 cod between us as large as 23″ just shy of the 24″ limit. They were all nice fat ones. I hadn’t expected to run into them where we were, since we were not at our intended spot but after looking at the chart the bottom was rather lumpy with a 230′ average depth and small humps coming up to 158′. These spots were quickly put into the GPS. After the cod bite droped off along with the dogsfish we put out one shark rod, deep and pulled in a 5-6′ blue shark that went about 75 lbs or so. I will post some pictures soon. Was a great day despite the wheather. Hope to get out again soon.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

OFFSHORE, CASCO BAY 08-12-2007 10:09
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
When I saw that Sat and Today were going to be great boating days I planned an offshore sharking trip For this past Sat. I scrounged two coworkers that wanted to go very badly. The wheather was great! Winds were 5kts SW and died out twoards afternoon and then picked up around 2 or so about 8kts. The seas were 1-2′. We left the launch at 0600. The mouth of Casco Bay (near Egle Island was a bit bumpy until we cleared Halfway Rock and then it was a nice slow swell. I followed a trackline out to Pollock Hub, about 12nm out, 19nm from the launch. It took about 40 min or so. We were the only fishing boat on this spot. Other tuna fisherman could be seen 2-3nm away. We were all eager to put the lines out and wait. About a mile before our destination I put a block of chum in a mesh bag and trolled it behind the boat to get a slick going. The first bait in the water was put out, a short and shallow. While the bait was sinking I felt a tug and quickly picked up the rod and reeled in a dogfish. These would be the only “sharks” we would catch today. every biat fell to these toothy critters. We moved 3 times before heading in around noon. They were so agressive that I had one latched onto the chum bag doing a death roll and ripping the bag open. Talk on the radio indicated that we weren’t the only ones with a dog problem. While out there we saw a few whales as close as 50′ from the boat and tuna all over the place. On the way back we tried for some stripers with no luck except for a few pollock. Hope to do this again a few more times.

All for now.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

BOOTHBAY 08-05-2007 22:22
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Went shark fishing out of Boothbay Harbor this AM. Left at 0935. Headed not to far out, within decent site of land. Passed some tuna fisherman. There were about 6 overall scattered here and there. The wind was up a bit about 10 kts or so with a 1’chop but died out all together with about zero wind and a 1’slow roll. We had a good chum slick going and ended the day with a 2 mile drift. Had the smallest mackerell around the boat all day and I caught a few. They were about 3-4″ long. There were also 50-100lb tuna crashing bait on the surface all around the boat most of the day. We had 5 hours to fish and on the 4th hour when my crew was doubting my abilities and know how on shark fishing the short and shallow rod went off. This was a spankin new set up..Penn Mariner stand up 5’6″ 50lb class with a Penn Sennator 133H spooled with 500+ yds of braided line. Well I let what ever was down there munch the bait, the float popped free and then the beast started taking line. I put the lever to strike and the rod bowed and the drag stopped. Know seconds later everyone on the boat started to hoot and hauler and shout out explatives so as I looked up to see what was going on I saw a 250lb Thresher shark completely jump out of the water. Seconds later I figured out that my braided line had dug itselt into the spool and had jammed. The line parted above my top shot of mono. The Thresher showed itlesf again 100 yards off our Port Beam several more times, most likely tring to clear the 10/0 circle hook with a grn & white hooch, and 10′ of 175lb 49 strand SS Leader and 50 yards of mono top shot. I believe my bimini twist that I used to connect the wind on swivel with was the weak link along with the snarl. I have nver had a knot fail but this may not have been the knot to use for braid. Tomarrow I will be putting on 50lb mono. Even though we didn’t land a shark it was a day no one on the boat will ever forget. It would have been a long fight!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Cumberland 07-29-2007 17:07
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Fished a lake near the house for the first time in almost 3 years. I have fished through the ice every winter and done well on 3-4 lb bass and monster pickerell. My sea duck hunting buddy came over with his canoe and trolling motor and we fished from about 1730 to 1930. We both used “walleye” jigs, with spinners, tiped with worm and had great luck with white bass and a nice 3-4 lb largemouth. Twoards the end I picked up my 4 wt fly rod and tossed a small yellow chug bug. I caught the smallest bass in the pond, about 5 of them.
Today July 29 after a busy Fri and Sat working on the house I took the wife and two dogs to Sebago Lake. We motored away from all the chaos and anchored up. The dogs had a blast. Our new pup Kirby has lost all shyness for the water and taken after his big brother. The water was very warm. Headed in about 1430. I spoke with a fisherman coming in and he reported catching small salmon and some decent lake trout. I did not fish this weekend. My life is being consumed by working on the house. The bigest project (fencing) is almost done. Just need to cement in 21 more 4×4 post and put up the panels. Still plenty of time to fish this summer!

All for now

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Casco Bay 07-21-2007 19:40
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – Over 70 Degrees
This past Thursday I took a coworker out into Casco Bay. Went way out to the edge of the bay to try to fill up the livewell but found no mackerell. Went to plan b and thawed out some frozen mackerell. Put 2 chunk baits out and caught nothing. The olny bait that worked for the day was the good old Storm chartuese Shad. Landed 3 of 5 in our first area. After that I had to unfortunately buy fuel. I usually fill it up at the gas station. Went in and bought a whopping $15. We next headed over to the power plant as I have heard of good luck in this spot. Ran into some small schoolies but they quickly dissapeared despite chuming.
Put 4 fish in the boat. Headed in around 11 due to darkening skies. According to the Trina Lynn (charter boat) Saco is having some good catches of slot and bigger stripers. Hope to get out this coming week.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Mid Coast 07-02-2007 21:37
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Fished out of Boothbay this past Friday AM. Went out to Cuckolds Light to fill up the livewell with Mackerell and managed to do so very quickly. Lots of bait there. Kept finding the pollock in the shallower spots and I finally have faith in my fish finder as it produced, marking large concentrations of bait. I took off the generic “Fish Symbol” and replaced it with the arches. Preference I guess. This particular area is not a sacred spot. One can see many boats out in the morning getting bait here. So we ended up fishing between the light house and another island with live bait and caught zipo. Our baits did get nervous a few times but no takers. I was limited to where I could fish with “Marine Bait”. Until 1 July it is artificial only from Cape Small to Salter Island to Cape Newagen-inland. This is new ground for me fishing wise so It is always fun finding where the fish are holding. Friday evening and Saturday were spent putting a new roof on the house. Words can’t explian how fun roofing is nor can the large scab on my right shin from missing a rung on the ladder not once but twice. It did come out looking “good from afar” Now I just need to finish 200′ of fencing. Can’t wait till winter when the only outside work will be shoveling!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Casco Bay 06-27-2007 16:50
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
After a day of roof work on my garage I went out into Casco Bay via Royal River Launch. We only had a few hours to fish and managed to catch 4 “Tinker” mackerel to go along with our dead bait. Fished around Pound Of Tea Island (the Frecnch bought the island from the Indians for 1lb of tea) along with everyone else. Ended up catching 3 keeper stripers, 2 went into the cooler. We also saw many pirs of eider hens flying about. It was very cool on the water which made it all worth it.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Mid Coast to Southern Me. 06-24-2007 15:10
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
I failed to mention on my earlier reports that I have been seeing many large groups of eiders and “ducklings” close to shore. About 2 hens to 10 chicks.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Casco Bay & kenebeck River 06-22-2007 15:36
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
My head has been spinning with the amount of crap going on between work and working on my house. I have only been out striper fishing twice but at least I have gone. Went out Tues June 12th from the Royal River and headed all the way out of the bay, about a 5 mile run, looking for mackerell to start stocking up on. Went to a usual producing spot and it was dry. So I cruised North twoards Portland passing Well Island and Tower Island (has a bunker on it). I found some nice fishing spots along the way and saw about a hundred eiders all told just sitting on small sandy areas on the islands. They taunted me by flying low and slow right by me. Game on Oct 1st. Did more cruising than fishing. Needed to burn the carbon out of the engine. The boat ran fine and it was a well deserved break from constant stress. Once I got back in the river I fished around some of the islands that had muddy grassy banks but found nothing. The water was real warm at 60 or so. Just before the ramp I spotted some surface action and got the spinning rod out. Nothing connected so I went home. This past Wednesday I tokk some coworkers (that I can stand being around after hours) to fish the Kennebeck. Have never had the boat in the Kennebeck but new of some good spots to try. Fished fairly close to the ramp and BIW and picked up 2 fish out of 5. Small schoolies. One measured out to 18″. It’s a start. Also this past Monday night around 2230 I went down to our boat house and the water was completely full of Tinker Mackerell and squid. I have never seen so many mackerell around the boat house ever. Ended up catching about 12 mackerell and one squid. The macks were brined and frozen for later use this summer. My freezer is filled with squid from last year I hope to use up shark and tuna fishing.

All for now.