AK Hunting Report Archive

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

03-13-2004 22:29
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Hey Seward I thought you did not live on this site?? You better not shoot all the mergies. Make sure some make it down to North Dakota!! Should be getting into the snows next weekend!

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

03-12-2004 01:26
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AKDUSE did you get my email?????????

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

03-02-2004 19:18
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akduse, will do

Posted By:
akduse
Guest

02-23-2004 11:17
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Hey Rick,
Drop me a email as I will be up in Delta for a Hockey Tourney in March 12,13,14 and would like to get together with you and Tina.

Posted By:
skybust
Supporting Member

02-21-2004 22:27
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Ha rick good to hear your back. chris.

Posted By:
skybust
Supporting Member

02-21-2004 22:27
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Ha rick good to hear your back. chris.

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

02-16-2004 21:07
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Well glad to hear you got a bison, yea I imagine you earned it.
No way would I ruin a mergy by turning it into a snack stick, those things are to good to hide the taste with spices…

Posted By:
Taiga
Guest

02-16-2004 19:22
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Ric, glad to see you back. Collected my Bison about a month ago. Put in a lot of hours but it was worth it. Delta meat did a great job with it. Also had some duck breasts made into snack stick which turned out awesome. Probably would work with mergy!!!

leo

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

02-16-2004 17:35
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Hello guys, well I’m back in the state. Had a good time but sure missed AK.
My goose hunt in TX was great, I also spent 3 days in CO hunting with my uncle and his friends. The day before I got into Denver they recieved 8 inches of snow. That killed us, there were tons of birds but they all headed to inside the confines of Denver to feed because there was less snow then up by Ft.Collins. Ended up with only 2 birds out of there. Only 6 1/2 months to go YIPPPPPEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

02-04-2004 09:06
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Hey Chris, I’m outside right now. Been TDY down in Texas for the last month. In SODAK right now headed to CO tomarrow for 3 days of goose hunting. Did go goose hunting in Texas and had a great time.
Tina is doing allright and ready for me to get home. Talk to you later

AK Hunting Report Archive

Posted By:
skybust
Supporting Member

01-29-2004 14:34
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Ric whats up hope you and the wife had a good holiday season. Chris

Posted By:
Irondog
Guest

12-19-2003 13:44
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Sky bust we have access to a 45ft fishing boat and then transfer to smaller boats. My 14 Jon boat can set on the back of the deck. My experience has been to use or charter the bigger boats in Dec, I well usually pass on most sea ducks and shoot mallards; we did shoot a pintail last week..
I would like to take this time to say thanks to all the folks that made this a great year of hunting for are group ,thanks to the farmers in Delta and the commercial fishermen in the cook inlet , and fellow hunters who respected are space has we did theirs .Merry Christmas
Iron dog

Posted By:
skybust
Supporting Member

12-18-2003 11:43
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irondog do you use a boat where your hunting? If so is it a oceam type boat. I have a 16ft with a 27 go devil. What type of birds did you get. I took a charter out of Homer a few years back and had a great time. Shot mostly goldeneyes. Have a Merry Christmas, skybust

Posted By:
Irondog
Guest

Kachemak Bay 12-18-2003 10:03
Cloudy, Accumulating Snow – 10-20 Degrees – Open Water
Finished year out in Kachemak Bay , lots of birds , got snow on Sunday [4 in] the tide came in about an hour before shooting time ends and the birds come in like the zeros in evading Pearl Harbor , lots of shooting , had some problems with eagles bothering the dogs on long retrieves seems to get worst every year .
Irondog

Posted By:
lknox
Web Member

stuttgard 12-17-2003 15:37
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 40-45 Degrees
got into town on Sunday and saw a few ducks on the ponds –had a couple of pretty good hunts in the timber and on the way out on Tuesday saw three-maybe four times the ducks we saw coming in—they must be getting there

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

Delta 12-11-2003 23:06
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Still can’t believe it but Ric found us some! I acually got 3 yesterday but one went into a bush area and magically disappeard. Ric I cut the one open today. You will never guess what he was eating.

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 12-11-2003 21:54
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 10-20 Degrees – Open Water
Well trying to finish up this year with a bang. Found a pretty good hole of Mallards last sat at -30, invited Leo down got two yesterday and he said he got another today. The birds aren’t real active, not real talkative either I think there feeding off some nearby fields and just sittiing in the holes during the day. We jumped probably 25-30 yesterday and only a few came back by the time we left at about noon. Going to give it one last shot for the year tomarrow I go back to work on Sun and I believe the season ends tue, been a good year and am looking forward to next year already.
And a big thanks to all of you that took the time to give us reports thanks again for your work. Thats what makes this site so great.

Posted By:
Irondog
Guest

12-06-2003 12:23
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Toxeytsb ;we are still hunting in the Kachamak bay area ., I would highly recommend a guide ,because of sea and weather conditions in December . Plan early in the season, here is the web site for guides for more info; http;/www.state.ak.us/adfg/wildlife/geninfo/hunting/wfguides.pdf, our group is full now, good luck, and maybe we can get hooked up next year.
Iron dog

Posted By:
Taiga
Guest

12-02-2003 15:27
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Another spot would be ChinaPoot Bay in the same area that Iporcello mentioned…there is a lodge there that does sea duck hunts. Another place is kodiak off of a boat charter…try www.tenbears.com.

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

12-01-2003 16:29
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I have hunted seaducks down in Homer. It was Sadie (sp) Cove. It was Nov 15th back in 1996 I believe. Weather was calm, clear, and warm. Birds were not really moving but did manage a bunch. Plenty of Mergansers, Goldeneys, Harlequins and White Wing and Surf Scoters. Not sure what part of the state your in but Valdez would also be a good bet as well. If I had a big enough boat that is where I would be! I am open to invites!!! hahaha

AK Archive

Posted By:
toxeytsb
Guest

12-01-2003 12:53
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Anyone, doing any seaduck hunting. Any advice on where to go, and with who would be appreciated.

thanks

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

11-19-2003 10:54
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Thanks guys! I will probably take you up on the offers. I leave AK on 1 Mar 04. Plan is to drive to Minot. Get settled in and await the spring snow goose migration. Ric may come up next season to ND. If you all plan to come there let me know and you will have a place to rest your head. I think it will probably take a season to figure things out but I figure if I can kill birds here then I should be good to go there. Right now it is easy to get exicited about 100 ducks up here and 1000 geese. Not sure what my pulse will do when I get there. I might need an ambulance to start following me around. Once again I appreciate it guys!!!

Temps are warming a little and we are getting some more snow. 1 – 3 inches is the forecast. Any body have a boat in Valdez or Homer? Would love to get some Seaduck hunting in or something. I just have not had my fill for the season. A guy on base told me that there was a pair of woodducks hanging around FBKS by the Tanana River. After he described them it sounds like a pair of my beloved Mergys!!!! May have to go find them. If Delta warms up I may have to make the drive. The boat is still in the garage all nice and warm. Its ready to go. I think the guy that was buying it has backed out which kind of sucks for me. Well if anyone is getting out good luck!!!!

Posted By:
Taiga
Guest

11-19-2003 02:57
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Yep..pulled the trigger on sunday..animals at 30-50 feet and the gun went clunk…I went f— and off they went. Guess 42 below on the other side of the gerstle created the problem!! My fault too though. I was on animals eevery day last weekend just couldn’t connect..oh well its hunting!!

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

11-19-2003 02:17
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So Taiga hows that been going? starting to see more bison now?

Posted By:
Taiga
Guest

11-18-2003 15:56
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Hec Ric you should have been out chasing those birds last sunday at -40. The bison were out in droves though my gun malfunctiond causing the air to warm up significantly around me due to large quantities being expelled in the form of expletives!!

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

11-16-2003 02:15
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AKDUSE, my class got canceled ( 5 days before I was to leave (on my end)the command put the wrong paper work in, thats what I was told, now I am supposed to go in Jan.
Been wondering how your hunt went down there did you kill some birds?
It’s supposed to be in the 30’s thursday and fri so I hope to get out again on thursday if it does turn out to be nice.
Irondog the fat lady doesn’t sing until Dec 15.

Posted By:
Irondog
Guest

Jim Creek 11-15-2003 19:52
Arctic Blast – Froze Out
Barly got boat launched ,broke ice 500 yards pass sanddunes,turn boat round ,heard
the fat lady singing !

Irondog

Posted By:
skybust
Supporting Member

11-15-2003 11:09
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leo
My brother is station at Minot and loves to hunt. Has lots of private propety get in touch with Ric he has my number. If your interested chris

Posted By:
akduse
Guest

11-14-2003 21:49
Arctic Blast – 0-10 Degrees – Ice
Hey Leo,
no didn’t hunt up towards Minot this time.
I concentrated in and around Jamestown and Lisbon. I grew up in Jamestown so have plenty of areas to hunt around there. But since you are being sent to Whynotminot, we have a farm east of Garrison close to the Garrison Dam and relatives all up and down the river til Bismarck so if you get into a jam post.
Very cold here and Skybust and I might attempt to go out on Sunday.
Will let you all know what partakes

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

11-14-2003 16:09
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AKDUSE,

I have orders to Minot ND this Mar. Did you hunt close to that area?

I know there are still plenty of ducks in Delta but with the low temps it just does not make sense. I have been out there at negative 16 to negative 20 and driving the boat at those temps just isn’t smart. Hopefully it warms up.

State Archive

Posted By:
akduse
Guest

11-13-2003 21:40
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I thought that you took off Ric???
I went down to Skilak last weekend and was to early like a week.
With the temps being what they are I don’t think that we will have a chance for anything.
I did go to ND and had a great time but it sound’s like you and Leo had quite a few good hunts.
will talk later

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

11-13-2003 15:30
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Well did you boys down south have anyluck before the snow came in?
Were probably delayed up here until the temps come up from -40 to 0. Maybe the end is near.

Posted By:
hnt4fun
Guest

Idaho 11-10-2003 13:44
– – 35-40 Degrees
I am surfing from Idaho and saw [mergy]
I was tought that merganser weren’t edible
it sounds like that may be incorrect. What do they taste like.

Will you guys hurry up and get done playing with those northerns and send some our way.
Good Luck, stay safe.

S.W

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

Delta 11-08-2003 22:57
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Hunted Delta Clearwater River on Thurs. Launched at the lake. More boat issues but I was fine once I figured it out. My choke is working backwords. When it is in the motor dies and when it is out it runs fine????????? Anyway got on the river. Saw plenty of ducks. Mallards, goldeneyes, buffle heads, and most importantly my beloved mergy! Did not mind going alone as my aunt lost her battle with lung cancer the day before. Smoking does not pay!!!! But it would have been nice to have some out there helping to move birds. I had 3 single hens and a pair of hens (5 total) mallards come to the decoys and I let them live. Decided to go on a scouting mission. While picking up the decoys Bella perked up and I looked and sure enough a greenhead was coming in. It flared off and my gun was 20yds away anyway. The scouting mission found more birds. When past the state campground to about mile 14. Was getting low on gas so I turned around. Started seening mallards about 12.5 to 13 so I think if I went farter up I would have found even more. Saw tons (the most I have ever seen) mergys up there. Some would not fly. Some flew along the side of the boat. Could have netted them. Not sure where and where not you can shoot up there so I just kept driving. Saw more birds in the air then I did taking off so they may be spooky. No signs of other waterfowlers. Just can not get over that. Anyway will hit it again tomorrow. ALONE again but I have a plan that should work. Temps got up to 43 here today and are about 36 right now. Suppose to get 6 inches of snow but don’t see it happening anytime soon but who knows. I did shot and miss at one huge mergy. It looked like a foot ball with wings. He was fat!!! Tomorrow may be the last day as the temps are suppose to drop to the negative teens. But that has not stopped me in the past. Wish me luck and if your in the FBKS NP or Delta area get out there. Waterfowling is what its all about!!!! Leo

Posted By:
dukmanjack
Gold Sponsor

Jim Creek 11-07-2003 21:08
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 35-40 Degrees
Launched at Mud Lake Thursday, Nov 6. No problem with ice at launch and trailer, but shallow. Have to find hole to get trailer wheels down. Broken ice out to where you catch creek heading south (1/2 inch or less an melting). Shallow water more of a problem than ice. Creek is clear all the way back to Swan Lake area. Also clear down to ponds near mountains but had to walk in due to low water last 100 yards to first pond. Seemed like little more activity with birds then last Saturday. Without people moving them around mallards bunched up and saw flock of 30 or so. Still doesn’t look like a lot of new birds in from north. Morning activity light and slower from then on out. Spent the day there and ended up with 5 mallards, missed several pairs that came by but pass type shots. Sounded like one guy running around Swan Lake. I could hear the ice breaking as he went. I didn’t check out Swan or Leaf. Water south of Leaf along mountain is open. I’ll put a picture on “Landscapes” here showing Mud Lake at launch. You may get idea of ice on water.
dmj

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

11-05-2003 00:09
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I would not be totally discouraged. There are still ducks in the FBKS area (chena river and pile driver slough) and definetly plenty of birds in Delta. Not saying those birds will hit your exact areas but I am sure they are bound to head that way. Ric, myself and 1 other (lurker) will be heading out on Thursday. We may split up to attempt to keep the birds moving as I think most others have called it quits. Doesn’t Skilak Lake hold birds? How about Homer and Soldotna areas?? Good luck and keep pounding them!

Posted By:
DuckDuckShoot
Guest

Anchorage 11-04-2003 19:30
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Unless you know of another area it looks as though the season is close to over around here. I’ve been looking for a few years for a late season location to hunt but have yet to find one. I may try Jim Creek again this weekend. I’ll have to see how heavy the ice is. I havent seen to many ducks winging on the south end of town. It’s been my experience that the majority of the birds leave when the water first starts to freeze. Even if it warms back up the birds have pretty much abandoned there previous haunts.

Posted By:
dukmanjack
Gold Sponsor

Jim Creek 11-02-2003 13:27
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 30-34 Degrees – Ice
Launched Mud Lake and broke about 3/4 inch ice out to where you pick up creek heading toward Swan Lake. Smooth sailing out to Swan Lake. Little patch of ice here and there but no problem. Water lower. Beautiful morning not really cold. Got to place on creek just east of Swan. 4 sets of hunters on creek and back to Leaf. Went further south and set up just before opening out into wide grass area. Some ducks moving around. Not as many as I thot. Seemed to be going into Leaf by creek entrance. Guy between us and there had some shots. Dog scooting around on ice fun to watch. Picked up 2 mallards. Missed one bunch over head we didn’t see. Others came by too high or far out for shot. Slow though.
I’ll put a pix on Landscapes here for yesterday Nov 1 or 2 if it uses the entry date and you can see what I was looking at from 9 to 2pm.
Went out to Leaf to see where the ducks were going. Lake was covered in ice but some little open areas. I cut a big arch heading in deeper water out around toward creek entrance. Water low and cover on shore way back up there so not too good to hide the 16′ boat. Looked like 2 inch thick chunks bobbing up behind the mud motor. Figured I’d pushed my luck enough and caught the back trail out. Went to Mud Lake. Kicked up some nice mallards just before getting there and where moving water hits the open lake and is open area.
I think I would hunt there if I was out today, Sunday. Maybe more birds will come in? Probably easier access from Knik side. Jon boat with merc o/b shuttled out passenger while near Mud Lake launch area. Seemed like it took him 30 minutes to get from creek open back to launch point. Think he was hoping we had plowed path as he asked us where we launched from when I passed him up by Swan. We had stopped short and he had some time making it to launch. He came back though. They are out there Sunday, today I’m sure.
Launch place a little muddy in afternoon. Lite rain started. Great scenery..love it.

dmj

[Edited By dukmanjack on 2003-11-02 16:23]

[Edited By dukmanjack on 2003-11-02 16:27]

Posted By:
DuckDuckShoot
Guest

Anchorage 10-31-2003 20:03
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Anybody hunt Jim Creek or Rabbit Slough this week? How did you do and what were the water conditions? I will try this Saturday and Sunday.

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

10-31-2003 12:45
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Ric sorry for getting testy with you on the phone last night but this is the second week you have interrupted me while I was watching WWE Smackdown. I get all pumped up when it comes on. To calm me down the wife made me some more of the Popcorn Mergy. Basically she cuts the mergy in little bits, soaks them in buttermilk for 30 minutes, rolls in flour with mixed spices and fries them up. Kind of like KFC’s Popcorn Chicken but much much better. What a treat while watching wrestling or football. After I ate that it was like you never called. Yes my girls are still going as little mergies. They are so cute. I even retuned an old mallard call so instead of saying trick or treat they will just blow it. I will still take the feathers as the wife is almost done with those pillows. The weather is crap here in FBKS area. Freezing rain. Will make the drive to Delta tomorrow morning. Hopefully you all saved some mergies. If not I know where those mallards are hanging out. Forgot to tell you that one of those greenheads from last Sat was a 4 curler. Maybe some of the other HARDCORE WATERFOWLERs will be out as there was plenty of ducks last week for everyone. Just need them to be moving around!