Category: Alaska

Posted By:
Irondog
Guest

10-05-2004 00:31
– – –
DITTO ON THE HUNTING AT JIM CREEK , THREE BIRDS ONE DAY FIVE THE NEXT THEN FOUR . I HAVE SEEN THE MAN GANS FLYING I HAVE PASSED ON THEM! GOT FIRST BATCH OF JIM CREEK DUCK SAUSAGE MADE, GOOOOOOOOD! GOOD LUCK HUNTING
IRONDOG

[Edited By Irondog on 2004-10-05 00:33]

Posted By:
skybust
Supporting Member

Jim Greek 10-03-2004 21:12
– – –
meeks00

I hunted just to the north of Swan lake today. got one. Lots of birds but the same old story not enough people to keep the birds moving. Went to Gul lake and drove around lots of birds. the northern birds are in once its starts to get cold and some of the areas freeze up it will be more produtive you can pin point the birds. Saw a huge flock of teal thought they would be gone uy now. Ill hunt next Sat. I leave on Sun to hunt deer with my bow and pheasents in ND. GOOD LUCK CHIRS

[Edited By skybust on 2004-10-03 21:14]

Posted By:
meeks00
WFC Sponsor

Jim Creek Area 10-03-2004 18:34
Cloudy, Occassional Rain Showers – 45-50 Degrees
Hunted Gull Lake today. Got 2 big mallards. Should’ve had a few more (story of my life). They were flying a lot better today. More big groups of mallards…which I assume means we are starting to get birds down from the North. Hopefully the trend continues and we can start getting some big days next week.

Lot of boats out today. 4 or 5 canoes/small boats hunting Mud Lake and probably half a dozen that were back in the Leaf/Swan area. Not a ton of firing in the swamp…but better. Looked like the guys from Swan lake were all coming back with about 2-4 divers each.

Also, the water is really up now. Should be much easier for those of you with outboards to get around the swampy areas and get back in the brush a little.

Good luck to all…

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 09-30-2004 18:45
Cloudy, High Winds – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Wow what a difference a day makes. Did some scouting yesterday after I got off. Ran the rivers and lake and seen very few. Except for the inlet and the good pasture their loaded with mergys, which I can’t wait to get into some of them I am really craving some mergykabobs. Other than that just a few mallards.
Yesterday afternoon we got a real strong wind from the south which for some reason brought in new birds. This morning I ran the lake in the dark and as I turned to go into the cove I hunt I must have jumped 200 mallards, they were so thick I ducked because I couldn’t tell how close they were but they were jumping up right before I got to them.
Needless to say it was a short morning was back home at 10:30 all mallards. 10 bird limit I feel is to many so my personal imit is around 6. Shot 6 greenheads and 1 stinking hen. The drakes are getting some color, one that I shot had a full head and 2 curls very pretty. It’s a shame that today was the only day this week I can hunt.
Meeks I feel for you man my first two years up here I experienced the same thing, those birds raft up and then just sit. alot of the times up here anyways they will get up around 9:30-11:00 and fly again you just need to be were they want to be. and then theres days were the only thing that will get them up is a eagle or boat.
Today I couldn’t have kept them out of my decoys if tried, tomarrow however they might be totally different. Good luck to all.

Posted By:
meeks00
WFC Sponsor

Jim Creek Area 09-29-2004 20:45
– – –
My dad was up all of last week. We hunted 4 days with the following results:
– Monday at Swan: 3 divers
– Tuesday at Gull: Skunked
– Wednesday at Swan: 3 (mallard, pintail, teal)
– Friday at Swan: Skunked

Everybody we talked to out there seemed to be having about the same luck. Pretty frustrating to hunt all day with poor results, then jump up hundreds when driving around in the boat. They just don’t fly… Need more hunters out there to keep the birds moving. I’ve heard everything changes when new birds from the north come in…any truth in that?

Guess I’ll try it again this weekend and see how it goes…

[Edited By meeks00 on 2004-09-29 22:12]

Posted By:
akduse
Guest

Mat Valley 09-29-2004 20:07
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 35-40 Degrees
Pretty slow hunting around here. Was out on Sat/Sun and not alot of shooting or birds flying for that matter.
Hope more guys would post
What is the thoughts on the early weather pattern hopefully the birds are held up someplace still in the state.

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 09-26-2004 13:36
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
Hunted sat morning on the clearwater with the wife, pretty cold and sheet ice over much of the lake.
Picked up 6 mallards ( 1 hen, my mistake)
and 1 widgeon. Not alot of birds seems to be more like the end of Oct then the end of Sept.

Posted By:
Irondog
Guest

Delta 09-25-2004 00:53
– – –
My early inquiry in to the subsistence hunt thing was due to the low bird count early or late season, I was gauging it by the seasons in Delta prior to the subsistence hunt opening so far the goose count appears down, the cranes are still coming in [good hunting last week] keeping in mind the crops and weather may have been factors also.
I have an 25 year experienced opinion on wildfowl hunting in Alaska and am a resident twice has long ,so I am interested in the control the feds and the state has on our hunting, yes ,by our hunting I mean 1 year residents or 50 year residents.
In regards to areas we hunt in Alaska , there is a need for forks to mix it up a little ,in attempt to alleviate some of the hunting pressure in the backyards , I hunt in 5 different areas and 4 of them require travel time ,
My take on the Delta subsistence thing so far has been in talking with the people that live in Delta, they are in fact the ones that were pissed off and got me thinking and researching it, so I think there are two sides to this story. So be it, time to go whack some ducks early morning with the pup.
Irondog

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 09-24-2004 16:14
Cloudy, Accumulating Snow – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
First off yesterday I spent on the T-River in what must have been the storm of the century. Heavy accumulating snow, so after just a couple of hours I thought I better split. The snow was so heavy that by the time I cleaned off the snow from the decoys set I had to start over again. When I got back with the boat to the gravel bar all I could see was the outline of the dekes standing there, everything else was totally covered in snow. The ride down the River wasn’t much fun either has the blinding snow and maybe 200 ft visibility made it very tough to see the sweepers and gravel bars. Oh and no geese. I think it might be time to start hunting ducks:( Been a tough week to get out so not sure about ducks, will be out in the morning.
In response to cranesalltheway, there was absolutely no bashing given. I stated facts from what I heard from LOTS of outsiders this year on how bad the susbsitence hunting has hurt the regular season, and on and on.
I have heard untold number of unplugged guns since I have been up here seen more than my share of questionable convservation practices from Alaskans and heard of many horrific stories of severe waste of birds.
Your right I haven’t been here long, not sure what time has to do with it, but these longtime concerned citizens in Delta wouldn’t know if the birds were here unless they landed in their own backyards.
The week you were here was the best week this year for geese they were all over the place. My point was and still is we have a ton of people come here to hunt, complain about what the subistence hunting has done to the birds when if they did do the scouting they would know when the birds are here and when there not.
Just like when you got back from your hunt here you didn’t do well on geese well they were here in huge #’s and your first thought well it must be the subsistence hunting.
Not sure where I said Delta was my own private paradise because I am pretty sure I would have rather picked about a dozen other places through out the state to hunt then here.
Hope everybody has a safe wknd hunting….

Posted By:
cranealltheway
Guest

Delta 09-23-2004 15:38
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 45-50 Degrees
This is in response about the subsistance hunting and people who don’t live in Delta. First let me say I have lived in Alaska for 27 years and consider this my home. I don’t feel that traveling to another town in the state I live in counts me as a outsider. I don’t know how long you have lived here but it sounds you haven’t been here long. You may have come up in the military as did I. I have over the years spent many days scouting in the field and continue to do this religiously. I have exstensive knowledge of bird movements and where they begin to gather for their migrations. I begin in the North and move down as the birds move. I don’t shoot over my limit and eat my birds regularly as not to go over my possession limit in my home. As for the subsistance issue I was raising questions about this issue and the effect it may have. You used this forum as a bashing room. Delta is not your own personal hunting grounds these hunting areas belong to all of us. Signed Cranealltheway

Posted By:
Taiga
Guest

Minto 09-21-2004 15:08
Cloudy, Occassional Rain Showers – 35-40 Degrees
Wow….I go hunting for a few days and whole subsistence broohaahaa opens up…I’m going back to the flats!!!

Hunting wasn’t to bad this weekend..a large number of the small ponds had frozen up causing the big ducks to move to bigger water. Not many people in the flats though so the birds tended to be rather lethargic and not venture out and about very much. Seems to be more Cans in the area than in the past. Boy are they food eatin!!! Water levels keep falling making the Chatanika and the lakes somewhat challenging!!!

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

09-20-2004 14:59
– – –
Just waiting for those ND spots to open up then I am out of here….
Cools pics man, looks like Bella is very lonely. Looks like she needs something!!!!!!

Yea I am tired of hearing about this subsistence issue it’s getting very old.
The USFWS will do something about it or they wont.

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

09-19-2004 22:24
– – –
Hey why don’t you tell us how you really feel Ric!! hahaha

Your right though. It was bad there sometimes. You had the few that thought they owned the boat ramp, the ones that would try to follow you to your spots, the ones that would show up 20 mins after shooting time and then drive their boat all over the lake just to find that most spots were taken so then they would set up next to someone.

Your also 100% right about the early season. 95% local birds. You are lucky to see a goose after day 3. But once those migrators come down then its heaven baby!!!

The head will go out tomorrow. I think you will like them! Oh and if I was you I would look for a transfer here to ND!! Did you go and check out the pictures??? Good luck guys!!! And Ric if you get too jerky I am going to post up all the secret spots. hahaha

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 09-19-2004 12:33
– – –
Many people are alarmed about this subsistence hunting. It actually started April 2 and I now for a fact people were killing gesse this spring.
I hear alot of people voice concern about this subsistence hunting,and most like yourself are not from the delta area. We get hordes of people here in the Delta area from Fairbanks and Anchorage who thinks this is the waterfowl heaven. That equals lots of hunting pressure and not many birds.
Early season is NEVER any good here as your just hunting local birds and as stated above anybody with a shotgun comes to Delta.
I seen probably close to 500 geese move into the area this past week while goose hunting so the #’s are strong.
Besides most of the locals up here don’t know when the geese come through and when they don’t.
Don’t get me wrong I am totally against the subsistence hunting. And I don’t know you or your motives but I hope it’s for the birds and not for your hunting trip. The reason I am agitated is outsiders come here to hunt, over shoot limits and then complain about subsistence hunting up here when there is as just as good hunting in their own backyard if they would scout it themselves.

Lots of new birds in the area, both geese and cranes, I had over 500 cranes circling above my house yesterday afternoon. At work till wed then back out for more geese…

[Edited By Ric-Seward on 2004-09-19 12:34]

Posted By:
cranealltheway
Guest

Delta 09-17-2004 17:21
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 35-40 Degrees
Hello all bird hunters. I and several of my friends over the coarse of a week hunted in the Delta area for crane and geese. Had great sucess on crane but very few geese. I do wonder if the states decsion to allow subsistance hunting for these birds beginning at the end of July has had an inpact on geese in particular? This program began last year. As I talked with the local people they were concerned that this is having a profound effect on geese populations. I think crane have come out of this OK due to them being very alert bird which makes them difficult to stock. Anyone else have an opinion on this troubling set of events? Stephen cranealltheway

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 09-14-2004 22:54
Cloudy, High Winds – 40-45 Degrees
Hunted mon, heavy winds out of the west that brought rain and snow, woke up this morning to about an inch. Had 1 lone goose come into my spread like its feet were on fire.
Took today off hoping some new birds would come into the area unmolested.
AKDUSE and myself will be hard at them for the next 3 days with hopes of geese dancing in our heads…. Good luck to everyone.

Posted By:
Taiga
Guest

Minto 09-14-2004 15:23
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 40-45 Degrees
Another weekend in Minto…not to many birds…very little pressure other than myself. Heck the moose hunters aren’t even venturing into the flats very far due to weeds in all the big lakes. Ended up with a limit on Sat but the other days were really slow. Typical of the second weekend in season if memory serves me correctly. Did see a few more geese this time though. Had snow on Murphy dome on Monday afternoon.

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 09-12-2004 23:37
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Well off to a real bang bang season, thursday, fri and this morning didn’t fire a shot nor see much for geese. Had one flock on fri morning look at my dekes but showed zero interest.
Once again today it was pretty smokey and not sure what that is doing to the birds. I live on the edge of their flight path and to this date have seen and heard just a few flocks and that was a month ago.
Been talking to guys all over the state and the with the same results..
I am really getting talented however on ways of passing the time in the blind.

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 09-08-2004 23:46
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Got off work this morning and dinked around cleaning the Tannana off my decoys and boat and then had a couple of hours to spare before I had to be at FB practice.
Took the layout boat out to a pond north of my place and picked up a mallard drake, gadwall and a green wing teal. Let three mallard hens go not bad for a little over an hour of hunting in the early afternoon. Heading out tomarrow to see what I can find

Posted By:
tsiwarski
Guest

09-07-2004 17:47
– – –
BE A PART OF A WATERFOWL STUDY

My name is Tom Siwarski and I am currently a graduate student at LSU working on my masters degree in waterfowl biology. I also live and die for waterfowl hunting. I am looking for some help from hunters on my project. My project is basically looking at determining age by differences in tail molt. I am looking at mallards, pintails, gadwalls, lesser scaup, redheads, and ring-necks. I have been absolutely thrilled with the help that I have received by hunters so far. It is awesome to see how many guys are willing to help out in order to contribute to science that will enable us to keep healthy populations of ducks into the future. I don’t know how many guys told me “anything to help the ducks.” Last year hunters saved me approximately 1000 carcasses!!! This kind of willingness to contribute made me proud to say I was a waterfowl hunter. I basically need to look at a lot of duck carcasses that are killed through out the hunting season. I would need intact birds except for the breast meat, they can still be breasted. I just need the internal organs and feathers still intact. I would need the ducks frozen until I have them shipped to me (my budget covers this) or until I can stop by and pick them up. If you are interested in being a part of this project or just want to talk about details of the project or duck hunting drop me an email. If you could include in the email: phone numbers, general area you are located, average number of ducks you kill, type of ducks, and amount of freezer space for birds.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Tom Siwarski

tsiwarski@hotmail.com

Posted By:
Taiga
Guest

Minto 09-21-2004 15:08
Cloudy, Occassional Rain Showers – 35-40 Degrees
Wow….I go hunting for a few days and whole subsistence broohaahaa opens up…I’m going back to the flats!!!

Hunting wasn’t to bad this weekend..a large number of the small ponds had frozen up causing the big ducks to move to bigger water. Not many people in the flats though so the birds tended to be rather lethargic and not venture out and about very much. Seems to be more Cans in the area than in the past. Boy are they food eatin!!! Water levels keep falling making the Chatanika and the lakes somewhat challenging!!!

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

09-20-2004 14:59
– – –
Just waiting for those ND spots to open up then I am out of here….
Cools pics man, looks like Bella is very lonely. Looks like she needs something!!!!!!

Yea I am tired of hearing about this subsistence issue it’s getting very old.
The USFWS will do something about it or they wont.

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

09-19-2004 22:24
– – –
Hey why don’t you tell us how you really feel Ric!! hahaha

Your right though. It was bad there sometimes. You had the few that thought they owned the boat ramp, the ones that would try to follow you to your spots, the ones that would show up 20 mins after shooting time and then drive their boat all over the lake just to find that most spots were taken so then they would set up next to someone.

Your also 100% right about the early season. 95% local birds. You are lucky to see a goose after day 3. But once those migrators come down then its heaven baby!!!

The head will go out tomorrow. I think you will like them! Oh and if I was you I would look for a transfer here to ND!! Did you go and check out the pictures??? Good luck guys!!! And Ric if you get too jerky I am going to post up all the secret spots. hahaha

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 09-19-2004 12:33
– – –
Many people are alarmed about this subsistence hunting. It actually started April 2 and I now for a fact people were killing gesse this spring.
I hear alot of people voice concern about this subsistence hunting,and most like yourself are not from the delta area. We get hordes of people here in the Delta area from Fairbanks and Anchorage who thinks this is the waterfowl heaven. That equals lots of hunting pressure and not many birds.
Early season is NEVER any good here as your just hunting local birds and as stated above anybody with a shotgun comes to Delta.
I seen probably close to 500 geese move into the area this past week while goose hunting so the #’s are strong.
Besides most of the locals up here don’t know when the geese come through and when they don’t.
Don’t get me wrong I am totally against the subsistence hunting. And I don’t know you or your motives but I hope it’s for the birds and not for your hunting trip. The reason I am agitated is outsiders come here to hunt, over shoot limits and then complain about subsistence hunting up here when there is as just as good hunting in their own backyard if they would scout it themselves.

Lots of new birds in the area, both geese and cranes, I had over 500 cranes circling above my house yesterday afternoon. At work till wed then back out for more geese…

[Edited By Ric-Seward on 2004-09-19 12:34]

Posted By:
cranealltheway
Guest

Delta 09-17-2004 17:21
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 35-40 Degrees
Hello all bird hunters. I and several of my friends over the coarse of a week hunted in the Delta area for crane and geese. Had great sucess on crane but very few geese. I do wonder if the states decsion to allow subsistance hunting for these birds beginning at the end of July has had an inpact on geese in particular? This program began last year. As I talked with the local people they were concerned that this is having a profound effect on geese populations. I think crane have come out of this OK due to them being very alert bird which makes them difficult to stock. Anyone else have an opinion on this troubling set of events? Stephen cranealltheway

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 09-14-2004 22:54
Cloudy, High Winds – 40-45 Degrees
Hunted mon, heavy winds out of the west that brought rain and snow, woke up this morning to about an inch. Had 1 lone goose come into my spread like its feet were on fire.
Took today off hoping some new birds would come into the area unmolested.
AKDUSE and myself will be hard at them for the next 3 days with hopes of geese dancing in our heads…. Good luck to everyone.

Posted By:
Taiga
Guest

Minto 09-14-2004 15:23
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 40-45 Degrees
Another weekend in Minto…not to many birds…very little pressure other than myself. Heck the moose hunters aren’t even venturing into the flats very far due to weeds in all the big lakes. Ended up with a limit on Sat but the other days were really slow. Typical of the second weekend in season if memory serves me correctly. Did see a few more geese this time though. Had snow on Murphy dome on Monday afternoon.

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 09-12-2004 23:37
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Well off to a real bang bang season, thursday, fri and this morning didn’t fire a shot nor see much for geese. Had one flock on fri morning look at my dekes but showed zero interest.
Once again today it was pretty smokey and not sure what that is doing to the birds. I live on the edge of their flight path and to this date have seen and heard just a few flocks and that was a month ago.
Been talking to guys all over the state and the with the same results..
I am really getting talented however on ways of passing the time in the blind.

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 09-08-2004 23:46
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Got off work this morning and dinked around cleaning the Tannana off my decoys and boat and then had a couple of hours to spare before I had to be at FB practice.
Took the layout boat out to a pond north of my place and picked up a mallard drake, gadwall and a green wing teal. Let three mallard hens go not bad for a little over an hour of hunting in the early afternoon. Heading out tomarrow to see what I can find

Posted By:
tsiwarski
Guest

09-07-2004 17:47
– – –
BE A PART OF A WATERFOWL STUDY

My name is Tom Siwarski and I am currently a graduate student at LSU working on my masters degree in waterfowl biology. I also live and die for waterfowl hunting. I am looking for some help from hunters on my project. My project is basically looking at determining age by differences in tail molt. I am looking at mallards, pintails, gadwalls, lesser scaup, redheads, and ring-necks. I have been absolutely thrilled with the help that I have received by hunters so far. It is awesome to see how many guys are willing to help out in order to contribute to science that will enable us to keep healthy populations of ducks into the future. I don’t know how many guys told me “anything to help the ducks.” Last year hunters saved me approximately 1000 carcasses!!! This kind of willingness to contribute made me proud to say I was a waterfowl hunter. I basically need to look at a lot of duck carcasses that are killed through out the hunting season. I would need intact birds except for the breast meat, they can still be breasted. I just need the internal organs and feathers still intact. I would need the ducks frozen until I have them shipped to me (my budget covers this) or until I can stop by and pick them up. If you are interested in being a part of this project or just want to talk about details of the project or duck hunting drop me an email. If you could include in the email: phone numbers, general area you are located, average number of ducks you kill, type of ducks, and amount of freezer space for birds.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Tom Siwarski

tsiwarski@hotmail.com

Posted By:
Taiga
Guest

Minto 09-07-2004 14:19
– – –
Well, just back from my hunt in Minto..not to bad but ding dang cold. The water is extremely low and the birds are not congragated at all. Not much in the way of Geese or Cranes to be had..must be at creamers..don’t start me on that one!!! All of the main lakes are weeded up from heck and the Chatanika is very shallow..jet boats help until they reach the weeds. Also the grass is extremely shory and the birds are warry of blinds (imagine that)..I need to start doing situps so I can shoot from my backside!!

IP
Glad your enjoying that neck of the woods. My dad plays in SD every fall…retirement must be wonderful!!

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

09-06-2004 17:08
– – –
IronDog I totally feel for you man, the hunting up here is way down. I have been hearing through the grapevine that this subsitence hunting is coming to an end next year for Delta. I surely hope it does becuase we have strong contingent of folks up here who have zero disregard for any animal whether it has antlers or feathers they will poach them. Sorry to hear about you’re problems at clearwater thats new to me.
The opener is never really good down here, mostly local birds and lots of pressure the best is yet to come.
Once again sorry to hear about your trip, the hunting will pick up. It better anyway I am off for 2 weeks starting wed morning.

Posted By:
Irondog
Guest

DELTA 09-06-2004 14:36
Arctic Blast – –
RIC, NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU. SORRY WE DID NOT GET HOOKED UP. LEFT LAST SUNDAY AND JUST GOT BACK. WE DID NOT GET INTO THE CREEK OR LAKE. WHILE SCOUTING THE LOCATION, WE GOT A LOT OF NEG FEED BACK FROM HOME OWNERS ON THE LAKE. WHAT’S UP WITH THAT? DID NOT PLAN TO SHOOT AROUND THE HOMES! I HUNTED 4 DAYS OUT IN THE PROJECTS, AND I ENDED UP WITH SIX CRANES AND SIX GEESE, TWO CANADIANS AND FOUR SPECKS. WE HUNTED TWO DAYS IN SMOKE AND TEMPS IN MORNING WERE AS LOW AS 23DEG. IT ALSO RAINED TWO DAYS. IMO THE HUNTING WAS POOR. WE SPENT TWO DAYS SCOUTING 0UR LOCATIONS AND IT TOOK A GOOD DAY FOR OUR SET UP. WE SET OUT 15 DOZEN DECOYS, AND THE BIRDS THAT CAME IN TO OUR FIELD WORKED THE DECOYS FAIRLY GOOD. OUR CALLING WORKED GOOD FOR THE CRANES AND GEESE. A LOT OF THE CRANES HOOVERED OVER THE CRANE DECOYS [OUT OF GUN RANGE] AND THEY SEEMED TO BE CALLING THE DECOYS TO JOIN THEM IN FLIGHT. THE BIRD COUNT SEEMS TO BE DOWN. I DID SOME CHECKING WITH GUIDES, SPORTING GOODS STORES, AND MEAT PROCESSING COMPANIES AND GOT PRETTY MUCH THE SAME ANSWER FROM ALL OF THEM WAS “SUBSISTENCE HUNTING” ALL SUMMER LONG! IF I HAVE THE TIME, I MAY WRITE AN ARTICLE ON “THERE KILLING THE BABIES “.
I HAVE GATHERED SOME FACTS BUT NEED MORE TIME PLUS, IT’S TIME TO HUNT! GOOD HUNTING. I MAY COME BACK UP FOR ANOTHER WEEK IF THE HUNTING PICKS UP. IRONDOG

Posted By:
dukmanjack
Gold Sponsor

Jim Lake area 09-06-2004 00:09
– – –
Skybust/Meeks00

Skybust…I might be running around that area on Monday. Have my brother and a friend up so may take them out there for a ride and stop to hunt a little. Sounds like maybe things picking up a bit. Hunted off Knik in some sloughs Friday/Saturday..figured guys at Palmer duck flats would push something there. Found a little slough area looked like flooded timber. Mallards flew up on way in and we sat both days…got 3 each day. Ducks running river but couldn’t shoot them due to current so just tried for the ones that came into the little creek. Pretty slow but had some fun doing it. Be looking elsewhere next week…Wednesday maybe out by the cabin nr swan.

Meeks00…Swan Lake area is like another world from the Mud Lake/Gull Lake area. I should email you a arial photo of the lakes…they are close looking from plane but you wouldn’t know it just running around.
I first hunted at Mud/Gull but like out by Swan better. Now however, it seems there’s better luck at Mud/Gull area..you should venture out that way and take a look….just for the scenery if nothing else…great place both areas…hope they don’t shut that down in future..it would be big loss.
Dale

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

09-05-2004 12:34
– – –
No he hasn’t emailed me, I got your email but my internet was acting wierd yesterday so I couldn’t email you back. I am at work through wed morning send me a email so I can put it in my addy book here.

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

09-05-2004 11:25
– – –
Ric,

Has the Chief e-mailed you? You need to head north where I told you. It would be worth the drive. You mise well get them instead of your brother the pig hunter up there. ha ha ha Is it still smokey? Sent you and e-mail. Let me know if you got it!

Leo

PS

North Dakota ROCKS!!!!!!

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta Area 09-05-2004 00:05
Cloudy, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
Hey sounds like you boys down south are having the same problem we are up here, more hunters then birds. Our local ISP went out of business so ACS picked it up and haven’t been able to post since the first.
Just been getting a spattering of geese and cranes, just a couple a day. Alot of pressure few birds. Most of the boys at clearwater weren’t real pleased with the amount of ducks. Not sure about the ducks since I haven’t hunted any but I know the geese and cranes are more than likely local none of them have much fat on them and I know there are alot of birds up north. Creamers closed off the rear ponds and fields to hunting till the 16th so I don’t think will see alot of fresh birds down till then.
Yesterday the wind was blowing about 30 mph on the T-river and the only two flocks that came in to my blind short stopped me on either side, lots of hunting pressure on the first and second.
I would of liked to got out today with the wind and rain that came in I think some new birds might have blown in but Bomber shut off the alarm clock I guess because I can’t remember it going off so I slept in till 6.
Had a little altercation with some moose hunters on the opener so remember we are sharing the woods with other sportsmen, and for those two I use that term loosely.
Well hope it picks up for everybody and remember to be safe.

Posted By:
meeks00
WFC Sponsor

mud lake 09-04-2004 22:19
Cloudy, Heavy Fog – 50-60 Degrees
Hunted on Mud Lake on Friday. Killed 5. Not great, but had birds moving most of the morning. Sounded like we were shooting more than the guys on Gull lake. We had to leave early (0930)…probably would have got a few more if we could have stayed. This is only my second year up here in AK…is Swan Lake usually the place to be?

Posted By:
skybust
Supporting Member

09-04-2004 19:45
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Duckmanjack I hunted the opening to I agree went today and me my partner got seven but had to work for them sounds like they are doing well on gull lake Ill try on Monday see.

Posted By:
dukmanjack
Gold Sponsor

Jim Creek near Palmer 09-03-2004 01:29
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 60-65 Degrees
Pretty disappointing opener at Jim Creek area. Hunted back near the mountains east of Swan Lake. There were plenty of people out but birds didn’t fly much. Around noon took a circuit around Swan Lake and didn’t see the usual flocks coming up. Did see some in the high grass and thin water areas east of Swan. I think the guys back a Gull and Mud Lake did better although it seemed pretty grim.
Talked to a guy who works at Prudhoe (sp?)and he said the geese were still there.

Was going to stay to the weekend but packed up Thursday…going to look for something new I gess.

Posted By:
Taiga
Guest

08-31-2004 14:37
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Guess your right to take advantage of it…wish I could, but what the heck fairbanks is a little to close to being a city. Have fun with tomorrow morning. I don’t get out till Friday dangnibit!!!

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

08-30-2004 21:03
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Yea it is that subsistence thing, thought since the natives have been slaughtering geese since this spring I should at least participate in the last few days of it.

Posted By:
Taiga
Guest

08-30-2004 17:21
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Ric..well I guess all the sunshine helped someone!!! We don’t open til the first so nothing to report here…how come you guys are open already…one of those subsistence things I assume?

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 08-30-2004 12:37
Cloudy, Rain & Thunderstorms – 45-50 Degrees
Well sat was a miserable day. I stayed out until noon no gesse were moving but I did pick up a sand hill. It rained all morning, the wife was a trooper and didn’t complain at all.
Not alot of geese here, think most are still up north. Friend of mine said he saw thousands of canadas when he was up north hunting and creamers is packed, so in the next couple of weeks they should be heading down.
Iron-Dog, clearwater has good water in it and should provide good hunting. What are you driving? I am in a red/gray chevy blzr 1500 with a sea-ark if you see me come on over and say hi.

Posted By:
skybust
Supporting Member

08-30-2004 11:56
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Lots of ducks down here in the valley, seems to be alot of big ducks. Maybe some of the Norhern birds have already move down because of all the smoke up your way Ric. Well Shannon and I are heading out this afternoon. Hope you have a good opener.

Posted By:
Irondog
Guest

DELTA 08-28-2004 12:25
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HI RIC OUR POSSE IS ON ITS WAY TO YOUR BACK YARD, WE WELL BE THERE FOR NINE DAYS AND RETURN FOR ANOUTHER WEEK, THIS YEAR WE ARE BRINGING ONE OF THE DUCK BOATS, HOWS THE WATER BEEN IN THE CLEAR WATER CREEK? ARE WE GOING TO NEED TO SMOKE OUR BLINDS THIS YEAR!!!!
IRONDOG

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

Delta 08-27-2004 23:18
Cloudy, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Well the first offical hunting report for the 04 season, and it’s about time.
Continued smoky up here and warm.
Was out in the grain fields taking advantage of the fed subsistence hunting.
Heard more than I saw, did flag in two seperate flocks. The first about 6 specks and then about 2 dozen canadas. They both came out of the smoke past me in an adjacent field I flagged them in called lightly had them cupped and then they were off. I should have pulled the trigger on the specks as they were border line 40 yds. As the day wore on the second guessing started. Have a fix for them tomarrow so hope to get a limit, even though there isn’t one.
Are there any waterfowl hunters left in Alaska???? Everybody is awful quiet with only being 4 AND A WAKE UP!!!!!!! Lets go guys lets start hearing something…..

[Edited By Ric-Seward on 2004-08-27 23:19]

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

08-23-2004 16:12
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Thats funny Taiga, the water on this end is the highest I have ever seen it, everything that is glacial feed anyway.

Posted By:
Taiga
Guest

Minto Flats 08-23-2004 16:08
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I was out in the flats this weekend…fair numbers of birds including geese and cranes. The water is very low and all the lakes are extremely weedy. The chatanika river is as low as I have ever seen it and the use of a jet is highly suggested unless you don’t value your lower unit and prop!!!

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

08-21-2004 01:13
– – Over 70 Degrees
Well spent most of the day scouting, with a mixed bag of results. In the Tannana River drainage area seen about 40 ducks, most of them all rafted up together on the lake.
On the T itself seen about 1- 1 half dozen Canadas.
Still very smokey and hot talked to some farmers out in the projects and not real optimistic about what they have been seeing.
About 2 days after the smoke rolled in again (last mon) large #’s of geese were forming up and heading down the Alcan. Because of the abnormal hot and dry summer we have had one farm has all their grain combined and they have had only about 6 geese feeding out there.
Did see a strong flock of cranes over my place but they hold such a predictable pattern I am suprised I haven’t seen them for a couple of weeks. Lets just hope this nasty smoke is just got the birds sitting somewhere waiting for it to lift.
11 and a wake up……..

[Edited By Ric-Seward on 2004-08-21 01:13]

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

08-16-2004 16:07
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More warm weather yes, geese and cranes to be exact……

Posted By:
akduse
Guest

08-15-2004 23:11
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Hey Ric,
What are you seeing? Just more warm weather?

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

08-15-2004 12:14
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Well the birds are here in strong #’s.
Two weeks and the fun can begin..

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

08-10-2004 01:49
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No problem man, we don’t mind sending them teal south, any bird that can’t stick it out past sept up here is considered a cheechako.

Posted By:
CalHunter
Guest

08-09-2004 16:14
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yall gonna send me another banded greenwing teal again this year, am very appreciative for last year’s. good luck

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

08-08-2004 20:37
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Didn’t get back on line the other day but shortly after I posted I heard some cranes and then again in the evening. They were heading south on the delta river. Wont be long…

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

08-06-2004 12:38
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Ric you should start to see some specks coming down. Usually by Aug 15th they would start migrating down. Keep your ears open around 6pm ish. That is when I would start to see them.

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

08-06-2004 12:23
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Hello gentleman, nothing new up here..Haven’t been out on the water in 2 weeks!! Haven’t seen or heard any geese starting to drop down yet. They should start showing up in another 10 days or so. I will let you know. later

Posted By:
skybust
Supporting Member

07-31-2004 23:39
– – –
Ric sounds like a skunk Ha Ha

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

07-24-2004 14:07
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akduse, I am still working sun,mon,tue. I have off a couple of weeks in sept and will see what we can do.
Was out on the water yesterday seen 1 mallard and a Black Scoter, he had the yellow bill but also a white skunk stripe down the center of his back all the way to the tail feathers??? Not positive but I didn’t think the black scoter had a white stripe. Anybody know for sure what I saw.

Posted By:
akduse
Guest

07-22-2004 10:49
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Hey Ric,
What does your work schedule look like for theis fall? Are we going to hook up and have a hunt to remember? Also check to see what that gun dealer can get one of those new camo’d out super X 2 for and let me know
Hope to see you and Tina in the couple of months

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

07-20-2004 01:07
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Was out running the rivers last sat, seen a few birds and a group of hatchlings, probably 5 or 6 boy were they cute. Other than that didn’t see much. The water is very high and I believe you could run a prop anywhere you want in clearwater lake or river. Seen a 20’cabin cruiser with an inboard on clearwater river, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Getting closer…………..

Posted By:
skybust
Supporting Member

07-15-2004 08:53
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Ric I hunted tetlin twice years ago great hunting lots of birds and not much in the way of people. We got back by taking scoty creek.

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

07-12-2004 13:35
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Thanks pork chop, but if there arent any mergies I probably wont wast the gas to drive down there…

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

07-09-2004 22:03
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Ric, I hunted that area a number of times. You won’t find much in the way of mergies there but I got into some good mallards and the occasional migrating flock of honkers. Saw a nice hooded mergie here in ND. I hope I can get into a bunch of them here as we have eaten our last birds. Anyway I can hook you up with some info on the Tetlin area!

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

07-09-2004 14:54
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Thanks sky bust I will let him know. Heading down to the Tetlin NWR today or tomarrow to go check that out, some pretty good waterfowl populations down there so I am thinking of heading down there opening wknd to escape the crowds up here.

Posted By:
skybust
Supporting Member

07-06-2004 13:58
– – –
Ric $4300.00 plus shipping.

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

07-05-2004 12:54
– – –
What are those pro drives going for up here in AK?? I know a miner who had a go devil and is ALWAYS having problems with it and wants to go with somethin else for his operation.

Posted By:
skybust
Supporting Member

07-01-2004 16:08
– – –
Ric ya both shannon and I are planning on coming up he got a pro drive also we are the only dealer in AK. Right now there are only three in the state mine and shannons and we sold one last night.

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

07-01-2004 00:34
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Hey there skybust, everything is going pretty good up here, very smokey. You got a pro drive uh, I have read alot of good things about those. I also am very excited for sept 1. You guys planning on coming up this fall???

Posted By:
skybust
Supporting Member

06-29-2004 19:20
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ha Rick how you been. Cant wait for opening day been running my new Pro Drive motor man its fun and fast.

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

06-29-2004 15:38
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Taiga yea I got the motor fixed and then sold it and bought a new sea ark with a honda four stroke, hopefully no more problems for awhile. Seen a hen mallard Sat night with a good hatch of around 7-8 ducklings and I believe like you that most are still hiding, lots of adults down here though. 64 days and a wake up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted By:
Taiga
Guest

06-28-2004 18:50
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Over 70 Degrees
Well, I was in Minto this weekend and the number of fuzzballs wasn’t that high. Lotsa water though so they are problably in the weeds hiding from the pike. Seemed like lotsa scaup out though. Ric…got your motor fixed?

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

06-22-2004 23:45
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Hello gentleman has anybody seen any little fuzz balls yet. In the last week have spent alot of time on the rivers around Delta and have seen a good number of birds at the usual spots. Other than that very hot here in the interior I hope the fishing is going well for all…

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

05-14-2004 05:38
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Well I hope every one is getting ready, it wont be long and sept 1st will be here. We have alot of waterfowl up here in the Delta area and planty of water for what will hope to be a good breeding season.

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

04-06-2004 23:34
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You kill me. It will be amazing to watch the Alaska goose population go through the roof now that I am not there. The snows were fun. They can be tough but I out smarted a few of them.

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

03-15-2004 23:12
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Wonder Boy, I already sent them to you twice and since you didn’t bother to tell me your account was dead I will send them whenever I get around to it………….

Posted By:
lporcello
Guest

03-14-2004 21:45
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I just figured you would need my knowledge about AK still. I would hate to hear that you are not getting any birds with out me there! Where are those pictures of the geese I shot in TX and CO for you??

Posted By:
Ric-Seward
Guest

03-14-2004 15:55
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Hey Porcello what are you doing on this site, your a NODAK boy now.
AKDUSE I sent you another email…..

Posted By:
akduse
Guest

03-13-2004 23:17
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No I sure didn’t Ric and I was to busy to make it this weekend and also they moved it to Glenallen.
Nice photos on the net.
Hey what is your work schedule I got something that I will need to talk to you about on the phone. Drop me a email
srudolph@gci.net and let me know when it would be a goodtime to give you a call.