Category: Massachusetts

Posted By:
Mike F.
Guest

Catch-up Reports 12-15-2004 17:31
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Well for about a week there I was without a membership to this site, but now I’m up and running again.

2 saturdays ago- Dad and I shot 3 geese and a few mallards, and a pair of blacks in the corn.

Last Saturday- Again dad and I shot 4 geese, all under 15yrds, it was amazing. Over the course of that corn field shoot we also took 5 mallards and one black between us.

Mike

Posted By:
bflather
Guest

Ipswich Ma 12-15-2004 09:57
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 10-20 Degrees – Open Water
So what happened. Where were the ducks?? I got out this morning on a pond in Ipswich ma., It’s pretty big so it had not iced up yet.(Just the edges). I set up in what I thought was the perfect spot (Wind to back and all) and I had seen loads of ducks in this same spot just on Saturday.. But alas I only saw ONLY TWO ducks total!! 🙁 . I’m hoping I was just a day early and the cold snap moved the ducks that were here out, and that the “BIG push” of new birds is en-route as I type.

Any thoughts?? How did folks do on the Marsh on the North Shore??

Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest

Merrimack River 12-13-2004 15:31
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 35-40 Degrees
Hit the marsh this morning expecting a wintery mix and a stiff breeze as the old weather man forcast the previous evening. Just as all the other times this year when the man has said “SNOW” he lied! 🙂 Ended up hunting a mostly sunny day with barely a puff of wind from the S/SW.

Still managed my Black despite the bluebird weather but saw all of 20-25 birds all morning. We definitly need a new push of birds into the area!

Lots of geese around and decent duck numbers. Unfortunately, these ducks seem to be the same ones that were here to open the second half and they have seen enough decoy spreads and heard enough calls to become very wary. Makes for a tough hunt.

Posted By:
Tim-Dulkie
Guest

Mass 12-11-2004 16:41
– – –
Had a great day on the marsh 4 drake mallards one black and a drake pintail!!!
Had a awesome day , partner got mallards as well season looking better!

take look a pic !!!

Thanks Tim

Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest

Merrimack River 12-10-2004 13:08
– – –
Hunted Thursday all morning and managed a goose but had no chances really other than that. It was very calm and the birds just sat and rafted in the river. When I went through with the boat they all jumped up, turned, and went right back where they had been.

Hunted this morning in the mild Nor’easter and took my Black. Had a few birds work but it was so dark it was impossible to tell what they were. One of my partners dropped a drake Mallard but you could NOT tell until the dog was coming up the bank with it! So, rather than get soaked I called it a day at that point.

TONS of Oldsquaw in the river this year. Man they are just everywhere. Still some Scoter around and Eiders are starting to use the river now as well. Had another King Eider sighting this AM. A lone drake, I suspect the same one my friend saw earlier this month, was mixed in with a small raft of Common Eiders near the beach. I seriously contemplated an attempted sneak but with a raging tide and howling NE wind I knew it would be a really hard retrieve for the dog and I am not losing him for a wall hanger even if it is as rare as a King Eider.

Posted By:
CDUNCAN
Guest

plumb island area c 12-09-2004 17:39
Cloudy, High Winds – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
looks as though scott is the only one hunting lately… my last two outings have been hit or miss early… i went on last saturday carried the canoe about half a mile and then paddled to the mouth of the small inlet set up 6 decoys and got my one black for the day, the oldsquaws were buzzing around about a foot off the water but way out of range. had to pack up and leave early due to the tide getting low and didn’t want to get stuck.. then i went on tuesday with the dog to do a little jump shooting i thought that due to the high winds the ducks would be seeking shelter in the small inlets.. boy was i wrong all the ducks seemed to be heading way inland not staying on the marsh… seems that the only ducks to be had are early and quick. around 8:30am all the ducks have gotten were they wanted to go… i can’t wait until it snows and gets real cold,, we need a really good front to come through.. scott glad to see you are having a better time out there… but just getting out has always been the best part and taking ducks is the bonus… cduncan

Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest

Merrimack River 12-08-2004 12:35
Cloudy, High Winds – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Another nasty morning. Got out for a couple hours. Shot a Black and saw a bunch of geese. Seems to be more birds around. Looks like the recent front has moved birds to the coast.

Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest

Merrimack River 12-07-2004 14:28
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
With a good Northeaster this morning( 4″ of snow and 28 degrees at my house )I decided to give it another go. Was very surprised to arrive at the marsh and find it bare with a light rain/sleet mix and 34 degree temps. The NE wind was howling though.

Got set up and shortly after the dekes were out a few birds decoyed and my partner and I took our Blacks. Some birds moved but not a lot. With a good storm brewing and no other hunters out the birds found calm spots and stayed there.

I did however see many flocks of ducks arrive from the North on the strong wind and it was clearly some migrating birds. High big flocks in V’s. I also saw the first Eider flocks of the season in the river.

[Edited By Scott-Haight on 2004-12-07 14:28]

Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest

Newburyport( Merrimack River ) 12-06-2004 13:50
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 10-20 Degrees – Open Water
BRRR! Hit the marshes again this morning for a short 2 hour hunt as the tides were awful. Despite the extreme cold of last night( 18 degrees at my home at 4 AM )I was surprised to have to break ice at the boat launch this morning. Nothing serious mind you, just skim sheets, but it is the first salt ice of the season and it made it finally feel like duck season.

I saw a LOT of birds in my short outing today. Many hundreds of geese and a lot more ducks than I had seen since the season first reopened. Either we have got a push of new birds or the cold locked up some freshwater areas and moved some birds out to the coast. Maybe both? Whatever it was it sure was nice to see some good sized groups of birds.

Ended the day with a Black and a couple Buffies but easily should have shot my 4 bird Mallard limit had nature and the tide not conspired against me. The wind and tide eddy swept my decoys further right than I planned when setting them and they wound up behind a tall stand of grass obscuring my view of them. When the Mallards showed later in the hunt they would come to land but when they were in range they were behind the grass and I couldn’t see to shoot.

With just an hour or so to hunt I didn’t want to waste any of it rearranging decoys so I lived with it. Might not have been the best choice but… Oh well, it made for a memorable, albeit frustrating, hunt.

Had a really unique experience happen on the way back to the launch. Ran “OVER” a feeding flock of Oldsquaw. Not sure who was surprised more, them or me, when they surfaced with me running right through the middle of them? No idea where they came from as they just popped up out of nowhere? Was a HUGE raft easily in the 1500 bird range. I personally have never seen so many ‘Squaws in the area before.

Anyway, lots of Blacks and Mallards this morning and a load of geese. Saw quite a few Buffies plus the first Goldeneye’s of the season.

Posted By:
Mike F.
Guest

Sailsbury Marsh / Private Cornfield 12-05-2004 08:31
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The past week has been really tough. Like Scott said, you can get your black duck, but you may only get one shot all day so….dont miss!! I have been seeing small flocks of green heads, acually saw a flock of about 15 saturday. Starting to see more buffies and even some golden eyes. Still some geese around.

Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest

Merrimack River 12-03-2004 02:54
Cloudy, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
Returned to the marsh again on Thursday. Arrived early and got set up. The few birds that came did so early as I expected with the strong winds. Less than 30 minutes after being set I had my Black and a pair of drake Mallards. Then it shutdown. Still very few birds around. Don’t believe I saw over 75 birds total and probably not over 50.

With the inland swamps and ponds all still open the birds are very scattered. We need some cold weather to freeze inland up and then another push of birds into the area to liven things up. You can still take your bird on the coast up this way but you really need to know what you are doing and know where the birds like to go under the weather you are dealing with.

These last few days have really put my knowledge of the marshes to the test. If you aren’t where the birds want to be no amount of calling nor a good decoy set will swing them.

[Edited By Scott-Haight on 2004-12-03 02:57]

Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest

Merrimack River 11-30-2004 14:27
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Another very S-L-O-W day on the marsh today. Only a few birds worked the marsh again as the tide came in. Most were very wary and decoy and call shy already. Looks like the big concentration of birds that was here last week has moved on now that hunting pressure has resumed. Now we must wait for the next wave to arrive.

Brought 4 birds to bag today between myself and the gentleman hunting with me. 2 Blacks, a Buffie, and a crippled Greenwing Teal we found and dispatched while moving our set to a new location. Saw maybe 50-75 birds total during the 4 hour hunt.

Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest

Merrimack River 11-29-2004 18:18
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 40-45 Degrees
Returned to the marsh today for another go round. Was nothing like Friday and Saturday. The birds have really become wary now that the season is back in full swing.

The day started with much promise as I jumped a lot of birds while heading in to set up. Shortly after setting I decoyed 2 flocks of Blacks and killed my daily 1 bird limit. I then stuck around until after 2PM looking for the Mallards that never came. Hardly any Blacks came as well and those that did for the most part were very decoy and call shy already. Was really slow today. That happens though.

Saw a few Oldsquaw in the river.

Posted By:
krobison
Guest

Westport 11-29-2004 09:28
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Hunted Westport with Buck Flather on friday and saturday. Friday was blustery with the winds down there. We managed our first pintail, what a beautifull bird and very tasty as I discovered last night. Also got a few bufflehead, they wouldn’t stay out of the decoys. Saturday we each got a black right over the decoys and again the buffleheads would not stay out of the decoys.
Looks like warm weather is here this week, we need a good solid freeze to get more birds to the salt marsh. Be safe out there.
Ken Robison.

Posted By:
Mike M.
Guest

Correction on brant limits 11-28-2004 19:18
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I was just reading up on the Masswildlife webpage and came across this months press releases. Apparently there was a mistake on the early versions of the 2004-2005 waterfowl abstract.

Released November 19, 2004

“Brant Limits – With the Brant goose season to start on November 26, waterfowlers need to be aware that the correct limits are 2 in the bag and 4 in possession. This information is on the Migratory Bird Regulations posted in the Hunting area of the MassWildlife website: www.MassWildlife.org. Brant season runs from November 26 to January 22 in the Coastal waterfowl zone only. For more information, contact H Heusmann, 508/792-7270 x122”

Posted By:
Mike F.
Guest

Many Places 11-28-2004 12:26
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Hunted the marsh on the opener, we shot our blacks and that was about it. Later on Thursday we hit up a corn field in the area and shot some mallards and geese.

Friday we shot the corn field in the morning, again more geese, but no mallards. Later in the day I went jump shooting, very surprised to find a few small flocks of teal and, like Scott said, lots of mallards. While I only ended that hunt with a black and a mallard, had I brought the deeks I probably could have limited out on the green heads.

Saturday, shot another corn field, only had one group of 3 geese and a pair of mallards come in, but they all stayed. Later dad and I moved to do some more jump shooting, again shot a mallard and a black, lots of ducks moving around for a blue bird day. Felt kinda woozy so I took a nap after I had my 2 birds waiting for my dad to get his.. You have no Idea how startaling it is to awaken to a 12ga going off. Finally went home around 1pm, and currently have a 102 fever. Guess my body wasn’t ready for 3 long days of wet waders and cold feet after a long month of upland hunting.

Mike

Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest

Merrimack River 11-28-2004 03:31
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Well, I hope folks have been getting out now that the season is in full swing again. I was unable to make the Coastal opener for the first time this year. Ended up having to drive to my Grandmother’s house to bring her and my Aunt and Uncle over for Thanksgiving as their car broke down. Hunting is my life but some things are more important.

So, Friday was my opener. I hunted with Mike M and man did we get into the birds! Was a remarkable day with Blacks and Mallards all over the place. The West wind was howling and really kept the birds up and moving.

Saturday found me back out on the marsh with Mike and his Dad. Very different day. No wind to speak of at all and the birds didn’t move as much. We definitely saw plenty however and had some good shooting.

There seems to be an unusually high number of Mallards around this year. I am really surprised at the number of them this early on the marsh. Usually you don’t see half this many until inland is well frozen up and they move to the coast. Not this year. Plenty of Mallards around to make you want to stay after shooting your Black duck.

A few Buffleheads seen and even a few Teal still around. Also saw a couple Gadwall and a Pintail drake mixed in with a flock of Blacks both days. Wanted him bad buthe never came my way. A few Scoters and Oldsquaw in the river as well. Saw one flock of Geese yesterday and heard some others that were on the water but not a lot.

The ONE thing lacking was hunters. Hardly anyone out hunting. I thought for sure the marsh would be loaded the 1st Saturday but only a small handful of hunters were out.

[Edited By Scott-Haight on 2004-11-28 03:32]

Posted By:
Mike F.
Guest

11-24-2004 18:28
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Just wanted to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving and good luck on the Costal Opener in the morning.

Mike

Posted By:
Mike M.
Guest

Delaney WMA 11-23-2004 11:21
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
I hunted with my Dad this morning. Very, very, few ducks around here. Real bluebird conditions made for slow hunting. In fact, I think today I saw the least amount of ducks I have seen here all season. The morning flight consisted of 9 ducks. 7 mallards and 2 wood ducks. There were some geese around though, and my Dad shot a 13lb goose as it flew over our location. Just in time for the holidays.

That was it for the morning. This will probably be my last hunt here for the season as the coastal season opens in a few days.

Until next time,

Have fun and be safe.

[Edited By Mike M. on 2004-11-23 11:22]

Posted By:
Mike F.
Guest

NE MA Costal 11-22-2004 18:50
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Lots of geese and black ducks around, haven’t seen a whole lot of mallards, any divers? Only a few days left…The anticipation is really getting to me!!

Mike

Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest

Merrimack River 11-21-2004 15:31
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Made my pre-opener scouting trip of the Salisbury, Newburyport, Plum Island area this morning/early afternoon. Found birds just about EVERYWHERE! With the tide way down it limited what I could see from the roads but I did find plenty of birds. Looks good for the opener. Birds seen all Blacks and Mallards. No geese.

Also checked out the river mouth and ocean and found a few flocks of WW Scoter but not a lot of SD’s. Water was really calm however so I didn’t expect it.

Posted By:
Tim-Dulkie
Guest

mass 11-21-2004 12:45
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I posted some pic ohf some recent goose hunts!!

Good luck to all!!

Tim

Posted By:
Dean Smith
Supporting Member

Central Mass, Conn. Valley 11-16-2004 19:45
Cloudy, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
Spent the entire day out in pursuit of waterfowl. Last Friday’s snow brought in no new birds to my areas. Spent the first 4 1/2 hours of the day over decoys. Saw one black, a group of 4 woodies, and a family group of 5 geese, all within the first 1/2 hour. Later floated several large brooks with no luck. Ended the day, last 2 hours of light, over decoys again. Saw 2 small groups of mallard move through the swamp I was in but no luck. Alot of goose movement the last 1/2 hour of light. Saw several groups, and one good sized flock.
Most backwashes on river, as well as small ponds have skim ice on them, and this should of concentrated birds in areas I was in. Just not many birds in the area now. Local birds have pretty much vacated, and only a few migrants have arrived yet.

Posted By:
Mike M.
Guest

Delaney WMA 11-16-2004 05:49
– – Froze Out
I was not able to hunt this morning due to ice out. With just oar power and a light row boat, I did not even attempt to launch. The ice was more than just skim at the ramp. I had to really pound down hard with the oar to break the ice at the ramp. The whole pond was iced over. Already back home before 7 a.m.

[Edited By Mike M. on 2004-11-16 05:50]

Posted By:
kial
Guest

southshore-inland 11-14-2004 22:38
Cloudy, Snow Flurries – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Posting for Saturday 11/12/04

Great day inland. Lots of birds decoying. We baged Blacks, Buffels, and Ring Necks hunting from shooting- 10:30am. No honkers though…

Posted By:
Mike M.
Guest

Delaney WMA 11-13-2004 17:07
Cloudy, Accumulating Snow – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
It was a very interesting morning weatherwise. Started out dark and snowy and later on cleared with blue skies and a brisk breeze. The day started out with snow coming down heavily as I left the house at 4:30 am this morning. It took a long time to get there as the roads were very slippery and I was towing my little boat.

When I arrived this morning, I realized there was no way that my 2 wheel drive truck was going to be able to launch my boat due to the snow covered ramp. I took the boat off the trailer and dragged the boat down to the water in old school fashion. I got my exercise for the day.

Once I finally got out there, there were actually a few birds moving around which is an uncommon occurrence at this location. As you have seen by my posts here, this is a tough place to hunt and not many birds are harvested here. I figured if there were ever going to be ducks at this spot, this morning would be the day and that was the case today.

There was one other party out this morning that came out in a canoe shortly after I was setup. They called at every single duck and goose that flew within a mile radius of the pond and did some sky busting as well shooting at birds flying near the tree line. You’ve also got to love it when birds are working your spread and the joker across the way starts wailing on what I think was supposed to be a hail call, ultimately causing the birds to scoot on out of the area. Makes you wonder why the birds are so spooky here? Oh well, such is the case on public grounds inland.

Now if only I could straighten out my barrel so I could improve my shooting hehe.

Till next time,

Have fun and be safe.

[Edited By Mike M. on 2004-11-13 17:10]

Posted By:
Mike F.
Guest

Cape Cod Bay 11-13-2004 16:35
Cloudy, High Winds – –
Shot sea ducks with a friend and father thursday and friday, not nearly as many scoter close to shore as last week, in total we shot 14 drake eider, 3 hens, and a handful of white wings. We had to stop hunting a few times because we retrieve with a kayak and the waves were building, we had to leave one string of deeks (9) because the thigh high water had built into 8ft with 4ft swells, we came back a few hours later and it had been stolen.. go figure.

I only fell in once this weekend which makes it pretty good. Can’t wait for the second half.

Mike

Posted By:
Baymen Moe
Web Member

Plymouth 11-11-2004 15:22
Cloudy, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
On Wednesday I was out in the deer stand from first light until noon. It was a perfect day for deer hunting, but the deer did’nt think so. I saw absolutely zip. This is unusual for me, I see deer all the time.

So, what was the cure for a bummer deer hunt?
Thankfully Capt Dave Bitters came through with a sea duck invite. I needed action and we got some. This morning we vowed to be sportsmen and take only mature eider drakes. It made for an enjoyable hunt. We could have shot our limit of sea ducks in an hour if we shot at coots, but held for eiders. Lot’s of eiders decoyed well but seem to be becoming a little boat shy already. We probably saw over a thousand birds all told moving in and out of Kingston, Plymouth and Duxbury. The mature eider drakes have come in strong.

The take for the day was just ok. Four mature eider drakes and a drake oldsquaw that I could’nt resist( what a nice looking bird). The sea ducks are abundant and will only grow more abundant.

Bill

Posted By:
kial
Guest

Sunday – South Shore Sea Duck- High Pines Ledge 11-09-2004 22:45
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
This report is for Sunday, November 7

Was not hunting, just glassing from Duxbury beach about 3pm. Saw several small groups of Eider and one huge raft just north west of the red High Pines Ledge can that is closest to shore. This raft was 350 yards off shore. It was 150-175 yards long and 40 yards deep. With a WSW wind the bay was rocking. I was surprised to see so many birds close to shore. Also, saw a lone hen canvas back. I thought that I was seeing things…

I’ll let you all know how tomorrow morning goes. I’m sure it will be cold.

Posted By:
kial
Guest

South Shore – Inland 11-09-2004 22:33
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 40-45 Degrees
This report is for Saturday, November 6.

Sorry so late and Moe I still owe Capt. Dave a report.
Saw lots of birds mostly mallards, a few blacks, and two teal. Our luck was not too good, but the only other guy out, who was in a blind 300 yards from us did well. I watched him bag his limit by 9:30am. Early we had a single come in, a pair, a triple and another single. The first six ducks came in during the first 10 min. of shooting. Unfortionately, I was just paddling back to the blind after picking up my later-to-arrive hunting buddy. Forty minutes later rolled in number 7, who is now in the freezer. The real bummer was that after about an hour the sun had come up and the guy with the dog and the motorized spinning wing decoy lured in 40 birds over two hours. We just could not compete. I set a great stool, had lots of looks, but off to the mojo they went. Mostly the birds refused to respond to the call — hard or soft and I mostly worked it light. The Mallard Hen in the freezer was the only exception.