Category: Montana

Posted By:
micha
Guest

missori river 12-18-2005 19:44
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 0-10 Degrees – Open Water
hunted the missouri sat. 2 of us got 8 mallards and 2 geese. very cold lots of ice in river This is a place that stays open when everything freezes down stream. public access is about a mile upsteam from where we set up. Have to stay below the high water mark to keep from trespass. hope it warms up this week

HAPPY HUNTING

Posted By:
K-Town
Guest

Kalispell 12-10-2005 19:13
– – –
Had a pretty good shoot on open water today. 5 of us managed 22 mallards (1 band) and a honker and we smacked a couple more on our way back to the truck .Could of had more birds but our shooting was a little shaky. The action was slow but steady, if your willing to hang out a little longer, there is a constent circulation of ducks, its just that they are spread out quite a bit between groups.Most ducks are pretty smart, we did minimal calling wich helped. We mainly shot at singles and pairs, our largest group of ducks was 4. Lets hear some more reports boys!

Posted By:
Bill-Reed
Guest

SW MT-Bitterroot-Metcalf Refuge 12-09-2005 20:04
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 0-10 Degrees – Ice
Haven’t been out for a week, so went to Metcalf. Place is frozen solid. Two places where hot creeks come into the pond were only open for about 10 feet, right next to shore. Only saw 2 birds by 10:00. No reason to go back unless there is a warming trend.

I need to learn to hunt the river!

Posted By:
K-Town
Guest

Kalispell 12-03-2005 16:41
– – 10-20 Degrees – Open Water
Hunted this morning on a spring and only managed 8 mallards with 4 hunters. There was tons of birds before shooting light, but once legal time hit we got a couple groups to come in, then it came to a sudden stop. Talked to a friend who was on the river and he said there was a fair amount of ducks and geese, but way too many hunters and sky busters, wich caused the ducks to scatter and become scitish. Oh well.

Posted By:
K-Town
Guest

Kalispell 12-01-2005 19:18
Cloudy, Snow Flurries – 10-20 Degrees – Open Water
Saw some major goose activity, i.e. migration, while i was hunting after school, saw between 1500 and 2000 honkers comeing in from the north. The first couple groups were high and then they seemed to be getting lower as more flocks arrived with the snow storm right behing them, most looked like they were heading to the lake. Me and a couple friends shot 10 greenheads in about a hour, not to bad. This weekend could be very good.

Posted By:
Rain
Guest

11-28-2005 12:16
– – –
K-town, nice post. Sounds like an awesome hunt…

Posted By:
K-Town
Guest

Kalispell 11-25-2005 19:05
– – –
Finally got time to kill some green, and we let them have it. We found a field with about 2 thousand mallards in a bunch off barley that had been lost in the rain, but it was off limits to hunting. So are only choice was across the road in a dirt field that used to be potatoes (there was nothing on it). This morning we thought it would bust(why would ducks want to land in here). At first light about 100 landed in the barley, so we scared them off.We then turned on the mojos and started to do some loud and aggresive calling. The next group that came was about 200, and once they saw the 2 mojos they poured right into us. From then on, we had hundreds of ducks at a time swarming us, wich made for a quick 5 man limit of 35 mallards, 1 honker, and two bands.

Posted By:
Bill-Reed
Guest

Bitteroot Valley 11-22-2005 15:59
Cloudy, Heavy Fog – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
You know, RainNgn, you are killing me. I live on the East Fork, and I didn’t get my elk. I live by the 7 mile mark, and went up on the hills behind the house. Since it is all private property along the road, I thought I would have the area to myself. Hahahahaha. I saw 5 other hunters. Oh well.

As for duck hunting, today was awsome. My first full limit this season. Fog was VERY thick in the valley, and the birds would just appear on set wings comming into the set. 6 Greenheads and one widgeon (took him early, before I knew how good it would be) The new spinner made all the difference, since there was nothing new about my setup. I don’t like using it, but I gotta say, it sure was great getting 7 birds with 10 shots, including 2 doubles.
Didn’t see many birds, but that was probably the fog. No reason for them to have left the area. 50% of those I saw came into or over the set. I passed on lots of 35+ yard shots, since they weren’t on set wings. Lots of hunters in the area also, but not much shooting I could hear.

Posted By:
phutch30
Guest

Billings,Forsyth 11-22-2005 15:55
– – –
There are thousands and thousands of ducks and geese between Billings and Forsyth. We saw one corn feild that had so many ducks and geese in it we couldnt count them,it was black with birds, and there was a cloud of birds swirling the feild. The further east of billings the more birds we saw. Around Hysham its was crazy,there were ducks and geese flying all day long. I just wish Id brought my shotgun instead of my rifle.

[Edited By phutch30 on 2005-11-22 15:58]

Posted By:
Rain
Guest

11-21-2005 08:57
– – –
No waterfowl hunting for me, went up the Eastfork and helped my Dad and cousing fill their elk tags. It opened up to either sex this last week and they both shot cows Sat. morning first light. Very big bodied girls and 7 1/2 years old each. Neat hunt. So now that everybodys freezers are full I can get back to the ducks. Heading to Billings for the holiday weekend and my buddy says it’s on over there, lots of birds around.
Bill, after thanksgiving I will pm you and we can hook up for a duck hunt. we’re probably going to have to drive an hour and 15 mins from msla but we should be able to get into some crazy green! Happy Thanksgiving boys!

Posted By:
Bill-Reed
Guest

SW Montana 11-19-2005 18:43
Cloudy, Snow Flurries – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
By way of introduction, I was a Field Editor in Southern NV, but moved up here last Dec. Live on the East Fork of the Bitteroot, Sula. Still trying to learn the area (could use some advise!)
Mainly been hunting Lee Metcalf and the Big Hole river. Limited success at each. Big Hole froze up, very little open water, and NO birds to speak of. Maybe different on private property, but where I can get access and where I can see the river, very few if any birds.
Seem to be a lot of birds working Metcalf, and I am averaging 4 mallards per trip, but that is staying all day. Guys with spinners are pulling the birds in like crazy, and while I have quality deeks and decent calling, I can’t compete. Yesterday, I didn’t get a bird till the spinners left, then got my usual 4 greenheads. Course, all the skybusting doesn’t help either. I got my birds with 7 shots, including one cripple sluce.
So, my report is, there are lots of birds working the lower Bitteroot, but I don’t know where they are feeding. Saw a few hundred honkers also, but they are feeding elsewhere also.
Anyone need a partner? I’ll bring the dekes!

Posted By:
Rain
Guest

11-16-2005 17:20
– – –
Killed a 5 point bull this weekend, will post pics. tonite.
My buddy who lives over by billings says the ducks are arring by the numbers

Posted By:
K-Town
Guest

Kalispell 11-15-2005 18:10
– – –
Havent been able to head out and hunt in a week or so (been chaseing the whitetail species), but spotted a plethera of mallards comeing off a fead lot and heading east towards the river while I was doing some chores, probably saw around 300.If the weather continues, the hunting can only continue to get better. This is my favorite time of the year in Montana, the greenheads are arriving daily, and the bucks are gettin all riled up!

Posted By:
fishski1
Guest

SW Montana 11-15-2005 17:44
Cloudy, High Winds – 0-10 Degrees – Open Water
Hunted again this morning, Shot 14 greenheads! and a few geese. These are DEFINATELY new birds, as they are very agreeable to the call, and want some ‘friendly company’ :)) Flocks are in 5s, to 25s, and saw new birds coming in from outer space, So they are on the move!!

Fish!

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

main river – Flathead – Foy\’s Bend 11-14-2005 22:48
Cloudy, Snow Flurries – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
They’re HEEERRREE!!!!!!

I posted the same on Saturday morning, and the post is gone… let me recap.

Scouted Friday evening, with only a pair of goldeneye around. Decided to make a hunt of it, none-the-less, the following morning.

Saturday morning, 28 deg. @ 7 AM Wind picked up and temps dropped in the next half hour. The birds didn’t stop coming in till around 8:30. We limited on green winged teal and a pair of mallards. 2 limits in just under an hour. Poor old Gus was tired and cold. He did a trooper’s job of fetching up and taking direction. I went home and passed out.

Sunday, headed up to Koocanusa to fill my elk tag. Animals are still up high. We didn’t see anything till we got above 4500 feet. The best concentrations were at 5000 feet in the snow. LOTS of cows, bulls were a bit more shy.

Today it snowed really nice this morning. It is sticking BTW. Had a guiding trip for this afternoon, but got some scouting along the river (Flathead). Folks filled their “B” tags in short order. Bucks are still not on the go, but I did find the first scrapes of the year. Geese, ducks and swans were funnelling into the river about 4:30. If you can get out of work early, it could be well worth it to launch the boat and head for some of the unfrozen backwaters along the edge of the main current. There wasn’t a lot of shooting this weekend, so these new birds aren’t very call shy and will come in to your spread.

Have a wonderful week all.

MM

Posted By:
micha
Guest

11-14-2005 19:39
– – –
Have fished the marias a lot never hunted waterfowl there. there are lots of geese on the river by Cascade. not many ducks yet. as soon as pot holes freeze the missouri should be good. Hunted at Benton Lake sat got afew ducks It should be froze today with the cold spell as should freezeout going by freezeout thursday will tell ya if any activity

Posted By:
phutch30
Guest

11-10-2005 14:00
– – –
YEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! Bring on the canadian freeze!

Here you go………………as of 11/10/05

CANADA

From central British Columbia to the northern portions of Quebec it appears that a freeze-up is in store for much of Canada. Though the snowfall potential is limited to scattered areas, the ice out on small to medium sized water bodies will serve to kick the migration through, and out of, Canada back into motion.

Most areas should retain some areas of open water for the next few days, but by early next week it looks as though an ice-out may be in store for large sections of the country. It is prime time in Canada for some last minute hunts. As smaller waters freeze, local waterfowl flocks should begin to merge into staging groups on the remaining open waters and feeding activity on grain fields should intensify.

[Edited By phutch30 on 2005-11-10 14:00]

Posted By:
jay
Guest

11-10-2005 12:48
– – –
Could some Montana hunters PM me and tell me why Montana is such a great state for hunters? I’m trying to figure out where my wife and I want to retire in a few years so some first hand knowledge would be of great help. Sorry for posting a non-field report post.

Posted By:
westside
Guest

11-10-2005 09:25
– – –
What happened to Hart’s post. Do we censor things that we don’t like on this board?

Posted By:
boxfa75
Guest

11-09-2005 16:24
– – –
has anyone ever hunted the marias river, and if so any tips.

will be in great falls this weekend, how has the missouri been hunting if at all by cascade.??

would appreciate any info.

as far as bozeman, people have been shooting the heck out of the mallards on private sloughs (imagine that) they say the birds are here, i think the snow and winds just moved some of the local birds around. will post when back from great falls.

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

flathead valley 11-08-2005 20:16
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 40-45 Degrees
The change of weather is starting to show some minor results. There has been an influx of honkers in the past 24 hours. Not many by any means, but enough to let us know that the major push is still on its way.

Hopefully this cold front will be experienced by Canada prior to its locking us up. I’ll try to post again before the weekend.

Responses to the “non-field report” material posted by others can be found on the “DISCUSSION” page where such items belong.

MM

Posted By:
fishski1
Guest

SW Montana 11-08-2005 15:18
– – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Hunted yesterday, and did well, (shot a limit of greenies, and a goose) But still not the big migration pushing through. Although, I think this weather stirred up the locals a bit, and that is why we are seeing some better numbers.

Looking forward to the big birds coming down. It is just one of the HUNDRED reasons why this is the greatest state for a hunter!!

Fish

Posted By:
phutch30
Guest

11-07-2005 15:18
– – –
I cant say this is a stellar season so far. But I have 86 ducks and 9 geese to my credit. So it is not a bad year. I cant speak for you Micheal, but some areas are always good. Buy a permit for the Salish-Kootini Res and hunt down on the south end of Flathead lake. We always did pretty good there. I like hunting close to home myself but this year to get into the good hunting I have been driving 40 min-1 1/2 hours. I have also almost completly switched to field hunting. You gotta do what it takes to find the birds. Plus with the late migration we have lots of full feathered ducks to look forward to. Come on mature drake pintail!

That being said. What day are you going to hunt Ennis. I might be interestd. I am taking my wife deer and elk hunting Sunday.
If you are going to Ennis lake and dont have a boat hunt the SE shore(BLM land)and walk over to the area where the spring creeks enter the lake and find a spot. If you have a boat go up to the NW corner where meadow cr and spring cr enter the lake and hunt the point that faces N. We usually do good there. There are birds there but not thousands.

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

Flathead Valley 11-06-2005 19:49
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 35-40 Degrees
It can be said that this season is looking as dreary as last season turned out to be. I took a lot of hammering from y’all for my pessimism, so I have tried not to post the obvious. That being, the ducks have no reason to head south (i.e. to Montana). Canada is very wet and temperate at this time. The cold we are experiencing here in the NW part of the state is not being shared by our northern neighbors. Whereas I was scraping my windshield yesterday, a fellow fowler in Sask. said he was comfortable during his field hunt (albeit muddy).

I guess this gives us reason to put down the 12 for the .30

According to FWP folks, the elk harvest is going far better than last year with increased numbers of older bulls being checked in…

Anyone want to hit the Ennis area this weekend, PM me.

MM

Posted By:
K-Town
Guest

Kalispell 11-05-2005 12:26
– – –
Talked to some other hunters in the area, and they are saying some northerns have come down in the recent cold front. Not any big numbers, but enough to get the blood pumping. Also posted some pics in the grip and grin and upland galleries on some of our latest hunts.

K-Town

Posted By:
Rain
Guest

11-03-2005 17:17
– – –
totally concentrating on big game to hell with a duck for now, aint here anyway!

Posted By:
phutch30
Guest

SW MT 11-03-2005 15:18
Cloudy, Snow Flurries – 35-40 Degrees
Well so far this storm doesnt appear to have pushed any significant migrants into SW MT. I just got back in from driving from my office to Ennis then down the Madison River over into the Centennial Vally and back up alone the Red Rock and Beaverhead Rivers. I wasnt impressed with what was around. Ruby Res had about 75 ducks and 20 geese. Ennis Lake had some ducks,geese and coots on it as did a couple of bays on Lima Res, Clark Canyon has a few birds mostly coots and the madison river had a few also. We need a push of birds. I did see 9 elk (one really nice bull)on trucks though so the snow is helping out the elk hunters.

[Edited By phutch30 on 2005-11-03 15:19]

Posted By:
pmccarthy
Guest

northeast montana 11-02-2005 20:05
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – –
No birds up here yet, weather is too warm. I’ve been out scouting and saw only locals. Waiting for some good nasty weather.

Posted By:
westside
Guest

Flathead River near Bigfork 10-31-2005 12:32
– – –
There are definitely birds around, but my estimation is they are mostly local birds. We had large flocks coming off the lake and dropping without hesitation into our decoys. We were on private land that had not been hunted this season though. Two of us shot our limit in less than two hours.

Posted By:
phutch30
Guest

SW MT 10-31-2005 10:10
– – –
A buddy and I hunted Friday afternoon and did pretty good. We shot 6 drake mallards (one banded), a drake pintail 2 widgeon and 3 gads in about 3 hours. Sat morning we went back to the same area and shot 11 drake mallards, a widgeon and 2 gads plus a bonus of 4 geese. The action died about 1030am but we hunted for a few hours more hopeing for more geese but they never showed. We tried it again on Sun but ended up in a fog bank so thick we couldnt see all the decoys in our spread. So we quit at about 10. That afternoon we hunted some grain and alfala fields I have been doing really good on. Myself, the landowner and my fatherinlaw limited with 18 mallards(one banded hen), 2 drake pintails and a really nicely plumed drake gad in less than 2 hours. There were several thousand ducks working the fields. They are roosting on private property and not heading to areas they have historicaly used to roost.On the plus side I saw my first two banded mallards of the year this weekend. On the negative side I didnt shoot either one.

Posted By:
K-Town
Guest

Southern Montana 10-30-2005 21:02
– – –
Hunted down in the southern regions of Montana this weekend an absolutely knocked the livin daylights out of em. Scouted all morning and afternoon Satureday, found a field a rancher suggested (he said the ducks only show up in the evening, so we were crossing our fingers), and had 5 limits of big fat mallards,and a few widgeon and gadwall mixed in and 3 geese, in little over a hour, just before the sun set. At any given time we had 2 to 3 hundred ducks swarming our decoys and trying to land on top of us, saw a good 4 thousand ducks that night. Next morning went to the same field and only got 11 ducks and 2 geese. Picked up and went to a slough and shot 6 more ducks and 4 geese. By the numbers I saw this weekend there are some definite northerns down. If you saw a duck or a small group, there would be a good hundred+ right on their tales, swarms not flocks. Even saw two flocks of snows.

Posted By:
Hart
WFC Sponsor

SW Montana- Saturday / Townsend – Sunday 10-30-2005 15:39
Cloudy, Occassional Rain Showers – 45-50 Degrees
Had a really fun weekend. Seems to be a few more birds moving in with this front. Shot six Teal, one Mallard, and two Honkers yesterday down south. Should have done better on the Mallards but the wind did a 180 on me after I set up and due to a very late start I just stayed put and made the best of it. This morning was a different story. Hunted a spot that never fails me just outside of Townsend and it was a blast. Two Mallards, 4 Gadwalls, and one lonely Teal that buzzed me about four times before meeting her demise. Home in time to have breakfast with my family. It just don’t get any better. Best part of hunting these days is watching my dog Hart. He is in the prime of his life at 4 years old and he is a joy to watch. Looks like the coming weeks weather will bring more birds very soon. Good Bless and Good Hunting, Mark

[Edited By Hart on 2005-10-30 18:33]

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

Flathead Valley 10-27-2005 14:06
Cloudy, Heavy Fog – 40-45 Degrees
With the weather like it is, I might suggest elk or deer for this weekend.

Birds are available for those who wish to drive over to Lake Francis. Trouble is finding brush to hunker down in, as the water’s edge is out about 60 vards from the nearest grass.

I’m going to Oregon for the steelhead (maybe).

Gotta get the action where I can HEH heh heh!

Posted By:
Rain
Guest

10-25-2005 10:38
– – –
Chased Elk Sun & Mon, missed a bull (raghorn) at 200 yards broadside, how, I don’t know. No biggy, lots of elk around and alot of season left. I give up on duck hunting till we get some winter. I did hunt ducks Sat. and managed a few but nothing to write about.

Posted By:
Hart
WFC Sponsor

SW MT 10-24-2005 09:44
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 60-65 Degrees
Man what a wierd year. I hunted on Saturday but it felt more like 4th of July weekend than the third week of duck season. I got up late had breakfast with the wife, drove 150 miles, looked at some property with a realtor, and then decided to go give it a try as I was already down there. I didn’t get set up until about 1pm and it was between 65 & 70 degrees out, with not a breath of wind blowing. I have had to change my hunting location and tactics due to my old stand by spot being pounded all week long. No rest, no ducks. I really didn’t think I was going to get much shooting due to the conditions but I was pleasantly surprised and very happy to be wrong. I managed a limit in a little over 2 hours and the birds just sucked right into the decoys. It was an awesome hunt. My dog made several very long retrieves (he wouldn’t have to do that if I was a better shot) and I got my first all Drake Mallard limit of the year. It’s funny sometimes that the best spots are discovered and the best hunts are had when you least expect it. We are blessed. We could sure use some weather soon to bring down some of those big fat northern greenheads. God Bless and Good Hunting, Mark

Posted By:
Bill-Reed
Guest

Butte Area 10-23-2005 12:33
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
My first post since moving to Sula, MT. Just got back from Sask, Canada, and had a great time. Been hunting locally since then, 3 hunts total. Not a lot of birds yet, seem to be wary locals. Still trying to learn about the various areas. Hunted around Stevensville, Wisdom, and Butte (yesterday). Got a few birds at each spot, but they are few and far between. My visit to Lee Metcaff taught me I didn’t leave all the skybusters in NV, but at least in this state you can find places to avoid them. Will post more when the birds start to arrive.

Posted By:
Rain
Guest

10-21-2005 14:17
– – –
Knock em dead boys, Elk, Deer, Ducks, whatever you chase this weekend good luck.
I scouted and found a good wad of mallards with some (15) pintail mixed in so I’ll try them Sat. am and off to chase elk Sunday. Have a great weekend.

Posted By:
K-Town
Guest

Kalispell 10-17-2005 20:02
– – –
This weekend was very slow in the valley. didnt see many ducks at all, and not alot of geese. 2 hunts we bagged a goose and a couple teal.I’m not to worried though, the ducks will start arriving in a couple weeks, and the action will pick up. Me and some friends will be heading over to the east side the next two weekends in chase of ducks. Anybody with info on the Big Timber area, send me a P.M.

K-Town

Posted By:
boxfa75
Guest

central alberta, bozeman 10-17-2005 16:00
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
so everyone knows, the birds havent come to montana yet. they are still in canada. they (snow geese, mallards, specks, canadian, teal are still there, en force) are just arriving, (non local birds) now around edmonton. so that is a six hour drive north of the border approx. yes there are a few snow geese one hour north of the border, but hardly any. we havent seen anything yet. the birda are about three weeks behind normal schedule in canada, you could always expect to have some snows and specks (indicators of major movement) halfway through september coming to feed in the peas and other grain. it has been very warm, very and it has rained almost every day with the exception of this week, for the last month. the farmer are just now knocking down and harvesting wheat. the birds come to eat and when not harvested (fields) they dont come in numbers. somehow they know because the farmers started picking everything up and the geese started coming in number (of course the day i left) anyhow itll be awhile, thank god i have breathable waders its hot.

Posted By:
Hart
WFC Sponsor

SW MT 10-16-2005 21:39
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
I had a very good hunt on Saturday. Started to see some signs of a few new birds moving into the area. Saw two flights of Golden Eyes and I had several groups of Blue Wing Teal in the decoys. The Widgeon have thinned out a bit but there is still a ton of Gadwalls. Saw and shot a few more Mallards this trip as well. I managed 3 Drake Mallards, 4 Gadwalls, and a sunburn. Posted the pic in Grip & Grin. God Bless and Good Hunting, Mark

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

Northern Montana 10-15-2005 15:17
Cloudy, High Winds – 50-60 Degrees
This past week I had the opportunity to hunt my way across the northern portion of our great state. For those who didn’t come along – see the report included in my invitation on our Mt Discussion Board.

Most of all, we are still shooting locally grown birds. Teal are still around in good numbers. The rain from last weekend did push a good amount of birds out. The newer flights have been limiting their exposure to smaller potholes. This was rextremely evident north of Westby, Mt.

The upland numbers have rebounded from last year’s poor showing.

Being the beginning of the season, we can only hope for a better late season. Geese have yet to make a showing in their traditionally strong numbers in all areas.

Flathead Valley seems to be scant in duck and goose numbers compared to the rest of the state.

Posted By:
K-Town
Guest

East side 10-12-2005 20:45
– – –
Just returned from a pheasant hunting trip on the eastside. We saw and shot a ton of birds, and had a awesome time. Most ponds over there had good amounts of ducks in them, but not a ton of mallards. Will be headed to one of our early season honey holes on Saturday, my friend saw alot of mallards heading in there in good numbers. Will post how we did.

Posted By:
Rain
Guest

10-12-2005 09:14
– – –
I hunted around Billings this past weekend and shot nothing but woodys. I saw just several hundred mallards but they were not interested in us at all, we were on a river maybe they were using potholes, who knows. Did shoot the sh-t out of pheasant though, great year for them I think.

Posted By:
phutch30
Guest

SE MT 10-11-2005 09:31
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 35-40 Degrees
If you are heading to eastern MT, bring along your shotgun and lots of steel shot. We had a great two days of duck and goose hunting near Forsyth. All the potholes are full of water and most have ducks and geese on them. 3 of us shot limits of both on Sat and Sun. Ducks on the water and geese in the fields.The antelope hunting is great also. Lots and lots of goats.We all shot decent (13″)antelope on Monday. You might also want to bring your bow and go to coalstrip and try some archery hunting on the PPL property. We had alot of fun chasing mule deer. My buddy shot a nice one but I just was never quite close enough.

[Edited By phutch30 on 2005-10-11 09:33]

Posted By:
Hart
WFC Sponsor

SW Montana 10-09-2005 21:17
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 45-50 Degrees
It’s been a wierd start to the season. I hunted both days this weekend but I’m still having a difficult time finding a Mallard. Last weekend we shot limits both days but the Mallards were few and far between. This weekend was the same story as I shot two Mallards, 4 Grays , and a Widgeon yesterday and 4 Widgeon, 2 Teal, and a Gray today. Yesterday it rained the entire day. There wasn’t 5 minutes all day that I didn’t have birds in the decoys. I shot the only two Mallards I saw. Today was foggy to start and then sunny with little wind. Not the best conditions for waterfowl hunting but I managed a limit before noon and I saw one Mallard that showed little interest in the spread. All the birds where I hunt are early migrants and I see little evidence of any push of birds from the north yet. I posted some pics from this weekends hunt in the grip & grin and the huntin dog section. God speed and good hunting to all. Mark

Posted By:
phutch30
Guest

SW MT 10-06-2005 10:54
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 10-20 Degrees – Open Water
There has definitely been a push of birds with the recent front that moved through. The bird numbers in the Beaverhead and Centennial Valley have taken a jump. Thanks to a phone call last night, I made quick change of plans for this mornings hunt. I am sure glad I did. There was a cloud of birds coming out of and into the grain fields this morning. I had my limit within an hour and that was with trying to make it last. The mallards all showed up prior to legal and after I was limited. I still managed a nice double on two drakes that dumped into the dekes. The other 5 were all widgeon. I can’t remember ever seeing so many widgeon at one time. It was awesome. It was also really, really cold (18-20 degrees). I am glad for mooses sake that the water was only 6 inches deep and most of the birds fell on dry land.Better get out there. We only have another 3 months left.

[Edited By phutch30 on 2005-10-06 10:57]

Posted By:
phutch30
Guest

SW MT 10-05-2005 16:34
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
Just drove by the lake and it looks like some birds have moved in with the recent weather that came through over the last couple of days. It also looks like the lake came up some more. Gotta love those layout blinds. Looks good for tomorrow morning. I cant wait.

[Edited By phutch30 on 2005-10-05 16:36]

Posted By:
CanvasbackHNTR
WFC Sponsor

Reply 10-05-2005 15:55
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 45-50 Degrees
rainNgrn,

As a canvasback hunter I am dismayed to see you break the law and then brag about it. The limit on canvasbacks in Montana is one per day, not two as you indicated you shot, so either you are lying or breaking the lay. Hopefully a warden will catch up with you.

Posted By:
MTDucker
Guest

I-90 10-05-2005 10:55
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
Missed opening weekend again, unfortunately. Glad to hear some of you did so well. I was driving back to Hamilton from Tampa, FL. Saw some family groups of Canadas in southern Illinois and some more near the Little Bighorn River on Friday. Nothing the rest of the way home.

I definately don’t recommend hunting the I-90 this year. :>))

>> Jan << Posted By: K-Town Guest Kalispell 10-03-2005 18:54 - - - Right now is about 42 degrees with a stiff north wind, and a wind chill near 30. There's a fresh pile of snow in the mountains, and a chance of snow tonight. Things are looking good.

Posted By:
Rain
Guest

10-03-2005 15:47
– – –
Went out the opener (sat) killed 5 ducks. 2-were Drake Canvas Backs, that was cool. Others were junk, shoveler, gadwall ets.
Then made the mistake of going againg Sunday and killed one duck, nasty morning to say the least. COME ON COLD FRONTS!!!! I cant wait for the mallards.

Posted By:
phutch30
Guest

SW Montana 10-03-2005 14:11
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 45-50 Degrees
I went out again this morning to a slightly different area of the lake. There were far fewer birds flying than the previous two days. I did managed to bag 3 widgeon, 3 gadwall and the only drake mallard I saw in 1 ½ hours. I passed on a couple of easy 25 yard geese as I don’t think my pup is ready for them yet. I also resisted shooting teal this morning. There were 8-10 flocks of greenwings that worked the decoys quite nicely. However, most of the birds that were flying were heading south in big groups, way up high, and had no interest in my spread. The way they were flying gave me the impression they were heading for greener pastures. Lucky for me there were still a few low flyers that checked my spread. Other than the widgeon, all the other ducks came as singles. The widgeon came in three 10-15 bird flocks.
I got a report of excellent hunting on the Big Hole near wisdom over the weekend. A preseason drive I took during archery season along this stretch of river showed lots of promise with good numbers of birds, mostly mallards. I also received two different reports of excellent hunting in the Centennial Valley near the Red Rock refuge. Both Lower Lake and Lima Reservoir produced bag limits that included mallards, teal, widgeon, gads, bluebills and a couple of canvasbacks. Word is Hebgen Lake over by West Yellowstone was pretty good shooting on Sat and Sun for mallards, teal and widgeon.
I am looking forward to some nasty weather up north to push down some naive flight birds. Till then I will continue shooting what locals are still around.

Shoot straight.

[Edited By phutch30 on 2005-10-03 14:14]

Posted By:
phutch30
Guest

SW MT 10-02-2005 20:11
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 45-50 Degrees
Hart and I went out for another go round this morning. It started out bad, with us getting Marks truck stuck while launching the boat (sorry Mark). We finally managed to get our layouts set up and the dekes out by about 7:45. Turned out being late was no big deal. We had steady flights of widgeon, teal, pintails and gadwalls during the 2 hours or so it took to shoot our limits. We ended up with 12 widgeon, 1 gad, and 1 greenwing teal (I shot it for the dog….honest) by 10. There was a definite lack of mallards today and the geese were noticeably less apparent. There was a lot less wind this morning which likely allowed alot of the birds to flock up out on the lake, where they no doubt were pondering why everyone was shooting at them or something to that effect. It was still fun for the dogs and us even though the drake mallards were missing from the bag.
Good Hunting

Posted By:
K-Town
Guest

Kalispell 10-02-2005 13:35
Cloudy, Occassional Rain Showers – 40-45 Degrees
Went out on my first duck hunt of the year today.With all the recent rain we had the last tow days,the river was running at least 1 foot higher then it was last week when we built our blinds, it was very muddy, and our blind was surrounded by water on all sides. Morning started off very slow, but picked up around 8:00. 3 of us shot 5 mallards, 1 wigeon, 1 pintail,and a goose, could of had more but shooting was a little rusty. Also alot of mature fat greenheads flying around, made picking them out very easy.

Posted By:
Hart
WFC Sponsor

Dillon 10-01-2005 19:07
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
Good start to the season. PHutch and I enjoyed a good shoot this am. We were done with two limits by about 11am. 6 Mallards, 3 Widgeon, 4 Gadwall, a beautiful little Greenwing Teal drake, and 2 Honkers were the first victums of the 2005/2006 season.. Today was a the first day of waterfowl hunting for Pauls new pup Moose. He performed very well as he is only 9 months old. Hart (my dog) had a veryy difficult time watching Moose on a retrieve. Hart’s used to being the only dog in the blind. He wailed like I was torchering him as he watched Moose swim out to retrieve Paul’s birds. He did better by the end of the hunt but sharing is going to take some getting used to. Hope everyone had a great time today. We sure as heck did.

Posted By:
K-Town
Guest

09-30-2005 17:45
– – –
T minus 14 hours,20 minutes.

Posted By:
Rain
Guest

09-29-2005 17:34
– – –
Drove up to the Flathead river this am (dixon to Plains area) and didn’t see but two ducks. Called my guy in Ronan and he said he has about 10 ducks working his pond, guess I know where I’ll be Saturday. I hope this year is better than last because it was not to good. Not excited at all about opener but gotta be there. Good luck to everyone.

Posted By:
ctimmons
Guest

hour east of missoula 09-29-2005 15:36
– – –
Went and did a little scouting about an hour east of missoula yesterday. Looked at a litte slough, and it wasn’t very promising. Lots of coots, but not much else. a few gads and teal. I’ll probably give a try anyway on Sat.

[Edited By ctimmons on 2005-09-29 15:37]

Posted By:
phutch30
Guest

SW Montana 09-28-2005 09:40
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
It’s looking like mostly local birds for opening day with about the same number of birds as last year. We have had very little in the way of recent flight birds. We did get a little push over the weekend with a weather system that came through. Some Gads, teal, redheads and a few decent flocks of cans showed up on some of the area waters. Hebgen Lake has good numbers of birds as it always does. The Centennial Valley has a ton of birds with a wide range of species. Both Lima Reservoir and lower Red Rock Lake are looking good. Clark Canyon reservoir is filling fast and currently is holding around 10,000 coots with 3-500 ducks of various species and some 200 geese. The Ennis area has lots of geese that are traveling from Ennis Lake to areas throughout the valley. There are also decent numbers of ducks on the lake along with a bunch of coots. Harrison Lake north of Ennis is about the same. All in all it’s looking pretty good for the opener. So get out there and enjoy it

Posted By:
Hart
WFC Sponsor

Helena Valley 09-23-2005 16:21
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 45-50 Degrees
Lots of new birds in the valley. Spent my lunch hour checking a few likely spots. The majority of the birds in the valley are Gads, GW Teal, & a few BW Teal. There’s a few reseident Mallards & Canandas around as well. There’s been a couple hundred Canadas working the harvested grain over the last few week. Looks like the kids will have a good time tomorrow. I wish I still had young ones so I could be out there tomorrow. Good hunting to all in the season to come, Mark

Posted By:
Kirk-Gately
Field Editor

Benchmark 09-21-2005 20:02
– – –
Plenty of ducks and geese in all the ponds between Augusta and Benchmark. Even spotted a few Sandhill Cranes

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

kalispell – general 09-20-2005 12:00
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
The initial push of teal through the area has come to an end. Not to worry, there wil be more. In their place, pintails have begun to arrive, as I have received multiple reports of single sightings to flocks.

This weather needs to make up it’s mind. With the regularity of the precipitation, some grain crops still remain standing, with 94% having already been harvested (percentage was given on the morning ag report).

Canadas have been moving into the valley in late night numbers (I heard them coming in at 12:30am the other night).

This season is looking to be far better than the disappointment we had last year. Combine local numbers with the poor conditions in central Ab, and we might bee seeing an early flight for some part of the first half of the season.

Thanks again
MM

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

western Montana 09-10-2005 17:48
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 50-60 Degrees
Misery, the death of summer. I remember all too well the end of summer and the school days that followed.

Today is the type of day you flock the heads on your goose decoys, patch holes in the waders and such indoor stuff.

COLD – WET – RAINY
The three words that encomass the past 30 hours. The front worked its way in while we were assembling the new blind. The rain has not stopped. Hopefully there will be a dry-out time this next week so we can get the barley up. (yep, the “certain person” leasing the fields has yet to pick up the crop. Just like last year, but without my addition of adjectives;) )

Review of the Region 6 bird report shows good numbers across the northeast end of the state for gamebirds and waterfowl.

Pining my time to Oct.1…

MM

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

creston 09-08-2005 22:24
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – Over 70 Degrees
Sherbert clouds swirled across the punchbowl sky.
The falling mercury of a Montana evening.
A quarter moon dancing it’s marionetted choreography as if in trance by the failing sun.

The shadowed darkness of the misty slough, loud with the high pitched conversation of blue-winged hens interrupted by the squeal of momma woodie.

41 minutes worth of birds pirouetted out of the punch bowl, into the slough. The glint of a pair of mallards in my headlights prompted me to shut down the truck and take this all in.

The dogs thought I was nuts. They were weary from their workout and wanted to get home.
-It was worth the wait!

They’re here!!!!
Only 3 weeks to go!

Posted By:
Final Flight
WFC Sponsor

08-30-2005 14:06
– – –
Im from Nebraska, and may be moving up to Montana around the Big Sky area and I was wondering if you kill many birds up there and if there is any public property or how easy it would be for me to hunt with some one.

Thanks
Aaron

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

kalispell – general 08-30-2005 00:21
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Monitored the sloughs with a buzzbait from Thursday to yesterday. The teal have begun their insurgency. Yesterday evening, there was a notable increase in the number of teal coming into the slough to roost.

Yep, I got the itch!

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

kalispell – general 08-22-2005 22:35
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – Over 70 Degrees
Well, if you don’t have the bug just yet…
check your pulse!

The temperature and the moving flocks are a definite sign that something’s about to happen. Hopefully this year will be better than last.

The deer are beginning to take on that gray/brown hue rather than the rusty brown summer coat. The families of new birds have joined to larger flocks that are becomming common in the cut wheat fields. All the while, my two hunting partners were able to spook a clutch of wood ducks still unable to fly.

With next week being the opener for grouse, ducks are only a few weeks away.

MM

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

kalispell – general 08-16-2005 00:09
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – Over 70 Degrees
longer cooler nights and cut wheat fields have geese in the flocking mood.

The past weekend had the birds moving in groups of multi family units. Today it was very apparent that these flocks are becoming dominant in the gosling train of thought. They move en-masse from field to water and so forth.

Time to get that gun warmed up on some clays. Don’t forget to put some cope thru the calls to be sure they aren’t in need of a tuning. And for goodness sake, it’s time to get serious with the retriever training, be it dog or wife. They need to brush up as well (This is meant as humor, sorry for those ill tempered and without a sense of humor).

MM

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

Kalispell – Roseauers 07-28-2005 13:45
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Saw the first flight of “local” (I imagine) bluewings last night. They were stretching their wings over the Roseauers parking lot.

IT’S COMING TOO SOON! The season… it’s almost here!

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

flathead valley 07-25-2005 23:06
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Over 70 Degrees
Today saw the first field of winter wheat cut in the valley (that I know of). It took all of a few hours before the geese settled in.

We’re getting close folks. Time to fondle the “Macks Prairie Wings” catalogue with anticipation and get those rounds of sporting clays in. Dove season is REALLY close

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

lower valley – kalispell 07-19-2005 15:09
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
This Saturday marked the first flight of young geese to pass over the house. The early morning honks had me up at the window. This IS going to be an early season the way it looks now. For the most part, all the yearlings are in full adult dress. Ducks are hiding in phase molt. Coots are everywhere!

Witht the daily sweltering heat, fishing has gone to the regular summer hours – early morning and late evening. The record setting June rains have set up a nice flow of water in the rivers. All lakes are improving and upper drainage impoundments are full. This should be a good season from all indications.

Waterfowl are not the only critters doing well with the improved conditions. Anyone spending more than a brief time at the local boat launch can tell you the mosquitos are having their day as well. Remember to protect your loved ones (the 4 legged ones). These pests can carry a host of diseases that can run you a fortune if they are not taken care of. Montana is now hosting heartworm. Check with your local vetrinarian for tests and innoculations. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure in this case!

MM

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

NW Montana 06-22-2005 16:18
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Summer has come on in a big way, literally overnight. The past 3 weeks have held cool moist conditions with an unending rain. The ponds are almost full and the Flathead river is running at it’s highest since I’ve been in the area.

Geese that hatched in March and April are fully fledged. They are just slightly smaller than the adults. Wood duck populations have actually been noted to be on the increase, however with the increased pond depth the predation by pike is on the increase (yes, they DO eat baby ducks!).

PLEASE POST YOUR QUERIES IN THE APPROPRIATE FORUM!

THIS IS FOR FIELD REPORTS ONLY.

I can also be contacted by phone (see my profile for number). I will answer all questions in the Montana forum.

Posted By:
Charlie Smith
Supporting Member

06-21-2005 17:02
– – –
Hi guys :

I am a Georgian who is contemplating moving to your fine state..any info on the quality of duck hunting wil be appreciated…pm me if you want. Thanks.

Posted By:
thadp
Web Member

Butte/Anaconda 06-03-2005 11:52
– – –
Are the lakes starting to warm up? Is the insect hatch early or late this year?

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

flathead valley 04-27-2005 17:10
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
The first of the year have hatched.

Seems like the season is progressing like the weather – way ahead of the clock. The fist goslings of the year were out and swimming around yesterday soaking up the sun.

The river has revived itself to more typical spring levels. Lets hope the nests don’t swamp out.

MM

Posted By:
thadp
Web Member

04-22-2005 12:09
– – –
It looked like everything was getting started then the weather turned. Did the Snow storm do any damage or is the breeding season on track?

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

lower Flathead Valley 04-04-2005 00:04
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 50-60 Degrees
The past few days held promise of moisture, however the little we got today seems to have been about it.

BONE DRY!!

Geese have set up shop along the sloughs. I have counted 6 active nests in the past 3 days. Ducks have yet to settle down, but by their paired off activities, I would suspect eggs should be showing up any time now.

I managed to get 2 mallard structures and one wood duck nest completed and installed. (tough to do as a one man army). But these are beaver-proofed metal post bomb-proof structures.

Now’s a good time to keep clear of the nesting areas as we don’t want to disturb the momma and make her presence any more known to the predators.

BTW, kill a varmint, increase the fall flight!

MM

Posted By:
Leakydecoy
Guest

Lake Helena 03-29-2005 23:42
– – –
The redheads showed up in full force on Monday along with a bunch more cans and ‘bills.

Posted By:
Leakydecoy
Guest

Lake Helena 03-27-2005 13:03
– – –
Pintails remain the predominant puddler at the lake these days. Still a handful of snows and swans lingering on, and several small flocks of cans in full breeding plumage. The only species notably lacking to date are redheads and BW teal.

Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor

Kalispell 03-17-2005 19:36
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 35-40 Degrees
First snow here since January. It feels a little more like spring now.

The pintail excursion lasted all of 3 days. It was a wonderful sight. The ponds have been restocked with incoming wigeon and more mallards.

The teal have been putting up some nice acrobatic shows as well.

Canadas have already nested up. I have seen 2 pair sitting in nests. I did not wish to bother them to check for eggs, but one is in a 40’ tree. It was used 2 years ago by eagles. Just hope the babies can make the fall.

Spring tip #1) follow LD’s advice and get yourself out to take some pictures. Now is also a good time to introduce yourself to that certain landowner. Ask permission to set up and do photography. This can lead to further access this coming fall. Don’t forget to offer assistance in fence maintenance or whatever. People remember that.

Spring tip #2) get those duck nests and boxes up. The warm weather caught me off guard, but it’s never too late. Also remember that the grassy filling in your wood duck boxes needs changing for them to reuse the box. Who wants to sleep on broken egg shells…