Category: North Dakota

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-10-2012 10:58
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Major storm hitting most of ND as I write. Highs on Sunday expected in single digits should freeze water. Heavy snow will push birds, many still north right through ending season.
Hunt was short, hard but found many birds that cooperated.

Posted By:
HonkerHotline
Web Member

North Dakota 11-01-2012 16:25
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Just returned from 3 days of chasing ducks throughout North Dakota. With warm temps and a full moon, I was very nervous about what would transpire.

Day One:
Found a small transition slough (less than an acre in size) that had about 500 Mallards using it the night before. Setup a small water spread of ducks and geese along with 24 Full Body Geese along a mud flat on the shore. Hunkered down in our layouts and had fast action for the first 2 hours of the morning. Ended the day with 10 Mallards and a Gadwall. One short of our limit and oh was the shooting pathetic at times 🙂

Enough cloud cover during the night allowed the birds to still feed the next morning.

Day Two:
Found a large body of water that held 20k mallards. Setup a large spread in a nearby field and had ducks working us within 10 yards all morning. 10 Greenheads, 1 Pintail, and 1 Widgeon. Shot very well on this hunt and only needed 4 flocks of ducks to limit out. Dropped 5 ducks out of one flock.

Rain and clounds allowed the birds to still feed in the morning.

Day Three:
Full Moon…. Clear Skies…. Yuck!

Setup in a different field that held a couple thousand ducks the night before. By 9am we had not squeezed the trigger. I think they fed all night long. However, we got lucky and were able to coax in 3 flocks that appeared to be returing to the roost and ended with 9 greenheads and 1 hen.

It was a fun trip and a lot of scouting miles paid off.

Many groups in our area that I talked to were doing very poor including one ground of 6 hunters that shot 7 ducks in 2 days. They ended their trip early.

There are birds around, but they are grouped up and will not stray much from where they are heading.

Scounting as always will be the key.

Very few geese viewed for this time of year, which was surprising due to the cold in Canada the previous week.

Did they migrate back North or head for the beach?

Posted By:
jefbet03
Field Editor

10-31-2012 12:01
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No doubt! I am assuming you guys in ND dont hunt anymore or what? I think your concern is talking about there being birds and others coming to your state ti kill em all…….in all reality 95% of us who read your reports are just trying to know what to expect further South. Please post something…………….

Posted By:
pipewrench
Web Member

Devils Lake 10-27-2012 11:05
– – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Nobody hunting or what! Please post!!! Thanks for any info! Buddy just got back from Devils Lake region and he said some northern mallards moved in on wed. Lots of Gaddys and weigon too! They shot limits each day wed.-Friday, 9 guys! Good luck and take a kid hunting! They’re our future!

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 10-19-2012 18:51
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I see the weather is changing slightly up in Canada, can anyone give me something for sure? Here in Northern Ontario it has warmed and today was almost 70. The few birds we had here have left, thank god for fish and Grouse!!

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 10-18-2012 18:59
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Having lived and seen first hand what is happening, yes one would think that the voted in people would do something about the devastation. BUT, the bottom line is the dollar, has and always will be, there are far too few people who give a sugar about the environment and now being in Ontario, its no different here!! I doubt it matters anywhere anymore.

MONEY MONEY MONEY, is just sickens me. Soon I will be back on the prairie chasing birds and simply can not wait to get back home!!!

Posted By:
Larry-Olson
Field Editor

NW corner 10-15-2012 08:35
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 45-50 Degrees
Observations after driving through the northwest corner of the state are that there’s plenty of water and plenty of birds could make a good hunt. Would appear that the problem with that area is the lack of any nearby cities for lodging and meals. I think a guy could stay in Plentywood Montana and skip over the border and hunt birds that way. Anyhow there a lot of ducks and Canadas obvious off the highway going through Fortuna.

Posted By:
John-Donelon
Field Editor

N.Dakota 10-09-2012 10:37
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Golden Finn
In response to your comments on my post on the oil industry in N. Dakota,I think you misinterpreted on what I was saying. Green engery is years away from being of any help to this country.I know the importance of jobs today.What I am saying is that from what I have read,little planning was made or is being made for structure in the oil region in N. Dakota.The side effects of this boom,over population,drugs,heavy traffic on local roads that were never meant met to bear this kind of traffic.From what I have read,tent city and dorms on the lands.

Posted By:
Larry-Olson
Field Editor

Be corner 10-06-2012 16:43
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
Plenty of water and birds here on our way to saskatchewan nw of williston

Posted By:
Golden_Finn
Web Member

North Dakota 10-05-2012 15:15
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Pessimistic Political Response:

I respect and slightly agree with Mr. John-Donelon’s statement. Clean, renewable, green energy ought to be sought out by every American, but obviously, America’s concern is job creation and the economy as a whole. Most North Dakotans care about right-winged ideology, the agricultural industry and the oil boom. Waterfowl habitat is not even on the button of the list. I understand within the next ten to twenty years the oil fields will move east to the region around Carrington (where oil was recently discovered) and Jamestown as soon as more feasible, efficient technology exists. For those in the earnestly uneasy crowd (majority non-residents?), please, contribute to and/or develop non-profit organizations that will fight and preserve the prairie pothole region territory.

Optimistic Waterfowl Update:

This morning, Finn, a fellow hunting comrade, and I hunted a soybean field… And, ‘twas absolutely phenomenal! The waterfowl population in the region boomed similarly to the man-camp population boom out west in Williston and Dickinson. The cold front brought with it a piece of good fortune. Unfortunately, at 8:30, I departed the field to attend class, but not before the team harvested four Canadians, seven Mallards, and two Pintails. Yes, this all occurred in a little over an hour. When I returned to the field at 10:30 to help pick up the eight-dozen decoys, my partner in crime had already completed the task after he filled his limits. The decoy-less field held hundreds of birds even though a successful hunt transpired in that very location that very morning—very neat.

‘Good hunting!’

Posted By:
John-Donelon
Field Editor

North Dakota 10-04-2012 16:30
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Have been to your state on one occasion for waterfowl hunt,it was a great week. What I have been reading and talking to a good friend in Bismarck,the oil wells business will soon put an end to the beauty of your state. The western part of N. Dakota from reading articles on the drilling sounds like the old west.I know you are proud people,am I am not one to butt into other people’s business,but I find it hard to stand by and see a great state destroyed all for money.I would think your state legislators could bring some order to the destruction taking place in the western part of your great state.Just my two cents.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 10-04-2012 07:01
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As I write, ND is getting a early Fall winter storm. I recall a while back when this happened. Far too early for freeze up but may be a huge blessing for hunters? The year this happened we struggled for a couple of days until we figured it out and then it was good as gold until Lock out near the 15th of November.

I will be going from Wisconsin to ND around Halloween time and have room for a guy or 2 or a couple could travel along. Will be out there for a couple of weeks or so, if you want to come and hunt, let me know, Magoo and I are always looking for people to hunt with!!

Posted By:
Golden_Finn
Web Member

East Central North Dakota 10-03-2012 15:37
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Considering the forecast promised a full moon and average temperatures for a warm summer day as well as my father reminding me of the forecast, again and again, I presupposed the weekend might offer a bit adversity beforehand, so Finn and I hunted at a very leisurely pace this past weekend. To be honest, I did not actually hunt until Sunday morning even though I scouted Friday and Saturday. I set up in a soybean field where four to five hundred geese fed the previous evening. With the exception of a lone drake mallard harvested five minutes after shooting time, the birds slept in, and as a result, Finn and I napped. Around nine, the birds took flight and arrived at the soybean field. From flocks of couple birds to fifty birds, they decoyed beautifully. Unfortunately, I did not have any puddle ducks (other than the single, hungry drake) or snow geese give my spread a glance.

I do not believe the water conditions deterred many non-residents from enjoying another opener. I witnessed more than a handful of non-residents scouting and hunting. I also heard a fair amount of gunfire late in the morning, from eight to ten.

I have hunted in the same, general region since the age of nine, and I do not recall a September where I’ve had to scout so hard for a field overflowing with Canadians. It is a little disappointing and discouraging driving to my favorite roosts to find vacant, feces-less, featherless shores and wide open, unoccupied water that normally held hundreds if not thousands of birds for me to stalk in to the fields from late August to early November. Perhaps, the early goose season limit of fifteen disrupted this norm. Another argument might be made in regards to the current drought, and as a consequence, the birds travelled elsewhere.

However, I sense a change in the winds. Today, it is a disgustingly beautiful fall day offering solid cloud cover, breezy winds, light rain, and a low of thirty-one degrees. Within the next twenty-four hours, forecasters speculate one to three inches of snow. Thankfully, this friendly cold front will slow the well ahead of schedule harvest and force many migratory birds south.

I am very anxious to get out this weekend and will post soon.

Posted By:
HonkerHotline
Web Member

North Dakota 10-01-2012 19:38
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Over 70 Degrees
Hunted North Dakota over the past weekend for my 17th straight year. Left Central Minnesota on Thursday evening and arrived to our destination late that night.

Awoke Friday morning well before daylight and off we were to scout. Put on over 400 miles on Friday and found a few decent fields that birds were hitting.

Conditions couldn’t have been worse with a full moon upon us and temps in the 80’s.

Setup on Saturday in a harvested field. Put out 100 full body Canadians, 25 snows, and 24 full body ducks.

As shooting ours came we viewed a few small flocks of teal screaming through, however very few shots fired in our area (less than 10 barrages) and little bird activity whitnessed. At 9:00am we did not have a single bird decoy (I assume because they were feeding the night before when we watched 5k bird in this field).

At 9:10am, the first flock of 50 mallards came in and 3 of us dropped 3 birds. Not great shooting……

A few additional flocks worked us and we ended the morning with 12 birds. Good decoying, but not many birds viewed.

That evening we scouted and saw a bit more activity, but the weather must not have had them wanting to hit the fields too hard.

With things being the way they were we chose to setup on a remote slough in the middle of a section. After carrying layout blinds and decoys into our hunting area we were ready to go with minutes to spare.

A bit more activity at first light had us with two drake mallards right away. However, a lull occurred until late morning. For a 20 minute period we had good numbers of birds working us and ended the day with 15. Mostly Mallards, Pins, and a few teal.

The prairie is a special place in the Fall and over the years I have been through everything from washed out roads, not being able to get a truck in the field to setup decoys as well as some dry years. However, this is the worst that I can remember as far as water conditions.

I would estimate that nearly 50% of the ponds that were in the state of ND last year are now dry and this has farmers in every county burning cattails and tilling up this land. There were times when I felt I was in a Middle East war movie scene as you could count 20+ fires going in every direction that you looked.

The deer hunting harvest is going to be near a record high as there will be no place for them to hide.

I also wonder how many of those ponds will return in future wet years as farmers were also making drainage runs to the ditches nearby.

What was a lush waterfowl paradise only a year ago, looks like Southern Minnesota today. Everything plowed up to the side of the gravel roads, very little grass in the ditches or sloughs, and very few ponds. Burn your plots map from last year, because it won’t even be close as far as existing ponds.

Remaining optimistic lets me believe that this is just a cycle on the prairie that is necessary to keep the wetlands as productive as they are, however with the high grain prices in the market today, I fear that the good old days of North Dakota may be slipping away from us.

If you are heading west in the coming weeks, leave your boat at home. Most ponds have less than a foot of water in them (this includes good sized ones 5+ acres). You will find birds here and there, but that ones that are around right now are getting educated.

Hit me a private message if you want additional specifics and best of luck to all of you.

Posted By:
mallarddux
Web Member

10-01-2012 09:23
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hey all – hope all is well up north! planning to head up in a few weeks for our annual trip – any current updates. hunting east central part of the state. thanks.

Posted By:
Golden_Finn
Web Member

East Central North Dakota 09-24-2012 21:44
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 35-40 Degrees
One ought to be very enthusiastic concerning a young autumn upon us. I certainly enjoyed another North Dakotan waterfowl season opener. I brought my eleven-month-old Golden Retriever along for his first taste of an uncontrolled hunting experience. Even though he refused to retrieve the Greater Canadian Geese, Finnegan performed very well, and I am glad to have his company.
The weather this past weekend offered a low temperature in the high 20’s. I surely do not mind a little assistance from Mother Nature to force the birds in to the fields.
Unfortunately, the water conditions in the region hold at very poor to poor levels. Perhaps, this is the year for the water-hunters to evolve, leave the johnboats as well as the waders in the garage, and find success in the fields. I would be more than happy to show a couple Minnesotans or non-residents how to hunt waterfowl in a field as long as I receive a promise in return not to shoot-up the roosts. I will apologize for creating a stereotype and categorizing, but I have to be frank from one Minnesotan to another.
Moving forward… The farmers have harvested a strong majority of the soybean fields. From time to time, you will witness a cornfield or three partially or completely harvested.
I believe the Canadian and Mallard numbers for this time of year are roughly average.
I look forward to another fantastic season as well as more cackling and chatter on the blog.

Posted By:
HonkerHotline
Web Member

DRY DRY DRY 09-08-2012 07:40
– – –
Wanted to send you a quick report from driving over 1000 miles yesterday from MN to ND to visit a few customers and scout.

Overall, ponds are extremely dry with many of them gone all together. This drought year will allow the prairies to re-charge once we move into another wet cycle. A neccesary evil.

The best number of birds I viewed was around the Jamestown area. Also seemed to be the best water levels. However, these water levels are still very low and the duck numbers viewed were nothing to write home about.

Our traditional hunting areas that I scouted have nearly zero ponds around. Almost all of the shallow ponds/ Lakes (Some of these fairly large) that hold roosting birds that we field hunt for are completely dry.

Where there is water you will find a few pockets of ducks sitting on mud flats, but overall I was very dissapointed with the lack of puddle ducks and the high number of coots throughout the entire state. If you are a coot hunter…. you will have a great time.

I have been going to ND for the last 17 years and this is the most dismal I have personally whitnessed at this time of year.

With good scouting, I’m sure we will be able to find a hunt or 2 and in some cases probably do ok, however I am guessing overall many hunters will struggle and pressure will be very high where there is water.

Sorry for the dismal outlook, but that is what I viewed yesterday. It is weird that the brood index was so high this summer, yet so few ducks whitnessed. I am thinking a combination of the early goose season that opens on Aug 15 along with the combination of the drought has driven many ducks North into Canada or East to Minnesota for the late summer months where there is much more water, but that is a non-scientific theory.

What is everyone else seeing?

Posted By:
HonkerHotline
Web Member

ND 09-02-2012 21:29
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Over 70 Degrees
Very Dry throughout most of ND and conditions are not improving. Lots of mud flats starting to show and many potholes are completely dry. The crop Harvest is ahead of schedule – although much of the corn is being chopped due to the drought.

Ducks have already seen 1000’s of decoy spreads due to the Early Goose Season and pressure has increased this year due to more counties being open to Non-Residents. I have talked to many MN & SD hunters that have been out there every weekend chasing geese since 8.15. Many of these MN hunters sadly do not stay off the water either. I try to educate, but they just don’t get it. This weekend will also host Youth Waterfowl day, so the ducks will get another barrage of pressure.

In my opinion, all of these early “special seasons” really take away from the success of the regular season. I wish they would go to more liberal limits and simply have one season that everyone can get excited for.

Shoot me a PM if you want more information.

Posted By:
John-Donelon
Field Editor

N. Dakota 09-01-2012 11:58
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Hello,anyone home?Would be nice hear from someone on water and crop conditions in the prime state for ducks and geese.Hard to make decisions for anyone that might be thinking on a hunt in N. Dakota.

Posted By:
mallarddux
Web Member

Valley City area 08-28-2012 13:28
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hey all – hope things are well up north, very dry here in the midwest. any updates yet on water conditions across the state – let us know any info you can, heading up in a few months for the annual trip. thank you.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

07-18-2012 20:57
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Greetings from Happy Camp in Northern Ontario! We have been real busy working and trying to get our camp in order while getting some people for fishing. Finally, after weeks of rain and warm temperatures, we have some cooler weather.
I will be starting out bird hunting here in September, then shuffling to North Dakota in late October. I have heard that the crops are coming along nicely out west.
If there is anyone looking to come and have an adventure, shoot me a message and come on up for some bird hunting, we have grouse and ducks in the area.
Additionally, I have a small place for ethical hunters to use in North Dakota. Once again, if interested, shoot me a message and I hope to hear from you.

Check us out at www.happycampontario.com

Take care and it is ALMOST TIME!!!

Posted By:
Bill Puncher
Field Editor

03-24-2012 17:26
– – –
First time on the ND page in a long time.Sorry to hear pluck. I dont know you or your friend and still gets to me.I have lost a few friends some not even my own but still close to me as a brother or sister.I know you wont forget but always remember the look these best friends give us when we miss.Take care during the off season.Make the next one for shadow.

Posted By:
John Cunningham
Field Editor

03-16-2012 12:30
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Truer words never spoken about how we feel when it’s one last time.

Posted By:
outdoorsman1985
Guest

03-15-2012 19:48
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Sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers will be with you.

Posted By:
perro
Web Member

03-14-2012 20:36
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Sorry man. It’s never easy to do the right thing. We can only hope someone will do the same for us some day.

Posted By:
DU870
Web Member

03-14-2012 10:41
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Pluckaduck- Very well said and I am truly sorry for your loss. The pain is unmeasureable but the memories last forever.

Posted By:
Drake Slayer
Web Member

03-14-2012 07:40
– – –
Haven’t been to the ND page in a while….Sure didn’t need to read that this morning, already??!! Very sorry for your loss, Pluckaduck. Very moved by your words, however.

It’s coming for me, sooner then I want….

Take care this offseason….time heals, pal….

Steve

Posted By:
davehunter03
Web Member

01-30-2012 11:44
– – –
very well put..bone cutting when these dogs have to make their final retrieve.I just put my Yellow, “Reload” down last season.

Sr.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 01-21-2012 22:28
– – –
One Last Time
To Shadow PluckaDuck , 8/30/1999–12/24/2011

One month ago today, I carried you for the last time.
One Last time I stroked your fur
One Last time you layed your head on my lap
One Last time I fed you
One last time I watched you sleep
One last time I held you
One last time we went for a walk in your woods
One last time I watched your feet run in a dream
One last time I heard you pant
One last time for a ride to town
One last time for a bite of sausage and cheese
One last time I watched you and Magoo spend time together
One last time I picked you up
One last slow ride to the vet
One last dilly bar before we went in
One last time I layed you on the table

One last time our eyes met and you said, Dad, best friend, buddy, its ok, I am in pain but now it is time to go. I’ll be ok but will you? I don’t know Shadow, I truly don’t know.
One last time I said, yes it is time, but this time the ride is to the marsh in the sky my boy, take care and thank you for everything!

One last breathe then an eternal dream, the last full breathe then a full deep sigh and asleep he went never to open his eyes again.
The pain is gone, past and now Shadow runs in the marsh in the sky.
Until we meet again my friend, be well, have fun and keep feathers in your mouth!

To those of you who know the feeling, may you rejoice in the pleasure, joy, struggle, fun, excitement of our pawed friends!!
To those of you who have not yet felt that feeling, I hope one day you are blessed with such greatness as I have been blessed with!

Posted By:
Art-Marshall
Field Editor

Nebraska 01-07-2012 22:58
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John Donelon, or anyone else,,,,, tell us the truth. We have been told the geese are still up there. Very few geese here in nebraska. OUR SEASON HAS BEEN WORSE THAN EVER,,,,, Are they still in N.D. ???

Posted By:
John-Donelon
Field Editor

n dakota 01-06-2012 14:50
– – –
pluck-a-duck
I am 75 years old and still chasing the birds.I am on my fourth lab,she just turned eight this May,I can see this season where she is is beginning to show her age.Due to my age,she will be my last,.Holly is my greatest love and I too don’t forward to the day when she will be leaving me. Still remember the good times with all four of my dogs,it never gets easy,but as the saying goes,this was your last great love to an animal that was a big part of your life. I feel your loss.

Posted By:
Drake Slayer
Web Member

01-03-2012 14:48
– – –
I’m dreading the day……

Very sorry for your loss….

Posted By:
wbduckman
Web Member

01-02-2012 17:32
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Pluck-a duck,

Like many, I know your pain first hand.
Went throught the exact same situation you just described(almost step by step) two years ago.
It hurts, it hurts a lot.

No other dog will take his place, but there will be others, and that will help the loss.

When it comes to loosing our best hunting buddy, we are all family here.

My prayers are with you right now.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

01-01-2012 22:16
– – –
Happy New year everyone. As I traveled back today, I saw good numbers of ducks and geese around the Fargo area in fields and scattered around. While we have about 4 inches of snow on the ground, most of the southern part of the state has littel snow and open water to keep birds around. Temps are suppose to reach 40 later this week so it will not change for the near future.

On another note, I had to lay to rest my companion of over 12 years on Christmas Eve. Shadow was truly a special friend, my best friend for it seemed like an eternity. But diabetes and old age caught up to him and on Christmas eve, we decided to not let him suffer anymore. The ride to the vet was horrible, carrying him in was horrible, the hardest thing I have ever had to do. The only satisfaction I have is that holding him and watching him go to sleep, no more panting, seizures or pain made me relax a bit as he relaxed and went to sleep one last time.

For those of you who have the opportunity to live the life Shadow and I had, you know the feeling, a special bond that can not be put into words, it is just lived! I grieve and cry everyday and probably will for a long time. To me, that bond is inseperable for life and while the Magoo my pup will be here, Shadow can not be replaced nor is expected to. Truly a special buddy I have had, thank you Shadow for all you gave me!

Take care all, hug those hounds and keep in touch

Posted By:
ABest
Web Member

scotts bluff Nebraska 12-22-2011 21:44
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Just returned from Nebraska plenty of birds there.

Posted By:
14ducks
Web Member

12-22-2011 14:40
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Pluck: I keep hearing rumors that there a still vast amounts of mallards on the river/lake chain of the Mo. in your state. Heard anything on that? Thanks. Howard

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-24-2011 10:02
– – –
While traveling, I noticed good numbers of dark geese east of Devils Lake. They are using the main lake and heading to the corn. I suspect Mallards too but did not see any.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Posted By:
HonkerHotline
Web Member

None 11-22-2011 19:45
– – –
Pluck,

Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. Thanks for your timely and detailed updates throughout this waterfowl season. I really enjoyed hearing them.

Take Care.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

11-22-2011 10:03
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Sadly, that is going to destroy what made ND famous and the people who can do something about it don’t care enough to do anything. It seems our society is becoming very short sighted and all about “whats in it for me” instead of remembering that we are all in this together and we need to work and play together.
Many people think that all the birds belong to them and that is a sad state of affairs. The great tradition of waterfowling is becoming scarce and sadly in my lifetime I will see it diminished maybe to nothing because of many things, but this being the greatest factor.

Anyone having ideas of how to reverse this and jump start a new, positive diection, please bring it to the forefront. Have a fantastic Thanksgiving everyone!

Posted By:
webmaster
root

Williston Area 11-20-2011 17:36
– – –
I’m sure NR hunters lost out on a bunch of rental opportunities in the Williston area this year. I saw 3brm homes listed for $4000 a month in the Williston area on Craig’s List.

Crazy.

[Edited By webmaster on 2011-11-20 17:36]

Posted By:
HonkerHotline
Web Member

ND/ SD Boarder 11-20-2011 15:17
Cloudy, High Winds – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
Hi Pluck,

Similar report in our area. Sad what has become of things in this once great state. as recent as 5 years ago farmers would nearly drive us off the road to get you to come hunt the geese and ducks off their fields, so they wouldn’t eat all the waste grain for their cattle, etc.

Today is a totally different story. Their is a huge negative vibe towards NR’s and Waterfowl hunters. Additionally, more and more people think they are on the Outdoor Channel for Archery Deer hunting, therefore more land is posted…. “their deer”. I am fine with landowners doing as they wish with their property…. just wish everyone could share the waterfowl resource more.

I have talked to many NR’s who will not be returning to North Dakota next year (at least 10 different groups) due to a variety of frustrations like the above.

I may get out a couple more times next weekend and will post up my results.

Happy Hunting!

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-20-2011 12:09
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I have no idea what the government wants to do with the oil people. One thing is for sure, they certainly are bending for them. I have not seen first hand, but have read and heard that western ND is getting destroyed as the waste water from this type of drilling is awful. That couple with the area not having enough infrastructure for the people in housing, septic and water make for a sad state of affairs. Finally, the companies dont care about the environment, they have been issued fines for dumping waste water but dont care because they get their oil

Posted By:
14ducks
Web Member

none 11-20-2011 08:01
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Pluck: is it true that the govt wants to make the oil drilling areas all NO TRESPASSING? That came up on a TV show that described all what is going on up your way. Really must be a mess.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND/SD border 11-20-2011 07:48
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Hunted near south border yesterday. Almost all water froze but from about 1:30 until dark birds were in the air constantly trading from corn to water. Snow/Canada and Mallards.

Sickening the amount of posted land. Got into aguement with game warden over legally posting land, sure is interesting how arrogant some people get when they pin a badge on them.

Anyway, plenty of birds but opportunities slim as 99% of the land is now posted down there.

Posted By:
HonkerHotline
Web Member

ND/ SD Boarder 11-17-2011 19:58
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 0-10 Degrees – Ice
Hi Pluck,

Hunted the ND/SD boarder yesterday and this morning. I don’t know for sure, but am affraid the honkers you talked about flew by about 10pm last night and kept on trucking.

Yesterday, we hit it perfect. 15 BIG BIG Fat Greenheads and 3 drake Pins. Also got 2 bonus specs and 10 snow geese. Thousands of ducks worked our spread from 8am (Shooting was 7am and we didn’t have a bird work us for the first hour…. depressing and thought they were all gone). I imagine it was because of the cold (12 degrees when we headed out). After 8 we had flocks of 50-100 mallards working us every 5-10 minutes.

Today, we headed out to a balmy 1 degree temp. Again, nothing flew until about 8:15am. Afterward, we saw a good amount of snows, but very few mallards.

I am going to be out here for another 5 days, but am fearing the show is over. Guess we’ll try the pheasants.

Today 5 greenheads and 1 snow.

As we drove back to our hunting shack, very few ducks were visable and every piece of water was froze. A select few geese were sitting on the ice, but I can say I was visually satisfied viewing the awe of the North American Migration. I saw millions of birds yesterday and today was measured in the thousands.

Southern boys be ready… they are coming!!!!!!!!

Thank-you to everyone for your great reports this year. I had a great season, am extremely tired, and am very satisfied.

Best of luck to all of you!

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-17-2011 10:25
– – –
Temps were below zero this morning. The storm is suppose to track south and miss us. If I find time, I suspect Devils Lake to still have open water and birds, otherwise will need to head west. There was a steady stream of canadas heading south the last two days, who knows where they will stop.

Anyone interested, I have purchased a small fishing/hunting camp in northern Ontario and will be looking to put sportsmen up there starting this summer. If anyone is interested, shoot me a message here or at getthenetnd@hotmail.com

Good luck everyone, and unless something changes, this will be my last report for a while. Take care and hug those hounds!

Posted By:
mallarddux
Web Member

illinois 11-17-2011 10:24
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hey pluck – great job in all your posts! they help us out alot, when we are up north, and back home here. have a great holiday season and look forward to your 2012 reports. take care my friend!

Posted By:
Trial Lawyer
Web Member

11-17-2011 09:39
– – –
Pluckaduck,

I really enjoy reading your posts and share your enthusiasm for waterfowl hunting. You certainly have been of help to me in my recent trip to North Dakota and I know you have been a help to others. I hope you will continue to share your experiences for years to come.

Thank you for taking the time and the effort in keeping all of us posted on the current waterfowl conditions. Have a safe winter and hug Magoo.

Posted By:
Larry-Olson
Field Editor

Nebraska 11-16-2011 22:55
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Yah, thanks for the reports. It gives us an idea of what is to come for us. LO

Posted By:
callmaster64
Web Member

N.D. 11-16-2011 19:11
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Pluckaduck thank you from all the way down here in Indiana. Hopefully your season isnt over so dont be a stranger.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-15-2011 21:31
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Todays weather pretty much ended season in the north. Snow and temps that didnt reach 25 here sent most if not all birds packing. Forecast is for cold and major snow this weekend. Depending on where storm hits, I will head south or west in search of birds. Daily reports will end and limited weekend reports will be as I can.

Thanks to those who I met this year through WFC, and others online. I hope I was a help and we got something going and it will continue for years to come. Take care and hug those hounds hunters!!

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-13-2011 18:07
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Did well again today, same field setup. Did stop short as I found some bluebills. Set up on them tonight and got a couple. Good number of Goldeneye and water opened up more today.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-12-2011 20:11
– – –
Did well today, mallard decoyed well. Hard to see green but plenty of birds. Cold by midweek might send them south.

Posted By:
ABest
Web Member

lake Michigan 11-11-2011 22:43
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Pluckaduck Sounds like you are starting to wind down. I am sure you will find some nice fat greenheads yet. As for me we are seeing a push here in Wis.. Was out Thurs. 1st time since N.D. and plenty of Mals here. Went on the big pond today (lake Michigan) and shot 3 Buff’s 2big blue bill’s, 1 nice red head. Was done in 1 1/2hr. lots of bills. So take care an watch out for thin ice.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-11-2011 20:01
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Large groups of Mallards using big water then heading out to feed near dusk. Also got two calls of large number of snow geese in central part of state along with more mallards. One call stated they had 6 hunters and limited on Mallards in less than an hour. He did say the field was balck again this afternoon.

Here in the north, some dark geese remain here but the Mallard numbers that I found today are incredible. Should hold here a few days as the weather should stay above freezing thorugh the next week. Small scattered flocks of divers but Mallards by far outnumber them!

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-10-2011 21:16
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Put on a lot of miles today. Almost all water from border to hwy 2 was hard, some harder than others. Did find one lake with good number of divers in middle but tough to pound boat landing clear.
South of hwy 2 there is open water and birds, good numbers of divers and snow geese as well as some dark geese. I would suspect the central and southern part of the state has good numbers of birds. Interesting, I did see quite a few NR license plates pulling duck boats, guess they are heading to Devils lake. We ran out of time and found concentrations of mallards for a.m. hunt, so we will head west and check that out. I do think the DL basin is the best bet in this part of the state
Weather is suppose to warm to 50’s next couple of days, may open water but don’t think there is anything north to come down and stop for dinner!

Posted By:
outdoorsman1985
Guest

11-10-2011 19:14
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EDIT: some dark geese also

Posted By:
outdoorsman1985
Guest

11-10-2011 19:13
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pluck

Started seeing your ducks in eastern iowa Monday. Has been golden ever since. hope it lasts…… heavy skim ice this morning but Mallards and GW teal along with massive numbers of divers continue to pour in. Some divers also.
Best of luck.

K Miller

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-09-2011 21:26
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Temps in low teens and winds around 20 from nw sent everything south. Hope to get some stragglers tomorrow but think south quite a ways

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-09-2011 09:58
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Went to doctor early this morning, then looked at big sloughs but they are all locked up tight. Maybe some open water south on bigger lakes, but looks really slim here.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-08-2011 19:11
– – –
Not looking good at all. Most water froze or partially froze. Did not check lakes but very few ducks around. I traveled about 25 square miles and saw maybe 200 swan, 200 dark geese and about 50 ducks, mostly mallard. How far south they went is anyone’s guess. The DL basin will still have ducks as it has tons of water but north of HWY 2 it might be slim pickings. Heavy snow forecast north may show us by weeks end what is up there if anything!

FYI: Take care when eating birds. Marinated breast and grilled them,s econd bite was met with a stell pellet. Damn, anyone remember when lead was still legal!!

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-08-2011 09:34
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Coldest morning of the year, temps around 12 this morning. Will get out after school to see what has departed, stayed and maybe arrived. No significant snow forecasted, temps in the 30’s and 40’s all week. Big water time I think!!

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-06-2011 19:00
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Weather has changed, we got rain then snow, winds still blowing from the west about 25. Temps are suppose to drop to teens tonight and winds to the north, might send birds packing south. Today, many swans have shown up, most white geese have left but mixture of ducks still here. Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Mallards and other puddlers with divers.

Snow geese were seen in the highway 2 area and many ducks in the devils lake area.

We got a dusting not much more. Weather calls for highs in the 30’s then 20’s by weeks end. Got nice bunch of birds today.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-05-2011 21:01
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Migration definitely is under way. Snow geese in immediae area have shifted south a ways. I traveled to Grand Forks today and the Lake Basin has lots of ducks. With the water everywhere so were the ducks and posted signs. I swear “No Trespassing” should be the state flag here. Certainly owners rights, but one needs to rememeber that the resource is everyones to enjoy!
Sometimes we as hunters wonder if we are absolutely crazy. Busting our butts and see nothing, driving all over the place, see a few here and a few there. Then we throw our hands up in disgust and head towards home. Magoo wimpers as she wants to play and it has been a long day. So I pull into a stubble field and let her out. She goes into the ditch and releives herself, then comes running up to me. It was windy today and magoo looks to the sky. I saw a small string of Mallards heading north. I looked to the south and it was unbelieveable. For the next 20 minutes, a steady stream of ducks headed north. This by far was the biggest bunch I have seen this year. Sadly, no hunters saw it or will partake in the mornings activities. If rain/snow come in, then that field is off limits, but another plan to go after snow geese right off the pavement.

Weather should cool, and highs in the 30’s next week.

Posted By:
Mike-Loecker
Guest

11-05-2011 08:48
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We most certainly would have, but we only had Zone 1 to hunt in and was very limited to what we could hunt. I did talk to several land owners and they said the vast majority of the posted land was for pheasants an deer tho. Just some info for the guys going up yet.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-04-2011 21:53
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Went fishing tonight as weatherman was wrong. Walked out of school at 345 and it was 55 sunny and little wind. So I hooked up the boat and went fishing. There are new birds everywhere and lots of swans north too! With deer hunting upon us, water hunting will take place for Magoo and I at least tomorrow!

MIKE, maybe you should look other areas. I agree that the biggest concern for NR hunters should be addressing the constant harrassment of hunters and loss of hunting areas. Sadly I see it getting worse and worse but there still are areas that one is treated as a human not an immediate nasty meanie face just

Posted By:
Mike-Loecker
Guest

Jamestown and North 11-04-2011 18:46
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
Hunted a week in this area, very few birds and what is around is really decoy shy. Very poor results this year. Allot of land is posted to no hunting and not real sure I will return.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-03-2011 20:18
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Out again tonight north of Rugby. Plenty of small groups of Mallards working the fields. Interesting, there seems to be some Canadas that have moved in, lessers grouped up with greaters! Could be an interesting weekend if deer hunting doesnt get too crazy!

Posted By:
HonkerHotline
Web Member

ND 11-03-2011 19:08
– – 45-50 Degrees
Hey guys.

There were two hunts in that post. Tuesday was the day of the geese not Wednesday.

Believe me I wish it would have been 🙂

PLUCK- PM coming your way.

Posted By:
Drake Slayer
Web Member

Pluckaduck 11-03-2011 11:31
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LOL!!! Ain’t that a kick in the balls??!!! 😉

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-03-2011 09:35
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Honker, you can hunt geese all day on Wed/Sat which was yesterday!

Posted By:
HonkerHotline
Web Member

ND 11-03-2011 00:05
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
Ended up getting into town late Monday night, therefore we used the morning for scouting purposes. Found a good feed in a pea field and obtained permission to hunt that evening.

Hit the field and proceeded to setup 4 dozen Canadian Full Bodies, 2 dozen Ducks, and a couple of other gadgets.

All I can say is… MAN I LOVE PEA’s!!!

Not huge tornado’s coming in, but good flocks of 5 – 15 ducks. We setup with a cross wind spread and when the ducks were on the deck they didn’t even flair when we opened the layouts.

Ended with 8 drake mallards and 4 drake pins. A great hunt.

Only downfall was 150 Honkers coasted into our spread at 20+ yards, however since it was afternoon – we just enjoyed the beautiful sight.

By the time we picked up the spread and got back to the house it was late. Having not scouted we slept in and did the same plan today.

Hit a stubble field with a similar setup and completed another two man limit of Mallards and Pins. The highlight was 5 drakes that came in at once and none left :).

Not very many snows in my opinion for this time of year, but perhaps we weren’t by big enough water.

Heading out in the morning again and will post the results.

November November…

P.S. As Pluck said – the Deer Hunters are rolling in. Be safe out there.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-02-2011 20:12
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Not much has changed except I saw many more fields tilled under tonight. While the birds are still using them, its tough to cover up in that. Ice this morning but most melted. Swan numbers building and many cranes around but season closed

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 11-02-2011 10:31
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Forecast has changed, rain/snow mix this weekend and highs in the 30’s and 40’s. With deer hunters out in force, be careful if hunting fields or small sloughs. Today it is around 50 and strong winds from the south

Posted By:
Doug-Miller
Field Editor

South Central 11-01-2011 06:22
– – 35-40 Degrees
Just returned from a ten day stay in N.D. This is my ninth season hunting the fields of North Dakota and was the best trip we have ever had. Birds showed up in good numbers the 22nd and increased as the week went on. Saw a good number of Snows and small Canada geese also. Some sloughs had large numbers of Swans, and the amount of water is record breaking with lots of roads unpassable. Crop harvest is wrapping up and most farmers are discing.
With the last couple winters pheasant numbers are way down in 9 days I only saw one pheasant. Other hunters in my Motel reported the same thing.
I have said this in the past and this year really showed it. If you want consistant hunts in the pot hole area learn to field hunt. With the amount of water the birds have unlimited places to go. And unless you bust a roost pond(BIG NO NO) your hunts are spotty.
Thanks to the farmers, and the great people of North Dakota.

Its all about Ducks, Dogs, and Kids

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 10-31-2011 20:43
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Got out a little tonight, not much has changed but should by the end of the week. I shot my first swan and they are really big, saw plenty of ducks in that slough. With deer season coming Friday, more posted signs are showing up.
The weekend could be interesting, maybe up to 5 inches of snow coming, hope it pushes north and sends those birds packing south!

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 10-30-2011 23:35
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Migration seems to be happening. South divers have appeared, I found good numbers of mallards this morning. They are starting to set a pattern, hope it continues and dont get pushed out by deer hunters later in the week.

Recker, I saw a pm from you, but lost it, please resend.

Posted By:
callmaster64
Web Member

Migration 10-30-2011 02:20
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Pluckaduck i hope everything is well this migration has to start now or us down here in indiana are done. We havent seen a good one to my knowledge in 10-15 years. This year is suppose to be 2nd to most recorded i’ve heard on ducks. Why dont you send some our way. Dont be stingy. I hope you wak em the next couple weeks.

Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor

ND 10-29-2011 22:17
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Traveled to devils lake today. Plenty of birds in the lake region along with people and posted signs. Good luck to those hunting that area. Light rain at dark

Posted By:
Mike-Loecker
Guest

10-28-2011 07:30
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Jess- I think they are wayyyy up North yet in the big C. Weather has been way too nice for migration to start. There will be no trickle migration this year I’m afraid. It is getting too late in the game. We are expecting a major weather pattern change here in the 10 day with a front dipping well into Nebraska/Kansas which will bring cold temp and moisture. I am hoping the moisture comes in form of snow for Canada. We hold local birds here and hunting pressure has them scattered all over the place. You really have to scout and look hard to find em now and decoying is getting real tough.