Posted By:
BirdDoctor
Web Member
Winnebago County 09-17-2012 07:51
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I have put in a pretty poor effort into scouting this fall. Hard to get excited when every pothole you’ve hunted over the last 3 decades is bone dry. This will be the 1st opening day in 42 years that I will miss. The two or three places that have some mud and water will be swarming with hunters and I would just soon avoid that. Maybe the regular opener will be more promising, but I am not holding my breath. Fall turkey, deer and pheasant will have to suffice to satisfy the outdoor itch this year it looks like.
[Edited By BirdDoctor on 2012-09-17 07:53]
Posted By:
jefbet03
Field Editor
Final Scout 09-16-2012 20:45
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I managed to get another scouting trip in this afternoon. Exactly what I was affraid of…..the spot I have been watching closely lost some birds! I was worried with a couple of those cooler nights some birds would take off. Hopefully we pick some more up between now and Saturday. I still seen mallards, BWT, and some coot. I wasnt able to get out there until mid afternoon so I figured the skies would be slow. Between Des Moines and Hwy 169 off of I-80 the farmers really have put a dent into the harvest. A great amount of corn is already out. It was this way all the way up to Hwy141. Good luck to everyone getting after it this weekend. Be safe, and remember….unless you are hunting private land it is going to be crowded. I managed to get friday off so it has turned into a 3 day hunting/camping trip for my crew. Its kind of nice towing the camper rather than the duck boat. Again, good luck to all of you…..JB
Posted By:
getduck
Web Member
central Iowa 09-13-2012 21:31
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We picked up 1 1/4″ of rain last night. Can’t tell it in the cricks and I haven’t had a chance to look at the ponds. Went on a tour earlier in the week. Everyting in the Dunbar complex area is dry. Lots of new vegetation on the North Refuge and the main lake body and the barn refuge; but like most areas, no water. Even if we get some rain there will not be any hunting at Dunbar proper. The structure rework is still not done, so all boards are out. The boards are in on the Hunter Track and lots of veg. We just need tons of water. McCords pond is dry. There is a little bit of water at the North end at Snake Creek. I went up North and looked at Big Wall and got a report from my buddy that put his small seed with mudmotor on it. The North ramp/end is bone dry. Buddy walked out 100 yds until he hit mud. The water/chute at the South main concrete ramp is 12″/16″ deep for 30 ft. Then the fun begins. 3″ of water and 18″ of silt. He could run for 50′ or so then the MM would plug with all of the veg. He would stop to clear the veg, the boat would sit down into the silt and then he would fight to get back up and running but was successful. This was with a small alum pumpkin seed with a 7 HP MM. Anything bigger will really struggle.
I am seeing and hearing of quite a few darks moving. I have one pond that went from 50 ish to over a 100 in the last three days. Found another spot/field that had over 200 in it.
Good Luck to all and shoot safe in these crowded conditions that we are going to have with all hunters concentrated on the few water spots that we have.
357 not 911 UCMDUX
Posted By:
14ducks
Web Member
09-13-2012 15:14
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Jef: the Iowa river is way too low to legally pump anything. Plus the water table is so low it would takes tons to fill a bathtub. Actually, I have nothing to do till supper so I’ll take a drive over and look around. Will let you know in a PM.
Posted By:
jefbet03
Field Editor
09-13-2012 08:49
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I was thinking the same thing TH….hopefully we gain twice as many new teal for the ones we are going to lose!
[Edited By jefbet03 on 2012-09-13 08:49]
Posted By:
timber hunter
Guest
s.e. Iowa 09-13-2012 08:00
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Corn is coming out FAST. Beans are getting started.
Posted By:
timber hunter
Guest
09-13-2012 07:59
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Probably gonna lose a lot of teal with next weeks cold front.
Posted By:
jefbet03
Field Editor
09-13-2012 07:54
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I am continuing to see good numbers of ducks congregating here in central Iowa. I am also hearing the same from most others I am talking too. As far as scouting goes I have primarily only keyed in on 2 places right now. A spot west of DM and another one about 2 hours North. Both are looking to be promising right now. As we all know that can very easily change though. From what i am gathering and hearing the main front of the push of teal is extending from Northern MO all the way North back up into ND. I am def ready to go get out there and see what we can do. Last night I started the tune up on my mud mototr, oil, plugs, and filters. I have a minor wiring issue from the starter cylinoid to the starter. G-Devil sent me the wiring diagram but I am still a bit confused. Is anyone in the DM area that has any experience and could maybe lend me a hand in figuring it out? If you please PM me. Another thing……is anyone aware if pumps are running at all over @ OC???? JB
Posted By:
jefbet03
Field Editor
09-12-2012 11:49
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Does anyone know if OC is pumping water???
Posted By:
Bill Puncher
Field Editor
09-11-2012 05:10
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Not sure jefbet03
