Posted By:
Joseph-Morzinski
Guest
Layton 11-25-2006 21:41
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Hey Ronster — good info on the snipes, and if they ain’t making that “scrape, scrape” sound, I DON’T SHOOT. I have seen biger flocks of the dowitchers, there definitely is a “peep, peep” sound to them..snipe are definitely worth trying for; formidable target, and mighty tasty on the table..
got out Thanksgiving A.M. and did alright in the wind on teal for a couple hours..no big birds, but the teal cooperated that morning, and my dog did well…hope you can get out next week Mon, Tues, or Wed, as I think we’d be in for a treat with the changing weather, if we could get out…anyhow, good luck and CUL — JOE
Posted By:
ronster
Web Member
South Shore Wetlands 11-18-2006 17:34
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 40-45 Degrees
Joe & All,
Probably you know this but I’ll mention it anyhow. I received a ticket many years ago from a Fed for shooting what I thought was a Snipe, but turned out to be a Dowitcher. He told me at the time that most people, including State Wardens, could not tell the difference. He just happened to have done his Masters Paper on the differences between the two. He said that in fact, he could not tell the difference on the wing except that Dowitchers usually fly in flocks and make a “Peep,peep,peep,” sound whereas Snipe are usually solitary or with one or two others, and make a low raspy chirp when flushed from the marsh. The two species are usually shown side by side in bird books and you cannot tell the difference. So, if it “peeps” or flies in a flock you would be wise not to shoot it. Don’t rely on the good will of a Federal Warden to give you a warning for an honest mistake. It’s been my experience that Feds do not have goodwill for hunters.
I have shot many snipe since then and I believe I can tell them on the wing now. Snipe seem to have their heads tucked in closer to their bodies in flight, whereas Dowitchers fly with the neck stretched more forward. It’s a subtle difference, but if you pay attention you’ll see what I mean. Snipe usually are alone or with one or two other birds at the most. You may already know these differences but I thought I would mention them in hopes of saving you a future ticket.
[Edited By ronster on 2006-11-18 17:40]
[Edited By ronster on 2006-11-18 17:43]
Posted By:
Joseph-Morzinski
Guest
GSL – Layton 11-10-2006 13:03
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Got out last Sat. afternoon and then again this past Wed. afternoon again for late day shooting…not greatactivity, but some birds around for a few good shots..mostly larger birds: pintail, gadwall, and of course, some teal..but not many mallards in this area..lots of snipe, which I love trying to shoot on my hike out, if I have time…they are great eating if you haven’t ever tried them..size of a dove, but harder to hit..I use #7 steel for them. Some nice weather coming in, good luck til I CUL–JOE
Posted By:
ronster
Web Member
South Shore Wetlands 10-29-2006 13:18
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Hi Joe – thanks for the welcome. I posted a report but somehow erased it, and I don’t have time to re-do it as I am going hunting. I’ll try to post something tomorrow.
Posted By:
ronster
Web Member
South Shore Wetlands 10-29-2006 13:04
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
A major migration arrived on the South Shore
midweek. Those hunting Wednesday afternoon reported easy limits and many birds on the move. I received two Swan Reports. Some small numbers on the South Shore and bigger numbers west of Corrine. Many Canvasback have been seen and scads of Widgeon. You can walk across the Airport Mitigation Area on the backs of resting waterfowl. Disturbed waterfowl rise up in clouds and fly short distances before settling back down. Friday morning was excellent. Saturday morning was slow, with shooting picking up in the afternoon. Very few geese in the area yet.
A bit of weather should produce great gunning. Hi Joe, thanks for your kind welcome.
Posted By:
ronster
Web Member
10-29-2006 12:44
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Posted By:
Joseph-Morzinski
Guest
Bear River 10-26-2006 21:26
Cloudy, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
Ronster — good to hear from you, and you’re right on about wind vs rain. I got out yesterday (Wed) for afternoon shooting, same place as last Fri. and it was pretty much the same…when winds were calm, not too much activity, when storm rolled in and winds picked up, lots of activity..Lots of teal in this area, along with pintail and too many shovellors, and not many mallards. But a fun shoot..Good luck out there. JOE
Posted By:
ronster
Web Member
South Shore Wetlands 10-24-2006 13:16
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 50-60 Degrees
Opening day was generally poor to fair on the South Shore Wetlands averaging 3/4 birds per hunter according to Tom Aldrich (head of waterfowl DWR) who manned the gate and counted birds. 2005 average was about 3 1/2 birds per hunter. Go figure. The major factor was undoubtedly the ill-timed front that moved many small ducks right before the opener and the steady rain which caused the birds to sit. Rain does not move birds. Wind does. Weekend of 20th – 21st was just fair. Best movement came on Saturday afternoon. Mornings were slow.
[Edited By ronster on 2006-10-24 13:23]
Posted By:
Joseph-Morzinski
Guest
Bear River 10-23-2006 23:58
Cloudy, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
GOOD TO HEAR SOMEONE ELSE DID OK AT FMGTN BAY, AND HOPE TO HEAR SOME MORE POST FROM YOU…..I GOT OUT LAST FRI AFTERNOON, WENT TO BEAR RIVER AREA. SUNNY AND FEW CLOUDS AS WE GOT THERE, BUT SOON CLOUDS AND WINDS PICKED UP REALLY GOOD, AND IT GOT COLD..THE BIRDS FLEW, MY BUDDY AND I EACH GOT A NICE MIXED BAG LIMIT..NICE AREA, BUT THE NATURAL VEGETATION HAD BEEN TRAMPLED OR CHEWED UP BY COWS PRETTY BAD, SO NEXT TIME I MAY TAKE A LAY OUT BLIND..TONS OF PINTAIL THERE, SO YOU HAVE TO WATCH IT CLOSE AFTER ONE..
BRADEN, I AM HUNTING NEAR THE TURPIN UNIT AT FMGTN BAY,SOME LITTLE PONDS OFF THAT UNIT. THIS YEAR THERE’S ACTUALLY WATER IN SOME AREAS THAT THERE HASN’T BEEN FOR YEARS, BUT I ALSO HUNT NEAR THE BTFL DUMP, AND HAVE BEEN TO THE HUNTABLE SIDE OF UNIT 1 AND DONE GOOD THERE ALSO..I’D LIKE TO TRY THE CRYSTAL UNIT, JUST HAVEN’T HAD THE GUTS TO DO IT YET…CUL — JOE
Posted By:
talkingsmack
Guest
Farmington Bay 10-19-2006 22:15
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
Evening Hunt started at 4:30 shot 1 Pintal, 1 Green wing, and 2 female shovlers fair hunt flying last 45 minutes of the hunt.
