Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
Columbia Basin 09-28-2010 10:38
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Went out on the kid weekend and had a great time, but found something new.
My daughter shot a couple of odd looking birds that I couldn’t identify. Lots of mallard look to them and very big. After the first one I figured it was just a farm cross, but by the 4th one I was very curious. I took the birds to a game agent I saw in the field and he was obviously not willing to be very up front with information but he finally let the cat out of the bag.
It seems the fish and wildlife guys experimented with a wigeon/mallard cross this past spring in an attempt to create something along the lines of the triploid trout they plant in stocked lakes. It was expected to take hold next year and the public was going to be informed in the spring of 2011, but the birds reproduced so successfully they are in large numbers already. Some had as many as 4 clutches this year.
Being a wigeon/mallard cross it is called a Willard. The bird has a very odd call. It is a 3 part call that starts with a wigeon whistle, followed by a mallard quack, followed by two coughs that sound like a smoker. Weirdest thing you ever heard. They may even increase the limit just on them to 7 and all others to 7 from what I am told. Broiled with a little garlic salt and pepper they are similar to a New York steak.
One other thing, they don’t seem to be able to reproduce in Western Washington so they are only an east side bird. This is shaping up to be a hum dinger of a season.
Posted By:
mike-schireman
Field Editor
Wet-Side 09-24-2010 15:10
– – –
Wow Hugh…I won’t even touch that one 🙂 Just letting everyone know I am back again this year doing my best for the west-side…probably the only one that will be reporting from here. If you have info for westsiders I would love to add it to my posts. Not sure I will hunt as much as past years with a new house set to close around opening and a daughter in soccer this year…but I will be out every weekend at least once. Hope you all had a great break and are ready to roll. Get out and knock the dust off before opener.
Mike
Watching a bird dog work is one of life’s greatest gifts…so give’m a job!!!!
Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
columbia basin 09-20-2010 09:36
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Well, went out scouting this morning to see what might be coming in the following weeks. Can’t believe what I saw. I was sitting still along a very remote area of the Columbia River and from a steep sage covered cliff walked out a big foot! He slowly walked to the edge of the water, looked up and down river then walked right into the water about waist deep and started scratching his balls. After a few seconds he dove in and began to float on his back. I watched in amazement and of corse didn’t have my camera or cell phone with me. After another 5 min. he walked out of the water, shook off like a dog, grabbed what looked to be pepperoni sticks, then as quickly as he appeared he vanished into the sage covered hill.
Hard to think there will a better part to the season.
Posted By:
mike-schireman
Field Editor
On my way to Sequim this weekend 01-28-2010 00:00
– – –
Well here we go again…it doesn’t that many birds ago that we were all faced with the fleeting moments of another hunting season. It has been a little slower than some I can remeber but after 27 of them they sometimes run together.
This season saw the first duck call for my daughter, who can eat more Teal than I can, and the retirement of my faithful bird dog Abbey who had her final hunt this past weekend. She will retreat to the comfort of a warm house and bed with countless retrievs, that left me in amazement, to dream about. Thank you for every moment I enjoyed with you in the field old girl.
The season will once more meet its final moments with me hunting at the fabled San Juan Farm in Sequim with truely great friends…the only real way to make it paletable (sp?). Hope everyone had a wonderful season, have a safe and healthy off season…and end this one with a smile on your face…I know I will.
Take care,
Mike
Watching a bird dog work is one of life’s greatest gifts…so give’m a job!!!!
[Edited By mike-schireman on 2010-01-28 00:03]
Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
Columbia Basin 01-25-2010 09:32
– – –
Parts of the basin have gained a second breath in the past 10 days. Numbers may be a little low for late Jan. but they have bumped up since the first of the month. The birds my parties are getting are very mature. Cans and Red Heads are strong and the geese are really moving to cheat grass as the ice melts and the green shoots of grass begin to show again.
The birds seem to be concentrated in certain areas more than normal. While I scout I notice that there will be no birds for long stretches then good numbers in the air or in open water or on the ground, then they thin out again. Scouting couldn’t be more important than right now.
-Hugh
Posted By:
mike-schireman
Field Editor
01-20-2010 10:23
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
Well the two week mark is quickly approaching. Unfortunately the bird numbers have really fallen off, which is nothing really new for this time in the season. Hunted the Skagit area last weekend and aside from the Snow goose hunters guns were pretty silent. I did see widgeon groups working the big water later in the morning but not enough to keep us out. Not very encouraged about the upcoming weekend but will head out none the less. Fortunately I have been invited back to the fabled San Juan Farm over in the Sequim area for the final weekend of the season to close it out in style with great friends. I will drop in for a closing report after the 31st. Get out there even if it is only for a boat ride or walk as these next few weeks fade away.
Mike
Watching a bird dog work is one of life’s greatest gifts…so give’m a job!!!!
Posted By:
mike-schireman
Field Editor
Marysville/Quilceda 01-11-2010 10:56
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 45-50 Degrees
Well the season’s end is quietly approaching. I hunted the Marysville/Quilceda area this weekend and managed to bring a few birds back to the house. Bayside hunters sounded like they did a little better but there is a noticed decrease in bird numbers. The mild temperatures have not helped the hunting over here. Savor these last few weeks in the field even if the hunting has slowed…we all know how long the offseason can be.
Good luck
Mike Schireman
Watching a bird dog work is one of life’s greatest gifts…so give’m a job!!!!
Posted By:
John-Kruse
Field Editor
Central Washington 12-30-2009 23:24
– – –
Good Reports from our area lately –
Hunters along the Columbia River are reporting good shooting for wigeon and mallards. Less scaup than usual but there seem to be a few more bufflehead this year if you like those little guys.
Another hunter shared with me that mallards were stacked 300 to 400 deep trying to land in the grain field he was hunting with a local guide recently near Moses Lake.
Similar good reports from Mar Don Resort’s guide service.
With moderate winter weather it looks as if hunting will stay good for a bit. Scouting (to find out where the birds are feeding) will help you have a good hunt.
Have a Happpy New Year!
Posted By:
mike-schireman
Field Editor
Not sure yet 12-18-2009 12:19
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
Just a quick note to everyone…Have a happy and rest filled holiday. I am not sure haw many updates I will have between now and the new year…I will try to hunt as much as possible though:) None the less be safe and shoot straight.
Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!
Mike
Watching a bird dog work is one of life’s greatest gifts…so give’m a job!!!!
Posted By:
Hugh-Carney
Field Editor
columbia Basin 12-17-2009 12:58
– – –
Lots of fog, lots of icy roads, lots of new birds basin wide.
Should start warming up into the 40’s through the weekend and beyond.
