Posted By:
mike-schireman
Field Editor
Snohomish County 10-05-2011 13:52
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 45-50 Degrees
Here we go!!!! Opening day is almosy upon us. Just put a new camo pattern on the boat and started claening up the decoys. Good luck to all of you and be safe. I will be checking in after the opener and hope to have good news to report.
Watching a bird dog work is one of life’s greatest gifts…so give’m a job!!!!
Posted By:
John-Kruse
Field Editor
Washington STate 08-09-2011 22:10
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Okay boys and girls,
Here is a summary of the 2011-2012 Waterfowl Season courtesy of WDFW and The Outdoor Wire!
OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved 2011-12 waterfowl hunting seasons that are similar to those adopted last year during a meeting Aug. 5-6.
Under the waterfowl hunting package, the statewide duck hunting season will be open from Oct. 15-19 and from Oct. 22-Jan. 29. A special youth hunting weekend also is scheduled for Sept. 24-25.
Special limits for hen mallard, pintail, redhead, scaup, canvasback, goldeneye, harlequin, scoter and long-tailed duck will remain the same.
Goose hunting seasons vary by management areas across the state, but most open Oct. 15 and run through January 2012.
The goose and duck hunting seasons approved by the commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), are based on state and federal waterfowl population estimates and guidelines. According to those estimates, most waterfowl populations throughout North America are at or above historically high levels.
Details on the waterfowl hunting seasons will be available later this week on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/.
John Kruse
www.northwesternoutdoors.com
Posted By:
John-Kruse
Field Editor
Washington State 07-18-2011 09:01
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ODDS AND ENDS:
With August almost here, it’s time to start thinking about the fall season! It looks like things will kick off with a Youth Hunt the weekend of Sep 24th and Opening Day will be Oct 15th. It will be interesting to see if the largern than normal gap between these two hunts improves things on the opener.
Ducks Unlimited reports “Above-average waterfowl production in key breeding areas” this year due. In the Western U.S., our wet spring has proved to be good for ducks! Wetland habitats are in “good shape” in Eastern Oregon and Washington this year.
The Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife will meet in early August and finalize seasons and bag limits. Until then, enjoy our mild summer temps and get outside!
John Kruse
Northwestern Outdoors Radio
www.northwesternoutdoors.com
Posted By:
mike-schireman
Field Editor
Where ever you are… 01-27-2011 15:50
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Well folks, the fleeting moments of another season are quickly passing. I can say I have never spent so much time out of the field as I did this year…it was strange. I hope that you all had a great season, if not in birds taken, at least in memories made. I am already looking forward to next season and the chance to take my daughter into the field for her first time.
Although my hunts were few and far between, they were shared with great people…and I thank them for sharing that time with me. I am off to San Juan Farms in Sequim to finish it off in style, truely a special time. So enjoy your last few days of the season and have a wonderful rest of year. At least it is a matter of months and not years before we are back at it.
Mike Schireman
Watching a bird dog work is one of life’s greatest gifts…so give’m a job!!!!
Posted By:
mike-schireman
Field Editor
Snohomish Valley 01-19-2011 12:14
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 45-50 Degrees
I finally made it back into the field…for a few hours…for one day…better than nothing. Did not shoot the gun but there are a few birds still around. Having hunted less this year than any other since I started has got me a little turned around. I haven’t been able to track the bird movements like I have in the past. It was still so great to be out there. I am looking forward to closing weekend back at San Juan Farms in Sequim…hope to get out one more time before then. Just a note to the wise, buy and remodle a house in the Spring or Summer…not during hunting season 🙂 Enjoy the last few weeks of the season.
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 01-14-2011 09:52
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
okay, I know I’ve slowed down on the field reports and maybe had a few over exaggerations but here is one thing to think about if you’re thinking of hunting the basin over the next few days.
There are some birds left so the trip is worth while but they aren’t very predictable. One spot one day and somewhere else the next. Best to be mobile.
The bigger concern is the weather. We have been cold for a long time and now with a sudden warm up the dirt and gravel roads ARE SOFT. Getting stuck in wet ash/mud/gravel is a strong possibility if you aren’t careful. Tread lightly.
Hugh
Posted By:
mike-schireman
Field Editor
Have not been out!!!!! 01-04-2011 11:37
Arctic Blast – 10-20 Degrees – Open Water
Well, I have spent the last 2 weeks getting settled in the new house…no hunting at all. Friends in the field have had good luck on the salt water with this extended cold snap, however duck numbers are down. I figure, as in the past, that the birds are pushing through to warmer places. The Pintail numbers have been building but they never stay for long…it is killing me to not be out there. Jeff Daniels, if you are reading this, I would be happy to trade you a hunt over here for one over there next season…sounds like you pounded the geese the other day :).
Stay warm everyone and enjoy the fleeting moments of another season.
Mike
Watching a bird dog work is one of life’s greatest gifts…so give’m a job!!!!
Posted By:
mike-schireman
Field Editor
Quilceda (Marysville) 12-13-2010 12:04
– – 40-45 Degrees
A picture perfect duck day…with rain and wind…but the birds were not that interested. Of course there are many possible reasons but with all the flooding the birds most likely headed inland. Won’t be out again until after the weekend (moving day). Now have a great pond to train a new pup though 🙂 If you use the rivers be very careful, the water is high and faster than it may look. Birds aren’t worth pressing your luck.
Keep pour’n the steel to ’em and be safe,
Mike
Watching a bird dog work is one of life’s greatest gifts…so give’m a job!!!!
Posted By:
John-Kruse
Field Editor
Columbia Basin 12-05-2010 23:30
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Had an interesting weekend that turned into a great hunt with the Mar Don Duck Taxi.
My son, two friends and I were supposed to go on a field goose hunt with Meseberg Adventures from Mar Don Resort (Who I should mention…in fairness…is a sponsor of my radio show). However, we found out on Saturday most of the geese were flying south to warmer climes.
Instead we headed to some open water near Othello for a day of duck hunting. Things started off slow, and by 9:30 AM we only had a green-wing teal and pintail in the blind. However, around 10 AM huge flocks of mallards and teal started coming our way, done with their morning feeding. By 2 PM the four of us had 24 ducks, primarily mallards and green-wing teal.
We could have limited but one member of our party needed to get back sooner than later. It was a great day on the water and I have to admit, the guide’s “duck kabobs” in the blind made for a fantastic lunch that went a long way towards warming our bellies on a cold day!
John Kruse
www.northwesternoutdoors.com
Posted By:
mike-schireman
Field Editor
12-02-2010 16:23
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Well the big freeze proved to be a good thing for my part of the region as the bays and open water produced. We are now back to normal temp wise so we shall see how the next few weeks play out. I will be out of the game for the next two weeks as my family and I begin the process of moving into a new home. Keep the birds move’n and the barrels warm. I will post any info from friends in the field as I get them.
Watching a bird dog work is one of life’s greatest gifts…so give’m a job!!!!
