Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor
Northern Montana 10-15-2005 15:17
Cloudy, High Winds – 50-60 Degrees
This past week I had the opportunity to hunt my way across the northern portion of our great state. For those who didn’t come along – see the report included in my invitation on our Mt Discussion Board.
Most of all, we are still shooting locally grown birds. Teal are still around in good numbers. The rain from last weekend did push a good amount of birds out. The newer flights have been limiting their exposure to smaller potholes. This was rextremely evident north of Westby, Mt.
The upland numbers have rebounded from last year’s poor showing.
Being the beginning of the season, we can only hope for a better late season. Geese have yet to make a showing in their traditionally strong numbers in all areas.
Flathead Valley seems to be scant in duck and goose numbers compared to the rest of the state.
Posted By:
K-Town
Guest
East side 10-12-2005 20:45
– – –
Just returned from a pheasant hunting trip on the eastside. We saw and shot a ton of birds, and had a awesome time. Most ponds over there had good amounts of ducks in them, but not a ton of mallards. Will be headed to one of our early season honey holes on Saturday, my friend saw alot of mallards heading in there in good numbers. Will post how we did.
Posted By:
Rain
Guest
10-12-2005 09:14
– – –
I hunted around Billings this past weekend and shot nothing but woodys. I saw just several hundred mallards but they were not interested in us at all, we were on a river maybe they were using potholes, who knows. Did shoot the sh-t out of pheasant though, great year for them I think.
Posted By:
phutch30
Guest
SE MT 10-11-2005 09:31
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 35-40 Degrees
If you are heading to eastern MT, bring along your shotgun and lots of steel shot. We had a great two days of duck and goose hunting near Forsyth. All the potholes are full of water and most have ducks and geese on them. 3 of us shot limits of both on Sat and Sun. Ducks on the water and geese in the fields.The antelope hunting is great also. Lots and lots of goats.We all shot decent (13″)antelope on Monday. You might also want to bring your bow and go to coalstrip and try some archery hunting on the PPL property. We had alot of fun chasing mule deer. My buddy shot a nice one but I just was never quite close enough.
[Edited By phutch30 on 2005-10-11 09:33]
Posted By:
Hart
WFC Sponsor
SW Montana 10-09-2005 21:17
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 45-50 Degrees
It’s been a wierd start to the season. I hunted both days this weekend but I’m still having a difficult time finding a Mallard. Last weekend we shot limits both days but the Mallards were few and far between. This weekend was the same story as I shot two Mallards, 4 Grays , and a Widgeon yesterday and 4 Widgeon, 2 Teal, and a Gray today. Yesterday it rained the entire day. There wasn’t 5 minutes all day that I didn’t have birds in the decoys. I shot the only two Mallards I saw. Today was foggy to start and then sunny with little wind. Not the best conditions for waterfowl hunting but I managed a limit before noon and I saw one Mallard that showed little interest in the spread. All the birds where I hunt are early migrants and I see little evidence of any push of birds from the north yet. I posted some pics from this weekends hunt in the grip & grin and the huntin dog section. God speed and good hunting to all. Mark
Posted By:
phutch30
Guest
SW MT 10-06-2005 10:54
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 10-20 Degrees – Open Water
There has definitely been a push of birds with the recent front that moved through. The bird numbers in the Beaverhead and Centennial Valley have taken a jump. Thanks to a phone call last night, I made quick change of plans for this mornings hunt. I am sure glad I did. There was a cloud of birds coming out of and into the grain fields this morning. I had my limit within an hour and that was with trying to make it last. The mallards all showed up prior to legal and after I was limited. I still managed a nice double on two drakes that dumped into the dekes. The other 5 were all widgeon. I can’t remember ever seeing so many widgeon at one time. It was awesome. It was also really, really cold (18-20 degrees). I am glad for mooses sake that the water was only 6 inches deep and most of the birds fell on dry land.Better get out there. We only have another 3 months left.
[Edited By phutch30 on 2005-10-06 10:57]
Posted By:
phutch30
Guest
SW MT 10-05-2005 16:34
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
Just drove by the lake and it looks like some birds have moved in with the recent weather that came through over the last couple of days. It also looks like the lake came up some more. Gotta love those layout blinds. Looks good for tomorrow morning. I cant wait.
[Edited By phutch30 on 2005-10-05 16:36]
Posted By:
CanvasbackHNTR
WFC Sponsor
Reply 10-05-2005 15:55
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 45-50 Degrees
rainNgrn,
As a canvasback hunter I am dismayed to see you break the law and then brag about it. The limit on canvasbacks in Montana is one per day, not two as you indicated you shot, so either you are lying or breaking the lay. Hopefully a warden will catch up with you.
Posted By:
MTDucker
Guest
I-90 10-05-2005 10:55
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
Missed opening weekend again, unfortunately. Glad to hear some of you did so well. I was driving back to Hamilton from Tampa, FL. Saw some family groups of Canadas in southern Illinois and some more near the Little Bighorn River on Friday. Nothing the rest of the way home.
I definately don’t recommend hunting the I-90 this year. :>))
>> Jan << Posted By: K-Town Guest Kalispell 10-03-2005 18:54 - - - Right now is about 42 degrees with a stiff north wind, and a wind chill near 30. There's a fresh pile of snow in the mountains, and a chance of snow tonight. Things are looking good.
