Posted By:
K-Town
Guest
Southern Montana 10-30-2005 21:02
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Hunted down in the southern regions of Montana this weekend an absolutely knocked the livin daylights out of em. Scouted all morning and afternoon Satureday, found a field a rancher suggested (he said the ducks only show up in the evening, so we were crossing our fingers), and had 5 limits of big fat mallards,and a few widgeon and gadwall mixed in and 3 geese, in little over a hour, just before the sun set. At any given time we had 2 to 3 hundred ducks swarming our decoys and trying to land on top of us, saw a good 4 thousand ducks that night. Next morning went to the same field and only got 11 ducks and 2 geese. Picked up and went to a slough and shot 6 more ducks and 4 geese. By the numbers I saw this weekend there are some definite northerns down. If you saw a duck or a small group, there would be a good hundred+ right on their tales, swarms not flocks. Even saw two flocks of snows.
Posted By:
Hart
WFC Sponsor
SW Montana- Saturday / Townsend – Sunday 10-30-2005 15:39
Cloudy, Occassional Rain Showers – 45-50 Degrees
Had a really fun weekend. Seems to be a few more birds moving in with this front. Shot six Teal, one Mallard, and two Honkers yesterday down south. Should have done better on the Mallards but the wind did a 180 on me after I set up and due to a very late start I just stayed put and made the best of it. This morning was a different story. Hunted a spot that never fails me just outside of Townsend and it was a blast. Two Mallards, 4 Gadwalls, and one lonely Teal that buzzed me about four times before meeting her demise. Home in time to have breakfast with my family. It just don’t get any better. Best part of hunting these days is watching my dog Hart. He is in the prime of his life at 4 years old and he is a joy to watch. Looks like the coming weeks weather will bring more birds very soon. Good Bless and Good Hunting, Mark
[Edited By Hart on 2005-10-30 18:33]
Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor
Flathead Valley 10-27-2005 14:06
Cloudy, Heavy Fog – 40-45 Degrees
With the weather like it is, I might suggest elk or deer for this weekend.
Birds are available for those who wish to drive over to Lake Francis. Trouble is finding brush to hunker down in, as the water’s edge is out about 60 vards from the nearest grass.
I’m going to Oregon for the steelhead (maybe).
Gotta get the action where I can HEH heh heh!
Posted By:
Rain
Guest
10-25-2005 10:38
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Chased Elk Sun & Mon, missed a bull (raghorn) at 200 yards broadside, how, I don’t know. No biggy, lots of elk around and alot of season left. I give up on duck hunting till we get some winter. I did hunt ducks Sat. and managed a few but nothing to write about.
Posted By:
Hart
WFC Sponsor
SW MT 10-24-2005 09:44
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 60-65 Degrees
Man what a wierd year. I hunted on Saturday but it felt more like 4th of July weekend than the third week of duck season. I got up late had breakfast with the wife, drove 150 miles, looked at some property with a realtor, and then decided to go give it a try as I was already down there. I didn’t get set up until about 1pm and it was between 65 & 70 degrees out, with not a breath of wind blowing. I have had to change my hunting location and tactics due to my old stand by spot being pounded all week long. No rest, no ducks. I really didn’t think I was going to get much shooting due to the conditions but I was pleasantly surprised and very happy to be wrong. I managed a limit in a little over 2 hours and the birds just sucked right into the decoys. It was an awesome hunt. My dog made several very long retrieves (he wouldn’t have to do that if I was a better shot) and I got my first all Drake Mallard limit of the year. It’s funny sometimes that the best spots are discovered and the best hunts are had when you least expect it. We are blessed. We could sure use some weather soon to bring down some of those big fat northern greenheads. God Bless and Good Hunting, Mark
Posted By:
Bill-Reed
Guest
Butte Area 10-23-2005 12:33
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
My first post since moving to Sula, MT. Just got back from Sask, Canada, and had a great time. Been hunting locally since then, 3 hunts total. Not a lot of birds yet, seem to be wary locals. Still trying to learn about the various areas. Hunted around Stevensville, Wisdom, and Butte (yesterday). Got a few birds at each spot, but they are few and far between. My visit to Lee Metcaff taught me I didn’t leave all the skybusters in NV, but at least in this state you can find places to avoid them. Will post more when the birds start to arrive.
Posted By:
Rain
Guest
10-21-2005 14:17
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Knock em dead boys, Elk, Deer, Ducks, whatever you chase this weekend good luck.
I scouted and found a good wad of mallards with some (15) pintail mixed in so I’ll try them Sat. am and off to chase elk Sunday. Have a great weekend.
Posted By:
K-Town
Guest
Kalispell 10-17-2005 20:02
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This weekend was very slow in the valley. didnt see many ducks at all, and not alot of geese. 2 hunts we bagged a goose and a couple teal.I’m not to worried though, the ducks will start arriving in a couple weeks, and the action will pick up. Me and some friends will be heading over to the east side the next two weekends in chase of ducks. Anybody with info on the Big Timber area, send me a P.M.
K-Town
Posted By:
boxfa75
Guest
central alberta, bozeman 10-17-2005 16:00
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
so everyone knows, the birds havent come to montana yet. they are still in canada. they (snow geese, mallards, specks, canadian, teal are still there, en force) are just arriving, (non local birds) now around edmonton. so that is a six hour drive north of the border approx. yes there are a few snow geese one hour north of the border, but hardly any. we havent seen anything yet. the birda are about three weeks behind normal schedule in canada, you could always expect to have some snows and specks (indicators of major movement) halfway through september coming to feed in the peas and other grain. it has been very warm, very and it has rained almost every day with the exception of this week, for the last month. the farmer are just now knocking down and harvesting wheat. the birds come to eat and when not harvested (fields) they dont come in numbers. somehow they know because the farmers started picking everything up and the geese started coming in number (of course the day i left) anyhow itll be awhile, thank god i have breathable waders its hot.
Posted By:
Hart
WFC Sponsor
SW MT 10-16-2005 21:39
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
I had a very good hunt on Saturday. Started to see some signs of a few new birds moving into the area. Saw two flights of Golden Eyes and I had several groups of Blue Wing Teal in the decoys. The Widgeon have thinned out a bit but there is still a ton of Gadwalls. Saw and shot a few more Mallards this trip as well. I managed 3 Drake Mallards, 4 Gadwalls, and a sunburn. Posted the pic in Grip & Grin. God Bless and Good Hunting, Mark
