Posted By: Bill-Reed Guest SW Montana 11-19-2005 18:43 Cloudy, Snow Flurries – 25-30 Degrees – Ice By way of introduction, I was a Field Editor in Southern NV, but moved up here last Dec. Live on the East Fork of the Bitteroot, Sula. Still trying to learn the area (could use some advise!) Mainly been hunting Lee Metcalf and the Big Hole river. Limited success at each. Big Hole froze up, very little open water, and NO birds to speak of. Maybe different on private property, but where I can get access and where I can see the river, very few if any birds. Seem to be a lot of birds working Metcalf, and I am averaging 4 mallards per trip, but that is staying all day. Guys with spinners are pulling the birds in like crazy, and while I have quality deeks and decent calling, I can’t compete. Yesterday,… Continue reading

Posted By: Michael-Majcher Field Editor flathead valley 11-08-2005 20:16 Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 40-45 Degrees The change of weather is starting to show some minor results. There has been an influx of honkers in the past 24 hours. Not many by any means, but enough to let us know that the major push is still on its way. Hopefully this cold front will be experienced by Canada prior to its locking us up. I’ll try to post again before the weekend. Responses to the “non-field report” material posted by others can be found on the “DISCUSSION” page where such items belong. MM Posted By: fishski1 Guest SW Montana 11-08-2005 15:18 – – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water Hunted yesterday, and did well, (shot a limit of greenies, and a goose) But still not the big migration pushing through. Although, I think this weather stirred up the locals a bit,… Continue reading

Posted By: K-Town Guest Southern Montana 10-30-2005 21:02 – – – 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… Continue reading

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… Continue reading

Posted By: Rain Guest 10-03-2005 15:47 – – – Went out the opener (sat) killed 5 ducks. 2-were Drake Canvas Backs, that was cool. Others were junk, shoveler, gadwall ets. Then made the mistake of going againg Sunday and killed one duck, nasty morning to say the least. COME ON COLD FRONTS!!!! I cant wait for the mallards. Posted By: phutch30 Guest SW Montana 10-03-2005 14:11 Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 45-50 Degrees I went out again this morning to a slightly different area of the lake. There were far fewer birds flying than the previous two days. I did managed to bag 3 widgeon, 3 gadwall and the only drake mallard I saw in 1 ½ hours. I passed on a couple of easy 25 yard geese as I don’t think my pup is ready for them yet. I also resisted shooting teal this morning. There were 8-10… Continue reading

Posted By: Kirk-Gately Field Editor Benchmark 09-21-2005 20:02 – – – Plenty of ducks and geese in all the ponds between Augusta and Benchmark. Even spotted a few Sandhill Cranes Posted By: Michael-Majcher Field Editor kalispell – general 09-20-2005 12:00 Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees The initial push of teal through the area has come to an end. Not to worry, there wil be more. In their place, pintails have begun to arrive, as I have received multiple reports of single sightings to flocks. This weather needs to make up it’s mind. With the regularity of the precipitation, some grain crops still remain standing, with 94% having already been harvested (percentage was given on the morning ag report). Canadas have been moving into the valley in late night numbers (I heard them coming in at 12:30am the other night). This season is looking to be far better… Continue reading

Posted By: Michael-Majcher Field Editor lower valley – kalispell 07-19-2005 15:09 Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees This Saturday marked the first flight of young geese to pass over the house. The early morning honks had me up at the window. This IS going to be an early season the way it looks now. For the most part, all the yearlings are in full adult dress. Ducks are hiding in phase molt. Coots are everywhere! Witht the daily sweltering heat, fishing has gone to the regular summer hours – early morning and late evening. The record setting June rains have set up a nice flow of water in the rivers. All lakes are improving and upper drainage impoundments are full. This should be a good season from all indications. Waterfowl are not the only critters doing well with the improved conditions. Anyone spending more than a brief… Continue reading

Posted By: Leakydecoy Guest Lake Helena 03-13-2005 20:10 – – – There’s some good birdwatching to be had right now with the weather keeping some of the recently arrived birds from pushing on. There was plenty of white mixed in with the dark geese in the stubble today; between 400 and 500 snows were hanging out just off of the road. Puddlers were back in strength with the usual loads of mallards, LOTS of pintails, and a nice mixture of widgeon, gadwalls, shovelers and GW teal. Divers spotted so far in addition to the GEs taking advantage of the now open water included scaup, ringnecks and buffleheads. Add to that a half dozen trumpeter swans and a lone meadowlark perched on a fence post. Posted By: Leakydecoy Guest Lake Helena 03-08-2005 22:45 – – – Same deal down here. The pintails showed up big time today on that south wind… Continue reading