I hit the field with 16 other hunters and six guides from North Sound Waterfowl on Sunday for our first Outdoor Line hunting trip. Had a great time, met some nice new outdoor folks, and got to hunt over 2,000 plus snow dekes. With all this mild weather the hunting was a little tough, but we still got in quite a bit of shooting and brought down 21 snow geese. If we get a cold snap the Skagit Valley is going to go OFF for snows, as they figure only half the "herd" is down from the north. Here's the full skinny on the trip:

Outdoor Line Thankgiving Waterfowl Hunt

You'd probably do better is ya didn't have to hide the tall dork!

That's exactly why the doors kept blowing open on my layout blind. Do they make'em in Circus Act sizes?

Great to hear that you had a good hunt and even better time!

Hunting snows over decoys can be some of the most exciting and often at the same time most frustrating waterfowling to be found in western Washington.

The tendency of the birds to form large flocks and the average age of the adult birds all conspire to produce a bird that that can be exceptionally difficult to fool. This has become especially true as they have become more heavily hunted.

Tight lines
curt

You've got that right Curt. The average age of the adults is around 7 years and from my experience it takes them about a year, or less, to figure out the hunting program. Another flight of juveniles from the north will definitely help. Tough to hunt or not...they sure are fun!

Robbo -
From the reading I have done some of the birds may be 20 or more years old; I think one of the oldest bands recovered had been on the bird for 26 years. Lot of experienced eyes looking at the decoy spread. Add to that the fact that we are hunting "local" birds that spend months in the Skagit/Fraser area "chuckling" at our decoying efforts; it is little wonder that they can be difficult.

Everytime that we have birds landing in the decoys I feel very lucky and throughly enjoy that special treat.

Tight lines
Curt

You talkin about me? Blinda were NOT the long ones but we made due and had a bunch o fun!