19 replies to this topic

[wanapasaki]

So I want to get something going for waterfowl this year. Haven't hunted them since I was 12. Trying to get a group of 3-4 people going and maaybe hunting around Hollister this year. Any takers?

[scdave]

I'm game! I really wanted to get into waterfowl this season. I'm a complete newbee and was hoping to meet some people who could guide me in right direction and show me the ropes.

[bzzrd feedr]

So I want to get something going for waterfowl this year. Haven't hunted them since I was 12. Trying to get a group of 3-4 people going and maaybe hunting around Hollister this year. Any takers?

Hollister??? There is no worthwhile duck hunting that I'm aware of in the Hollister valley. The area you may be thinking of is the Grasslands area around Los Banos/Gustine. This area encompasses about 172,000 acres of Marsh. Some large refuges both Fed. and State that allow public access by reservation and lottery type deal. There are also private duck clubs and some private blind leases available. At this late date I don't know what would be the best approach.

[wanapasaki]

I dunno, I heard there were some good flight paths over the blm in Hollister

[scdave]

We'll have to research Hollister a little more. But I know Los Banos would be the place to go. I need to try and get in with a duck club out there. I figure Los Banos is not a place that you show up unexperienced and try and figure it out on your own.

[wanapasaki]

yeah lemme know what you find out on Los Banos. We should give it a try atleast once this year

[ShooterJohn]

I'd listen real close when bzzrd feedr talks about duck hunting. There aren't many on here that have anywhere near his experience or knowledge in that area or even duck hunting period.

[scdave]

Thanks for the advise there John, I'll have to read through past posts and see what I can learn from him.

[bzzrd feedr]

OK guys here are a few suggestions. I'm not computer savy enough to give you the direct links. Try googling san luis national refuge complex or california refuge hunting or duck hunting calif. it will give you a start. The refuges are going to be your best place to start. there are many websites for educating the newbie duck hunter. search and read a lot to start. The biggest thing to learn is duck identification. You dam near need to be a waterfowl biologist to hunt ducks anymore. You can shoot only certain quantities of certain species + in some instances (mallards)you can only shoot 2 hens. I've been hunting ducks for over 45 years and it is dam tough especially at first light to ID the duck as it comes in at Mach II. The Game Warden has no mercy on inexperience or stupidity. Good Luck and be safe. Oh the Hollister reference is probably for the BLM office there but as far as I know there is no public access refuge type hunting there. Cheers buzz

[scdave]

bzzrd, thanks for the info on search terms. I'll give that a go and see how much reading I can get in between work and school before the begining of the season.

[CRITTRGITTR]

Bzzrd hit it right on the head. I have been a hardcore refuge hunter for, well this will be my 14th season. Not quite up to Bzzrd's experience level but i'm workin on it. I suggest checking out some of the refuges with spaced blinds, that or make a midday/ evening hunt on some of the free roam areas. That way you arent wandering around in the dark, tryin to figure out the layout of the place. A few morning hunts and it wont take long to figure out flight paths and some of the better holes. It all boils down to putting your time in and learning the areas, and chances are duck hunting will get in your blood and you will be hopelessly addicted. Good luck guys!! Bryan

[Shoot-it]

What will you guys do if you shoot the wrong bird on accident.1. turn it in at the check station and get a fine from the warden 250.00 to 400.002. bury his butt in the tules and give a coyote a meal.last time I hunted keterson a guy did that and turned it in and got a fine.I am still new identifying ducks to.I laminated the back pages of my hunter safety book years ago has all the ducks geese in color and I take it with me,

[bzzrd feedr]

If you can find someone to mentor you that would be best. A relative, friend, or neighbor to get you started would help. It's not a cheap proposition for sure. Decoys, special ammo, waders, camo gear, dog, cleaning equipment, and a real understanding wife!!! Good Luck!! They don't call it the sport of kings for nothing.

[Yodel Dog]

They don't call it the sport of kings for nothing.

I was told handfulls of popcorn would bring the ducks in. Was I misinformed??Duck hunting has it's many rewards. But like any hunting, you must learn the game. You've gotta pay your dues... and practice. Early mornings, fair or foul(fowl) weather and other hunters are all factors. Learn your gun and ammo. If you are calling, practice in the truck during the week, not in the blind the morning of.Enjoy being out "there", where ever that is!!!

[clampdaddy]

If you can find someone to mentor you that would be best. A relative, friend, or neighbor to get you started would help. It's not a cheap proposition for sure. Decoys, special ammo, waders, camo gear, dog, cleaning equipment, and a real understanding wife!!! Good Luck!! They don't call it the sport of kings for nothing.

Yep. It's an expensive sport, but there is no other sport like it and it's worth every penny. You really know it's in your blood when you wake up to go to work, it's cold, windy, and nasty outside, and the first thing you think is "I'm calling in sick because this is just way to nice of a day to spend indoors!" Most waterfowlers will easily spend more time and money during a local duck season than a big game hunter would for a fully guided out of state hunt. Some refuges require that you actually show up there the night before to sign up for the next days hunt. If you try to hit it hard every week and you figure in all the gas money, it's cheaper to join a club.

[wanapasaki]

All I know is that when I lived in Colorado, we limited everyday on ducks, never had to go to a club or sign in to any kind of refuge. Feel sorry for the California duck hunters that think this is how it should be...

[Bennie]

Here is my best freind Raith in action. I will tell it like it is. Some days are great and some not so great. I can't wait. Click on link and watch him get it done.Raith Heryford Duck and Goose hunting.

[clampdaddy]

All I know is that when I lived in Colorado, we limited everyday on ducks, never had to go to a club or sign in to any kind of refuge. Feel sorry for the California duck hunters that think this is how it should be...

If you have access to some good private land it doesn't have to be that way, if you don't, that's the way it is. Don't feel sorry for us. It aint Stuttgart Arkansas, but we slam alot of ducks every year here in Cali.Since you're hooking up with scdave and bein's he live close to the refuge, he can run down to the San Luis refuge, get the lay of the land, put in for a reservation, and you could hunt as his guest. I've hunted there a couple times as a kid and we always did good but refuge hunting was a crazy mad house back then. I hated it. The system they use has changed but I haven't hunted a refuge since so I don't know the exact procedure of how to go about it.

[BullsEye]

Here is my best freind Raith in action. I will tell it like it is. Some days are great and some not so great. I can't wait. Click on link and watch him get it done.Raith Heryford Duck and Goose hunting.

That looks like fun!!! I will ne to try duck hunting one of these days too!

[Gunorea]

So I want to get something going for waterfowl this year. Haven't hunted them since I was 12. Trying to get a group of 3-4 people going and maaybe hunting around Hollister this year. Any takers?

I say why go all the way up there when your location puts you in Kern County. I hear all the time that Kern County has good duck & geese hunting.