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Post by wiwoodduck on Jan 9, 2014 3:02:18 GMT -6
I'm a newbie as you guys know. I have few questions. I live on the Rock River and see a lot of Geese year round, Mallards in the summer, but over the last few years the geese have driven them farther from my house.
I have never personally seen a Wood Duck, but it is a big long river.
My question is, do you think it's worth traveling the river this summer to try and find Wood Ducks?
If not, what type of areas should I look for? Also how heavily wooded of an area will they live in?
Do you know any good bodies of water for them in Southern Wisconsin?
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Post by wiwoodduck on Jan 9, 2014 3:09:12 GMT -6
I kind of need a better idea of what type of area to look for. Do you know of any good Wood Duck hunting books or resources?
Sorry for all the questions, but I will be on my own, no one to teach me.
Thank you.
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Post by koonce on Jan 9, 2014 10:06:20 GMT -6
I'm a newbie as you guys know. I have few questions. I live on the Rock River and see a lot of Geese year round, Mallards in the summer, but over the last few years the geese have driven them farther from my house. I have never personally seen a Wood Duck, but it is a big long river. My question is, do you think it's worth traveling the river this summer to try and find Wood Ducks?
I say don't waste your time in the summer, if your bored why not, but the best time to find where the woodies are and want to be is the weeks prior to opening day. Where I am at they sit in large groups. Look for shallow back channels with over hanging longs that are either floating in the water or just above it. They often like to sit on these logs. Look for small back water pockets that hold food, duckweed, rice, smartweed, and they also like to hide in the buck brush. The birds will go where they feel the most comfortable, food, shelter, safety. You will often find that they roost in one area and day loaf in another. or roost in on area feed in another and then fly to a roost. Sometimes it is best to just puts around in areas where you have great visibility and look for them, when you see them follow them to see where they go. Best to start this is get out there just before first light. If not, what type of areas should I look for? Also how heavily wooded of an area will they live in?
Do you know any good bodies of water for them in Southern Wisconsin? Hopefully I helped a little in answering the first question here above. As for bodies of water is Southern WI, I will not be much help as the furthest south I have hunted is the WI river. |
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Post by jtg1551 on Jan 9, 2014 16:00:00 GMT -6
I personally hunt rock river, and we pounded the woodies last fall.
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Post by koonce on Jan 9, 2014 20:21:26 GMT -6
^. I always got the vibes you were a woodie pounder....... Lol couldn't help it. Cheap shot I know.
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Post by jtg1551 on Jan 9, 2014 22:04:48 GMT -6
Haha darn't you caught me
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Post by vandyvan on Jan 28, 2014 14:41:46 GMT -6
Pretty much what koonce said. There are definitely woodies on the Rock River as jtg said, and yes, I would suggest you travel the river in search of them. It certainly can't hurt, even in summertime you may pick up a clue or two, but during the run up to the season will probably be your best bet because some of the areas they use later may not even have water in the middle of summer. You may find them in areas that you think would be too wooded for them to fly but don't be fooled, they are born to maneuver through that stuff. Oak trees near water if you can find them is probably a good place to start as well as the other places koonce mentioned. Once you start to find some I would scout them early and late in the day. Woodies like to get up and go early in the morning, earlier than most ducks I believe. They will follow certain travel routes day in and day out. I would try to find a place where you can catch them on their routes rather than hanging around the roosting area or the feeding/resting areas. Or you risk blowing them out of there.
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