Duck Hunting Snoqualmie Wildlife Area?

yooper_fisher · Post by **yooper_fisher** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 4:26 pm

I really want to get into duck hunting in Washington having done it for many years back in MI. I know the best hunting is on the east side, but I can't afford to go over there all the time so I was looking for places a little closer to home. Upon doing some research it looks like the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area might be an okay bet.

From what I was reading the three areas to look at would be the Stillwater Unit, Cherry Valley Unit, and the Crescent Lake Unit. It sounds like they would be better during late season (now I'm assuming) and when the water is up a bit. I was wondering if anyone out there has hunted these areas and has any advice for me? I'm not asking for your secret spot, just a little insight would help.

Thanks

Rosann G · Post by **Rosann G** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:13 pm

When we lived near you Bill used to duck hunt on Kapowsin, Silver Lake in Cowlitz county and he even hunted on Bass lake there in Enumclaw a few times.

yooper_fisher · Post by **yooper_fisher** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 4:02 pm

Thank you Rosann! I was wondering about kapowsin. I have heard that bass lake is off limits to hunting now, but I'm not completely sure.

I did some scouting today at stillwater and cherry valley (even saw a pheasant), looks doable for hunting until the water comes up.

yooper_fisher · Post by **yooper_fisher** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:12 pm

I finally connected on my first WA state duck at the Cherry Valley area. I was going to pick up my decoys after spending the morning missing mallards and teal, when I took 2 steps out into the water and the worlds dumbest duck lands. Of course I didn't have my gun with me, but it let me walk back to the blind and get it before I jumped it. It ended up being a ringneck (first one of those I ever got too, so it was win-win).

yooper_fisher · Post by **yooper_fisher** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 4:24 pm

I've hunted this area a couple times now and I've seen lots of ducks, unfortunately most are just passing through. I have managed to get a couple ducks here and there, but it's fun seeing them. If anyone in the area wants to join me for a hunt let me know. I'm getting tired of hunting by myself and would love the company.

MotoBoat · Post by **MotoBoat** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 9:19 pm

yooper_fisher wrote:I've hunted this area a couple times now and I've seen lots of ducks, unfortunately most are just passing through. I have managed to get a couple ducks here and there, but it's fun seeing them. If anyone in the area wants to join me for a hunt let me know. I'm getting tired of hunting by myself and would love the company.

Seen anymore Pheasant at Cherry Valley? Between Cherry Valley an Ebey island. I shot and gave away 18 Pheasant this season. If I Duck hunted, I would take you up on your offer. But I will say, me dogs pointed and retrieved 3 wounded ducks in one day at Cherry. Had to let them go........no ducky stamp! Lot's of wounded ducks tucked in on the edges of the ponds.

yooper_fisher · Post by **yooper_fisher** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:04 am

Thanks for the info Moto, I've had that happen to me before, finding wounded ducks that is. I saw one pheasant out there last week (and I've heard a few early in the morning) and one the week before at stillwater.

I went out to cherry this morning to find that the whole area is completely underwater. I waded out to the first blind, which was submerged half way. I threw out a few decoys and stood in the waist deep water for an hour before I gave up. I wasn't prepared to do that since it was dry just 2 days ago. I did see lots of birds, but none wanted to land, they were just flying by.

MotoBoat · Post by **MotoBoat** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 5:44 pm

yooper_fisher wrote:Thanks for the info Moto, I've had that happen to me before, finding wounded ducks that is. I saw one pheasant out there last week (and I've heard a few early in the morning) and one the week before at stillwater.

I went out to cherry this morning to find that the whole area is completely underwater. I waded out to the first blind, which was submerged half way. I threw out a few decoys and stood in the waist deep water for an hour before I gave up. I wasn't prepared to do that since it was dry just 2 days ago. I did see lots of birds, but none wanted to land, they were just flying by.

Be careful around the ponds when it is flooded at Cherry. If your standing in hip to chest deep water at the metal Camo painted blind. There are 3 to 4 other ponds in the field that the "Blind" faces. This is the blind that faces Cherry Valley Road there is one other make shift blind in the very center of Chery valley and I don't think that is the one your talking about. Long walk (twice as far) in water to get the that one. When there is no flooding going on the ponds are kept at around 3 ft of water depth. If you were to walk 40 to 50 ft straight out from the blind or directly at Cherry Valley Road. You would be at the edge of the first pond. One step 2 many and your over your head because you just stepped into the pond. Anyway, kinda wished I duck hunted. But never have. You should try Ebey Island in Everett. There is a large area that floods for decoy hunting. And several long slough's to walk, that should be dry when walking along them, to jump shoot ducks. I had many chanced at ducks when working the slough edges for pheasant this season. But had to pass.

yooper_fisher · Post by **yooper_fisher** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:00 pm

Thanks again for the info moto, I hadn't even heard of Ebey before, but sounds like I should give it a shot. I normally hunt the second blind you were talking about, the one that's twice as far.

MotoBoat · Post by **MotoBoat** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:32 pm

yooper_fisher wrote:Thanks again for the info moto, I hadn't even heard of Ebey before, but sounds like I should give it a shot. I normally hunt the second blind you were talking about, the one that's twice as far.

I just noticed you live in Buckley. There are Pheasant release sites all over the west side of the Mountains. Many closer to you than Cherry Valley. If you did not know, almost all release sites are decent duck hunting spots as well. Ft Lewis has a Pheasant release site. As well as several secluded lakes. I would look up Adventure Center + Ft Lewis and give them a call concerning duck hunting options on the base. There is a process to go threw to register your weapon and your good to go. Not certain about seasons or duck hunting on the base but worth a phone call. Think of all the gas you could be saving. Truck gas that is. The kind captured in your waders isn't worth saving.....LOL!!!!!

I just looked in the Western Wa Pheasant release program and there are site's in Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Thurston, Klickatat, Skamania, counties. There are more, but thought these closest to your location ???????

ResQ · Post by **ResQ** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 10:40 am

They still showing up out there? Its been a very slow season. That being said, I have gotten my first band

If they are still showing up out there, I may be able to make a trip that way. I grew up hunting that area but stopped when I was getting peppered by pheasant hunters.

MotoBoat · Post by **MotoBoat** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 12:37 pm

ResQ wrote:They still showing up out there? Its been a very slow season. That being said, I have gotten my first band If they are still showing up out there, I may be able to make a trip that way. I grew up hunting that area but stopped when I was getting peppered by pheasant hunters.

That's pretty funny right there, about being peppered. What I mean to say is. I being a Pheasant hunter. Was constantly hearing pellets landing around me from sky busting duck hunters that take pot shots at long distance fly overs. That being said. Release sites are a place to almost plan on being peppered. To bad really. Problem is, to many hunters condensed by a small hunting area.

Question: Can duck hunters and Pheasant hunters co-exist on the same piece of property? Duck hunters in a blind do not bother the pheasant hunting. But Pheasant hunters moving about with bright clothing in search of planted Pheasants. While a duck hunter sits still calling in it's quarry, that is spooked by movement (Pheasant hunter and dogs). Hardly seems fair for the duck hunter.

yooper_fisher · Post by **yooper_fisher** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 1:54 pm

They were showing up until the field flooded out, I haven't been back since. I was seeing anywhere from 500 to 1000 ducks a day, but 98% were out of range. I don't sky bust (and don't care for those that do since they tend to scare ducks off that are thinking of coming in) so not a whole lot of shooting.

Most of what I saw was mallards, pintails, gadwall, and the occasional teal and ringbill.

MotoBoat · Post by **MotoBoat** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:13 pm

yooper_fisher wrote:They were showing up until the field flooded out, I haven't been back since. I was seeing anywhere from 500 to 1000 ducks a day, but 98% were out of range. I don't sky bust (and don't care for those that do since they tend to scare ducks off that are thinking of coming in) so not a whole lot of shooting.

Most of what I saw was mallards, pintails, gadwall, and the occasional teal and ringbill.

I don't mind the sky busters. Just seems like a desperate way to get a wounded duck. Plus as you say Yoop. Not productive duck hunting.

Yoop, how many hours would it take to see 500-1000 ducks? Have you checked out the WDFW website for the other possible release sight duck hunting spots in the Southern Counties I listed?

yooper_fisher · Post by **yooper_fisher** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:11 pm

that 500-1000 ducks were all day hunting, from opening to closing of shooting hours. I have checked the website on some of those spots, not really much closer as far as drive time, but I am going to scout a few of them out, if not this season then next.

Ice monkey · Post by **Ice monkey** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 8:37 pm

yooper_fisher wrote:I've hunted this area a couple times now and I've seen lots of ducks, unfortunately most are just passing through. I have managed to get a couple ducks here and there, but it's fun seeing them. If anyone in the area wants to join me for a hunt let me know. I'm getting tired of hunting by myself and would love the company.

Hey yooper_fisher, we just recently moved here from WI where I was an active duck hunter. If you're still looking for someone to hunt with let me know.

yooper_fisher · Post by **yooper_fisher** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 2:36 pm

sent you a message Ice.

To let everyone else know, the water is finally down again at cherry valley, and all the ducks still seem to be passing it over, but in great numbers.

MotoBoat · Post by **MotoBoat** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 3:58 pm

yooper_fisher wrote:sent you a message Ice.

To let everyone else know, the water is finally down again at cherry valley, and all the ducks still seem to be passing it over, but in great numbers.

Need to send up a mallard drone to tell ya where those fly by's are landing at!

yooper_fisher · Post by **yooper_fisher** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:59 pm

MotoBoat wrote:Need to send up a mallard drone to tell ya where those fly by's are landing at!

LoL, I know exactly where they're landing

. It's the private fields bordering the unit. I watch them land and there's nothing to be done about it

MotoBoat · Post by **MotoBoat** » Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:47 am

yooper_fisher wrote:
MotoBoat wrote:Need to send up a mallard drone to tell ya where those fly by's are landing at!
LoL, I know exactly where they're landing . It's the private fields bordering the unit. I watch them land and there's nothing to be done about it

Hmmmmm......time for some tactics. Might knock on some doors to find who's field that is. Then come to the door with a bucket and squeegee. Time to become a window washer and offer to do them for free. The fact that your dressed in camo when you arrive might clue the owner into your intentions....LOL!! When your done with the windows, you could use the window washing bucket to sit on in your blind.

And carry your ducks back in that same bucket. Man your smart

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