In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

2024 Waterfowl Season

Discussion in 'The Game Room' started by foothillsfire, Sep 29, 2024.

  1. foothillsfire

    foothillsfire

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2022
    Messages:
    101
    Likes Received:
    746
    Location:
    Alberta
    Who has been out for birds this year?
    A couple hunts in the books so far for me.
    We caught the Specklebelly migration in central Alberta and limited out within about two hours. This was my first time shooting at them and it is like nothing else. Very long shots! A couple snow geese snuck in these as well.
    Goose Hunting.jpg

    Also got out for an afternoon duck hunt in coffin blinds and limited out very quickly. Mallards were coming in great!
    Associates Bird hunt.jpg
     
    imwiley1, wildwest, Haftacut and 9 others like this.
  2. JD Guy

    JD Guy

    Joined:
    May 11, 2022
    Messages:
    769
    Likes Received:
    4,310
    Location:
    Upstate SC
    Wow! Haven’t been duck hunting in way too many years! I’m salivating just thinking about those duck breasts sizzling in the skillet :thumbs:
     
    wildwest, eatonpcat, Chvymn99 and 2 others like this.
  3. Ronaldo

    Ronaldo

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2015
    Messages:
    1,493
    Likes Received:
    8,855
    Location:
    Iowa
    Lots of fun. We have an early Teal season but it was still so hot and lots of bugs. I’ll get after some Wood ducks when our main season opens in mid October. Great pics!
     
    wildwest, eatonpcat, Chvymn99 and 2 others like this.
  4. foothillsfire

    foothillsfire

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2022
    Messages:
    101
    Likes Received:
    746
    Location:
    Alberta
    It's going to be great! I was told by my hunting buddies that Specklebelly is the best tasting goose. I'll have to try to confirm if that is true.
     
    wildwest, eatonpcat, Chvymn99 and 3 others like this.
  5. foothillsfire

    foothillsfire

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2022
    Messages:
    101
    Likes Received:
    746
    Location:
    Alberta
    Best of luck! Post some shots once you get out there!
     
    wildwest, eatonpcat, Chvymn99 and 2 others like this.
  6. Eckie

    Eckie

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2019
    Messages:
    3,321
    Likes Received:
    16,560
    Location:
    Virginia
    Been a long time since I got after any ducks or geese. Field shooting geese (Canada geese) was great fun, I'd like to get after them again.

    How many snows do yall get into up there? I think last I heard, there were no rules and limits on snows...that's be awesome.
     
  7. foothillsfire

    foothillsfire

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2022
    Messages:
    101
    Likes Received:
    746
    Location:
    Alberta
    We are on the migration route so we see tens of thousands every year. With current over population there is indeed no limit, and a spring hunt as well.
    I've been out once for a spring hunt and we brought down a hundred one morning.
     
    wildwest, Eckie, Ronaldo and 3 others like this.
  8. hovlandhomestead

    hovlandhomestead

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2018
    Messages:
    2,130
    Likes Received:
    16,963
    Location:
    MN
    Awesome waterfowl field hunting area you have up there foothillsfire !

    My duck hunting nowadays consists of jump shooting beaver ponds and creeks while grouse hunting, My wife is not a big fan of waterfowl for eating compared to grouse, but I sure like to eat them at least once a year.

    I have a friend that goes to Manitoba every fall. They breast their geese, and grind up some for sausage, and make some of it made into jerky.
     
  9. Eckie

    Eckie

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2019
    Messages:
    3,321
    Likes Received:
    16,560
    Location:
    Virginia
    Are there many hunting outfitters up there for those?
     
    wildwest likes this.
  10. foothillsfire

    foothillsfire

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2022
    Messages:
    101
    Likes Received:
    746
    Location:
    Alberta
    Quite a few! And there are a fair number that have the license to guide Americans, but from what I here that license its extremely expensive.
    One of my guides told me he charges Americans $3,000 CAD per person for hunt, lodging, food, gun and ammo on a 2 day goose and/or duck hunt.
    I'm not sure how that would compare with a similar guided hunt in the states.
     
    Chvymn99, eatonpcat and Eckie like this.
  11. Eckie

    Eckie

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2019
    Messages:
    3,321
    Likes Received:
    16,560
    Location:
    Virginia
    A special license just to guide Americans? Geez... Wonder what that's about... Maybe a gun and gun law thing?

    I've never done a guided hunt anywhere. And I'm quite sure I won't if prices are that high!
     
  12. Ronaldo

    Ronaldo

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2015
    Messages:
    1,493
    Likes Received:
    8,855
    Location:
    Iowa
    Found some Wood ducks this morning. 3 is the daily limit on Woodies so I stopped there. IMG_1717.jpeg
     
    BCB, Eric Wanderweg, Chvymn99 and 6 others like this.
  13. Biddleman

    Biddleman

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2019
    Messages:
    2,715
    Likes Received:
    20,787
    Location:
    River Hills of Pennsylvania
    Haven't been out yet. My son got a SeaArk boat this summer. The guy he bought it from has it all set up with a blind. Son was out once for the early waterfowl week. Birds weren't cooperating
     
    Ronaldo and Chvymn99 like this.
  14. Haftacut

    Haftacut

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2020
    Messages:
    2,794
    Likes Received:
    15,929
    Location:
    Rives Junction, MI
    Haven’t done this in years, but what a great time! Thanks for sharing
     
    JD Guy and Eckie like this.
  15. ReelFaster

    ReelFaster

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Messages:
    2,557
    Likes Received:
    17,500
    Location:
    S.Jersey
    Awesome job!

    Don't want to hijack the thread, but came to this chat topic to post and saw this thread.

    Never really been hunting but would like to start. I love nature and the outdoors. However let's say eating deer is not my favorite and I would never shoot anything I would not eat.

    I thought for starters as a beginner bird hunting would be something I can wrap my head around, specifically Pheasant. How are they eating wise?

    Looks like plenty of places here in NJ to hunt them and many of them are stocked frequently.
     
    Chvymn99, Eckie and hovlandhomestead like this.
  16. Ronaldo

    Ronaldo

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2015
    Messages:
    1,493
    Likes Received:
    8,855
    Location:
    Iowa
    I really like Pheasant. Similar to chicken but no fat on them so they are somewhat dry. We have a recipe that has pheasant breast wrapped in bacon cooked in cream of mushroom soup and it is excellent.
     
  17. hovlandhomestead

    hovlandhomestead

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2018
    Messages:
    2,130
    Likes Received:
    16,963
    Location:
    MN
    You may also want to look into turkeys. I am pretty sure that NJ has some areas with good populations for hunting.

    More like deer hunting, but you are bird hunting, and out in nature in the spring. They are good eating too.
     
  18. Eckie

    Eckie

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2019
    Messages:
    3,321
    Likes Received:
    16,560
    Location:
    Virginia
    Curious if you don't like the idea of eating deer, or if it's the meat/flavor/taste?

    The ducks I've eaten were not the best, but they were mainly wood ducks. And like any food, a lot depends on how its cooked. I've had some delicious goose, I've has some that left a lot to be desired.

    Same with turkey, and turkey can be extremely challenging. I've only had pheasant a time or two, but it was good.

    Do you have any friends who hunt? I'm always a proponent of going with someone who can help/'mentor' you a bit, if possible.
     
    Chvymn99, ReelFaster and Ronaldo like this.
  19. ReelFaster

    ReelFaster

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Messages:
    2,557
    Likes Received:
    17,500
    Location:
    S.Jersey
    That sounds outstanding and right up my alley!
     
    Ronaldo and Chvymn99 like this.
  20. ReelFaster

    ReelFaster

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Messages:
    2,557
    Likes Received:
    17,500
    Location:
    S.Jersey
    Love Turkey, always heard wild Turkey has a bit more of a gamey taste. BUT you never know until you try it!
     
    hovlandhomestead likes this.