2019 Ottawa Area Mentoring, Small Game, Deer and Ducks

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Originally Posted by line052

Small Game like Wiener has pointed is always a challenge when hunting for rabbit or grouse along the edge lines we go to. The thick cover reduces the chances of getting a clear shot, but it makes up for the learning experience of JUST HOW fast and furious the grouse flush is. Quite frankly is scares the bejesus out of me on first flush each season..lol. Early season grouse is a great time to learn about habitat, conditioning the mind to the flush, and learning proper ways to carry for quick safe action shooting. IT can be frustration the first couple of times, but trust me all go though it.

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I'm just surprised no one with a good upland dog has joined your camp. Takes grouse and woodcock hunting to a different experience.

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

I'm just surprised no one with a good upland dog has joined your camp. Takes grouse and woodcock hunting to a different experience.

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I always wanted a bird dog for grouse but the crap I find them in Eastern Ontario I don't know how good or bad a dog could be, this crap is thick.

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Originally Posted by Fox

I always wanted a bird dog for grouse but the crap I find them in Eastern Ontario I don't know how good or bad a dog could be, this crap is thick.

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Thick crap was made for a good bird dog. The Lazy approach you walk the trails even if its just a deer path when you hear the beeper go off follow it to the dog/bird look for an opening and send the bird up when you are ready. How do you think I do it.:D

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

Thick crap was made for a good bird dog. The Lazy approach you walk the trails even if its just a deer path when you hear the beeper go off follow it to the dog/bird look for an opening and send the bird up when you are ready. How do you think I do it.:D

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I don's have a dog, I am the guy going into the crap and having the bird bust back over my head, you can and do fall on your butt trying to line up on something flying directly at and over you, ha ha ha.

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Originally Posted by line052

Yes you do and DID...for nothing that weekend...lol. Just some good stories and good fires...no geese. But that is what it all about, good times, learning, sharing.

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I only brought the geese decoys.

How many ponds do you want decoys for? :cool:

I have been doing some scouting with google earth, and there are ponds south of your camp and a river/creek access off Flood Rd to that pond you were talking about.

Maybe something to explore well your gone over the week.:thumbup:

Great job Mark!

It was fun joining you for a few weekends. Looking forward to coming again this year (when the schedule allows it)

SO RF2 had a chance to explore the ponds we hunt and reported they are low. This was the same as last year (and the reason why early goose was bust). No worries, as the duck habitat will be good, I do fear that once the local population is done we might be looking for other spots. There is always still tons to do and hunt in this area, but the duck hunting is always highlight of the Morn/Eve events.

I am going to try and get in this weekend and send a drone up to assess the water conditions in the back ponds to see if they are accessible.

I do have concerns over the water management practices being used on the North West side of Dwyer Hill/Flood plain, as these conditions have never been like they are in the 6 yrs I have hunted these lands. There seems to be a deliberate effort to drain the ponds with the management of this watershed, and I am not sure if it is local property/or Conservation Authority that is busting the dams upstream. It is those dams which regulate the outflow and consistent levels within the MB. Those ponds were created by DU in the 70-80's for exactly the purpose of wetlands. Even in 2013 a very dry year the ponds were 50% higher then last 2 yrs.

This sounds real good Marc. I am starting out this year and hadn't even though/realized about duck hunting... I am definitely game for learning about it.

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Originally Posted by line052

I do have concerns over the water management practices being used on the North West side of Dwyer Hill/Flood plain, as these conditions have never been like they are in the 6 yrs I have hunted these lands. There seems to be a deliberate effort to drain the ponds with the management of this watershed, and I am not sure if it is local property/or Conservation Authority that is busting the dams upstream. It is those dams which regulate the outflow and consistent levels within the MB. Those ponds were created by DU in the 70-80's for exactly the purpose of wetlands. Even in 2013 a very dry year the ponds were 50% higher then last 2 yrs.

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It would be great to find out. The worst thing for a wetland is consistent water levels though. Having years of high water and years of extremely low water improves the quality of the landscape for waterfowl for the long term.

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

It would be great to find out. The worst thing for a wetland is consistent water levels though. Having years of high water and years of extremely low water improves the quality of the landscape for waterfowl for the long term.

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Last year there was heavy weed cover on the top of the pond next to Marc's camp, but there was some good depth to the water.

Maybe a weed rake could be used to clear off some of the floating weed mass to get the geese to land.