looking for a waterfowl group to join

[hat]

Didn't mean to cause a storm. I spend most of my hunt time - bow hunting for deer and the odd upland bird hunting excursion (spring turkey of course). One of my best hunting buddies is a guy who had no local property to bow hunt - I brought him out and the friendship (and hunts) continue today. Although i enjoy alone time in the outdoors, I find hunting with a buddy or being a part of a group much more enjoyable. All I was asking was to tag along on a couple hunts, - possibly to meet new buddies and to see if the waterfowl hunt is for me before i invested in gear. I wasn't looking for someones secret location or a free ride. .. just saying

[terrierman41]

Sometimes it doesn't take much to start a s**t storm around here, lol.

[hat]

topher . pm sent.

[Sinker]

NP. I do agree with the mighty part though... I feel as if the "common man" water fowler is frowned upon.. You know the guy that doesn't have thousands to spend... The guy with an average pump action... I can't even afford cammos.. I know I get laughed at in the bush.

I bet some of the best waterfowlers get laughed at. You can have all the fancy expensive gear you want, but if you don't have the experience, its all worthless.

Sure, you might get a shot at a duck, but spend a few years in the field, and your far better off with minimal gear, and lots of experience. Guys laugh at my gear all the time.

S.

[Sprite]

You can have all the fancy expensive gear you want, but if you don't have the experience, its all worthless.

Truer words have never been spoken.

[mox72]

Don't know how some people got so high and mighty, or why they reply to a thread when they don't actually respond to the OP other then to criticise.

HAT asked if there would be anyone willing to take him out, 'ell I just offered a Snow Goose hunt to a fellow member, all for the cost of set-up and tear-down, he brings nothing to the table other then a strong back. I hunt with guys that I introduced to the sport, sure they got the itch; but they don't have the funds, I do. They are young, starting families, etc., I'm young at heart; but only middle aged. We are great friends, I own the trailer, I own the decoys, they help with set-up, tear-down, cleaning decoys, every other aspect of the hunt, they throw money at me to cover cost of gas for scouting... they are all good friends. One of them, with whom I hunted last week has gotten his feet under himself, while he doesn't have huge amounts of excess money, he mentioned that he wants in when I upgrade decoys next time.


There is nothing wrong with asking, not everyone has money to buy into a decent spread... a couple decoys won't do, but what one can bring to the table can vary from person to person. Sometimes it as Hat says, good company and a 12 guage, hopefully a strong back as well to do the fair share, or more of the work.

My response was more directed at the person who suggested he hire a guide, but I was also trying to give the OP a bit of a nudge.

When I first got into hunting I was in the same situation and only really got to go out when I was invited because I had no gear or spots. So eventually I realized that instead of being passive and just jumping at opportunities that were offered, I took the active route and banged on doors, got some spots, learned from being out there, and then slowly added gear that I needed here and there.

And as Sinker said, the tools that provide the most success are free and take up little space.

[mox72]

NP. I do agree with the mighty part though... I feel as if the "common man" water fowler is frowned upon.. You know the guy that doesn't have thousands to spend... The guy with an average pump action... I can't even afford cammos.. I know I get laughed at in the bush.

Agree, like I've said before...I find a hint of smugness in the waterfowling community nowadays. Sometimes it reminds of golf.

[Hunter John]

And fly fishing

[terrym]

I'm not a waterfowler but if I was looking at getting into it and needed a spot, places like Luther Marsh and Tiny Marsh have public hunting for a daily fee. I have no idea how good it is but it is a place to try anyway? I grew up in Quebec and used to hunt snow geese religiously and being kids we had no money. We collected empty bleach jugs and used them as decoys and trust me you wouldn't beleive me if I told you how many snows we killed over those empty white jugs. My point is you need to think outside the box and there are budget solutions. My guess is here it's all about land access anyway so that would be my first priority but at this late stage in the year I'm sure most land is locked up which is why I mentioned Luther Marsh.

[Allumette]

To the original poster,

My recommendation would be to book a couple guided hunts with the closest guide service to your area. Book a goose hunt one time, and a duck hunt the next, or vice-versa. Get some experience under your belt for a relatively inexpensive cost. (expect to pay around $200 per day)

A "good" guide will teach you more about waterfowl hunting over the course of a couple hunts than you can learn cutting your teeth with other hunters with a similar experience level to yourself. Make sure you book with a reputable guide service and not some young kid with a need to kill everything in sight and show off to all his friends.

After a few guided hunts, you'll know if you have "the itch". If you do get the itch, tt will be so dam itchy you'll want to chew your arm off...

...then you'll know you're hooked.

At that point if you still want to proceed into the world of waterfowling, get yourself some minimal gear (ie. a dozen or so decoys, and a couple calls, some good warm clothing, etc.) and look for people who share your like interest.

Your guide may be able to point you in the direction of some hunters in the same boat as you, and forums like these are also good places to meet people. You'll figure out quickly who's on here to help out and have fun, and who's here to be an "elitist".

Also take a trip to the local hunting stores in your area and ask if they know of any guys who hunt in small groups that would be looking for another helper.

Good luck this season and I hope you learn enough and have enough fun to be back posting here next fall.

All the best!!

Marc
GoHuntBirds_com