Looking at maybe trying to hunt some low laying places up there but was wondering if anyone has had any success up there. Is it a waste of time or is it worth a shot? There isnot really any big water around but I assume they might come into the timber to roost/feed maybe?
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks!
17’ Mako
16’ Alumacraft
Don’t think I’ve ever seen a Duck roost in a tree? Maybe a Wood Duck?
quote:
Originally posted by EasyDon’t think I’ve ever seen a Dock roost in a tree? Maybe a Wood Duck?
I’m very new to this…
17’ Mako
16’ Alumacraft
Few and far between, take a few weeks and scout or you wont see a thing
“The further one gets into the wilderness, the greater the attraction of its lonely freedom”
Plenty of summer ducks in there sonny,there’s a nice pond down a mile or two on the left. I bet you get your limit plus some squirrels for a good pearlo,and don’t get lost,bring a gps or compass.Anywhere you find water in the government woods,you might find ducks.Sometimes we’d get a croaker sack full ,so get out and find em.Good luck.
Dear drag…30 years ago that place was 1 of my go to places, but now the I’on swamp is a nature trail, in addition to being part of the FMNF. It’s legal to shoot ducks AFTER deer season. There used to be quite a few wood ducks, and occasionally big ducks that sought shelter during big wind. I’m afraid that those days have gone the way of the DoDo bird. I like to go in there and let my dog run now, but the duck hunting just ain’t there. Better chance of popping a few woodcock in season. Also…remember “still water’s run deep”…you can go for a swim in that place real easy.
I’d suggest that you check out Quinby Creek in Huger…public access, and some places get some decent wood duck flights…gotta do the scouting…put in the time, and don’t have any lead shot rolling around in the bottom of your boat!
Yeah, Quinby is how we spelled it back in the day. As far as that place goes, the rice field across from the Chapel was always holding birds, mainly baldpates. We quit when the skybusters started showing up, but it had quality ducks for a while.
The revolving charge card…ie Credit Card…did more to ruin duck hunting than any other thing, 2nd place golf courses. Q-beams and Yamaha’s galore. Duck hunting used to be a self limiting experience…limited by the economic expense of all the necessary gear.
Waste of time
Hey screaming drag ,pay no attention to the nattering nabobs of negativism little buddy,still a lot of ducks in Francis Marion flooded timber.Believe me,my grand boys bring me plenty to wax.Poly , I like that you called them baldplates , I bet lead shot was still legal back then.
Also,don’t bring a dog when you’re trying to sneak up on wood ducks.You must be very very quiet.Usually you will hear them whistling or making another sound back and forth before you see em. I can’t stress enough that you must take your time or they will swim away and you’ll never know they were there.
I’m not sure you are describing “duck hunting” in your post, sman. When I was a kid, and unsupervised, I thought bushwhacking ducks was the way to do it. I didn’t have any equipment, just a pocket full of shells. Of course all I cared about was killing something…a squirrel, a raccoon, a rabbit, etc. Later I learned that there was much more to “duck hunting” than shooting a bird. There are unwritten rules. Pass shooting wood ducks in a low bottom swamp with a trained retriever to pick them up is “duck hunting”…what you describe is not. I don’t hunt to eat, I eat what I kill, and go home empty handed more times than not. The days of pass shooting wood ducks in the I’on swamp are over, and the Widgeon don’t raft up in the east branch of the Cooper River anymore, and the blue bills and scaup are not at the crab bank anymore either. My advice to Mr. Drag is to marry a Medical Doctor, hang out with rich landowners, and beg for an invitation to hunt their duck compounds. Or…go to Canada in October.
quote:
Originally posted by bulldog1The days of pass shooting wood ducks in the I’on swamp are over, and the Widgeon don’t raft up in the east branch of the Cooper River anymore, and the blue bills and scaup are not at the crab bank anymore either. My advice to Mr. Drag is to marry a Medical Doctor, hang out with rich landowners, and beg for an invitation to hunt their duck compounds. Or…go to Canada in October.
Pretty much sums up SC duck hunting. Not to mention, with the I’on Swamp Interpretive trail, you’re more likely to pass shoot a hiker than a wood duck!
quote:
Originally posted by Fishwishquote:
Originally posted by bulldog1The days of pass shooting wood ducks in the I’on swamp are over, and the Widgeon don’t raft up in the east branch of the Cooper River anymore, and the blue bills and scaup are not at the crab bank anymore either. My advice to Mr. Drag is to marry a Medical Doctor, hang out with rich landowners, and beg for an invitation to hunt their duck compounds. Or…go to Canada in October.
Pretty much sums up SC duck hunting. Not to mention, with the I’on Swamp Interpretive trail, you’re more likely to pass shoot a hiker than a wood duck!
Meh, there are still plenty of ducks to be killed in SC. Problem is 95% of folks want a freebie and wont work for them(ie. Cyber scouting on the internet) The only way to kill ducks on public land is to work for them and keep your mouth shut, in 2017 both of these things seem to be hard for folks to do.
quote:. You sound bitter and miserable ,everyone knows duck hunting isn’t what it used to be.Young men are still going to pursue ducks in spite of your discouraging post.If you don’t believe jump shooting ducks in the woods is “duck hunting “ then I know all need to about you. I noticed you are very popular in the inshore reports section also.HaHa
Originally posted by bulldog1I’m not sure you are describing “duck hunting” in your post, sman. When I was a kid, and unsupervised, I thought bushwhacking ducks was the way to do it. I didn’t have any equipment, just a pocket full of shells. Of course all I cared about was killing something…a squirrel, a raccoon, a rabbit, etc. Later I learned that there was much more to “duck hunting” than shooting a bird. There are unwritten rules. Pass shooting wood ducks in a low bottom swamp with a trained retriever to pick them up is “duck hunting”…what you describe is not. I don’t hunt to eat, I eat what I kill, and go home empty handed more times than not. The days of pass shooting wood ducks in the I’on swamp are over, and the Widgeon don’t raft up in the east branch of the Cooper River anymore, and the blue bills and scaup are not at the crab bank anymore either. My advice to Mr. Drag is to marry a Medical Doctor, hang out with rich landowners, and beg for an invitation to hunt their duck compounds. Or…go to Canada in October.
He didnt post anyones latitude and longitude, yet…
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “No Slack”
quote:
Originally posted by killinRHe didnt post anyones latitude and longitude, yet…
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “No Slack”
If he does, I will delete my initial post and hope admin will delete the thread. I posted this thread, asking a simple question about whether or not it’s worth spending hard earned money on gas and time to hunt somewhere I am relatively unfamiliar with. I in no way intended to enable this degree of behavior.
17’ Mako
16’ Alumacraft
Its definitely worth it. Its not about killing anything its about the experience. Im not even that good at duck hunting but the experience with good friends are unforgettable. Go scout new areas and have fun. Thats what its all about for me. The ducks are a bonus.
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “No Slack”
quote:Still have a case or 2 of #4s
Originally posted by smanHey screaming drag ,pay no attention to the nattering nabobs of negativism little buddy,still a lot of ducks in Francis Marion flooded timber.Believe me,my grand boys bring me plenty to wax.Poly , I like that you called them baldplates , I bet lead shot was still legal back then.
Yes, there are ducks to be killed. They just aren’t anywhere near Charleston, SC. I gave up being a river rat duck hunter years ago. Used to get up at 2:00AM and haul my rig all the way to Bennet’s Point to shoot ducks in the ACE basin. They’re still there, and so are about 40 dozen yahoos with War Eagle’s and Q beams. I’ve got a couple thousand dollars worth of decoys sitting in my shed…nice ones…LL Bean coastal cork mallards, black ducks, and wood ducks, along with all the plastic pintail’s you can carry in a pick up truck. I use them at my brother’s $12K a year hunt club…they have ducks.
sman…This is a popularity contest? Whodda thunk it. You I guess. Go figure.
Drag…Believe who you want, but I’d advise that the time, effort, and money you will expend to kill a duck around here is prohibitive. There are many more productive ways to shoot ducks, as in Mallards, Pintails, Widgeon, Black Ducks…not ringnecks or spoon bills. Check out Dare to Hyde outfitters in Mattamuskeet, NC. It’s a 6 hr. drive, it’ll cost you $100.00 for a 3 day license and duck stamp, and for $350.00/day + tip you will hunt twice a day…morning and afternoon, get a room with cable TV and all the clean linens you need, breakfast and dinner, and a fully stocked open bar(drink for free) with fresh made appetizer’s every evening. Not to mention Lake Mattamuskeet…Ever watched Tundra Swans cruise over your blind?
Or you could “scout” you’re butt off…kinda like the lottery…you can’t win if you don’t play…just not likely to win.