Ducks - Southern Tier - How?

[NYHuntFish]

I've never hunted ducks buy would like to this year. I primarily hunt in the southern tier of NY. 

 

I've heard you can hunt in the swamp in Watkins Glen, but I'm not sure. 

 

Can anyone shed some light on this? Can I do it without a dog? I do have a canoe.

 

Thanks.

 

 

[reeltime]

not sure which swamp your talking about unless its the marsh area south of the seneca outlet in the glen.

 

I would not go by hearsay, I would find out for certain from a warden in that area.  someone told me I could hunt here is not a valid excuse to a warden and I wouldn't want you to find out the hard way that you can not hunt there.

 

with the temps we are having and snowfall amounts I would be surprised if any marshes are open water, generally a marsh has slow moving water which in turn is generally the first to freeze over.

 

canoe's and cold water are a dangerous combination, trying to hunt the fingerlakes from a canoe is also a dangerous proposition.  you can go from knee deep water to 40-100 foot deep in one step in some places. 

 

can you duck hunt without a dog? yes doing so in a marsh is going to be tough because a lot of places its so swampy and muddy you just cant walk in the marsh. unless you ensure that every duck you shoot lands in the water you will likely loose birds.

 

I would suggest looking over the finger lakes and find some spots you can put the canoe in, watch the winds and hunt accordingly. unless you are absolutely sure of the bottom contour and depths set a few decoys from your boat. Stash the boat and find a good hiding spot on the shoreline.

 

Remember if your hunting the split season respect the weather and certainly respect the water.

 

good luck

 

[HectorBuckBuster]

Maybe stop down at the pull off at the bottom of the hill of Rt 79 and chat with the duck/goose hunters that have blinds in the south end of the lake by Clute Park.

[NYHuntFish]

Thanks for your answer. Yes, I need to find out about this. When I get a clearer answer I will try to post it. Thanks again.

 

 

 

 

 

not sure which swamp your talking about unless its the marsh area south of the seneca outlet in the glen.

 

I would not go by hearsay, I would find out for certain from a warden in that area.  someone told me I could hunt here is not a valid excuse to a warden and I wouldn't want you to find out the hard way that you can not hunt there.

 

with the temps we are having and snowfall amounts I would be surprised if any marshes are open water, generally a marsh has slow moving water which in turn is generally the first to freeze over.

 

canoe's and cold water are a dangerous combination, trying to hunt the fingerlakes from a canoe is also a dangerous proposition.  you can go from knee deep water to 40-100 foot deep in one step in some places. 

 

can you duck hunt without a dog? yes doing so in a marsh is going to be tough because a lot of places its so swampy and muddy you just cant walk in the marsh. unless you ensure that every duck you shoot lands in the water you will likely loose birds.

 

I would suggest looking over the finger lakes and find some spots you can put the canoe in, watch the winds and hunt accordingly. unless you are absolutely sure of the bottom contour and depths set a few decoys from your boat. Stash the boat and find a good hiding spot on the shoreline.

 

Remember if your hunting the split season respect the weather and certainly respect the water.

 

good luck

 

[NYHuntFish]

Yes, that's a great idea. People have blinds on the other side of the lake too. I was a little afraid to do it but maybe I will. Someone told me they're all on private land but I can check further. Thanks.

 

 

Maybe stop down at the pull off at the bottom of the hill of Rt 79 and chat with the duck/goose hunters that have blinds in the south end of the lake by Clute Park.