Thread: Waterfowl Help

knocker, i duck hunted in the bootheel for 53 years. it was always open hunting. the powers that be in mo have really screwed up the public places with the draw hunts. i've never been to one but have read a lot about them and no one likes the draw deal. you are just about screwed unless you can get in with someone that will take you under their wing that has a good place or you'll have to join a club or do the pay hunt deal like you said you did. there is two public places in the lower bootheel that are not draw hunt places but you'll have to learn the place or stay lost. one doesn't have water very much of the season and the other is at the mercy of the st. francis if it has water. still either would be hit or miss. the good spots are just about taken up or leased out. people that have done the work and paid their dues are, as you've found out, closed mouthed about their duck hunting. many have been burned by taking someone and then that someone coming in and setting up close to them. i don't know your financial situation but a club up there would probably be your best bet at getting some good hunting sometime during the season. some may have good hunting all season and they would be higher priced but before i did that i would do a lot of questioning about the "normal" season kill. and i have no idea what a club membership up there would run. i know a man that's in one up there and when i see him i'll ask some questions of him. there are lots of pits for lease in the lower bootheel but they are very hit or miss on killin'. i hunted with a friend that had one leased for a few years and we killed ducks when i was with him and even had a couple of real good days. but pit hunting is about the most uncomfortable hunting you can do. although it's a long way to travel there's clubs down in ark that need new members from time to time. you might get on the refuge and ask there about some. the floodway ditches just north of hornersville can be good at times and it's "open" hunting as long as you don't set up close to someone else but you have to take your decoys up every day or stand a chance of losing them to the water if it comes a big rain. i don't know what ditch is the best but can try to find out for you if you think you want to try that. some have built blinds on them and some just rough it and set on the bank and cover up with brush. you have to have your boat camoed and covered good too. it's a long hard road you are wanting to travel.


old

C-knocker, PM me with your contact info, and I'll see what I can do to hook you up.

I started the Delta Waterfowl chapter in St.Louis about 5 years ago, and I'm still on that board. I'm also a member of Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters Assoc and active there. I'm sure I can get you hooked up with a few spots to hunt, or you can go with me.

When I migrated to waterfowling from other hunting and fishing pursuits, I met a TON of people just by attending a few waterfowl meetings/events.

Knocker,

That's how it is anymore.....people have worked hard for their spots, either public or private and they are pretty tight lipped. I'm not extremely knowledgeable when it comes to 'fowlin in the STL area so I can't offer much. Have a buddy that hunts the Bush's private hole pretty regularly, but thats no comparison and I've never made it down there.

I actually own a little slice of heaven with my dad about 2 hours north of ya around Quincy, IL in the north bottoms....... 40 acres which we flood about 30 after we pick the corn. Put in our second concrete pit last year and looking forward to a good set up for this year after everything has grown up and looks normal again.

If you are hard up for some hunting later this year, shoot me a PM and maybe we can arrange something. Sorry I can't lend more information for ya, but least I can do is help a fellow 'fowler & fisherman.

U

the only way to do it is to get out there and get after it! its about like fishing the more time you spend doing it the better you ll get at it and the more you ll learn! im not familiar with anything in the STL area but i believe there are some folks on here that are from the that area and would be willing to help!!

thanks oldduckhunter and rlsiv. I appreciate the feedback and i will keep you posted.......ck

thanks everyone. i am willing to travel in Mo. to hunt so i'll keep working at it. Where is the DUCK COMMANDER when you need him?

Originally Posted by Crappieknocker

thanks everyone. i am willing to travel in Mo. to hunt so i'll keep working at it. Where is the DUCK COMMANDER when you need him?

Duck hunting is way overrated. Deer hunting is much more fun!

Krazy,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i also deer hunt