RE: Hunting in ice
 

Hey Idaho,

How'd that tip work out? I'm curious to see if I should apply it when the situation warrants it. Like I posted, I read it in a magazine.

Thanks,
TX

RE: Hunting in ice
 

If the ducks are hanging around the refuge still, try breaking ice and setting up. However, if it is frozen for a while, the birds know this and have probably moved to other places locally or left altogether. First think of any open water, such as lakes or small rivers/creeks. Then head out and look for birds. We do some of our best shooting on tiny creeks when everything is frozen up because that is the only open water and the birds are concentrated in them. Look for the birds, then you will know where to hunt. Late season is the best in my opinion, so good luck and have fun.

RE: Hunting in ice
 

I agree with what everyone is saying. At the Horicon marsh it frooze it early. We went out there and broke ice. The ducks were seeing open water and coming right in. So just brake the ice.

RE: Hunting in ice
 

TX ... I was stuck doing X-MAS lights this weekend except for a few hours sunday. I jumped over to an iced over section of a tiny lake and had geese and birds fying right in... most of them flew over initially and then doubled back down. Thanks for the tip.

RE: Hunting in ice
 

I have done some stupid stuff on icy water. I hunt shallow swamps that freeze up quick. Usually the birds will be there a day or two if you can get a hole open up for then. Some of my best days have been on the only open holes. I have also found out when the shallow swamps freeze up find the nearest lake and get on it. It takes longer for the large bodies of water to lock up.

RE: Hunting in ice
 

thanks for the advice everyone... i am going to go out tomorrow for a quick hour and see what happens.

RE: Hunting in ice
 

That's right. If it's been frozen for a while, more than likely they've found somewhere else to go. But... if there are ducks flying over, and you've broken a hole in the ice, no doubt you'll have some come in.

RE: Hunting in ice
 

I actually got out and hunted 2 weeks ago on the morning that a marsh we were hunting first froze. The ducks were around, and we broke ice, yet the birds flew over the marsh and looked unsure of what to do, since the whole thing was frozen. Had we been the only party hunting, I think we would have done better. But the birds didn't work well at first and then worked better later as ice melted and the wind broke it up. Many of the spots that had done well the previous day, didn't do well at all the day we were there, in my opinion due to the ice, despite the fact that hunters were breaking holes and setting out dekes. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Hope you have good luck.

RE: Hunting in ice
 

critch. woodsboy... any idea how the refuge is doing? i was thinking about giving it a try..