Not exactly the dream hunt I was hoping for but the weather was way too nice and way too warm. Birds had just not come down yet.

After hunting in Maine for several years, I find it hard to believe that people start lining up at midnight and sleep in their trucks so they are at the head of the line for the launch when it opens at 5:00 am. We showed up at 0400 and were number 15.
I've never seen a better organized bunch of boaters than this mob. When they hit the ramp, it was splash and go. Everyone already had their mud motors warmed up on the trailers so when the truck was parked it was go time. It didn't take 5 minutes for the 14 guys in front of us to launch.
No nonsense here.
We took off on a tear in the mudboat and when we found our first spot, I let off the throttle and the boat bogged down immediately!! The mud was about 4 to 6 inches below the surface and who knows how deep. Nothing and I mean nothing can run in a place like this but a mud motor.

The highlight of the trip was a flock of about 75 cacklers and specks that dropped into our tule pond after a couple notes on my speck call.
we popped the top and it was game on. We cut loose and managed 2 nice cacklers.

Ducks were not to plentiful with the mix being almost all shovelers and teal.

All in all it was and education. The ducking was much better over the ridge on Klamath basin and I'm going to hunt it in 4 weeks. They got a good mix of mallards over there. They didn't have much water so the boat guys had to leave them on the trailer and hike in.

My new dog Tule, worked out great retrieving 5 of the 7 birds we killed. The other 2 were cripples that took off on a tear and we had to run them down with the boat and water swat them.
He was confused at the start of the trip but after a couple birds, he got the whole dog door and dog ramp figured out. I'm pretty pleased with his progress. He's a smart and personable dog.

Water is on the way. 3 to 5 inches expected tomorrow and everyone is bracing for mudslides in the fire areas out here.

Good deal man if it was not soo far I'd love to make a road trip to Cali but fork thats a long drive.Well happy hunting as the yankees say.

Thats some nice lookin' country ya'lls be huntin' in !!

Thanks fo the photo's !!!

Querston ~ Did you fab that gun rack or is that somethin' we can put the purchace on ??

That gun rack is really a fish rod holder with 3 pieces of PVC pipe in it that have a rod holder strip mounted on the top of them. It keeps you r guns upright and out from under your feet and your dogs. I use a small bungee to keep the guns from coming out of it. The guy I bought the boat from cooked this rig up. Works dandy!

Nice Pics Shepabs looks like you guys had a good time. I wish I was their for the storm right know.

It was a long hard hunt for the two of use we hunted until 12:30 and got two limits 1 pintail, 1 mallard, 5 Widgeon and 7 gadwall. And I was one of the crazy's their at 1:30 am and had my motor running on the trailer at 4:45.

Richardb, You guys sure did better than most everyone I talked too.
We you down at 1B?

sweet looking pics man

Shepads,
Didn’t shoot 1B we decided to hunt Lower Klamath. Left my camera in my cousins truck when I get it back I will post some pics.
Richard

Those little geese are funny. We had one come in and circle us. My buddy kept saying "he's too high" he thought it was a giant resident at 75 yards. Pow and he says "oh it's a baby. Thought it sounded weird."

Nice hunt and thanks for the story and pics. Randy

Nice pics shepabs. We hunted the opener in the Klamath Basin (general area of Miller Island) and the ducks were plentiful...quick limits. My strap included sprig, mallard, gadwall, widgeon and GWT. It was a warm, sunny, windless day. Not what you would normally consider very ducky weather. On Sunday, I left the ranch mid-day to see my folks in Medford. The wind was just kicking up and the guys that stayed on the ranch banged two limits of greenheads. They definitely felt that new ducks were down from the frozen climes up north.

I think the Basin will continue to shoot good for a while...too bad I'm back up in frozen Idaho.

idabilly,
Were you the guy i was talking to in the parking lot of the Quality in Klamath falls looking at my boat. I was in lowe with the mudbuddy.
Richardb

Small world, richardb. That was me. It was nice talking to you! I was going to ask you if you were a member of any Forums like this or the Refuge Forums but never did.

I left after a Sunday morning hunt that was slooooooow, but as I was leaving the wind was kicking up pretty good. A couple of guys stayed behind and went back out and they had a lights out hunt. Limits of greenheads. I think more birds were arriving in the Basin due to being pushed out of colder climes up north.

Enjoy that boat.

Hey Guys, Back up there on November 7 & 8, I'm going to Klamath marsh units this time. Any hints on where to go?? Send PM if you don't want to make it too public!!

shepabs,

Can't help you out. I am a public ground hunter all the way in Idaho but in the K Basin I am fortunate enough to hunt private land. Have never hunted public. I will tell you that I heard lots of shots coming from Miller Island last weekend.