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Coming back to VT!

3K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  pete/pmr 
#1 ·
I'm finally headed back home to my beloved state of Vermont! Work and skiing took me out to Nevada for a few years and now finally getting back - not until next fall tho! I grew up as an avid big game hunter and have recently feel in love with waterfowl hunting - thanks to my new pup! I was just back for thanksgiving and saw duck blinds littered out in front of my parents' house on Lake Champlain (near Georgia shore). I was in my deer stand a few mornings and all I could hear were shots coming from the lake and I started drooling!

I have never hunted from a boat so I have some questions. Out in Nevada, where no water exists, hunting from a boat blind is just not the way of things. My plan is to arrive in Vermont sometime in August and right away purchase a jon boat so I can start training my dog out of the boat prior the season. Where do you guys put your dog's when in the boat while hunting? Bow? And do you guys cut a hole on both starboard and port sides of the blind to release the dog in case one lands on either side of the boat? Also, anybody have luck with a dog ramp or should I just fabricate my own?

Lastly - I have never hunted in more than waist deep water and keeping the decoys stationary has never been an issue in such shallow water. In deep water, how do you guys keep the decoys from floating away? I would assume you put more anchor line on the decoy lines?

Thanks for all the help and look forward to next year! Hope everyone is having a great season so far. In the few days I was home I saw more ducks and geese than I have seen in Nevada during my first year of hunting. Be thankful for what you guys have over there!! Good luck!

Sam
Posted a quick pic of my first limit ever! One merg and the six shovlers!
 

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#3 ·
Use 8oz anchors and longer anchor lines... if you are hunting whistlers, broadies, or blackjacks over deeper water, use gang rigs, but be careful with the dog, they can get tangled. If you choose to hunt gang rigs with your dog, get the 4ft clips rather than the 2ft's... use anchors on both ends of the line to ensure the main line stays 4ft under.

buy a boat big enough to handle the big water....
 
#4 ·
All depends on the boat where the dog sits. Mine sits on bow most times but where ever really as long as she can see unless hunting puddlers then her ass is inside hidden. I have a platform for her to get in that flops over n in but usually don't use it if against a shoreline.
Open water or divers I use 130 ft long lines on ext cord reels w weights on either end. 3 ft strings w clips on dekes n dog swims rt thru w no tangle 9 outa 10 times.
 
#5 ·
put your time in and try out new things, do your homework and read up on different techniques and tactics used. Its all trial and error and a little bit of common sense... if your hunting deep water put more line on your dekes, if your hunting big lakes get a big boat and so forth. My biggest advice would be to get familiar with the areas your going to be hunting.
 
#8 ·
I think its easier to unclip deke n toss in bot of boat or stand up bag n at same time winding long line up on ext cord reel from Lowes. All preference cause others have their way. What works for ya. I have center console so easy to walk around n pull in n safe.
 
#10 ·
Great advice from all you guys! I just purchased this boat - Lowe Boats Frontier 2070: http://www.loweboats.com/2013/hunting-b ... tier-2070/. Will have to do some fabricating with the blind, dog platforms and some other features but I am pretty excited! Old man is going to **** his pants when this thing arrives at his house in VT! Going to see if I can find myself a 40 hp to throw on the back of that thing!

I have never heard the term gang rigs?!!??? I will have to do my homework on that and wrap my head around the technique.
Thanks for all the help!
 
#12 ·
Good looking boat! They have blinds you can buy that clamp right up on that boat! I think a 60 hp would be better also,but I think pods would also help! Long lining is quick and easy to set up and deploy,and in deep water it is the way to do it! Good luck and hope the info here helps you out!
 
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