I am new to CT and would like to take my father duck hunting when he comes to visit. Where can I find some wadable water in CT (marsh, stream, pond, etc.) that is on public land? We don't have a boat or a dog, so (safe) wading is essential.
Kinda almost no such thing. At minimum you'll need to get your hands on a canoe (buy/borrow) for setting out dekes and retrieving birds. Heck the spot I hunted yesterday only had 3ft of water in it at high tide, but the muck is 12" plus thick and you can't walk in it. Where in the state are you? You need to get your hands on a book of Topo maps for CT, then look up WMA's at the DEEP website and look for water. Be advised however, that said inland water is usually iced up by mid December.
Every time I watch a 'professional' video and they wade easily around in 3' of water I wonder the same thing.
Everywhere I've been has been a mess and you need a kayak at the absolute least. Especially if you are hunting in a tidal area.
You may be able to find something shallow and freshwater that would suit your needs, but I'm guessing you would have to hike all the way around the edge of a pond, and muck around there a day or two ahead of time to make sure you could actually retrieve ducks/decoys.
Well like usual I almost always half to disagree with JimG. LOL There are plenty of places to wade but you need to be careful. It will take some effort on your part to find them. Go to the D.E.E.P. website and look at the public lands available, then go scout them out. It's work but it will pay off. I just went this past Saturday to a spot in town which is on the D.E.E.P. website, waded in, setup the dekes and shot a few mallards. Now that being said I had to watch which areas of that swamp I could walk in and couldn't. Anywhere there was vegetation was ok to step on but anywhere it was open water was just 3 ft of muck that you couldn't step in. Also if the weather ever gets colder slow moving streams and rivers are great places to walk in and hunt. Usually pretty solid bottoms to walk out and set dekes but again watch and be careful. Some of the best hunts I've had required no boat but that doesn't mean you'll always get away without having one. Oh and if you don't have a dog to retrieve your birds in swamps you'll definitely need the canoe or kayak because your waders will limit you.
There are plenty of "wadable" areas in CT but it takes a lot to find them. I hunted for almost 3 years with out a boat of any kind and found places to hunt with out a boat or a dog. You have to hoof it in the off season to find these spots
finding spots that are wadable is easy.....they are everywhere, from along the River to the salt creeks to inland swamps/streams......birds are going to the moving water as the season progresses so look more at streams and inlets to rivers.....lots of sandbars too.......you may have to be patient and take lower risk shots but you'll be rewarded......put a canoe on your list for next year.....the most versatile tool you'll ever get for waterfowling!
I'd vote canoe over kayak any day - the ability to bring another hunter, a dog, and a bunch of dekes wins. I have a cover just like that for my canoe that has three openings and turns it into a great layout blind for hunting the reeds.
oh Jimmy boy. did you read the last line of my post. I think you will find that i covered the wading and canoe issue if he didn't have a dog. Some guys see stuff right in front of them but it just doesn't register. Jim is that why when you look at the ducks coming into the dekes at 20 yards legs down wings cupped you still miss? Is it because you see them but it just doesn't register......pick up gun, aim, pull trigger, jump in water retrieve duck oh wait that's why I have a dog. LOL God Jim I love it when you post something it's so much fun for me.
To answer your other question. I believe sign-ups are going on now up the club for the winter trap league. I'm pretty sure it starts after the holidays. I'm not sure when they shoot skeet when the winter league is going on. I'm usually busy cooking all my ducks and geese from the season. You're suppose to practice before the season starts not after. LOL
Well Jim he'll need one or the other but he can find places to wade in for sure but with no dog you'll need a boat to get those birds that go down where the water is too deep to wade with the exception of the area not having water deeper than waders can go. Anyway have you been seeing any ducks in areas that you can actually hunt. I'm seeing tons but not were hunting is allowed!!!!! I'll try and find out when skeet is when the winter league is running.
Starting to see ICE on small waters Falcon..... Freezing temps tonight, so maybe it will force those protected birds to open water for tomorrow.....hoping....
I'm hoping for just the opposite. Come on global warning just enough to keep the ice out of of south windsor
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Duck Hunting Forum
3.2M posts
63.3K members
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to duck hunters and hunting enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tips, tricks, optics, hunting, gunsmithing, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more!