Public duck hunting?

9pointkiller · #1 08-13-2009, 06:26 PM

looking for some public duck hunting near calgary ... need a spot for thr opener

roughneckin · #2 08-13-2009, 08:17 PM

DU pond down on 22X heading east from the city. Can't tell you what it is called, but it is well marked.

SBE2 · #3 08-13-2009, 08:22 PM

OR...you could go out and spot a shoot like everyone else has to?

oilngas · #4 08-13-2009, 09:20 PM

second SBE2, see ya on the road!

#5 08-13-2009, 09:32 PM

Not public land but conservation lands open to hunting....

http://www.ab-conservation.com/go/de...site-database/

Happy Scouting!

theduke · #6 08-13-2009, 11:46 PM

same what sbe said, and du ponds, i hunt du ponds all the time and there are loads around calgary, get a land owners mapsometime u can find them like that, give du a call and ur in

whitetail Junkie · #7 08-14-2009, 06:12 AM

If you want some good duck hunting go to Frank lake which is 10 km east of High river.From my experience there,the more duck hunters on that piece of land the better your hunt is because it keeps the birds constantley moving because they're always getting shot at.opening day there sounds like popcorn going off in the microwave(lol) I love it.plus we usally get our limit,they're are alot of birds there espicially come end of september\october!!

theduke · #8 08-14-2009, 11:05 AM

just remember all DU properties are FOOT access only

Richard B. · #9 08-14-2009, 12:57 PM

Namaka Lake south of Strathmore

Couleestalker · #10 08-14-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theduke

just remember all DU properties are FOOT access only

Remember most DU projects are not on DU owned land. Find out the land owner and get permission. Don't think it's a good to go because you see a DU sign

theduke · #11 08-14-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Couleestalker

Remember most DU projects are not on DU owned land. Find out the land owner and get permission. Don't think it's a good to go because you see a DU sign

true, but asking the land owner usually will get u access

9pointkiller · #12 08-14-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie

If you want some good duck hunting go to Frank lake which is 10 km east of High river.From my experience there,the more duck hunters on that piece of land the better your hunt is because it keeps the birds constantley moving because they're always getting shot at.opening day there sounds like popcorn going off in the microwave(lol) I love it.plus we usally get our limit,they're are alot of birds there espicially come end of september\october!!

do i need a boat?

Duk Dog · #13 08-14-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9pointkiller

do i need a boat?

Nope, but chest waders would be a good bet.

ex811 · #14 08-14-2009, 08:12 PM

I'd stay away from Frank Lake...no ducks/geese At All this year...must have something to do with Global Warming or Cargill.
Namaka has loads of waterfowl...or better yet, Brooks.

hal53 · #15 08-14-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex811

I'd stay away from Frank Lake...no ducks/geese At All this year...must have something to do with Global Warming or Cargill.
Namaka has loads of waterfowl...or better yet, Brooks.

so..."global warming" or "big business" is the reason no birds are at Frank???...but lots at Namaka?????... and Brooks??? .you either must be on Suzukis payroll or a real hoot at a cocktail party!!!!!

Jadham · #16 08-14-2009, 09:07 PM

Does DU have a web listing like the AB conservation society does on the properties?

whitetail Junkie · #17 08-16-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9pointkiller

do i need a boat?

You dont need a boat however like the other gentleman said,chest waiters are a good idea.Go to frank lake at the end of september\early october when the main migration is on,and trust me,you will get your ducks!!!

whitetail Junkie · #18 08-16-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex811

I'd stay away from Frank Lake...no ducks/geese At All this year...must have something to do with Global Warming or Cargill.
Namaka has loads of waterfowl...or better yet, Brooks.

Ur somewhat right,not as many local birds this year,lots of mud hens,but come migration time,that will change.I even hunted there last november and there still were thousands of mallards

9pointkiller · #19 08-16-2009, 07:06 PM

i am trying to find out reluations on frank lake ... cant seem to find anyway ... can anyone help me ... can you build a blind? ... is the entire marsh open to hunting? .... motors? ....etc

whitetail Junkie · #20 08-16-2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9pointkiller

i am trying to find out reluations on frank lake ... cant seem to find anyway ... can anyone help me ... can you build a blind? ... is the entire marsh open to hunting? .... motors? ....etc

I dont think motor boats are allowed,but I might be wrong,plus theres no where to really launch a motor boat,however I do know that you can build a blind at frank lake ,however you have to tear it down before the end of the season or else the fish and wildlife will have it destroyed(Tear it down) We found that out the hard way, after we left ours up over the winter the first year.

ex811 · #21 08-17-2009, 08:52 AM

I've been waterfowling at Frank Lake since 1990. IMO the quality of the area has degraded a measureable amount. I've talked to the DU biologist who is 'in charge' of the project and he confesses to not having the time/resources to monitor the area sufficently over the last number of years. Water levels are not monitored and the people with the grazing leases leave their cattle in the marsh way too long (in too early to destroy nesting, destroying habitat and leaving the cattle too long into hunting season) and even block off foot access in their efforts to contain their cattle. The High River 'waste runoff' probably does not help the situation out either.
In my earlier post I was somewhat 'ligh hearted' in my suggestion that the quality of waterfowling is not a good experience in Frank Lake as it once was and that one will enjoy the hunt much better in the Brooks/Bassano area(s). There are plenty of acessable areas in those regions, contact the Eastern Irrigation District office in Brooks for info.

Having said all that...I'll spend time at Frank Lake this year. After all these yrs I've uncovered nearly every 'honey hole' there is.
As for boats, you don't need one. Blinds, you'll do much better with one and
if you don't have a dog stay at home or shoot over land.

If you do go to Frank and see an old guy with old dogs and an old blue truck..say hi.

9pointkiller · #22 08-17-2009, 06:50 PM

i definatly will ..... umm one more question ..... can i hunt anywhere in the marsh?

ex811 · #23 08-17-2009, 10:48 PM

Anywhere, just check the map boards at the parking areas...and Don't hunt near an old guy with old dogs driving a blue truck...

whitetail Junkie · #24 08-18-2009, 07:08 PM

Yaa and if you see a young guy,with a black truck and a brittany spaniel,come say hi,You can hunt by me!!!