PNW waterfowl from a boat.

[wcasey755]

So I am in the process of buying a tracker grizzly 16’ with a beavertail blind. I’m just wondering what you guys hunting the Columbia are doing? Are you anchoring in deep water and then using a dog or kayak to retrieve? Or still hunting from the bank? Are you avoiding using a boat on outgoing tides? I’ve only hunted from a kayak and I’m excited to have more options for locations, but worried about the tide land locking my boat. Just wondering what you guys are doing for hunting from a boat on the Columbia.

 

[Bachto]

I hunt WAY up the Columbia from you since you mentioned tide but the dams can fluctuate the water level a couple feet. Me and my buddies use boats to get to spots either before the walk-in guys or spots that are only accessible by boat. We will then put the boat in about a foot or so of water in the reeds/cattails but it will be anchored. Depending on the area and if we have a dog we will plan accordingly on how to retrieve ducks. Sometimes we won't even use a boat blind and just use it as transportation to an island or an area land locked by private land. I personally don't like hunting in deeper water, I want to be able to retrieve ducks myself if needed, a kayak would fix that issue. Then you have the issue of hauling a kayak in a 16 foot boat. I would try it a couple different ways until you find what you like.

 

[wcasey755]

I hunt WAY up the Columbia from you since you mentioned tide but the dams can fluctuate the water level a couple feet. Me and my buddies use boats to get to spots either before the walk-in guys or spots that are only accessible by boat. We will then put the boat in about a foot or so of water in the reeds/cattails but it will be anchored. Depending on the area and if we have a dog we will plan accordingly on how to retrieve ducks. Sometimes we won't even use a boat blind and just use it as transportation to an island or an area land locked by private land. I personally don't like hunting in deeper water, I want to be able to retrieve ducks myself if needed, a kayak would fix that issue. Then you have the issue of hauling a kayak in a 16 foot boat. I would try it a couple different ways until you find what

That makes sense. I think I’m just terrified of getting my new boat landlocked and being stranded. I appreciate the info!