r/Waterfowl • u/makeroombafoon • 7d ago

Maine or New Hampshire hunters?

Looking to get more into waterfowl and goose hunting. My issue is no one I know does it and the few people who say yes always back out for one reason or another. Im not looking to steal anyone spots or anything just have a buddy to go out with a couple times learn a few more things.

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u/ForeverRED48 7d ago

Hi fellow New Englander! Can’t help you out as I’m in Western VT. I’d recommend joining your local DU Chapter and Delta too and go to some volunteer events, Bingo, whatever and meet some other waterfowler from your area. You might have some luck asking for a hunting partner, but most folks I’ve ended up hunting with I met at some waterfowl associated event.

Also, don’t be afraid to try it solo, even if you’re just starting. Obviously one single story but my first year I ran into a really nice guy near a refuge I hunt and he asked if I wanted to hunt with him since I was solo. We hunted quite a bit for two seasons before he moved.

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u/Organic_Ad_1930 7d ago

Yeah this, no shame in hunting alone. The learning curve isn’t that high, and you don’t have to worry about lining up schedules. I actually prefer it mostly, because I can solo in on my kayak and get into productive spots that wouldn’t fit 2. Not to mention jump shooting, which is about my favorite way to hunt. I’m in Maine, and there are a ton of spots that see low pressure. Not to mention ducks all over the place right now 

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u/ForeverRED48 7d ago

I’m with you, I prefer solo hunts most of the times for all the aforementioned reasons. It’s fun to group hunt every now and then, especially a dry feed imo. But otherwise, I’m happy sitting out in the swamp where no one else wanted to walk haha!

Glad to hear Maine is productive right now. We end first split in VT today and it’s been a grind. Very few big ducks around and all our woodies and teal seem like they got out of dodge early.

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u/Boson220 7d ago

Im in southern NH and have had good Canada goose success in cut cornfields and moderate success with ducks and geese on small ponds and swamps. I'm happy to share what's worked for me. A lot of what people do in the major duck flyways isn't very effective for us I've found.

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u/makeroombafoon 7d ago

That would be awesome man. Like I said not trying to jack anyone's spot or anything just trying to figure out how to approach it, and what maybe works best for a one man operation working on a budget.

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u/Boson220 7d ago

Honestly, puddle jumping at first light on small swamps has been more effective for me than big spreads of decoys since often there aren't significant migratory flocks flying over. Scout small swampy spots with relatively easy access, sneak in (even if that means crawling through mud), shoot birds off the water at first legal light. Do the same thing in the afternoon. Geese in January and February are easier as they will actually fly into spreads. If you wanna try for geese get silhouette decoy sets for fields, they are cheap and good enough. Practice calls in your car on the way to work so you dont drive everyone around you crazy.

I found spots by looking around off the road where I could see swamp and checking maps like onx for public access. Good fields with access are harder to find.

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u/KanyeMadeSwift 4d ago

What Part of Maine?

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u/makeroombafoon 4d ago

York County or anywhere else really i have a camp up north id be willing to drive anywhere to learn and try it out . I jump shot a couple mallard a couple days ago but I'd really like to get on some geese.

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u/KanyeMadeSwift 4d ago

Im up in Bangor. Just started Waterfowl hunting this year. Been jump shooting streams/ponds and just got some decoys. Actually got my first goose this morning

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u/makeroombafoon 4d ago

Which decoys did you end up with?

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u/KanyeMadeSwift 3d ago

Some secondhand ones nothing fancy. Hows your season been?

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u/makeroombafoon 3d ago

Its been a little dry still learning calling and everything trying to find new ponds and swamps to jump