My first Shiawassee duck

The most impactful lesson from trying to learn the managed areas the last two years-

If you don't want to be down winded...take the down wind zone. One less part of the equation to worry about.

 

downwinding means a couple things here.

what you are referring to is what we call *uckhunting. you can hunt backsides, with face in wind...and shoot limits of decoying birds. I've done it many times...and will continue to do it if situation presents itself.

most people don't understand the term downwinding/backsiding and just setup wrong side and pass shoot everything inside 70 yards.....thats *uckhunting....two completely different techniques. But never just assume hunting the backside is bad...because its not...its just the *uckhunters doing it that give it a bad name.

 

at shiawassee as an example. if you have field 34 (hot field) and you get a 30 mph north wind. 35 just became the hot field. if you choose 34 out of "well that field is hot"...you will be sorely disappointed when 35 sets up on the cut (like he should) and smokes 24 birds without you firing your gun. That is legit "downwinding"....and everyone bitches at "locals" for knowing 35 was gonna be hot that day when its merely understanding how the wind works and field choices. lol

hunter draws first, takes 34, another hunter draws 12th takes 35... bad draw = big win.

 

Exactly what he said. No one ever knows such information unless one makes a commitment to study and learn. Downwind on cranker days is always the rule...

 

Right on

 

My least favorite part of hunting the managed areas is when your sky busting neighbor hunts with the wind in their face blasting at any birds with their wings cupped. Finding probably 25% of their crippled birds. People need to remember to hide well and let the birds work. It’s a lot more fun to shoot birds over the decoys than sailing them into the buffer zones.

 

When is the next Shiawassee run Fsamie?

There needs to be an M-S takeover trip one of these days.

 

I just had this happen to me on Sunday in 22 at Harsens. Neighbors shot at everything they saw. I was trying to get a kid his first duck ever. Slobs will be slobs.

 

Yes. If 34 sets up wrong and 35 sets up at the cut on a stiff north wind...34 is screwed. Made this mistake the very first trip playing Bingo last year. Won't make that one again.

 

The zones at Muskegon are usually two zones per 1/2 MILE circular field. Yes, 1/2 mile. You have like 63 acres of zone.

I can't recall ever shooting swing birds at MWW. They have plenty of room to work without getting popped.

And sometimes you wait to see where your neighbors set up before you do.

And sometimes you do every thing right and the guy that hasn't scouted and picks some random zone out hunts you.

 

If someone wanted a once in a lifetime hunt at Muskegon, they would not have burned it sight unseen, on that day, in that zone. It was obvious from what they picked they hadn't scouted or asked any questions.

They could have saved that ticket, sent me a pm here, and I'd put them on birds.