What is so special about hunting in the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge? during peak migration, with most of them concentrated in just a few miles of
river that I guide on. migration.
20' custom heated duck boat, that will keep you warm and dry!
More Information on Duck Hunting and what HHO will do for you:
Heated 20' custom duck boat and blind
Large spreads consisting of magnum decoys
Great duck calling
Hot breakfast cooked on the boat
Puddle duck hunting in October & Diver hunting in November
Hunting the Magnificent Mississippi River is definitely a world class hunting destination that every waterfowler should experience at least once in their hunting career. The great part about the big river is that it holds ducks from opening day through ice up (which is usually after the close of the season). There is great early season teal and wood duck shooting to late season diver and mallard hunting. The one thing that hunters always ask, "when is the best time to come?" My answer is what kind of a hunt are you looking for, since I will recommend a time frame for the hunt that you will be most satisfied with. One of the great things while hunting on the Mississippi River is that we harvest around 20 different waterfowl species a year. You never know what will be cupped and committed next. During the month of October we harvest a variety of puddle ducks from wood ducks, teal, mallards, gadwall, widgeon, pintail, and black ducks. The most common divers that show up towards the end of October are blue bills, ringnecks, bufflehead, and Canvasbacks. During the month of November we get a large mix as well, but usually people are after canvasbacks. We stage over 50% of the worlds population on the pools I hunt at one time where seeing over 100,000 ducks in a days hunt is not uncommon. Canvasbacks stage on the river so once they are present they stick around until ice up! Swarms of canvasbacks are seen daily using the river feeding on the wild celery growing in the river. Besides canvasbacks; mallards, gadwall, bufflehead, bluebills, and goldeneyes are the most common species harvested in November.
It is not just the great duck hunting that makes the river so magnificent, but also the scenery and numerous types of wildlife and bird species that can be viewed. On the hunt you will have a great opportunity to view some of the thousands of tundra swans and bald eagles that use the Mississippi River.
I have been running the Mississippi River for the better part of my life and know many great early season honey holes to the best late season spots. I hunt pools 9 and 11 with most of my hunts taking place on pool 9 which is located just a few a few miles north of Cabelas in Prairie du Chien, WI.
I run a 20' custom boat blind that can haul a couple hundred decoys, gear, along with four hunters and myself safely to the hunting location. The majority of my hunts will be conducted out of my boat, which is heated on cold days. You will be hunting over large decoy spreads consisting of magnum decoys. I am a very good duck and goose caller since I also work for Buck Gardner game calls as a field staffer, along with being a Buck Gardner and Avery Outfitter. I have also learned a few tricks of the trade over the years to set myself above the rest that help bring in ducks even on the calm bluebird days. While on the hunt you can help set decoys if you would like to take an active part in the hunt. I also provide a great hot breakfast which I cook on the boat each morning.
Mississippi River Hunting Options:
Full Day Hunt:
This is the hunt that I have been offering from the start of HHO while guiding on the Mississippi River over the years. The hunt starts an hour or so before shooting light to around 1 pm (6-8 hrs of shooting)or until our limit is shot. A big hot Brunch will be cooked on the boat mid-morning.
Blast and Blast Trip:
This hunt will start just like the full day hunt but rather than hunting to 1 pm and calling it a day, your morning hunt will end around 10 am. With a hot breakfast cooked on board the boat in the morning. Then come in for a little break and head back out for an afternoon waterfowl hunt till shooting light is over. This hunt is great to ensure we are on the water over decoys at peak bird movement during the morning and evening flights.
I can also arrange an afternoon pheasant or chucker shoot at a local hunt club.
Cast and Blast Trip:
Fishing trips will be conducted by accredited U.S Coast Guard captains with many years in the guiding business on the Mississippi River. The package will include an a.m duck hunt with an afternoon fishing trip. October and November are great times to be on the water fishing. In October fishing is great for walleyes, smallmouth bass, panfish, and catfish. The month of November is one of the best months of the year to catch numerous and large walleyes. Once you are done hunting in the a.m. you will be able to come in take a little break and head back on the water for some afternoon fishing.
Pictues from Tim Hutch Guide service that runs my afternoon fishing trips on the Mississippi River:
Matt,
"I just wanted to thank you again for the great time last weekend. Everyone had a lot of fun and enjoyed our hunt. We really appreciated all of your hard work and effort. We enjoyed the hunt so much that we are wanting to book again for next year, that in my mind is the ultimate compliment for an outfitter. Anyways, thanks again and your operation is top notch."
Brad
Matt,
"Thanks for a great hunt, Ernie and Quin and I all enjoyed ourselves tremendously. It's a beautiful area and you did a great job."
Thanks again.
Jim
U.S Fish and Wildlife Service webpage which you can see past years duck numbers
The first duck hunt of the year in WI is the youth waterfowl hunt. I offer the youth hunt for free, because I believe it is important to take kids hunting and fishing. All you need to do is book the hunt. Hunts are first come first serve until full. The hunt will take place around Minocqua, WI. Kids ages 10-15 qualify for the youth waterfowl hunt.
The first duck season open in the state is the northern zone which starts a week earlier than the southern zone (where the hunts take place on the Mississippi River). The season usually starts the last saturday in September. These hunts usually take place in acres of flooded wild rice, along with hunting ponds, and lakes around Vilas county. These areas are great all season holding a mixed bag of puddlers and divers. Wood ducks, Mallards, Bluebills, ringnecks, teal, and hooded mergansers are common on the hunt. If you are looking for a trophy wood duck or a hooded merg for the collection this is the hunt for you. My guide Jeff and I will be running these hunts during the youth season, the first week of the season, and during the southern split. Then Jeff continues guiding in Northern WI and on the waters of Green Bay through the rest of the year. Cast and Blast and Blast and Blast trips are also offered in Northern WI.
For more information on Northern WI duck hunting head to:
http://wisconsinduckhunts.com
Green Bay is known for staging thousands of bluebills throughout the fall months, but is also a major flyway for Goldeneyes, buffleheads, and redheads. Also mallards, Ring-necks, Black ducks, and other puddle ducks, and Canada geese are common in the daily bag limit. The possibility of rarities such as several Scoter species, Ruddy ducks, Old Squaws (long-tailed ducks) and Harlequins. The hunt will take place along the shores of Green Bay or Lake Michigan depending on weather conditions, bird movement, and hunter preference of species.
Hunters can expect fast and furious, in-your-face action while hunting divers along the shores of the Great Lakes and seeing several thousand birds in a day is the norm. This one of a kind diver hunting experience will leave you wanting more!
For more information on Green Bay and Lake Michigan duck hunts head to:
http://WisconsinDuckHunts.com
If duck hunting won't make you jump at this opportunity how about coupling that hunt with a fishing trip. Green Bay in the fall is the go to place in the country to catch trophy muskie and walleye. Green Bay has been predicted by many people to produce the next world record muskie. Also for the Green Bay stream fishing for steelhead is offered on full and half day trips.
For More information on all fishing trips head to:
www.WisconsinMuskieGuide.net