Early Season Wisconsin Duck Hunting

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 the end 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 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. Many days we shoot 6 or more species a day. During the month of October we harvest a variety of puddle ducks; wood ducks, teal (bwt & gwt), mallards, gadwall, widgeon, pintail, and black ducks. The most common divers that show in October are blue bills, ringnecks, bufflehead, redheads, and canvasbacks. During the month of November we get a large mix as well, but usually people are after canvasbacks. We stage over 75% of the worlds population on the pools I hunt at one time where seeing over 100,000 ducks in a days hunt is common. 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, widgeon, bufflehead, bluebills, redheads, and goldeneyes are the common species harvested in November.

(Mix of puddlers and divers are common on hunts over the same decoys)

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.

We run custom duck boats that can haul large decoy spreads, gear, along with four hunters and guide safely to the hunting location. The majority of the hunts will be conducted out of the boat, which is heated on cold days. You will be hunting over large decoy spreads. While on the hunt you can help set decoys if you would like to take an active part in the hunt. If not this hunt is fit for any ability and skill level since all you have to do is to hop in the boat at the landing and then step off when we are done.

WISCONSIN WATERFOWL HUNTS

The hunt starts with meeting right at the cabin or boat landing. From there we will set decoys and get ready for the hunt. We will cook a big hot brunch come mid-morning. Single and mixed party hunts please contact me for availability since I do not mix groups but a couple days a season since I want everyone to have a great experience. My goal on the hunts is so that everyone have an enjoyable experience. I run one party and have a guide so we can handle parties of up to 8 people.

LODGING INFO

During the season I book two hunting parties a day. The first party booking has the chance to stay with me at the “pines” cabin on the Mississippi River hunts. It’s a nice cabin located nearby the hunting location. The 2nd party booking if the lodge is not booked I usually package the hunt price with lodging so it fills. If the first party booking that day booked the cabin I will send out a lodging contact information sheet for you to book nearby accommodations. Lodging includes a continental breakfast; muffins, juice, and coffee in the morning (still have a brunch cooked on boat). Has a hot tub to relax and warm up in, an outside fire pit, grill along with a fully stocked kitchen to use if you want to cook your own dinner. There are also several good places to eat nearby from anything from a supper club to burger joints. Has wi-fi and cable tv.