- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
2025 North Dakota Duck Hunt
Posted on 1/21/25 at 3:49 pm
Posted on 1/21/25 at 3:49 pm
Has anyone done this or have any clue how to start researching either a DIY or self guided situation? Have all the gear, would like to bring my dog. Have only public land hunted the south, and in Idaho for elk.
Ideally would drive up there in October and stay for a week. Sure as hell ain’t no ducks down here
Ideally would drive up there in October and stay for a week. Sure as hell ain’t no ducks down here
6
Posted on 1/21/25 at 5:51 pm to DanielBooned
Following this one
Posted on 1/22/25 at 8:34 am to DanielBooned
Any reason you don't just go on up to Canada?
Posted on 1/22/25 at 8:36 am to DanielBooned
As a non resident, you have to apply for and be drawn to hunt.
Posted on 1/22/25 at 8:45 am to No Colors
I just don’t want to mess with all that right now. I’m sure it’s way easier than I anticipate, but dog, ducks, guns, ammo, just don’t feel like going thru the hassle. Definitely want to eventually.
Posted on 1/22/25 at 9:11 am to DanielBooned
I've been doing DIY in Canada for about 10 years now. Obviously very different than ND, especially the issue of access. Its much easier in Canada because leasing hunting rights is against the law there. Whereas I'm sure you'll find a good bit of ND under lease to outfitters.
One thing I'll say is that from the perspective of just getting around and handling all the gear, focusing on just ducks and not worrying about geese will make your life a lot easier.
I would suggest making a summer trip up there ahead of time. Head up in July to an area that looks good and start knocking on doors. That will give you a leg up on the guys who are just following the birds in October.
Also if you're doing a solo hunt, then your world can be really small. A pothole with 50 mallards might work well for you. Whereas an outfitter with six hunters would never give that a second look.
For a solo duck hunter, you don't need permission on 10,000 acres. You need permission on the right 10 acres instead.
Good luck!
One thing I'll say is that from the perspective of just getting around and handling all the gear, focusing on just ducks and not worrying about geese will make your life a lot easier.
I would suggest making a summer trip up there ahead of time. Head up in July to an area that looks good and start knocking on doors. That will give you a leg up on the guys who are just following the birds in October.
Also if you're doing a solo hunt, then your world can be really small. A pothole with 50 mallards might work well for you. Whereas an outfitter with six hunters would never give that a second look.
For a solo duck hunter, you don't need permission on 10,000 acres. You need permission on the right 10 acres instead.
Good luck!
Posted on 1/22/25 at 1:33 pm to DanielBooned
Check the e postings. Bring some boudin/ shrimp for when you knock on a door and get a yes.
Posted on 1/22/25 at 4:57 pm to DanielBooned
Done it many of times. I used to work up there. Sooo many ducks. You can hunt anything that isn't posted. Really easy to get permission if you want it though. Feels weird hunting private land without permission for the first time. Potholes full of ducks everywhere near Minot. One quick drive in the afternoon and you'll be set for the AM. What do you want to know?
This post was edited on 1/22/25 at 4:59 pm
Posted on 1/22/25 at 6:02 pm to No Colors
No you don’t, I’ve been to Canada twice. You don’t have to draw for anything. You buy your license, go with a outfitter and hunt
Posted on 1/22/25 at 6:13 pm to WestMTiger
quote:
I’ve been to Canada twice. You don’t have to draw for anything
Where did i say you had to draw for anything in Canada?
And actually in Manitoba, you do have to draw
Posted on 1/22/25 at 9:09 pm to No Colors
May as well make a few pheasant hunts as well while you’re up there chasing the ducks.
Posted on 1/22/25 at 9:17 pm to DanielBooned
North Dakota is a shite show now. You can still be successful but it’s way harder than it once was. I blame it on the borders being shut down during Covid. Just go a little further and go into Canada, way less competition and more birds. As long as you do your paperwork correctly getting across the border is not that bad.
Posted on 1/22/25 at 9:25 pm to PetreauxCat
Everything!
- Is that the area to be?
- are license hard to get for non res?
- how many dekes?
-is opening week best time to go?
-does having side by side make huge difference?
-is private way to go rather than public?
- Is that the area to be?
- are license hard to get for non res?
- how many dekes?
-is opening week best time to go?
-does having side by side make huge difference?
-is private way to go rather than public?
Posted on 1/23/25 at 7:54 am to DanielBooned
Hunted ND in October for 2 years in a row now. Still learning the areas.
- Is that the area to be? Be mobile, move to birds and/or away from crowds
- are license hard to get for non res? No, over the counter buy online, no draw
- how many dekes? 18 and motion dekes, 24 silo geese
-is opening week best time to go? Have not been opening, suspect it’s more crowded
-does having side by side make huge difference? Would not bring, can drive into fields if needed. And don’t want to drive 70 mph down gravel roads scouting pulling a trailer everywhere
-is private way to go rather than public? Whatever you prefer. I like the DIY route.
I concentrated on ducks in potholes/lakes. You can wade most water up there.
Solo hunts are easier to find.
Plan on LOTS of windshield time scouting.
Stop at all high points and slowly scan 360 to look for activity.
Thanks to YouTube and IG it’s become crowded.
Buy OnX
Plan on days to relocate areas or just scout all day.
Hotels are easy and fairly cheep ($80). Opening weekend may be different.
The food sucks.
Road hunting pheasant is fun but distracting from scouting.
You don’t need to bring goodies; just knock and ask. Most will say yes.
- Is that the area to be? Be mobile, move to birds and/or away from crowds
- are license hard to get for non res? No, over the counter buy online, no draw
- how many dekes? 18 and motion dekes, 24 silo geese
-is opening week best time to go? Have not been opening, suspect it’s more crowded
-does having side by side make huge difference? Would not bring, can drive into fields if needed. And don’t want to drive 70 mph down gravel roads scouting pulling a trailer everywhere
-is private way to go rather than public? Whatever you prefer. I like the DIY route.
I concentrated on ducks in potholes/lakes. You can wade most water up there.
Solo hunts are easier to find.
Plan on LOTS of windshield time scouting.
Stop at all high points and slowly scan 360 to look for activity.
Thanks to YouTube and IG it’s become crowded.
Buy OnX
Plan on days to relocate areas or just scout all day.
Hotels are easy and fairly cheep ($80). Opening weekend may be different.
The food sucks.
Road hunting pheasant is fun but distracting from scouting.
You don’t need to bring goodies; just knock and ask. Most will say yes.
Posted on 1/23/25 at 10:38 am to DanielBooned
As far as it being the place to be, these days you never know, but you’ll be better off going to Canada.
You’ll probably be field hunting most of the time, water hunts are frowned upon in nodak.
I’d bring 3 dz goose full bodies and 2 spinners. Duck decoys are completely unnecessary in fields. Make sure you have remotes for your spinners so you can shut it off on goose grinds.
Side by side isn’t necessary, drive in the fields with your pick up.
Licenses over the counter
I’d avoid opening week like the plague
Private or public will be equally as productive, you just have to know how to scout.
What kinds of blinds do you have access to? Panels, laydowns, a frame?
You’ll probably be field hunting most of the time, water hunts are frowned upon in nodak.
I’d bring 3 dz goose full bodies and 2 spinners. Duck decoys are completely unnecessary in fields. Make sure you have remotes for your spinners so you can shut it off on goose grinds.
Side by side isn’t necessary, drive in the fields with your pick up.
Licenses over the counter
I’d avoid opening week like the plague
Private or public will be equally as productive, you just have to know how to scout.
What kinds of blinds do you have access to? Panels, laydowns, a frame?
Posted on 1/23/25 at 1:47 pm to SmoothBox
Have all those blind types. So full bodied geese (specks or honkers) and spinners is all that’s needed?
Posted on 1/23/25 at 2:28 pm to DanielBooned
Everything!
- Is that the area to be? I worked up there and I didn't see a reason to go anywhere else. Head North and east to Westhope area. You'll see plenty of spots and ducks. No one up there gives a shite about ducks. Also, you'll want to stomp around for pheasant during the day so plan on that.
- are license hard to get for non res? Over the counter
- how many dekes? Ducks are easy and dumb. Whatever you want. First time I did it, I threw out a dozen decoys and sat on a swap stool in the cattails. I could've shoot birds all day.
-is opening week best time to go? Plenty of birds in October
-does having side by side make huge difference? I just used my truck. Never needed one
-is private way to go rather than public? I always did private
Biggest question was always what I wanted to shoot. For example, you could shoot 6 teal in a matter of minutes. Would get selective in scouting and shooting on duck species.
- Is that the area to be? I worked up there and I didn't see a reason to go anywhere else. Head North and east to Westhope area. You'll see plenty of spots and ducks. No one up there gives a shite about ducks. Also, you'll want to stomp around for pheasant during the day so plan on that.
- are license hard to get for non res? Over the counter
- how many dekes? Ducks are easy and dumb. Whatever you want. First time I did it, I threw out a dozen decoys and sat on a swap stool in the cattails. I could've shoot birds all day.
-is opening week best time to go? Plenty of birds in October
-does having side by side make huge difference? I just used my truck. Never needed one
-is private way to go rather than public? I always did private
Biggest question was always what I wanted to shoot. For example, you could shoot 6 teal in a matter of minutes. Would get selective in scouting and shooting on duck species.
This post was edited on 1/23/25 at 2:33 pm
Posted on 1/23/25 at 3:30 pm to DanielBooned
I would use honks. There’s going to be more of those in the zone than white fronteds.
Hell even if you do get in on a water grind, goose floaters and a spinners. Duck decoys are not needed.
Hell even if you do get in on a water grind, goose floaters and a spinners. Duck decoys are not needed.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News