Lower Mainland Duck Hunting
TS
I'm looking for a bit of info on Duck hunting in the Fraser Valley of BC.
Specifically, where you can go to shoot and hunt??
I took a drive through Ladner and along the Dyke but it seems all the land
is private and since there is no shooting 100m from the dyke I'm not really
sure where they specify you can go.
Also, how is the duck hunting around Hope and along Hwy#3??
Thanks for the info,
Happy New Year!!
Keith & Sheryl Storey
almost 20 years. I have taken my share of ducks and geese but have since
given it up. In Ladner, some of the best shooting is in the fields for which
you will need to obtain permission from the farmers. I don't know if that is
difficult these days or not but you will have to try. Lots of greenhouses
going up which is limiting areas to go. There is also a private shooting
club, for the life of me I can't recall the name but they have posted their
signs on many of the fields on the mainland, may want to look them up.
Westham Isl is permit hunting only.
The best shooting is rainy and windy days in a spud field or other that
provides feed with lots of water. You can usually expect to see birds in the
irrigation ditches that normally border these fields, jump shots are lots of
fun, the mallards usually hold a bit longer than the rest. My experience was
best from about the last 1-2hrs of shooting time for birds coming in to
feed.
Failing that, Brunswick Beach is pretty good or has been in the past. Follow
River Road past Westham Island, (Reifel Bird Sanctuary), until you reach the
end of the road. Park and suit up (you need waders). Its ok to carry your
gun unloaded along the dyke. You get lots of looks from non hunters but who
cares, this was a hunting/fishing community long before the non hunters. I
can remember in early 80's, opening day here was like a firing line. There
were vehicles lined up for over 1km down the road, You couldn't walk into
the marsh very far because hunters were everywhere, people used to camp out
over night to get a good spot and every bird that went by was shot at. Not
anymore, you are lucky to run into another hunter there.
This place has provided me many days of excellent shooting, a dog is a must
to ensure you recover your birds. Careful of the ditches you cross as they
are usually a lot deeper than they appear (trust me). If you walk out to the
middle point on the dyke and head out from there you should be able to find
a trail that leads out. You really want to go to the middle of the point in
front of the large canal (lower tide) waters edge on high tide. Last time I
was out there was a couple of permanent blinds still standing that had been
there for many years.
On a high tide you stand a good chance at snows (if they are around), and
there are always lot of ducks flying about. Canada's are a different story,
my only good shoots have been early in the year out on the beach. Note the
100 meters from the dyke is not a problem as the shooting is best near the
waters edge. I always stay until legal time forces me in. If the snows are
about they usually start over from the Westham Isl within the last hour. I
always had couple dozen white kitchen garbage bags and set them up in the
weeds near the waters edge, hey sometimes it works and others it doesn't.
If you have a boat all the better, you can access lots canals in the River,
or you can go out by water to the Brunswick Beach.
Another area we used to go was 72nd down by the Boundary Bay airport. Now
they have a golf course at the end on the dyke. The only shooting around
here would be out by the water a long way to go and might be worth the
effort in the evening or morning catching birds coming or going, again the
best days would be windy and rainy but its not my first choice. Its been a
while so I would really suggest you consult the Fraser Valley special
regulations for new laws in this area.
If you live around here, you can get permission from the farmers or you head
out to the beach you are going to get birds. Check with the local sporting
goods shop for more information.
I've never hunted Hope so could not tell you if it is good or bad. Maybe
check with a local R&G club for some info. I found one for Abbotsford and
mission www.abbotsford-fish-game.org, www.missionrodandgun.com perhaps they
could assist.
Let me know if you want any more information
Good Luck
Keith
"TS" <gixx...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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TS
Thanks a lot for the info.
My dad would tell me about the "good old days".
They even used to go hunting near the airport in Richmond.
These days I have to drive out 2-3 hours minimum, to get away and find some
hunting time.
I'll definitely look up your references and hopefully get some hunting in
before the season is over.
Thanks again.
Toli
"Keith & Sheryl Storey" <ksst...@telus.net> wrote in message
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