So a buddy and I have been discussing trying to get after some seaducks and we are the diy type guys and have slowly been gearing up for seaducks, and had a thought that I know tides affect the birds and bird movements, but is it similar to regular duck hunting as far as early morning, get out in the dark first thing, or more tidal. A lot of the areas I hunt I don't have to get up for early morning hunts because the tide affects the puddle ducks as well. I still do though because I like to watch the sun come up and marsh wake up from the night sleep and it means your a real duck hunter then.
Seaducks
- Thread starter catchfish
- Start date
Duckhunter01
New member
yes..but historically they fly all day. Goldeneyes, buffleheads and other "Puddle ducks" are tide dependent. Most of the Harlys and Scoters will be in deeper water and around rocky points. Set up on tidal flats. have plenty of line to accomodate the tidal movement. Longlines are prefered. We hunt them pretty regurlary later in October-December. Great hunts and allot of fun.
Alaska Gray
Well-known member
No calling needed
Set strings along beach shallow. Set back and enjoy !
Also Rocky areas are good and what I look for. I hunt at low tide. Tend to see more birds on the shore line then.
Living the Alaska Dream
Set strings along beach shallow. Set back and enjoy !
Also Rocky areas are good and what I look for. I hunt at low tide. Tend to see more birds on the shore line then.
Living the Alaska Dream
duckslayer56
New member
Another good thing to look for is fresh water. We've had quite a bit of success setting up in the vicinity of a small creek or spring. A black flag can help get their attention too. Scoters fly low and fast, so if you can get them to come towards you with a little movement they'll bee line it towards your decoys. I've noticed sea ducks are a lot easier to hunt that puddle ducks and divers. For the most part, if they see your decoys, ,they're coming in.
Birdhunter1997
New member
Sea ducks come into the bays and coves as the tide goes down because it is an easier dive when the water is down so the fly towards land on a outgoing tide and stay all through slack and then tend to loaf around and slowly head out as the tide comes back in. Birds will still come in as water level rises because they start flying again. They decoy pretty easily, no calling. Goldeneyes and scoter decoys work real nice because of the white and black contrast. Keep the harlie and longtail decoys off to themselves as they tend to keep together along the edges of the main flock. hope this helps!
I swear by the first hour of light no matter what the tide or where , but here on Kodiak I always do better around the high tide.
That being said,our harlequin, scooter and oldsquaw seem to stream in steadily from deeper water into the bays at first light like some kind of migration, and slowly bounce back off shore in smaller groups as the morning progresses. You can drop off anywhere in the bay at any time during the day and shoot sea ducks, but if you can post up in a funneled area for that first hour the numbers can be unreal.
For me evenings are much more random like a typical duck hunt, no funnel activity like that dawn charge. They are easy, no huge spread required.
So I guess to answer your question, first light on a rising tide with high an hour after sunrise would be my perfect morning.
That being said,our harlequin, scooter and oldsquaw seem to stream in steadily from deeper water into the bays at first light like some kind of migration, and slowly bounce back off shore in smaller groups as the morning progresses. You can drop off anywhere in the bay at any time during the day and shoot sea ducks, but if you can post up in a funneled area for that first hour the numbers can be unreal.
For me evenings are much more random like a typical duck hunt, no funnel activity like that dawn charge. They are easy, no huge spread required.
So I guess to answer your question, first light on a rising tide with high an hour after sunrise would be my perfect morning.
