Waterfowl Hunting World Famous Pool 9
Diver Hunting
Puddle Duck Hunting
Puddle Duck Hunting
Pool 9 is a major staging area for diving ducks on their way south, especially the Lake Winneshiek area in front of the Quackshack. Most notable among the migrants is the Canvasback. Sometimes numbering over 300,000 birds on pool 9 alone, they are drawn here by the vast beds of wild celery. The Cannies scientific name, Aythya valisineria, is even named after its favorite food, Vallisneria americana, or Wild Celery. Lots of decoys and windy days with poor weather are what you’re looking for when chasing these sporty birds. Other popular divers common in our area are Ringnecks, Bluebills, Redheads, Buffleheads and Goldeneyes. I have even spotted a hen Old Squaw swimming in a flock of coots!
Puddle Duck Hunting
Puddle Duck Hunting
Puddle Duck Hunting
All throughout the pool from the start of the season until the end, even through ice-up, puddle duck in unbelievable numbers work the area all season long. Wood Ducks, Mallards and Bluewing Teal all nest here, and provide early season opportunities. Later, about the middle of October, the variety of birds diversifies. Wigeon, Gadwall, Greenwing Teal and even a few Pintails show up. Towards the end of season most puddle ducks have moved on, but ice up is go time for big mallards, and even a Black Duck or two!
Canada Geese
Not as numerous as one would think (or wish), Canada Geese still make use of the river. Lots of decoys is again the key here, setting yourself apart from the other hunters using the usual 1/2 dozen or so. They can show up any time of day, returning in groups to water and rest after feeding in the fields during the day. Best way to surely see some interested geese coming your way? Either forget or be to lazy to bother bringing your goose decoys. I don’t know why I keep making that mistake over and over! Every once in a while a snow is spotted, sometimes even a large flock occasionally.