Nearest "destination" hunts

**jasonw** · 06-30-2017, 12:24 PM

Okay, here it goes, I know I will receive a lot of flack for this, but oh well...

I was a member of a club last year, flooded impoundments, teal, gadwall, ringnecks, etc. The club dissolved and I am looking for something similar. I've got a lab that's 11 years old, so "buying a boat and hunting the rivers" isn't really an option. He isn't as strong of a swimmer as he once was. His hunting nowadays is pretty well restricted to flooded fields. I would love to get one more year hunting with the old boy. He can't even hunt back to back days anymore. 1 day of hunting = 36 hours of recovery time.

I would love to join a club, but as you know the options around here seem limited. What are the closest "destination" hunts, where I can drive, pay for a blind and kill some wild birds? Live in Charleston, but willing to drive...

Flood gates open...

**SouthernWake** · 06-30-2017, 12:49 PM

Plenty of slow moving/still water in that area with birds.

**BEAR** · 06-30-2017, 01:22 PM

Any species of birds you'd like to see him retrieve? I never had many quality hunts with my old yellow lab. When she was 10, we had a good season that year, seeing her retrieve some new species of waterfowl. I dedicated my hunting seasons to her, and what she was physically able to do. Counting that one good season, we had 4 hunting seasons together before her last hunt in New Mexico at 13 years old. The vet told me she needed to retire, but Daisy let me know when she was done. Within those last 4 seasons with Daisy, she had picked up 37 of 40 species of waterfowl in North America. Not bad for a dog who was 10 when we got going.

Take care of your guy, limit what he does, but give him opportunities that he would be able to enjoy. I don't know of any clubs, but depending on how far you're willing to drive, and what(if anything) you'd like to see him retrieve different than what he already has, I could point you in some directions.

**jasonw** · 06-30-2017, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by BEAR

Any species of birds you'd like to see him retrieve? I never had many quality hunts with my old yellow lab. When she was 10, we had a good season that year, seeing her retrieve some new species of waterfowl. I dedicated my hunting seasons to her, and what she was physically able to do. Counting that one good season, we had 4 hunting seasons together before her last hunt in New Mexico at 13 years old. The vet told me she needed to retire, but Daisy let me know when she was done. Within those last 4 seasons with Daisy, she had picked up 37 of 40 species of waterfowl in North America. Not bad for a dog who was 10 when we got going.

Take care of your guy, limit what he does, but give him opportunities that he would be able to enjoy. I don't know of any clubs, but depending on how far you're willing to drive, and what(if anything) you'd like to see him retrieve different than what he already has, I could point you in some directions.

Not really, just "ducks". I just want to spend some more time in the blind. I also have a 3 year old little girl who I would like to see hunt this year with him. This would probably be my only year to see them hunt in the blind together. He may or may not be able to hunt this year. I think he will, but I can't imagine he will hunt in the 2018-2019 season.

Also, as far as going to Mexico, I've never put a dog on a plane and I'm a bit scared to do so. At his age, I prefer the less stressful approach and have him ride in the back seat.

Driving is relative for me. The further I need to drive, the less hunts. I think I got to hunt him 8 times last year which was great. He will still hit the impoundments like a 5 year old, and maybe a couple of swims in the canal, but I definitely rest him up after an physical retrieve.

**duckman88** · 06-30-2017, 02:29 PM

Closest decent wild bird hunting where you could find a guide/flooded impoundments and not be paying a membership, IMO would be up around Lake Mattamuskeet. Drive would be about 7 hours.

Also, to me this would be a destination hunt as it is an area with a lot of waterfowl hunting history. If you could get a tag you could go after a swan too. Don't know what the wait is on those tags though, RH could tell you.

**nitro5x6's** · 06-30-2017, 02:40 PM

NC for sure or maybe Florida.. there is some quality hunting in the Sunshine State.

Rubberhead* · 06-30-2017, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by duckman88

Also, to me this would be a destination hunt as it is an area with a lot of waterfowl hunting history. If you could get a tag you could go after a swan too. Don't know what the wait is on those tags though, RH could tell you.

Swan tags about 2 out of 3 years. I put in for Mattamuskeet every year and have never been drawn...ever...

**Phone Man** · 06-30-2017, 02:44 PM

outer banks would be good place to try. Can get a good diversity of birds. A lot of places are knee to waist deep so if it was too far for him, you could get it yourself.

**jasonw** · 06-30-2017, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by duckman88

Closest decent wild bird hunting where you could find a guide/flooded impoundments and not be paying a membership, IMO would be up around Lake Mattamuskeet. Drive would be about 7 hours.

Also, to me this would be a destination hunt as it is an area with a lot of waterfowl hunting history. If you could get a tag you could go after a swan too. Don't know what the wait is on those tags though, RH could tell you.

Any recommendations? There are good ones and bad ones up there. I used to hunt up there with Bob Hester (Wild Wings Duck Club). Hunting was great, but his prices went up so high I would have had to sell my kidney to keep hunting there. And he wasn't a "per day" type of guy. You paid a huge buy in fee every 5 years on top of your normal annual membership dues.

**duckman88** · 06-30-2017, 03:19 PM

Unfortunately I don't have anyone to recommend or not recommend, I haven't hunted up there before, just a place I have always wanted to hunt. I'm sure there are some guys on here that have though and could tell you who is good versus who to stay away from.