Unguided Missouri Waterfowl Hunting
Self guided waterfowl hunts within Mid-America Hunting Association is balancing the wetlands and field hunt resources the Association provides and the duck hunter's skills and effort.
That balance is not to expect the MAHA staff to know on a daily basis where the better duck hunting will be found. We have general observation and leave it to the unguided hunter to make his own hunt with choice of which wetlands and blinds to hunt from day to day. An illustrative example of what we provide above that of the wetlands, blinds and goose fields is the Hunting Updates we post during the season.
Example of a Waterfowl Update
From one of our wetlands.
Duck season started out with some above average early hunting, but the temperatures averaged over 70 degrees, which created hit or miss hunting.
The water conditions in Henry County have been as dry as we have seen in over 20 years. Many members have been used to the close drive to Henry County and were not willing to make the drive to our wetlands in the north zone, but still enjoyed some decent hunting on the water that was available.
Last weeks abrupt cold front froze the wetlands in both the middle and north zones, but some of the best mallard hunting is yet to come for the dedicated hunter with the decoys and gear to make it happen.
Scouting for open water and fields the geese are using will be up to the hunters from now till the end of the season. Good luck and be careful with the ice and water that is over chest wader in depth.
From Al, a field set duck hunter.
One interesting point on being on this side of the telephone and email is to see trends of whom is successful by different methods/seasons/resources. Field over water sets have become more popular, however it is a minority that regularly hunts the fields. Most stick to the wetlands to include those that have a brief venture to the fields. The same testing of different hunts occurs with the early Kansas muzzleloader season in September and the late into January Iowa muzzleloader season. More than half that try it any year never come back to those seasons citing the hunt quality less than desired. Those that do hunt one of these two or both muzzleloader seasons on a regular basis do so citing the good hunt quality as the reason they come back. The assessment is the flexibility offered by self guided hunts allows all to find their balance.
Late Season Goose Hunt
Young men with the drive and determination to make it happen. An old fashion do it yourself goose hunt.
