STA5 Tactics

[Super Dave]

Anyone want to discuss the tactics/locations/set-ups they used in STA5 for best success? We have been huntin there for a couple of years and have had great hunts just lookin for a patch of cattails to stand in, setting out a few deeks and shootin away. Don't seem to get much action out of the decoys however, as most shots are just passing birds. Anyone have any secrets to share?;)

[Converted]

Welcome to the site. I don't think there are many secrets. I do about the same as you. In fact last time I didn't even put any decoys out and still had plenty of shooting.

[Super Dave]

Thanks for the feedback. It's a great place to hunt and I feel blessed with the opportunities I've had to hunt this area. I spent a week hunting up in Minnesota a couple of weeks ago and didn't see half the number of birds we get at STA5 (on even a slow day!). I'm also looking forward to getting out in STA1W to see if it will produce the same quality of hunting. That area is much larger and has a lot more open area with less cover. I think it going to be important for us to set up properly to keep the birds moving around so we get good action.

I've spent a lot of time around STA1W and have seen many ducks so I don't think it will be a shortage of birds, but where hunters pick thier spots may have a lot to do with how we do collectively. If hunters use this message board maybe we can work together to produce a good experience for everyone. It's also important that we all be good stewards of these areas as good reports back to the District will help our case to open some of the other interesting STA's....:cool:

[Pirate91]

I've got a pm hunt permit on 11/28 for STA1W, if anybody wants to share tactics or reports on ducks....

[Super Dave]

I've got a PM permit for STA1W on 11/21 so I'll let you know what we found. My partner has one on 11/28 AM so look for my red truck and I'll let you know how we did then as well.

[eddy]

BEST ADVISE.......


CARRY LITE!!


Alot of walking and or paddling...


Less cover than STA5.

[Real V]

At sta5 can you wade in from shore? are there deep holes and is it best to use an canoe?

[Converted]

You can walk in from shore but it can be a tough walk. It is much easier to get out to your hunting area in a canoe then get out and walk around to set up decoys pick up birds etc.

The water managers don't want trails through the hydrilla. It leads to short circuiting of the water flow. Walking makes much more of a defined trail than a canoe or kayak.

[Real V]

We waded a little in sta1 but it looked like we disturbed more when we waded so we thought we should not wade in the sta's.

What do you think about wading in the sta's?

[N. Cook]

What David said is true.....what the concern is about is two people wading in a realitivly straight line for a hundred yards through the hydrilla making a trail from the bottom to the top of the water that may become a current flow bypassing the slower dense vegetation area. No negatives have been shown to date, but we are being extra careful in our advice to hunters.

No reason to be concerned about irregular wading while placing decoys, etc.

Better to paddle and pole a small boat to get to the general area of your hunt. Safer also, as there are holes!