Late Western NY Waterfoql

[Kevin J Legg]

I'm thinking of heading down to hunt the late Western zone after the holidays. Will likely be staying with a friend on Honeoye but also may have access on Keuka and Coneseus. Also may look to hunt Oak Orchard on the big lake. With the limited number of birds I'm seeing on the SLR I'm wondering if it is worth the trip down. Perhaps winter will arrive in the next two weeks and move some birds. Any report on bird numbers would be appreciated.

[turf]

A few geese in Syracuse area. Not too many ducks but with the forecast it could change. Then again they are calling for almost 70 next week.

[WoodieBoater]

Really not seeing large numbers of birds on Conesus. I live right on the lake so I look every morning and every night. I will keep you updated here or you can feel free to send a pm and ask about bird numbers.

As it stands right now..... It's going to be a tough late season

[Gator]

There have been times during past warm seasons when Keuka ended up with a decent amount of mallards; usually, we're hoping to see divers on the larger bodies of water. Since they've been there for some time, however, they can be very gun shy, and hunting Keuka requires strings or long, long leads due to very deep water most places. Another good option if you have access is to field hunt. All that I really know is that so far this season is slow. I hope that changes for the diehards on here...

[JakeyBaby]

Counting down the days for the season to open back up!

[DJ 17]

Have seen very few birds on Cayuga compared to normal years as well.

[Kevin J Legg]

I've got plenty of longlines and decoys and float boat to cover most any conditions that I encounter. Thanks for the update guys.

[Roybee]

There were 100 mallards in my back yard last night on Oneida lake(north zone) they were not there like this at any point in the season. They were all over the bay in big groups. I hunted the Cicero swamp yesterday that is only a mile from my house (south east) and I did not see any birds at all. Crazy.

Was planning on doing the finger lakes hard for divers but with the weather it looks like field goose hunting and more swamps....

Early in the season I was joking with my dad I am a birdwatcher because the hunting was so bad. Now when he calls for the report I tell him I can't even watch birds. I should just shut it down and start fishing again...

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[machzrcr]

I'm ready for goose season!!! now have 53 full bodys and 3 dozen flocked shells! Going to touch up some flocking on Wednesday! And find which fields we are setting up in for the weekend! Ready for deer to be over!

[Broadhorizons]

They were bangin' away in the swamps in Canastota this morning. I've been seeing plenty of birds in the few beavr ponds I've been around too. Small water hasn't froze enough yet...

[Kevin J Legg]

Merry Christmas to everyone. I appreciate all the information and any other additional updates as the season progresses. Good luck to all the hearty late season hunters

[Roybee]

How did everyone do. Not so good here but did see a lot once the fog rolled up. I was on Cayuga. Lots of whistlers around

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[TRACKERHUNTER]

Hunted the co op down there not many geese. More snow geese than Canadas.

[machzrcr]

Saw descent amount of birds today in Wayne county only killed 4. Rain sucked the mud sucked we said screw it and packed it in.

[nasc620]

Hunted Owasco Lake opening day really didn't see much few mallards here and there we didn't hear much shooting either

[Gill-T]

Lots of geese around Iroquois refuge.

[WoodieBoater]

hunted down in the Binghamton area Saturday. Only a few resident mallards that are always on the pond. Plan to hunt tomorrow morning and ill let everyone know how it goes.

[JakeyBaby]

Killed a few mallards this weekend. Saw plenty just couldn't get them to commit all the way. Going to try this evening with this cold blast and the lake should be cranking keeping them off the big water.

[bondouley]

Geese are everywhere in our area but we would rather hunt ducks.  We shot less than 10 ducks this weekend saw a bunch but like Matt we couldnt get them to come all the way in to our spread.  Two of my buddies hunted near lake ontario this morning and shot 4 mallards.  They said that they really didnt see that many birds.  Hope some more birds come into the area soon

[Gill-T]

So I am sort of getting back into duck/goose hunting after a long hiatus (25 years).  I have noticed ducks and more-so Geese will circle just out of range of a spread.  Question....would it be legal to find a tree and use a climber to get up off the ground to close the gap?......might be fun.

[Gill-T]

I think I have the wheels turning in the brains of a few people.

[nasc620]

I don't see why you couldn't.

[dukhnter8]

There are spots where guys pass shoot at geese and they try to get to the highest spot they can. I have thought about the same in my tree stand while deer hunting before, my only concern  would be if the geese follow the same route every time. As far as I know its legal as long as you follow the other waterfowl hunting rules.

[JakeyBaby]

Only managed 3 Blacks last night between the 3 of us. Lots of geese around for sure.

[pro-fish-n-c]

Large push of birds moving in the daytime yesterday , more geese in the air then I've seen flying all year. Even some random flocks of ducks flying . Must be the cold front, should be good shooting for whoever is out today.