Mark W
Well-known member
Thought I would try something completely different.
There is a very popular public spot about 25 miles south - south east of me - Gores Pool. It is probably the largest WMA anyhere near the twin cities - thus the popularity. I hunted there a couple of times and didn't care for the crowds or the type of hunting. A buddy of mine frequents Gores Pool and while out last year heard of a spot further down the river near the Indian Casino Treasure Island. Thought we would try to find that place today.
Got down near the casino which happens to be near a nuclear power plant. I missed the turn for the landing as it isn't marked and you kind of have to know where you are going. Ended up going right by the power plant and thought some crazy thought about how it looked so easy to "attack" the place and blow it up. So no guards, no serious fencing or nothing. Turned around and found the road to the landing. Launched the boat and headed south.
Once again, went right by the nuclear power plant but this time on the river side. It looked even less protected than the side along the road. I don't recall what mile marker this is on the Mississippi but I went to the damn and 1600 feet before it, turned right. We were told that there are some nice islands back there and if there is a south wind (or even north for after seeing the place) which there was, it would be a good spot to go. Got set up with Dad in my boat and by a couple of buddies in the other boat. Saw maybe a dozen ducks in total but nothing even near close enough to shoot at. Dad and I picked up and went north of the landing we put in at to just do some exploring as we've never been near this area before. Went a few miles upstream and found some sopts that looked better than where we were initially. It started to drizzle and since we are both wusses, we decided to turn around and head back to the landing.
No ducks today (and no northern flights down at all) but found a few spots that could hold ducks and will definatley go back for a sunrise hunt. As this was a completely new area today, I didn't feel comfortable boating through totally unfamiliar waters.
So today we were within 500 feet of a nuke plant and hunted right near a dam. Two firsts for me. Tomorrow should be a good day as the wind is predcited to do a 180 and come from the north tonight and reamain that way. If it stays overcast and the wind as strong as it was today, it should be a good one. Unless it rains, then I'm staing in bed.
Mark W
There is a very popular public spot about 25 miles south - south east of me - Gores Pool. It is probably the largest WMA anyhere near the twin cities - thus the popularity. I hunted there a couple of times and didn't care for the crowds or the type of hunting. A buddy of mine frequents Gores Pool and while out last year heard of a spot further down the river near the Indian Casino Treasure Island. Thought we would try to find that place today.
Got down near the casino which happens to be near a nuclear power plant. I missed the turn for the landing as it isn't marked and you kind of have to know where you are going. Ended up going right by the power plant and thought some crazy thought about how it looked so easy to "attack" the place and blow it up. So no guards, no serious fencing or nothing. Turned around and found the road to the landing. Launched the boat and headed south.
Once again, went right by the nuclear power plant but this time on the river side. It looked even less protected than the side along the road. I don't recall what mile marker this is on the Mississippi but I went to the damn and 1600 feet before it, turned right. We were told that there are some nice islands back there and if there is a south wind (or even north for after seeing the place) which there was, it would be a good spot to go. Got set up with Dad in my boat and by a couple of buddies in the other boat. Saw maybe a dozen ducks in total but nothing even near close enough to shoot at. Dad and I picked up and went north of the landing we put in at to just do some exploring as we've never been near this area before. Went a few miles upstream and found some sopts that looked better than where we were initially. It started to drizzle and since we are both wusses, we decided to turn around and head back to the landing.
No ducks today (and no northern flights down at all) but found a few spots that could hold ducks and will definatley go back for a sunrise hunt. As this was a completely new area today, I didn't feel comfortable boating through totally unfamiliar waters.
So today we were within 500 feet of a nuke plant and hunted right near a dam. Two firsts for me. Tomorrow should be a good day as the wind is predcited to do a 180 and come from the north tonight and reamain that way. If it stays overcast and the wind as strong as it was today, it should be a good one. Unless it rains, then I'm staing in bed.
Mark W