Duck hunting from a canoe?

Has any one tried to do canoe hunting on a calmer day off Lake Ontario? I see divers by the thousand further out and am a good paddeler, would be able to get pass shots or do they steer clear of a canoe out there?
 
Awesome way to marsh hunt. Much less work paddling over all that loon sh!t than walking through it. Tie two cords on each side to the gunnels. Push it into some heavy cattails and break them over a bit for cover. Tie each of the cords to a clump of cattails and you will have an instant duck blind which one can stand in without fear of tipping. Shot many ducks this way out of a 1949 Peterborough cedar strip canvas covered canoe...
 
All last year I hunted in a canoe in several ways. I wasn't much for jump shooting ducks id either paddle to a blind or wrap my canoe in a giant military camo net and that way basically my layout. I'd cross the wide river into the swamp back channel and toss out about 3-doz dekes. I can paddle right into the bullrushes and just cover up. Works well for me, I'm considering buying my own canoe and making a blind for it like I did on my boat. But yeah I've had plenty of bad days keep safety in mind buddy! Think ahead and plan for worst case. Good idea to get a pull cord camo pfd. I'm getting one soon its like $150 or $200 though. And don't wear waders paddling in depths more the chest high. If you do and you flip, remember to let your feet throw upwards and keep that air trapped in it. I still prefer canoe over my new boat because I can get into those thick marshes with ease. My 9.9 Johnson can get in but it's slow and bad for the motor you get alot of gunk in the water intake. But I took my friends canoe a few times on a big open lake late season diver hunts in blizzards, man, bad idea, aaand I'm hooked.
 
I've hunted the bay of quinte with a canoe, in a blizzard. Dude, if you're not an experienced paddler, don't do it lol please. People look at me like I'm absolutely out of my ####ing mind. And I am. But I typically stay one step ahead of any real danger. It's very risky, I've had days where I go out in the morning its like glass, come sunrise you got 2-3ft waves and white caps. Watch your weather always and good to get marine weather reports if your serious about tackling those divers.
 
Ranger_scout92 said:
Has any one tried to do canoe hunting on a calmer day off Lake Ontario? I see divers by the thousand further out and am a good paddeler, would be able to get pass shots or do they steer clear of a canoe out there?
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^^^^ that one was for you, btw I wouldn't be using it as an open water layout, I stick to the shores. Haven't been on Lake Ontario but I bet on a nice calm day it could work. And yeah they'll pass by you probably no closer then 20yards, hope you're a good shot! I also find them to be very decoy shy, one time on a beach point in high winds my decoys were next to useless and I tossed them in a bush and just layed on the open point and they actually started passing right over me but wicked hard to lead em. bluebills butterballs goldeneye I've done aright out there but dude I say again those waters can be unpredictable play it safe I've heard too many bad stories. If you get to that launch and you're unsure if it's gonna be good and stay good, don't do it!
 
Oh one more key thing watch what you're shooting. There's been small flocks of Harlequin flying around the quinte, so you bet they're around. Get a good id on your birds.
 
I’ll have to give it a go one day then when the lake is calm and with proper equipment. Need to get another canoe wind storm destroyed mine last spring. I have been on the lake on the bad days it’s not much fun. Figuring if me a a friend try pass shooting on the their “path”. For an hour maybe 2 we should get some birds and have a lot of fun trying as they are dang quick!
 
Anyone ever tried it on the bonnechere river? Or any of the rivers in renfrew county? I tried decoying this year instead of jump shooting and got skunked but last year i was just driving from pond to pond and only got 4 ducks anyway. :p
 
Caogelsbu said:
Anyone ever tried it on the bonnechere river? Or any of the rivers in renfrew county? I tried decoying this year instead of jump shooting and got skunked but last year i was just driving from pond to pond and only got 4 ducks anyway. :p
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used to years ago on the mighty Snake River. My dad would paddle and I was the shooter.
Shot many ducks. Have to be very careful not to swing to far opposite hand.
He took my uncle out once and he swung opposite hand and the canoe dumped him in the water. The gun went off and put a hole mid canoe just below the gunnel.
 
Be careful when shooting directly off the side of the boat at a passing duck. I am an experienced paddler and I shot at a passing duck this season over my right shoulder and quickly found myself tipped over in the marsh. The recoil from the magnum load tipped my balance enough and the duck had a good chuckle.

The boys at the camp relayed some similar story and said that it is better to push your boat into the reeds for stability before shooting...

I am sure if you shoot between 10 and 2 off the bow you would be fine.
 
Thanks for the tips guy's. I think i'll spend a year getting reacquainted with my canoe. Even at my best i ended up in the drink and that was a more than few years (and lbs) ago. I can already see that happening.
 
rocklobster said:
Be careful when shooting directly off the side of the boat at a passing duck. I am an experienced paddler and I shot at a passing duck this season over my right shoulder and quickly found myself tipped over in the marsh. The recoil from the magnum load tipped my balance enough and the duck had a good chuckle.

The boys at the camp relayed some similar story and said that it is better to push your boat into the reeds for stability before shooting...

I am sure if you shoot between 10 and 2 off the bow you would be fine.
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...tie in your canoe as well. Then you can stand in it without worry of getting wet. Flipping a canoe is known as parting your hair! A canoe IMO in a marsh, cattail slough type of tool. Duck season brings cold water and such. Don't do anything foolish. My rule of thumb is that I never hunt water deeper than I am tall. I have killed a thousand ducks out of my canoe if I've killed one. Very effective tool on shallow prairie marshes.
 
Trimmer 905 said:
It's a time-honored tradition,but,hunters of today hardly use it. Canoe skills need to be top notch. Always wear a PFD. Carry chest waders but never wear them while in the canoe in case you flip. Chest waders filling with water have drowned many hunters. Keep a survival pack in a water-tight container lashed to the canoe. Always tell someone where you're going and when you plan on returning. Be safe and have fun.
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Are you sure? With a pfd on, and a wading belt, it's basically impossible to drown in waders unless you're in a very fast river...

Can anyone confirm this is legal in BC too? I've got a sit on top kayak that would be great for this...
 
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