DuckSouth.com

Question for you boys that duck hunt and fish on the MS River...

What size boat and HP engine are you running? Is a 20foot boat like a War Eagle 2072 too be to effectively duck hunt out of when set up on the river?

Thanks

Boat size will not keep you safe on the river. Don't travel when dark, get out there in the summer and learn the dike locations. Always carry extra clothes and supplies and get a good Life jacket that you will wear. Float coat works well. Extra kicker to at least get you to the rivers edge. Be smart and do not take chances.

I can’t contribute to the question at hand, but the very subject matter is a breath of fresh air.

stang67 wrote:I can’t contribute to the question at hand, but the very subject matter is a breath of fresh air.

It’s good for us OGs to keep it going. This is a method of duck hunting that I’m fairly unfamiliar with at the moment but one that intrigues me.

LODI QUACKER wrote:Boat size will not keep you safe on the river. Don't travel when dark, get out there in the summer and learn the dike locations. Always carry extra clothes and supplies and get a good Life jacket that you will wear. Float coat works well. Extra kicker to at least get you to the rivers edge. Be smart and do not take chances.

Guy speaks the truth.

This is one of those times when knowledge over rules $#!+.

A 2072 with a 115 is fine. Bigger won’t hurt.

The thing about the river is to understand it. Panicking will get u killed fast. With that said it’s not, not Doable.

A storm will make you trade your guns for a bible. We used to go out fairly often and 2 mishaps have kept me Leary from attempting it again. It’s fun and at times the rewards are awesome. But it’ll scare the cheet out of u more times than not.

Be careful. Know your equipment.

LODI QUACKER wrote:Boat size will not keep you safe on the river. Don't travel when dark, get out there in the summer and learn the dike locations. Always carry extra clothes and supplies and get a good Life jacket that you will wear. Float coat works well. Extra kicker to at least get you to the rivers edge. Be smart and do not take chances.

He’s spot on. I’ve seen a 50+Ft oak tree (not log, the whole tree) pop up out of nowhere from the depths of the river like a toothpick.
And missed Mallards’ point is also very good. Know your equipment well, and make sure it’s in proper working order. Have spare parts (spark plugs, prop, fuel lines, etc) and tools in the boat. We’ve broken down, power tilt unit broke, and had take it off the boat and motor, and put the motor back directly on the boat. All on an island sand bar in the middle of the river with no other way home.

That said, we used to run the river in a 1546 with a 25hp motor all season growing up. Break down was in a 1750 with a 50hp in college.

Old friend and long time river rat, duck hunting by himself out there one day.
( I do not suggest anyone doing that)
Well rigged boat, plenty knowledge, he's good.
Headed back to the ramp he spots something against one of the buoys.
Closer it's a man, holding onto the buoy for dear life.
So his plan was to come in on the up river side of the buoy and lay into it,
so he can then grab the man and pull him into the boat.
He eases up and lays the side of the boat against the buoy.
The second the boat touched it, the water grabbed the other side of his boat,
and presto, in two seconds it flipped it right out from under him.
And in two seconds it was him and an exhausted guy holding onto the buoy for dear life.
Luckily a tow was just upstream and spotted them and came got them.
Or else dead from ole man river and knowing less than you think you do.

Oh and the guy who was hanging onto the buoy fell of the tow going downstream just ahead of the one that picked them up and nobody saw him.

That boat is plenty if you know what you are doing and give the river the respect it commands. Obviously there are things that can happen even if you are careful. Lots of good advice above. Also remember not to overload your boat. You may can get away with that in some places but not on the big river.

I have a 18ft center console LakeSport heavy aluminum boat w 90hp. Handles the river great. I have a custom built blind on it too. Its not to big to hide.

NOW, if you are going to hunt the river you will need to be familiar with your river stages. I have been keeping a journal for 15 years of my river adventures. Every time you go out, take note of the river stage, where the dykes are, what duck holes/oxbows are accessible, etc. Main thing is respect that river. I'm not scared of it, I RESPECT it. Nothing on this earth is stronger than the MS River. It can take your life in 2 seconds, however, to me, the beauty and mystic of it is worth the risk. Driving a car on any interstate in the country is dangerous too but we still do it every day.... Know where the dykes are, and at what river level they will be a hazard. Know that just because you see wide open water outside the buoys, that it could be 2 feet deep or less and tear your lower unit up. Stay away from whirlpools, especially near dykes. When one almost pulls the back of your boat under, you will never forget it, trust me. Don't get in a hurry. If you can find a hole where the ducks are coming in to rest after feeding somewhere else in the morning, you dont have to drive in the dark. Take advantage of that. Your number one rule has to be life jackets, no exceptions. If you happen to forget one for your buddy, you and he dont hunt that day.

All great information guys. I really appreciate it. This place has still got it!

I run a 1648 with a 50 and I’m not scared to run it. Like the other guys have said I have my own guidelines I use when I run the river.

Never run the river on a moderate south wind.
Never run the river in the dark.
Always let people know where I’m running in case of a break down and get stranded on a sand bar.
Always have plenty of dry clothes and dry lighters.
Spare prop
Spare prop nut
Kicker motor
Spare Battery

I keep a log every time I go out there and keep up really close with river levels

I run it in a 1650 F&F with a 50hp Yamaha tiller steer. Use common sense and don't take unnecessary chances.

rebelduckaholic wrote:Never run the river on a moderate south wind.

HA! Avery123, Chuckle, and I learned this the hard way. 4ft standing waves are not something I want to deal with in a john boat ever again. 30+ft center console, OK. 1750 tiller, naw.

teul2 wrote:

rebelduckaholic wrote:Never run the river on a moderate south wind.

HA! Avery123, Chuckle, and I learned this the hard way. 4ft standing waves are not something I want to deal with in a john boat ever again. 30+ft center console, OK. 1750 tiller, naw.

Did you ever hit 15,000 RPMs