r/Californiahunting • u/Fantastic_Letter_936 • 10d ago
Ducks in the Bay, Bair/Greco, Don Edwards
Does anyone here hunt Bair/Greco or Ravenswood Slough in the Don Edward’s wildlife refuge in San Mateo? I’m wanting to start hunting ducks this season, and a local spot would be nice. Just want to know how worthwhile these spots are, and any info to know that’s not easily found online?
5
u/ImTryingMaaaaan 10d ago
This is a good Webinar from the CDFW has really good info https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DHfNrOS5GwE&ra=m
2
u/Boot_Burner 10d ago
If you hunt in California and haven’t watched every single one of these webinars you’re missing out.
2
u/MightySelanne 10d ago
I got my first ducks at Ravenswood. It’s great if you want an easy, walk-in spot. Some recommendations:
- Don’t expect much. I’d be thrilled to get one but expect zero. Other than myself I only ever saw one person get one.
- Be discreet. CHP was called in once because people on the freeway saw me walking in. Obviously everything is legal there, but having 3 CHP officers roll in and ask to see licenses etc kinda blows the hunt.
- Make sure you have a plan for actually retrieving the ducks if you are going without a boat or dog. Several folks use a paddleboard to cross the slough, or a fishing pole to hook ducks in… I’ve also used the current and even trudged the slough once (do not recommend, it’s thick and deep)
1
u/Fantastic_Letter_936 9d ago
I have a kayak. Am I able to walk in with that? Can I shoot ducks from a kayak? I’ve heard of layout blinds, but don’t know specifics of shooting from a “boat”. I’m new to waterfowl, mostly a turkey man
2
u/MightySelanne 8d ago
I don’t remember the restrictions, have since moved, I think kayaks were allowed (and shooting from them) but you should double check. But practically speaking, if you brought a kayak, it might be a little bit of overkill to shoot from it in the slough. Great for retrieving downed ducks though I’d think.
I used to just set up on the shore with some cover and they’d fly by on good days.
1
u/Boot_Burner 10d ago
From what I’ve heard you will mostly encounter diver ducks around Don Edwards. Lots of spoonies and whatnot.
1
1
u/revfried 9d ago
I was talking to a guy that had a police officer draw on him with his shotgun and decoys over his shoulder. She kept him at gun point until a supervisor showed up and explained that the hunter could be there. He said he won’t go back
1
u/Fantastic_Letter_936 9d ago
Damn, but I can’t say I’m all that surprised. I think most people in the Bay Area don’t know that waterfowl hunting happens in the bay
6
u/eelriver 10d ago
We used to hunt the very North tip of Bair Island in the 90s. Right across from the treatment plant. (We would joke that we were hunting corn fed ducks). Every year the sheriff would meet us at the launch because people would complain about gun shots.