I am heading to Yankton, SD for T-Day and plan on doing some duck hunting around the Springfield area. Has anyone been out there to hear how the flights have been going.
I have heard that the big push has not quite made it there yet, but was just curious.
It’s been very very tough up there. The water is low due to overall river conditions and the island building at the headwaters of the lake. I’ve heard sporadic reports of good days on geese and when we’ve gotten some pushes, birds have been had certainly.
Last I knew the Springfield and Santee ramps were both open. The Running Water ramp is closed – sandbar.
I’ve heard on most days there have been more boats than ducks, most of my friends have done very poorly. Some very good hunters were there last week and shot ZERO in two days-both bluebird though.
That said, we’ve finally got some pond freezing temps which should help and a bad day in the marsh – isn’t too bad.
You might want to drive up to the Springfield Golf Course, below downtown, or west of downtown and overlook the marsh a bit before heading out.
bring a rod and walleye fish if you want to.
Good luck, hope you do well.
It’s been very very tough up there. The water is low due to overall river conditions and the island building at the headwaters of the lake. I’ve heard sporadic reports of good days on geese and when we’ve gotten some pushes, birds have been had certainly.
Last I knew the Springfield and Santee ramps were both open. The Running Water ramp is closed – sandbar.
I’ve heard on most days there have been more boats than ducks, most of my friends have done very poorly. Some very good hunters were there last week and shot ZERO in two days-both bluebird though.
That said, we’ve finally got some pond freezing temps which should help and a bad day in the marsh – isn’t too bad.
You might want to drive up to the Springfield Golf Course, below downtown, or west of downtown and overlook the marsh a bit before heading out.
bring a rod and walleye fish if you want to.
Good luck, hope you do well.
Well Todd, your diagnosis of the the area was 100% correct. I hunted all day Friday and Saturday with no luck. There are a lot of Buffulo Head, coots, and mergansers around, but very few shooter ducks. The boys from Hunter Specialties were out trying to film some ducks without success either.
The few birds that did fly were very cautious. I tried everything in my book to get them to commit, but had little luck. I only shot two times all weekend, and that was at a mallard that I jumped in the backwaters.
Hunted the enclosed pond just past the bridge between Niobrara and Springfield Friday. Then headed onto the river on Saturday. Both same results. Nothing. 
It’s a good thing the season is open until Jan. 7 down there.
If they start flying, let me know. 
Well Todd, your diagnosis of the the area was 100% correct. I hunted all day Friday and Saturday with no luck. There are a lot of Buffulo Head, coots, and mergansers around, but very few shooter ducks. The boys from Hunter Specialties were out trying to film some ducks without success either.
The few birds that did fly were very cautious. I tried everything in my book to get them to commit, but had little luck. I only shot two times all weekend, and that was at a mallard that I jumped in the backwaters.
Hunted the enclosed pond just past the bridge between Niobrara and Springfield Friday. Then headed onto the river on Saturday. Both same results. Nothing.
It’s a good thing the season is open until Jan. 7 down there.
If they start flying, let me know.
We’ll have to get together and hunt sometime. The weather is sure changing this week.
One of the doc in my clinic is from just east of Niobrara and he reported a couple of flocks of ducks OVER 10,000 Friday and Saturday night feed south of the river. I have no idea where they were during the day then.
Geese flew here all night with the freezing rain. I heard and heard and heard them. Prolly in Texas by now.
We used to have good hunting out here, and still do in some spots. But the spots are getting smaller, more expensive and more pressured.
There is a lot of talk about closing the marsh to hunting at noon now up there.
We’ll have to get together and hunt sometime. The weather is sure changing this week.
One of the doc in my clinic is from just east of Niobrara and he reported a couple of flocks of ducks OVER 10,000 Friday and Saturday night feed south of the river. I have no idea where they were during the day then.
Geese flew here all night with the freezing rain. I heard and heard and heard them. Prolly in Texas by now.
We used to have good hunting out here, and still do in some spots. But the spots are getting smaller, more expensive and more pressured.
There is a lot of talk about closing the marsh to hunting at noon now up there.
It appears that I may be heading back down there to hunt this weekend. I think the cold front that is coming through tomorrow will turn things on. It sounds like there was a heck of an ice storm last night, and cold weather is in the forcast for this week. It has all the makings of a nice hunt.
Maybe I can run across those 10,000 birds. If your interested in a field hunt, I could bring the dekes.
It appears that I may be heading back down there to hunt this weekend. I think the cold front that is coming through tomorrow will turn things on. It sounds like there was a heck of an ice storm last night, and cold weather is in the forcast for this week. It has all the makings of a nice hunt.
Maybe I can run across those 10,000 birds. If your interested in a field hunt, I could bring the dekes.
Keep in touch, I may run up there or a few other lakes around here. Depends on what freezes with the cold snap. I have friends hunting the marsh today so I’ll post a report.
Fat guys and layout blinds don’t mix. Ok, for geese maybe they mix 
Todd
Keep in touch, I may run up there or a few other lakes around here. Depends on what freezes with the cold snap. I have friends hunting the marsh today so I’ll post a report.
Fat guys and layout blinds don’t mix. Ok, for geese maybe they mix
Todd
Quote:
Fat guys and layout blinds don’t mix. Ok, for geese maybe they mix
Todd
Maybe not. But it’s always fun watching them try to get out of one! 
Quote:
Fat guys and layout blinds don’t mix. Ok, for geese maybe they mix
Todd
Maybe not. But it’s always fun watching them try to get out of one!
Boy, that’s no kidding. I hate trying to shoot sitting down anyway.
Updated report. Some friends shot 4 mallards and another duck this am at Santee. They weren’t seeing many but they came in good. Taking a guess…. they didn’t shoot well either
Got a phone call that the ducks and geese moved into the platte valley big-time. We’ve heard geese flying at night here for three days.
Todd
Boy, that’s no kidding. I hate trying to shoot sitting down anyway.
Updated report. Some friends shot 4 mallards and another duck this am at Santee. They weren’t seeing many but they came in good. Taking a guess…. they didn’t shoot well either
Got a phone call that the ducks and geese moved into the platte valley big-time. We’ve heard geese flying at night here for three days.
Todd
Hey Todd,
How has the action been lately? I need a fix and may head down that way next weekend. I believe the season is open until Jan. 7 if I am not mistaken.
I heard it has picked up. Are all the small potholes along the main channel froze up by Niobrara?
Hey Todd,
How has the action been lately? I need a fix and may head down that way next weekend. I believe the season is open until Jan. 7 if I am not mistaken.
I heard it has picked up. Are all the small potholes along the main channel froze up by Niobrara?
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