Mississippi River Duck Hunts:
What is so special about hunting in the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge?
during peak migration, with most of them concentrated in just a few miles of
river that I guide on.
during fall migration.
destinations in all of North America by Ducks Unlimited!
(http://www.ducks.org/hunting/destinations/15-great-places-to-hunt-waterfowl/page2)
More Information on Duck Hunting and what HHO will do for you:
Heated 20' custom hunting boat
Large spreads consisting of magnum decoys
Great duck calling
Hot breakfast cooked on the boat
Knowledgeable guide that knows the river in and out
Guides who put in 110% effort every day into your hunt
Puddle duck hunting in October & Diver hunting in November
Hunting the Magnificent Mississippi River is definitely a world class hunting destination that every waterfowler should experience at least once in their hunting career. The great part about the big river is that it holds ducks from opening day through the end of the season. There is great early season teal and wood duck shooting to late season diver and mallard hunting. The one thing that hunters always ask, "when is the best time to come?" My answer is what kind of a hunt are you looking for, since I will recommend a time frame for the hunt that you will be satisfied with. One of the great things while hunting on the Mississippi River is that we harvest over 20 different waterfowl species a year. You never know what will be cupped and committed next. During the month of October we harvest a variety of puddle ducks; wood ducks, teal (bwt & gwt), mallards, gadwall, widgeon, pintail, and black ducks. The most common divers that show in October are blue bills, ringnecks, bufflehead, redheads, and canvasbacks. During the month of November we get a large mix as well, but usually people are after canvasbacks. We stage over 75% of the worlds population on the pools I hunt at one time where seeing over 100,000 ducks in a days hunt is common. Canvasbacks stage on the river so once they are present they stick around until ice up! Swarms of canvasbacks are seen daily using the river feeding on the wild celery growing in the river. Besides canvasbacks; mallards, gadwall, widgeon, pintail, black ducks, bufflehead, bluebills, redheads, and goldeneyes are the common species harvested in November.
(Mix of puddlers and divers are common on hunts over the same decoys)
It is not just the great duck hunting that makes the river so magnificent, but also the scenery and numerous types of wildlife and bird species that can be viewed. On the hunt you will have a great opportunity to view some of the thousands of tundra swans and bald eagles that use the Mississippi River.
I have been running the Mississippi River for the better part of my life and know many great early season honey holes to the best late season spots. I hunt pools 9 and 11 with most of my hunts taking place on pool 9 which is located just a few a few miles north of Cabelas in Prairie du Chien, WI.
We run custom duck boats that can haul large decoy spreads, gear, along with four hunters and guide safely to the hunting location. The majority of my hunts will be conducted out of my boat, which is heated on cold days. You will be hunting over large decoy spreads consisting of magnum decoys. I have also learned a few tricks of the trade over the years to set myself above the rest that help bring in ducks even on the calm bluebird days. While on the hunt you can help set decoys if you would like to take an active part in the hunt. If not this hunt is fit for any ability and skill level. You can pretty much get in the boat at the launch and step off the boat when we are done if you want to. I also provide a great hot breakfast which I cook on the boat each morning consisting of eggs and bacon or homemade biscuits and gravy.
I can write all I want but video will show you why hunting here is so good!!
Another couple quick videos people filmed while hunting
This video you get to hear how we go about shooting our cans picking out good mounting quality birds
Mississippi River Hunting Options:
The hunt starts with meeting an hour or so before shooting light and finish around 12 pm or until our limit is shot. We will meet at the boat landing located just a few blocks from the lodging in the morning and head out to the actual hunting site. From there we will set decoys and get ready for the mornings hunt. During the mornings hunt I will cook a big hot brunch come mid-morning. Pricing is $175 a day for parties of 3-4 hunters or payment of 3 will hold the boat for your group in October and $200 a gun for November hunts with 4 people or payment. If you just have a party of two please call for pricing. Single and mixed party hunts please contact me for availability.
Late September/early October: $150 a gun for 3-4 people from Sept 21st-Sept 29th 2013. This is a good time to get in some shooting at teal (both bw and gw), wood ducks, and canada geese. Mallards, gadwall, and widgeon are harvested too.
(2012 early season hunts)October Hunts: Pricing is $175 a gun for 3-4 people. Oct 12th- Oct 31st. Mid-October hunts through the end of month consist of a mix of puddlers (mallards, gadwall, widgeon, gw teal) and can get some early divers (bufflhead, ringnecks, canvasbacks).
(2012 October hunts)November/ Early December Hunts: Pricing is $200 a gun or payment for 4 people. We try and shoot puddlers (mallards, gadwall) and divers (Canvasbacks, bufflhead, bluebills, and goldneyes) over the same decoys throughout the month. Some days more divers others more puddlers but as a whole we get a mix of both puddlers and divers. This is the time for canvasbacks.
(2012 November hunts)Blast & Blast Trip:
This hunt will start just like the regular hunt but rather than hunting till mid day and calling it, your hunt will end mid-morning. Then come in for a little R&R and head back out for an afternoon hunt until shooting light. This hunt is great to ensure we are on the water over decoys at peak bird movement during the morning and evening flights. Breakfast will be cooked on the boat. Best used during the early season and mid-Oct hunts. After the time switch in November it doesn't pay to head in and then go back out since we already hunt until mid afternoon.
Afternoons can also be used to go on a pheasant hunt at a local hunt club. Pricing for both the double duck or duck/pheasant is $300 per gun. Pheasant hunt pricing includes 15 birds for three hunters and 20 for 4 people, guide and trained dog (flushing or pointing).
Great day of a.m duck and p.m pheasant hunting!
Blast & Cast Trip:
Fishing trips will be conducted by accredited U.S Coast Guard captains with many years in the guiding business on the Mississippi River. The package will include an a.m duck hunt with an afternoon fishing trip. October and November are great times to be on the water fishing. In October fishing is great for walleyes, smallmouth bass, panfish, and catfish. The month of November is one of the best months of the year to catch numerous and large walleyes. Once you are done hunting in the a.m. you will be able to come in take a little break and head back on the water for some afternoon fishing. Pricing includes 1 fishing guide for 2-3 people and two guides for 4 people to ensure maximum results. Pricing is $300 per person for the cast and blast trip.
Lodging Information:
Most of my hunters will be staying at the "Canvasback Inn" on the Mississippi River hunts. It's a nice cabin located nearby the hunting location. Lodging includes a continental breakfast; muffins, juice, and coffee in the morning (still have a brunch cooked on boat). Has a hot tub to relax and warm up in, an outside fire pit, grill along with a fully stocked kitchen to use if you want to cook your own dinner. There are also several good places to eat nearby from anything from a supper club to burger joints. Has wi-fi and cable tv.
Green Bay and Lake Michigan hunts
Several hunting parties each year spend a couple days on the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. You can get in some of the best duck hunting WI and the mid-West has to offer with one Outfitter hunting both locations in one trip. Lake Michigan/Green Bay hunts are good from opener to close of the season. Check out the great lakes hunt page for more info!
Here is one hunt that spent 2 days on the Mississippi River and 2 days on the Great Lakes in 2012 and harvested 71 birds in 4 days.
Hunters have traveled all over the country and overseas to hunt and fish with Hideaway Hollow Outfitters. They have come from: New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Arizona, California, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Alaska, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Kentucky, Colorado, Wisconsin, New Mexico, South Dakota, Kansas, Florida, Germany and Canada.
Matt,
" We drove 12-1/2 hours from Alabama to kill trophy canvasbacks and you took care of that. If you hunt with Matt get ready to kick butt and take names. It was the best guided hunt I have ever been on. The hunting is top notch."
Thanks again,
Richie
Matt,
"I just wanted to thank you again for the great time last weekend. Everyone had a lot of fun and enjoyed our hunt. We really appreciated all of your hard work and effort. We enjoyed the hunt so much that we are wanting to book again for next year, that in my mind is the ultimate compliment for an outfitter. Anyways, thanks again and your operation is top notch."
Brad
Matt,
"Thanks for a great hunt, Ernie and Quin and I all enjoyed ourselves tremendously. It's a beautiful area and you did a great job."
Thanks again.