The best kind of problem to have.....

[low_glide]

Well, like I said in my intro, I am extremely new to waterfowl hunting, but this is where I live....(45.853195,-107.586722) Now, if you look at that on google maps, they show the channel closest to the house running North and then making a sweeping turn to the East, but that channel is no longer flowing. It was choked off by a bunch of 1940's vehicles that were pushed in, so when you look at it, there are only two islands next to us, one 30 acres with access and the other is 100 with no access until I have a boat (we're between two State boat launches) The place belongs to my aunt and I moved out here to help take care of the sheep and her long time boyfriend who had a stroke (he passed in August, RIP), but I have full run of the place. Anyway, I am looking for advice and input on where to set up and build some blinds. The farm is just shy of 160 acres and most of the small island is included in the deed. I have full access to that entire island and the two fields across the road to the West (they were both sugar beets this year). I'm looking for input on the best locations for blinds and stuff, I am a complete novice here and any good info helps. Thanks to all that offer it. Oh, and my budget is non-existent, so everything is cobbled, salvaged, or built.... for now.

[Flightstopper]

Whichever side you see birds on and put the wind at your back if at all possible.

[QH's Paw]

Down river sides, or points, of islands tend to gather the feed and the birds follow when wind direction is best. Don't make fancy building type blinds, they tend to attract tresspassers more than anything. Build your blinds from natural items found in the immediate area, so it looks like it belongs. The structure can be made from almost anything but the material, that is exposed to the outside, and visible to birds, is better from natural material and then redress it before each season.
Having a top on your blinds will also help contain any movement that might happen in the blind but, may limit or restrict some shot angles.

[Baysider]

Get on a point with the wind at your back and set some decoys. Pay attention to what the birds do while you're hunting. They typically will follow the same flight patterns year after year. Hunt as close as possible to them if possible.

[Mornin Beef]

This piece of property looks awesome your very lucky considering. Take a look at where the birds are in the morning prior to your hunt. Place yourself with your back to the wind as close to where the ducks were at and just study them and how they interact with the different habitats. Some habitats are best for loafing. Some for feeding. Some for roosting. Some for where other hunters arent. I see a refuge to your south. Probably a lot of hunting pressure there making your spot gold. Learn if other hunters are on your land and get in their face spittin and swearing your ass off.

[low_glide]

Thanks all.... judging by the comments, I've accidentally done ok. I put a cattle panel in front of a russian olive on the northern end of the island and weaved a bunch of long grass I cut through it. I never considered wind but it is usually from the west, so that works. I was thinking about dragging a 3 sided sheep shelter down there and try to hide it, but was worried about squatters. Montana's law about hunting and fishing to the high water mark seems weird to me since I saw the river in the front yard in the spring of 11, but it is what it is.

I do have a story to tell about the other evening, but it is kinda sad and humiliating.... but, I've got thick skin so I'll tell on myself.... I blew up my antique shotgun on the island the other night. Now, it wasn't worth much monetarily, but it was purchased by my great-grandfather in 1951 or so.... So, I am not a happy camper... not to mention it was my only full length shotgun. I had seen some geese the night before on the north bank of the 100 acre island across the big channel. I found a big depression with some clumps of tall grass around that Barry (My labradork is named Barry Soetoro) and I could kind of burrow back into. I had worn a pair of knee pads because they seemed like a good idea, but they cut off my circulation in my lower legs. So, when I stood up to give up and come to the house to eat, I started falling forward and caught myself by using the shotgun crutch. I got my balance and was trying to shake my legs and get some blood going. All would have been fine except 5 geese tried to land right in front of me. And, they were close. I suppose hindsight says I should checked the barrel after poking it in the ground, but I was excited to shoot. The good news is from my internet sleuthing, I have found the gun tops out at $275 bucks in the stuff I've read, so I can hopefully find a parts queen/replacement. I think the immediate remedy, and the most economical, is to get a longer barrel for the Winchester 1300 home defense type left over from the old man. I'm really pretty sick about the gun because of its lineage, but am thankful to have gotten the lesson without hot metal in my face or something.

Thanks again for the input.

[Mornin Beef]

Typically the boundary of your property from the water will be defined by the ORDINARY high water mark. Basically the average water level. This is usually evident from water staining on the rocky shoreline or shifts in plant communities for example.

[QH's Paw]

Typically the boundary of your property from the water will be defined by the ORDINARY high water mark. Basically the average water level. This is usually evident from water staining on the rocky shoreline or shifts in plant communities for example.

That's not necessarily true. That law is in reference to and, applys to, federally listed navigable water. The listing must be applied for and is not automatic. I would be surprised if any river in Montana is listed . There are some exceptions under specific state's law though. Usually, if the land title is the original homesteader title that has been in the same family, since it's listing/titling, they own the bottom of the river to the center and the whole river bottom when they own both sides. There are several pieces of land that fall under the later example here in Oregon and the subject is discussed and fought over constantly.
In the case of a homesteader title, still in the same family possession, you can not even anchor on the property without permission from landowner.

[Mornin Beef]

Typically the boundary of your property from the water will be defined by the ORDINARY high water mark. Basically the average water level. This is usually evident from water staining on the rocky shoreline or shifts in plant communities for example.

That's not necessarily true. That law is in reference to and, applys to, federally listed navigable water. The listing must be applied for and is not automatic. I would be surprised if any river in Montana is listed . There are some exceptions under specific state's law though. Usually, if the land title is the original homesteader title that has been in the same family, since it's listing/titling, they own the bottom of the river to the center and the whole river bottom when they own both sides. There are several pieces of land that fall under the later example here in Oregon and the subject is discussed and fought over constantly.
In the case of a homesteader title, still in the same family possession, you can not even anchor on the property without permission from landowner.

Interesting and good pt. The river in question is the big horn and is state owned I believe and has been used commercially which would qualify it as navigable and therefor within federal jurisdiction.

[QH's Paw]

Falling under the rules of qualifications and actually being listed are not the same. Even the Columbia and Mississippi had to go through the listing process. Like anything that goes through the bureaucracy, it takes time.

[Mornin Beef]

Falling under the rules of qualifications and actually being listed are not the same. Even the Columbia and Mississippi had to go through the listing process. Like anything that goes through the bureaucracy, it takes time.

Found an official list for fed nav waters in montana and they do not include the big horn. Sounds like he's got the deed handy and I would contact the state to be sure. Good pts paw.

[QH's Paw]

Falling under the rules of qualifications and actually being listed are not the same. Even the Columbia and Mississippi had to go through the listing process. Like anything that goes through the bureaucracy, it takes time.

Found an official list for fed nav waters in montana and they do not include the big horn. Sounds like he's got the deed handy and I would contact the state to be sure. Good pts paw.

It seems, in these days, it is more important to be able to convince the interloper/tresspasser that they are wrong for being there, even if you don't have the right to run them off. I've seen people post "no hunting" or "no tresspassing" signs in public areas. So, it is going to take LEO to convince some people who have been subjected to such tactics in the past.

[huntall6]

By the title I would have sworn you found a rich young dumb nympho maniac.....

[low_glide]

Yeah, I wish that was a problem I had.

[low_glide]

Well, nothing to clean today.... had a few ducks fly over but they didn't seem to care for my call or spread. I do think I need to cold weather to freeze the farm ponds and drainage ditches to improve my location some. I did get some work done with the chainsaw today and have a natural seat made out of a split in the russian olive trunk. I did take another cattle panel that was cut in half down to serve as a gate with some grass and stuff weaved in. It's getting there, I think. I may go down again in a bit and take a couple pics to see what yoou all think. It was an awesome day on the river though and we did flush two pheasants on a walk to warm my feet up.

[low_glide]

Oh, I need to get some goose decoys..... I'll bet 200-300 landed on the field next door and flew right over me, but out of range. It was good to listen to their conversations as they came in to land with others.

[Bootlipkiller]

I always read your name as astro glide...

[Flightstopper]

I always read your name as astro glide...

It's your subconscious telling you to NEVER forget the astro glide again while "duck hunting"

[low_glide]

I have no idea how to respond to that....

[Bootlipkiller]

I always read your name as astro glide...

It's your subconscious telling you to NEVER forget the astro glide again while "duck hunting"

Could be but I normally just wrap the ducks in duct tape so they don't split with no lube.

[Mornin Beef]

I have no idea how to respond to that....

Dont mind the two resident knuckle heads. Sounds like youre learning your spot and beginning to read the birds well. Great observation regarding the surrounding shallow waters freezing up and creating great opportunities at your spot. Build multiple blinds for different winds once the birds tell you where they will favor it. Share some pics of the habitat.