Crane / Duck Hunting in Corpus

[statesman]

Some buddies and I are planning on doing some crane and duck hunting here in Corpus this season and I'm looking for some good advice regarding areas to hunt.

I called Fish and Game who said that ducks can be hunted on any public land so long as we heed city ordinances etc. Does anyone have and suggestions on areas where ducks are plentiful? I have heard that there are blinds and areas all over the public land out here, but dont know the area well enough yet to know where they are at.

 

[scoolbubba]

Up near A-County airport, there is a large grass system back there full of both fish and waterfowl. Park at the marina, get in a kayak and paddle on out there. Fairly certain that it's public, as it works out to the ICW. Would be worth checking out.

 

[Mr. Blonde]

There are some operations that will take you out on fanboats and put you in some blinds down near Aransas Pass and Rockport if you don't mind spending a little cash, google is your friend on that. Great duck hunting, I envy you being down there, hopefully I'll be in Kingsville next season.

 

[FlyBoyd]

****DISCLAIMER**** this has worked for me. I am not aware (have not checked) if the public land has changed.

Statesman,

Scout these (Google maps)

Walk/wade
1-pond here with fresh water 27.513774, -97.270345 watch protected area to the west...you'll see the fence

2-rain dependent shallow fresh water ponds here 27.511045,-97.270659 watch protected area to the west...you'll see the fence

3-Blind here(ish) 27.815659,-97.092973 near Mustang...we had to drive on the runway to get there...don't park there.

4-This general area 27.632041, -97.352654 4x4 required when wet

5- You can drive here(ish) 27.592854,-97.247071 4x4 required when wet and if your kill lands in deep water it is gone without a dog/boat

wade/small boat - GPS required for early morning setup

Portable blind works well on island here 27.749376, -97.138737 you'll need a canoe/kayak/small boat to float your decoys...you can wade along side. Recommend a day trip to know the route. This island you can wade to...others you can't.

Boat access only - GPS required
Limitless if you scout the intracoastal

I have been here 27.905236,-97.015886 here 27.905788,-97.020607 here 27.491065,-97.307796


ALCON...

Hunting these areas I have been checked by the game warden about 60% of the time. The (free) license and duck stamp ($15) is way cheaper than the ticket.

If you choose to use a blind keep in mind the guy who built it has right of first refusal. If decoys are already there...move on. If some bubba has the balls to pull up on you and say it is his spot...pick your shit up and move on. Do you really want to scrap with some dude with a gun in the middle of nowhere? The mud is deep. Hiding your body would be easy. When you see the beer cans in the blinds you'll understand.

Know your birds. Big Navy is a tad sensitive with endangered birds being killed lately and your limits will be checked.

If you do "meet up" with bubba get his number. Next time you can call and deconflict the spot...or like me find out he is a lawyer in town and takes you to the last few spots I referenced above

 

[Fog]

While it is often legal, why does anyone kill a crane? You can't/don't eat them, do you? Are they a serious threat to the game fish population? Just wondering, FWIW. Ducks? That's a different story, and I'm sure they are a threat to something - and they taste great.

 

[FunWithGuns]

Are you looking for more backwater marshes or more open water? Will you be using a boat, kayak or humping gear?

After crossing the bridge onto to island and taking 361 towards port a most of those roads leading to the backside of the island have many good spots. Shamrock cove and night hawk bay have been consistent for me.

You can legally hunt ANY blind you come across that is on public land because it is public property, although hunting from a blind is not required here at all by any means...

I wish I could give you my absolute favorite spot to hunt behind port a, but it is now a bird sanctuary. It was always a guarantee going back there to see thousands of pintail and widgeon with redheads mixed in as well, and they always seemed to like fly right into my spreads.

 

[FunWithGuns]

While it is often legal, why does anyone kill a crane? You can't/don't eat them, do you? Are they a serious threat to the game fish population? Just wondering, FWIW. Ducks? That's a different story, and I'm sure they are a threat to something - and they taste great.

Sir, I thought it sounded pretty wierd hunting sandhill cranes at first but they are fun to shoot, and incredibly delicious. They dont call them the "ribeye of the sky" of nothin'.

 

[Bevo16]

Just remember that you have to buy steel shot. The fine for using lead in the marshes is more than killing endangered birds. The people that pick and eat oysters will also appreciate not getting lead poisoning. If you are willing to drive a couple of hours for a dove hunt, you can go to my parent's ranch in Ganado. 120 acres with a creek, water, and nest to the county rice driers. It's a dove massacre.

 

[Fog]

Sir, I thought it sounded pretty wierd hunting sandhill cranes at first but they are fun to shoot, and incredibly delicious. They dont call them the "ribeye of the sky" of nothin'.

FWG: I take you at your word, man. They're delicious?! I would never have thunk it.

 

[Mr. Blonde]

Just remember that you have to buy steel shot. The fine for using lead in the marshes is more than killing endangered birds. The people that pick and eat oysters will also appreciate not getting lead poisoning. If you are willing to drive a couple of hours for a dove hunt, you can go to my parent's ranch in Ganado. 120 acres with a creek, water, and nest to the county rice driers. It's a dove massacre.

Bevo, if I make it to Kingsville next I'll take you up on that if the offer is still standing. Used to deer hunt out near there and dove hunting is my favorite. Seems like some days they were so thick they'd block out the sun

 

[Bevo16]

Just let me know. As long as my dad is there and I (or we) give him notice he will be happy to show you around the property. As long as you don't shoot any of the livestock, you will be fine. There are mourning dove, white wings, and quail all out there. This time of year, you can luck into some low flying geese too. We used to run outside and take pot shots at them with a .22 when we could hear them honking. Only got 2 or 3 in about 10 years with that method. That part of Texas is like a buffet. I don't know how many Saturdays dad and I got up at 3am to go flounder for a few hours, catch redfish until noon, come home and clean fish until 4, then go out to the pasture and bag a limit of doves. With our garden, we pretty much only went to the grocery store for milk and toilet paper.

 

[Mr. Blonde]

Just let me know. As long as my dad is there and I (or we) give him notice he will be happy to show you around the property. As long as you don't shoot any of the livestock, you will be fine. There are mourning dove, white wings, and quail all out there. This time of year, you can luck into some low flying geese too. We used to run outside and take pot shots at them with a .22 when we could hear them honking. Only got 2 or 3 in about 10 years with that method. That part of Texas is like a buffet. I don't know how many Saturdays dad and I got up at 3am to go flounder for a few hours, catch redfish until noon, come home and clean fish until 4, then go out to the pasture and bag a limit of doves. With our garden, we pretty much only went to the grocery store for milk and toilet paper.

Sounds like heaven. You pretty much summed up how I plan to retire if I make it that long

 

[Short]

Bit of a drive, but I heard that some ensigns found a pretty sweet bird hunting spot west of P'cola. Don't remember any names, but look for the guys in the orange flight suits.

 

[BACONATOR]

What exactly do you shoot with so as not to turn fowl into salsa?

 

[Mr. Blonde]

shotguns. Unless you're firing from <15 feet you don't have to worry about salsa. Usually only a couple of the pellets actually hit and bring it down.