Ellesmere… a few questions!

After another great opening weekend over the coast with the father inlaw, ….not big numbers of ducks some average shots mixed with the odd good one, i've come back to ch'ch more determined than ever to get out more through the season other than opening and maybe one other week end when we pop back over to see the family.

Have been doing a bit of reading up on ellesmere …..

Was wondering how many people shoot casually from vacant mai mais (respectfully of course) on the public sections, particularly taking in the evening flight and if this is worth doing.

Having just shot small bush and farm pond on the coast is a decent spread of decoys a necessity and is it possible to retrieve without a dog (waders act)


Am aware of the additional permit/s you need other than your gb license on ellesmere just thought i'd ask a couple of possibly daft question before i got out and gave it a crack to make sure i was doing it right and not potentially gonna piss any one off(too much;) )

any other pointers welcome of course, cheers

PM me and I can help you out if you want to.

When I was at Lincoln we'd shoot it several times a week.

We'd access it off Wolfe road.

Used to use any hide that wasn't already occupied. We'd throw out about 6-8 deeks, sit back and enjoy the evening/morning.

We didn't have dogs or waders for a while, but eventually all invested in waders which made things a bit easier.

Obviuosly the lake shoots best when a strong front pushes thru, keep your eye on the forecast and if a southerly is coming make sure you are there!

Tuck up somewhere sheltered with a few deeks and wait the front out, shooting can be unbelievably fast.

Even on calms days we'd take home a few ducks so it's always worth a crack.

Calling is fairly important at the lake, so be prepared to work your duck caller.

pick your spot on the lake based on any wind ie nor noreast boggy creek can crank southerly wolfs embankment rd dickies road.
watch the drains they,re deceptive and most of us have been upto our necks at least once :D

Thanks fellas all helpful and appreciated:thumbsup:

I had some of my best shooting jidt standing behind a bush where the birds were flying. Go out aroubd 2 in the arvo. Try to spot wjere the irds are trading and head there. Has worked well for me on a number of occasions

Pm me you can carry my decoys out for me :thumbsup: if you want to go for a shot out there I'll take you out ,it all helps . Otherwise just go out for a look , you can use any unoccupied Mai Mai , lake has been real high and has been opened to the sea , so will be dropping fast . Don't consider driving out there to save a walk ! . The lake flats are like grease . Like it's been said a front is normally when it happens . Make sure you decoys are set up well , ie strong clips , strong knots and cord and at least two long steel steaks to tie off to . Use these steaks to range your birds place them at 35 yards max from your hide and your Deeks inside of them . Hard to range birds on big water so it helps , something I find helps anyway .

a mate was saying a hell of a lot of maimais are just gone frim the big blow a while back?

be very bloody careful.if youre wading just off shore keep an eye open for the mouths of creeks.the lakebed here will be soft&boggy and believe me its bloody easy to get stuck.ive personally been stuck up to midthigh in one section at Boggy creek and it required some effort on the boys behalf to free me.Its not a pleasent feeling ,all kjokes aside.
some of that ellesmere shit clings tighter to you than a scotsman with his first dollar!:oh noes:

kotuku makes a good point your better to hook up with someone who knows the place a bit but paces like boggy creek are a good learner area best accessed mostly by shanks pony from the lake edge that cant be said of the all the northern or nor eastern side:angry:

I've been thinking of the whole Ellesmere thing too. Mainly hunt the river and thinking I need to try the lake.

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Originally Posted by Uplandstalker

I've been thinking of the whole Ellesmere thing too. Mainly hunt the river and thinking I need to try the lake.

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GO FOR IT MAN ITS A FN AWESOME RESOURSE AND THE SHEER SIZE AND VARIETY OF WATERFOWL IS WORTH THE TRIP.

I agree it's a widely under looked resource after opening day

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Originally Posted by Munsey

I agree it's a widely under looked resource after opening day

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I drove out to little river to drop the dog at a mates place and noticed a heap of stands and bird around that side. Might need to pay a visit.


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US-its also great to drive up the numerous wee roads on the west side,don waders and wade around the numerous wee coves & bays that often harbour suprising numbers of ducks /ferals &canadas.
you also come across some boomer hidden maimais-well worth the effort.mate &I did this one day ;jumped into a maimai- bugger me in less than 10mins we got nailed by half a dozen brazen mallards -5 of whom got a oneway ride home into the freezer.we nicknamed it "mallard molesters motel."

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Originally Posted by Munsey

I agree it's a widely under looked resource after opening day

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still my favourite place to hunt geese windswept simply awesome in size and its ability to surprise you with different bird species catching you napping:D

All the positive stuff on here had me pretty pumped for the lake until I took the gun to the smiths today as I wasn't happy with one of the pins protruding, was told not an easy fix may be internal damage in the firing gear behind the pin (old gun) should get it back within 2weeks :oh noes: and may cost up to a couple of hundy possibly went to the wrong shop but you live and learn eh, so seasons temporarily on hold!

I am sure someone can find you a spare gun sparrow. I would lend you mine but I am using it after a opening day fark up.

All good mate thanks, got the call today all fixed and only cost half what they thought its all back on!

after getting the gun back midweek the lake one the toss up over a walk in the hills especially with the pending winds i thought might stir up a few birds.

Went down the wolfs road access and arrived about 11 am not ideal i know, but don't have a pegged mai mai to shoot the dawn and had the little fella to take care of in the morning any how. The fact that as far as i could tell i was the only one in the area told me it was gonna be slw, but took my time and had a good nosey about was just awesome :pacman: being out there saw plenty of geese and swans at distance but not a duck any where.

Set up un the main body for a few hours, but still not one duck in the air.Attachment 24721

Decided to have a look for an evening hole and liked the look of this one some shiny empties and a few feathers were the sealer, still didn't see a duck until dusk and they flew real late, had 1 hen present real nice where i intended between the 6 decoys on the left the couple on the right and still managed to cock it up:oh noes: prob the 6hrs of waiting arms were asleep;)Attachment 24722

Any how about another 4/5 came in in the weeds out back but i couldn't see em by that stage so packed up.

I know its not an exciting day for most but i learnt a bit and had a good explore of that area and can't wait to get back, so different to what i've done before, just loved the place.

Questions for those in the know: do you reckon i was in the wrong area for the northerly winds?

What other areas do ya recommend for those winds? and had a possible chance at a swan that surprised me late on seeing as i've never had the opportunity to shoot one before are they any good to eat?:yum:

Cheers

Good stuff dude!

That spot you are in will produce birds on a decent southerly. We used to shoot there most evenings regardless of the weather and would pick up a duck or two every time. There are some nice swampy patches over closer to the willows too, which shoot well. The ducks tend to trade up and down the river there and you'll have a better chance of sucking them in. If the weathers calm they'll come in real late. You need to start working your caller on ducks even seen at long distances.

Good getting out there Sparrow. I've shot the bay to the left for the last year and looking to get back there when I get my new waders. Usually get swans heading back there for the night. Yes they are good eating. I mainly casserole the breasts with some fatty bacon to add the smokiness and a little fat.

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Originally Posted by Sparrow

after getting the gun back midweek the lake one the toss up over a walk in the hills especially with the pending winds i thought might stir up a few birds.

Went down the wolfs road access and arrived about 11 am not ideal i know, but don't have a pegged mai mai to shoot the dawn and had the little fella to take care of in the morning any how. The fact that as far as i could tell i was the only one in the area told me it was gonna be slw, but took my time and had a good nosey about was just awesome :pacman: being out there saw plenty of geese and swans at distance but not a duck any where.

Set up un the main body for a few hours, but still not one duck in the air.Attachment 24721

Decided to have a look for an evening hole and liked the look of this one some shiny empties and a few feathers were the sealer, still didn't see a duck until dusk and they flew real late, had 1 hen present real nice where i intended between the 6 decoys on the left the couple on the right and still managed to cock it up:oh noes: prob the 6hrs of waiting arms were asleep;)Attachment 24722

Any how about another 4/5 came in in the weeds out back but i couldn't see em by that stage so packed up.

I know its not an exciting day for most but i learnt a bit and had a good explore of that area and can't wait to get back, so different to what i've done before, just loved the place.

Questions for those in the know: do you reckon i was in the wrong area for the northerly winds?

What other areas do ya recommend for those winds? and had a possible chance at a swan that surprised me late on seeing as i've never had the opportunity to shoot one before are they any good to eat?:yum:

Cheers

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Well done sparrow, its all good whether you come home empty handed or not, as you said, you learnt heaps, thats what its all about when you start,

swans taste great, carefully slice down the centre of the breast bone, and scrape, cut away the breasts, dark red meat like steak!!!!!.....take the legs too for a crockpot slow cooker jobbie!!!!!

. Good to see you get out . Other end of lake for norwest .) Birdlingsflat ) acess not as easy as other parts . Wolfs rd , embankment rd , Jarvis rd in a southerly . I've pm my number give me a txt back will take you to lake or a walk with dog for quail . I'm will be out every weekend over season .

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Originally Posted by Sparrow

after getting the gun back midweek the lake one the toss up over a walk in the hills especially with the pending winds i thought might stir up a few birds.

Went down the wolfs road access and arrived about 11 am not ideal i know, but don't have a pegged mai mai to shoot the dawn and had the little fella to take care of in the morning any how. The fact that as far as i could tell i was the only one in the area told me it was gonna be slw, but took my time and had a good nosey about was just awesome :pacman: being out there saw plenty of geese and swans at distance but not a duck any where.

Set up un the main body for a few hours, but still not one duck in the air.Attachment 24721

Decided to have a look for an evening hole and liked the look of this one some shiny empties and a few feathers were the sealer, still didn't see a duck until dusk and they flew real late, had 1 hen present real nice where i intended between the 6 decoys on the left the couple on the right and still managed to cock it up:oh noes: prob the 6hrs of waiting arms were asleep;)Attachment 24722

Any how about another 4/5 came in in the weeds out back but i couldn't see em by that stage so packed up.

I know its not an exciting day for most but i learnt a bit and had a good explore of that area and can't wait to get back, so different to what i've done before, just loved the place.

Questions for those in the know: do you reckon i was in the wrong area for the northerly winds?

What other areas do ya recommend for those winds? and had a possible chance at a swan that surprised me late on seeing as i've never had the opportunity to shoot one before are they any good to eat?:yum:

Cheers

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thats my favourite goose pozzy your in on the last pic good for parries travelling across to mcbeans over the trees.[img]http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/.../Image0173.jpg[/img]
this pic is taken from right of the maimai looken towards the lake and l2[img]http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/.../Photo0051.jpg[/img]
this ones lookin back towards the op of the l2 and wolfsroad

Thanks fellas, had feeling i was in the wrong spot for the day but you live and learn eh thanks heaps, swans's good thats a plus and Munsey might just take you up on that offer , very cool!

And gerat pics gsp:thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Sparrow

And gerat pics gsp:thumbsup:

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its a great spot usually you can guarentee you swan limit :yuush:
the dog in the last pic is buried not far from there:sick:
any goose sign about??
heres a pic of massive gettin goosey as he and my gsp hear closing honkers at the same time
[img]http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/.../Image0249.jpg[/img]
and kotuku and red discuss parrie retrieves and using his pack for a bed[img]http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...own15/ATT1.jpg[/img]

now speaking of red parries and things ,that reminds me -ya cant cook dead cats:ORLY: so I guess another wee mallard or geese foray is long overdue. actually since that photo was taken both red &myself have put on some condition .this bears out my uncles standardobservation"a man should never trust a skinny chef or thoroughbred stallion."
the first photo of the immortal Elvis -brings back lots of funny memories.RIP old fella -ya did ya lifes toil and ya did it bloody well.:)

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Originally Posted by kotuku

now speaking of red parries and things ,that reminds me -ya cant cook dead cats:ORLY: so I guess another wee mallard or geese foray is long overdue. actually since that photo was taken both red &myself have put on some condition .this bears out my uncles standardobservation"a man should never trust a skinny chef or thoroughbred stallion."
the first photo of the immortal Elvis -brings back lots of funny memories.RIP old fella -ya did ya lifes toil and ya did it bloody well.:)

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I'm doubly shot on the trustworthiness then. Fond memories of sitting in that maima accompanied by gsp follewer and Elvis. I even mowed the lawn around it a couple of years back to give the geese somewhere to land.

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Originally Posted by gadgetman

I'm doubly shot on the trustworthiness then. Fond memories of sitting in that maima accompanied by gsp follewer and Elvis. I even mowed the lawn around it a couple of years back to give the geese somewhere to land.

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true gadget then the dirty bastards landed in the dry pond instead and ate thier way round the edge. all that after you offering them short sweet regrowth:pissed off::D

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Leigh Griffiths
To Customer ServicesDaniel Harrison
Today at 12:27 PM

Tēnā Koutou Katoa,



The average level of the lake as read this morning was 1.25m. Earthworks are almost complete and if the sea remains calm enough an opening attempt will be made tomorrow.



Anyone visiting the site is reminded that it is a work site with significant safety risks. All visitors must report to Site Supervisor Mike Hyett for a hazard briefing upon arrival. Anyone going on site does so at their own risk.



I am not in the office next week – please contact Dan Harrison (027 225 6418) for any Te Waihora enquiries.



Ngā mihi

Leigh Griffiths

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she,s up again by the look:angry:

I'm heading there on Sunday, wonder how much it will have dropped if they open it tomorrow?

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Originally Posted by stug

I'm heading there on Sunday, wonder how much it will have dropped if they open it tomorrow?

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in my experience if its calm 3 feet in 3 days but theres a southerly forecast for sunday so they could have some fun keeping it open:yaeh am not durnk: