Hunting the Mississippi River

The Mississippi River has its own flyway. From Minnesota to Louisiana, ducks and geese follow the river during their migration.  When the migration is on, hunting on the river is exceptional, especially compared to the rest of the state of Wisconsin.  In order to capitalize on the opportunity, my father, uncles, and a family friend would head to the river for a hunting trip when I was growing up.  Every year sometime between Halloween and Veterans Day, Dad, Uncle Bill, Bob, and Bill’s friend Tom would meet in Buffalo City, Wisconsin.  Buffalo City is located on Wisconsin 35 just north of Winona, Minnesota.  The group stayed at the “famous” Viking Motel in Buffalo City.  I remember hearing stories of the place.  Something to do with carpeted walls, but it got the job done.

I remember it being difficult to get out of school to go along on the trip, but Dad could usually talk the teachers into letting me have a couple days off.  It was only fair because in Wisconsin, most kids get time off for deer season.  I remember how cool it was to finally go on the trip my uncles and father had talked so much about.  I finally go to experience Sand Run and the other spots of family lore. 

Dad sending a message to some high flying Mallards at Sand Run.

Sand Run was the “hot spot” when I was growing up.  Bill and Tom found the spot way back and returned each year.  We would set up across a cut from the refuge and try to convince ducks to drop in our decoys instead.  This spot was where I shot my first Mississippi River mallard and my father shot the first Black Duck I had ever seen.  It is truly amazing that some spots provide luck year after year.

Although the Mississippi River provides some of the best waterfowl hunting in the country, the river can be unforgiving.  Dad shared stories like the Great Armistice Day Storm of 1940 as well as some of their own.  One of our early duck hunting boats was a 16-foot Lowe job boat with a 25-horse power engine.  Dad had to leave the boat out on the river at their spot one night because a storm moved in that caused the river to be too dangerous to cross.  Tom and Bill brought Tom’s 18-foot, center counsel boat to pick him up.  After that trip, we were always very cautious on the river.  The weather, currents, sand bars, and stumps add to the challenge of chasing fowl.

Hunting the Mississippi River is can be extremely rewarding and equally dangerous.  It provides incredible experiences for those pursuing waterfowl.  I am glad that it has been such a big part of my life and provided me with so many great stories and experiences.  If you have any stories to share from hunting the Mississippi River and its flyway, comment below!  I would love to hear them.  Now get quackin’!