Advice needed-Hunting around Ruthven

Lwenglar

Lwenglar

New member
Hey guys, me and a couple of buddies have been planning on making a trip up to Iowa from south east Texas for a while now. Coming up on Friday and staying for a week on lost island lake. From the look of the forecast and some of the other threads its not looking great weather/snowfall wise. Anybody have any tips/tricks/advice for hunting in the snow? We are planning on bringing bringing my buddies English cocker spaniel, but I'm not to sure how he's gonna fare in the cold and deep snow. Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
In recent years snow has not been much of an issue during season, this year, it is a problem already. Ruthven, should have cattails around, that will be where the birds will be, due to all the remaining cover has blown full of snow. My advice would be to schedule again for next year for the 2nd or 3rd weekend of November, less apt to encounter much snow then. I am 80 miles from Ruthven, but I am guessing, they have at least the amount of snow cover I have. We have a member near there that could chime in and call BS on me.
 
Id be buying that little fella boots and a coat or its really gonna struggle. Likely will have some hard drifts soon though, so walking on top shouldnt be an issue
 
Labradinger said:
Id be buying that little fella boots and a coat or its really gonna struggle. Likely will have some hard drifts soon though, so walking on top shouldnt be an issue
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Yeah, no hard drifts now, maybe if the next system has some rain. About 18 inches of snow and most of that blew into the cover. The cattails will have birds but may/may not be frozen enough to walk in.

This spot is on the south end of Lost Island.
en.wikipedia.org

Barringer Slough - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

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Start from the north access and work south, park a vehicle down there and you should make it before it’s time to go back home, pack a lunch. JK lol. Stay close to the fields and follow the dog. Find a deer trail in the cattails, it will be frozen before the rest. The dog will need to be aggressive and strong to be much help. A big chested lab is the dog of choice, I know nothing about your Spaniel but if it is willing it will probably do all right, if not it will be at your heels most of the time.

You might be staying on the east side of Lost Island, Blue Wing marsh is usually good. To the north there is a bunch of public ground, doesn’t get hunted much but I have had good times there. You shouldn’t see many hunters anywhere.

Nothing around the Trumbull/Round Lake area is worth your time. Never see any birds there, trust me on that.
 
After thinking about my reply I need to stress that folks from warmer areas hunting cattails this time of year for the first time really need to be cautious. Stay on the outside of them, either on land or if there is open ice you should be good. Deer trails are generally safely frozen.

Many places out there will have a foot of mud, a foot of water and four feet of snow. You go down in that and it gets serious fast, a dog going down in that is quite a tussle getting them out, carry a leash.

I don’t think there is any open water so duck and goose hunters will be in the corn fields.

Early deer season might still be on, make sure you have extra orange on, those buggers are crazy around here, lots of good sized bucks. Some might see you and position themselves to get a shot at whatever you flush out.

Good luck, Bully’s in Ruthven has good food. The little store on the east side of Lost Island has noon meals, also good.
 
That will be difficult hunting. Ice is not safe now, too much insulating snow. A cocker having short legs will probably struggle in the snow. Not sure if Kansas or Nebraska are an option, but I'd think less snow would be better for the dog. I would say Iowa public is best the first three weeks of season, after that it has been pounded good.
 
With the warmer weather this week I think you will have a good chance at snow melting down, so it won't be as deep. Also the snow that is left should crust up nicely. But be prepared for that not to happen.
 
GladHunter said:
With the warmer weather this week I think you will have a good chance at snow melting down, so it won't be as deep. Also the snow that is left should crust up nicely. But be prepared for that not to happen.
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Warmer weather ?
 

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My advice for hunting in snow is too slow down, and really take your time. Be very careful of ice, you cannot always trust ice, and respect it.
 
McFarmer said:
Yeah, no hard drifts now, maybe if the next system has some rain. About 18 inches of snow and most of that blew into the cover. The cattails will have birds but may/may not be frozen enough to walk in.

This spot is on the south end of Lost Island.
en.wikipedia.org

Barringer Slough - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

View attachment 12449

Start from the north access and work south, park a vehicle down there and you should make it before it’s time to go back home, pack a lunch. JK lol. Stay close to the fields and follow the dog. Find a deer trail in the cattails, it will be frozen before the rest. The dog will need to be aggressive and strong to be much help. A big chested lab is the dog of choice, I know nothing about your Spaniel but if it is willing it will probably do all right, if not it will be at your heels most of the time.

You might be staying on the east side of Lost Island, Blue Wing marsh is usually good. To the north there is a bunch of public ground, doesn’t get hunted much but I have had good times there. You shouldn’t see many hunters anywhere.

Nothing around the Trumbull/Round Lake area is worth your time. Never see any birds there, trust me on that.
Click to expand...
Holy cow this is helpful! I was up there this summer scouting around, but all of the public ground was a little bit overwhelming to my Texas brain. We will definitely be giving barringer a try.
 
Bob Peters said:
That will be difficult hunting. Ice is not safe now, too much insulating snow. A cocker having short legs will probably struggle in the snow. Not sure if Kansas or Nebraska are an option, but I'd think less snow would be better for the dog. I would say Iowa public is best the first three weeks of season, after that it has been pounded good.
Click to expand...
The more I read and check weather reports the more inciting Kansas and Nebraska are sounding. Think our plan is to come try our luck in Iowa and capitalise on the free lodging (family lake house) and if need be make our way south a little early stopping along the way. We are also gonna throw some duck decoys and waders in the truck and try and get at some of those on the way home if the opportunity arises.
 
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