Corsicana Ducks

Morning Everyone-

First post on here (I have the same handle on Duck Hunting Chat as well). My father and I are picking up a piece of hunting land in Corsicana. Just curious as to the duck numbers around there, species as well. The piece we are getting, we are going to have a marsh built on it, but just curious as to if it is even worth it to do so? I figured that the somewhat close proximity to Richland Chambers Reservoir would help, but I could be mistaken. The land itself is already primed for deer, dove and hog. But any info on waterfowl in the area would be greatly appreciated fellas!

Garrett

No ducks near Corsicana and no reason to build a nice controllable marsh. Check your private messages and we can talk.

I have zero messages in the inbox. But by your sarcasm, and the picture, I'd say we are good to go. I will await the PM, sir!

Just sent.

I'm not a duck hunter but it is a pretty big deal around here - and the guys seem to do very well.

Good luck!

I've hunted down in that area and there's plenty of birds rolling through there.

That's what I like to hear guys. Thanks to all for the info!

You will be golden! Great area for ducks!

Seems to be the general consensus so far. I have only hunted on the coast (Brazoria), and Lake Conroe a few times. Hasn't been worth a crap. Looking forward to hopefully getting into some birds.

Ive never shot a Corsicana duck.
Is that a mix breed or something?

One of them weird park ducks you see with the tumors on their heads

How do they cook up?

Tastes similar to chitlins

I had a lease for years between Corsicana and Navarro Mills lake. 95% of the ducks were Gaddies. Very few anything else. Although there was a 2 week period when ringers would move in by the droves, which I didn't care for, always wish they would just leave. Early teal season hit or miss with BWT, mainly miss.

I've noticed a vast majority of the birds I drop are usually Gaddies anyways! Some birds are better than no birds to me! I won't eat the ring necks, dog won't touch em either...

They seem to get more variety on the east side of the county over by the Trinity.

That's what I've heard. The Trinity isn't too far from this land we are acquiring, so hoping for some variety i birds. But like I said, I'd take anything. The public hunting I've experienced so far hasn't been going too good.

Just because you build a duck hole on your place doesn't mean there will be ducks. You could be off the flight path by 100 yards and it will not be good. You'll be able to entice some in probably. My buddy has a place that literally backs up to the trinity. Has a "good looking duck hole". But only a handful of ducks get shot off it. It's on the wrong side of the river and not on their flyway. He's tried pretty much everything to get ducks on it.

Another scenario. We have several holes to hunt in Decatur. All on the same ranch. Only 5 of them consistently hold birds year in year out. The other 15+ holes are just off of their flyway. Most of them even have a better food source but the ducks just won't find them.

If there's a creek or something on the property that will increase your chances of success.

I know it can be hit and miss anywhere. I've hunted some of the best refuges on the west coast, and never saw a bird. Hunted tons of private property, with no success. So I know how it goes. I was just trying to get a grasp on the general area of Corsicana. If it would even be worth my time or money to have work done to hold waterfowl.

And there is a decent creek on the property.

interesting thoughts. can flight routes change over time? we had a hole that was very good and produced and hasnt held birds recent years with no change in food. Then others have become better with recent years and better food for the ducks.

I always thought birds would find the food regardless of location...ive watched birds land on a pond hunt around for food for a bit and fly on. i always thought the if you build it they will come mentality. Never took to the notion that they had specific flight routes that they didnt stray from. I thought the radio transmitter data backed that notion as well but that was in regards to specklebelly geese going from arkansas to lousiana in the same week and riding the winds available

a creek line is a great starting point as well as position between a major roost site and feeding source. I know that in the high plains the mentality of a defined flight route would never hold because certain playa lakes dry up and others flood year to year

I have thought at times and have heard others voice similar thoughts...

...that the migratory bird flyways in Texas have shifted west in recent years.

The Katy Prarie is becoming a housing development. Rice is a fraction of what it used to be down near Houston/Galveston. Cotton has replaced peanuts as the cash crop. Winter wheat is about the only food draw and there is more of that out west.

Seems like the duck hunting went downhill around the I45 corridor a good bit when peanut subsidies ended and a significant reduction in rice has really affected some historically good ponds.

I've hunted private in Navarro Co. for years, Corsicana to Hubbard, Dawson, etc. Puddle ducks have always been consistent on the larger ponds and water conservation lakes I've hunted. Navarro Mills Lake is hit and miss on the West side in the creeks and timber. The area below the spillway was a secret honey hole for years particularly when the water was high. My old man leased the bottom below the damn to cut hay and had it to himself for years but the COE closed the spot to hunters a few years back and put and to that.

Until the mid 90's, geese were thick as fleas and consistent on winter wheat around Corsicana West to Hubbard. Hunts were as good as it gets, my old man and his co-op crew would make the rounds checking fields and call raising hell about those geese. You'll see an occaisional flock but nothing like it was back in the day.

If it came down to it I wouldn't spend money on improvements to pull ducks to your spot. Richland Chambers has a better buffet than you can afford to put on the table.

I am about 45 minutes south of you and I will say that it just depends on the location and makeup of your land as to what you will see. I have hunted with friends and we see a wide variety of ducks. But my primary hunting area typically only sees mallards and woodies.

But when it comes to doves, I don't see but 2 or three a season on my land and 10 minutes away, we are getting a bag everyday.

Deal is pending as of right now, so hope it pans out decent. I can see it holding woodies and mallards as of now. When I went and checked it out, a few doves flew overhead. Definitely a hot piece for hogs.

Gadwal city

As long as they're not the ones that hang out in the salt water on the coast, they're OK in my book.

The best advice I can give you is on the days the refuge is open stay late. A lot of birds seemed to get pushed off as everyone's is leaving. I hunt fairly close to it and on the days it's open we almost always get some late flights.