Blind 9 – A Northwest Waterfowler’s Paradise
I created this site to document the hunts, locations, tips, tricks, recipes, and gear our group uses during our annual waterfowl exploits in the great Pacific Northwest. The name Blind 9 comes from the worst blind at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. It’s pocked with Nutria holes, surrounded by submerged high clumps of grass, and accessed via slimy underwater pathways. You’re lucky if you don’t get dunked or sprain an ankle on any particular visit. Yet, if you’ve got waterfowl fever and like to shiver in swamps or freeze in farm fields then you’ll understand what Blind 9 really is: a waterfowler’s paradise.
Refuge Guides
The refuge Guides are always a work in progress and reflect up-to-date information as we hunt them. We strive for accuracy but blind locations, water levels and field conditions can change from season to season. If you find something that doesn’t look right, feel free to contact us to help update it.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
McNary National Wildlife Refuge
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Tips & Tricks
Wind is Your Friend in Duck Hunting
Before any hunt I always like to check the weather. If I see some blustery winds in the forecast I get really excited. A good stiff wind makes everything easier in duck hunting and is a huge advantage for the hunter. Ducks Seem to Like Wind First, windy days seem to...
Neoprene vs Breathable Waders – What to Buy for the Conditions
Waders are one piece of clothing that’s nearly mandatory for duck hunting and for some forms of fishing. They allow you to set and retrieve decoys as well as downed ducks while keeping you dry throughout the hunt. They are generally found in two categories:...
Preparing for Your First Waterfowl Hunt – A Quick Reference
When I decided to go duck hunting for the first time, I was surprised at how much preparation was required. I did not have anyone to teach me and instead talked some of my equally inexperienced buddies into joining me. That first season was a blast but it also was bit...
What I Pack in My Waterfowl Blind Bag
I was getting ready for our first duck hunt of the season and disgorged my blind bag to take inventory and re-stock where needed. I always feel like I pack way too much, but I don’t like being un-prepared or cold. So here is what you might find in my bag near...
Hunter Tips for Identifying Dusky Geese in the Field
The Dusky subspecies of the Canada goose adds an element of uncertainty to hunting geese in Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon. I know waterfowl hunters in Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon who just don’t mess with hunting geese because the...
Latest Hunting Logs
Fighting the Ice During a December Duck Hunt at McNary
This December 7, 2019 hunt was the first of a two-day hunt for us at McNary National Wildlife Refuge and although we didn’t bag as many birds we wanted we did manage to have some adventures on the ice. Excitement and Eats We were really looking forward to this...
Competing Against a Better Decoy Spread at Ridgefield Blind 3
Past performance does not guarantee future gains. The old stock market adage certainly applies to duck hunting. A Top Pick Scott got the #2 lottery pick at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge on this Nov. 9, 2019 hunt and we were both excited to get a performing...
Early November Hunt at McNary – When the Ducks Don’t Want to be Where You Are
One of the best hunts you will ever have happens when you’ve set up in a spot where the ducks absolutely want to be. In those glorious times you can practically stand and wave your arms and the ducks will still drop in on you. During one hunt, a...
Sunny Day October Hunt Yields Surprising Results
Most waterfowlers will tell you a sunny day is a bad day for duck hunting. I’m not going to argue: Ducks tend to sit tight in the sunlight. When they do fly, they are harder for me to pick up against a blue sky versus a cloudy one. Miscues in your camouflage...
Opening Day Duck 2019 at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Welcome to the opener of the 2019 duck season here is Southwest Washington. I had a chance to go out for early goose with some success but this was the real deal and we were not disappointed. Taking our chances for the opener After a beautiful but unsatisfactory hunt...
Shillapoo Early Goose Hunt – Getting the 2019-2020 Season Started
Welcome to the 2019-2020 waterfowl season. It’s been a mild Summer here in the Pacific Northwest, which makes me wonder what Winter will bring. Recapping 2018-2019 The 2018-2019 season ended in a fizzle for me and my group. The government closure kept us away...
A Windy Day Hunt in Blind 9 at Ridgefield
On this mid-December hunt I got a chance to revisit the literal namesake of this website, Blind 9, at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. We had one of the more memorable hunts of the season in a blind that surprised me because it had been extensively remodeled....
Early December Hunt at Ridgefield Blind 2
I finally had a chance to revisit a Blind 2 at Ridgefield NWR. It was in blind 2 that I had my first ever duck hunt. That was about 7 years ago, so it was great to get back to it. This time, one of my hunting companions had the #1 lottery pick on Saturday, December 1,...
Mid-November Hunt in Ridgefield Blind 13a
Tim had a Tuesday lottery pick on this November 26 at Ridgefield and we were both excited. A buddy had just hunted there the previous Saturday, where more than 50 geese were taken due to a low fog that kept the geese in shooting range. He also reported a lot of birds...
Standby Hunt at Ridgefield Blind 6
An early November cold front moved down moved down from the North, leaving me thinking that it would be good time to get out for my second waterfowl hunt of the season. The front was causing freezing lows and some highs in the northern and eastern part of the state,...