hunting the owens river

[jgasman661]

does anyone have any info on hunting in the owens valley? heard that it is leagal to hunt pleasant valley resivor but you have to have a dog to get your birds. floated the owens river last friday and saw one single mallard hen! floated it for over two hours. maybe i didnt go far enough south?? i floated it in bishop

 

[huntnbob]

i fish there about 10 times a year...starting in oct thru april .....seen lots of hunters in the area...never at the resevoir...shoot me a pm and i will let you know where...(plan on going there in two weeks)

 

[Nickman]

Hunting Pleasant Valley Res......or the river in that area, would be unproductive and DANGEROUS. Fishermen are always there and there are very few ducks in that area.

The best duck water would be between Bishop and Big Pine or from Big Pine south to Tinemaha Res. Very few fishermen and a LOT more ducks.

Limits on the river, in these areas are a daily event.

You have to be careful floating the river because there are a lot of snags and low trees. You should have a dog ......and a milk bottle attached to your shotgun.

The Owens river has more shotguns in it than any sporting goods store in the valley!......I have 2 of my own in there somewhere...

 

[wedgy]

When you say "floating" are you talking about a fishing type float tube or a boat/raft ? Excuse the ignorance but I just got into waterfowl last year. I've been hunting around Owens Lake and taking a few birds. No limits so far but I'm learning my way around the place. There are a LOT of birds there and probably going to be a lot more this year.

 

[Nickman]

Well, I guess if your life ins is paid up, you could use a float tube.....where would the dog sit?

We generally use a flat bottom aluminum boat......and it still ain't REAL safe.

By the way, the river below Tinemaha Res is NOT navigable in ANY kind of boat.

 

[wedgy]

LOL Ya, that's why I asked. Float tubing would seem like white water rafting from what I've seen of the Owens, but I really haven't been there in the winter. A bit much for the dog as well. Sounds like a fun boat ride though, did it as a kid in summer....and popped our raft.
If you ever want a partner let me know. I'll be stopping thru on the way up & back from climbing(ice) in Lee Vining. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[huntnbob]

up around bishop...i have used a tube plenty...just have to know how to manuver..never a problem...plenty of birds too...few fish more than 50 feet from any of the roads....walking the river seems better though...this time of year its real low so a dog would be ok...