Boundary bay access?

[russm]

Hey, I’m new to waterfowl hunting and I’m wanting to get out down onto boundary bay but I’m not sure about where I access it, I thought I’d get there through the mud bay parking lot but from Lookingat the special area map I seem to be a ways off. I’m also curious if most people hunt it during high or low tide? With or without decoys? Do you build a small blind or just camo up as best as you can?

i feel like with it being so close to home I should take advantage, maybe someone would like to join me and show me around, I’m not into hunting somewhere I shouldn’t be or pissing off the dog walkers etc... thanks for any help or info in advance, I know local waterfowlers can be tight lipped lol

[silveragent]

There are two places where you can park your vehicle and walk the dyke in order to get to the hunting areas. This is at the foot of 64th street and foot of 72nd street. On Google you will see public markers put down for "Boundary Bay Dyke" which will lead you to 72nd street and "Boundary Bay" which will lead you to 64th street. I was in your position on Boundary Bay a few weeks back (I've shot other areas previous years). I will return depending on how scouting goes. I am not giving away anything here.

Yes you SHOULD always consult the Fraser Valley Special Area Hunting Brochure that includes a map of all shooting areas and their particular rules. Posting it again for others to review: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/hunting/regulations/fvsah.html
This is especially true of the foot of 64th street because you cannot go too far west once you get into the foreshore or it is not legal. I assure you Conservation Officers know that hunters who are not careful have been seen shooting too close to the dyke, too far west and too close to be shooting toward the dyke.

Neither of these areas has any special honey holes IMO. Basically just going there and scouting (PRE scouting) and experience would give you the same information as most hunters. There is quite a lot of space even observing the 50 yard nicety between other hunters. And nothing stops you from walking out there before the opener and marking locations on your phone. On hunting day get there early .. and I mean well before first light and you will likely be racing hunters to spots they are comfortable in. Ducks were plentiful a couple weeks back. I think everyone will be happy. If you can take a day off during the week, I found Boundary Bay virtually empty of competition, btw. Though this might change when it is duck season.

A few weeks back when I was there for goose there was not much terrain coverage - low grass and scrub - but I will be scouting there again before opening to see if the foliage has changed much. That informs you on camo and what blinds you may want to put up. The nice thing is that Bass Pro is really close so you could go there, take a look and do some shopping the same morning.

I was only there low tide but from what I see of the high tide mark there is still plenty of space. With low tide you could get away with just having high boots IMO. Other places like Brunswick you definitely need waders; here I did not think it was necessary. I got away with having a low seat in all the places I tried.

I think people will be more willing to extend help after it has opened for a few days. But that shouldn't stop you from starting to learn - by experience.

[russm]

I was finally able to track down the map so have a bit better idea now, I did notice at the bottom of the map next to white rock there’s a small box with tiny writing that says the dykes of boundary bay park are closed to hunting, I assume that means actually hunting from the dykes not one serving the 150 or 180m rule?

ill get down there during the week this week and check things out so I’m less likely to be the guy that everyone’s hating lol gotta start somewhere though.

[silveragent]

Yes what that little box means is that you can use the dykes to get TO the hunting areas with your firearms, you just cannot shoot from the dykes.

In Boundary Bay it is no shooting until you are 150m from the dykes. And if you are within 180m you cannot shoot toward the dykes. You can shoot toward the dykes if you are further than 180m. I didn't quite understand that earlier on and missed a good opportunity because I thought it was an outright prohibition on shooting toward the dyke (the areas where there is an outright prohibition of shooting toward the shore are marked with the cross-hatch pattern). At least this is how I am reading it.

[russm]

That’s what I figured, thanks for helping clarify.

[deltawaterfowler]

You can also access the bay from 112th, but you cannot park at the roads end, you need to park at 112th & Hornby across from Seabreeze farms and there is limited parking to boot. This makes for a good long walk (figure about a half hour) to get to your spot.

Also I find from experience, I don't bother hunting boundary bay at low tide. Birds are often too far out in the bay. For me the ideal hunt on the bay is a windy rainy day, with high tide hitting close to or within an hour or so after sunrise.

[russm]

So,not sure what if anything im doing wrong here,my first couple trips out i atleast was anle to get a few shots off, been out a bunch of times after that and theres bee absolutely nothing in the air,lots on the water but nothing flying. All i can think of is maybe the weather has been too nice? Definitely frustrating when you know theres so many around, if anyone wants to teach me anything fe free to offer lol

[Dutch]

There will be more if the weather turns cold chases them out of the valley to salt water.

[limit time]

The only time I’ve found that place to be good is first thing in the morning. Incoming or a high tide with the wind at your back. A robo duck or few deaks and it should be fun. Lots of duck will go to or from the golf course also, but I tend to hunt the furthest east part of the boundary line, they tend to bunch up in the bay further east by the overpass. If you want snows or geese, you’ll need a punt or canoe they tend to stay out further from shore.
It use to be really good but I have found with some new green houses and berry fields it’s not as good.
Good luck ! It’s a fun place that’s close.

[russm]

The only time I’ve found that place to be good is first thing in the morning. Incoming or a high tide with the wind at your back. A robo duck or few deaks and it should be fun. Lots of duck will go to or from the golf course also, but I tend to hunt the furthest east part of the boundary line, they tend to bunch up in the bay further east by the overpass. If you want snows or geese, you’ll need a punt or canoe they tend to stay out further from shore.
It use to be really good but I have found with some new green houses and berry fields it’s not as good.
Good luck ! It’s a fun place that’s close.

Yea i want to geg down there on a bad weather day and see if its any better, its weird getting out of the truck with your gun and walking by 30 bird watchers lol had an old man with the special area map out the other day try to tell me i was only aloud to be 150m in either direction from the gate, i tried to clarify that it was off the dyke towards ghe water but he seemed to want to argue so i just kept walking haha

[Dutch]

There will always be those guys ,on a good SE blow you can go out on a low water as the birds will be right on the deck coming off the beach heading out,just have to be sure on your distance..

[Laurp99]

A big THANKS to all who contributed to this thread!

Can someone tell me if I'm allowed to tow a trailer on my eBike to some of the hunting areas by the Bay?
I was thinking it would be easier to bring all the decoys on the trailer than hiking them all in by myself, or maybe it's just a short walk and the bike is not necessary, I've got a fat tire bike so the sand and rocks are no issue. :)

I just borrowed a bunch of decoys / mojo from my work buddy Nathan who is pictured in the Widgeon thread, I've been hunting for 6 yrs but this will be my first attempt at waterfowl!

Never realized duck calling was so technical, it will probably take years to master. Easier to learn the French Horn while playing the drums.

[MichelD]

What's Bounday Bay looking like these days?

I went out there one frozen week some years ago looking for open water and it was a sheet of ice. Looked like the arctic.

All that fresh water on the surface from the streams flowing in freezes solid.

[limit time]

A big THANKS to all who contributed to this thread!

Can someone tell me if I'm allowed to tow a trailer on my eBike to some of the hunting areas by the Bay?
I was thinking it would be easier to bring all the decoys on the trailer than hiking them all in by myself, or maybe it's just a short walk and the bike is not necessary, I've got a fat tire bike so the sand and rocks are no issue. :)

I just borrowed a bunch of decoys / mojo from my work buddy Nathan who is pictured in the Widgeon thread, I've been hunting for 6 yrs but this will be my first attempt at waterfowl!

Never realized duck calling was so technical, it will probably take years to master. Easier to learn the French Horn while playing the drums.

Im not sure about the E bike on the dyke, but make sure you have some good weights on the deeks, if they are floaters. I find they tend to move around when the tides changing and it annoying. And the biggest thing is concealment !! They will spot you a mile away. Also keep your trigger lock on till you get to your spot the CO’s and cop’s do come around .

[Laurp99]

Im not sure about the E bike on the dyke, but make sure you have some good weights on the deeks, if they are floaters. I find they tend to move around when the tides changing and it annoying. And the biggest thing is concealment !! They will spot you a mile away. Also keep your trigger lock on till you get to your spot the CO’s and cop’s do come around .

Thanks, I went scouting yesterday and walked the dyke trail from 72nd to 64th st. there were a few hunters out by the edge of the Bay, water was partially frozen by the dyke and the smaller ponds frozen as well. I spotted the hunters from several hundred meters away, I don't think they were concealed much on the shoreline as there's not much to hide behind. I won't need the eBike as everything is flat and accessible.

[Ron.C]

On falling tides, try a layout blind. I use one on the Island and they can be deadly on the tidal flats where there is little to no cover

[sparkes3]

Trigger lock for what reason?

[russm]

Trigger lock for what reason

Ive been down a few times this year and haven't seen a co or cop yet, the first time i went i carried my gun out in a case, now i just uncase it at the truck and sling it over my shoulder, i just keep to myself and so does everyone else, i usually bring some blind material and some decoys so a gun case is just something else to carry.

[silveragent]

Just to clarify you do not need a trigger lock for non-restricted. It just needs to be unloaded (no ammo IN the gun) while being transported. COs checked me opening day and I had a shell in a Matchsaver and they didn't even blink. I do think it is good practice to unload as soon as you are out of legal shooting area for safety and so you are not tempted to take a shot in a grey area.

RonC good tip on layout blind. I found Boundary to be very flat with not much cover especially now (which is why I stick to Brunswick) but if I had a layout blind I would go back to Boundary and give it a try. Also I just have floaters so not sure what i can do deke whys unless I grind them into the sand?

On being checked by law enforcement, early last month on Brunswick I was even checked by Federal Wildlife Officers who walked right out into the swamp. The first time I've ever seen the boys in green. They were very friendly and checked EVERYTHING down to taking my factory shells and putting them in a metal content detector device. Also the one who checked me needed a bit more experience on guns as he tried to tell me I was over the limit in shell capacity when he shoved his tube checker INTO THE BARREL. I held back my criticism when he realized what he had done.

When I was checked on opening day it was a lady CO who had two TFN game wardens with her helping check.

Previously, in four years I had never seen any COs of any sort.

I am finding the ducks this time of year are very shy of mojos. In my observation neither myself, nor my friends nor any of the neighbouring hunters with spinners the past three weeks have drawn them in until we took down the mojos. Whereas I've had success with just floating dekes, especially in wind with movement. Just my observation.

I've never had any guff from anyone on the dykes. More often than not I get friendly nods or even people asking if I had had success. One time on Boundary a lady couldn't stand the sight of me carrying out my only two fat honkers I ever got. She walked past me and shielded her eyes with her hand so she didn't see me. Fair enough. One fellow on Reddit said at Boundary a lady tried to shame him on hunting and he shut her up by asking if she got her meat at the grocery store.