I would definitely not waste your time on Barr Lake especially! You have to hunt from a blind that sits about 75 yards from the dam and pass shoot at everything. I did it once and will never return! I have since found alternatives. River hunting is particularly good out on the South Platte if you have a fast dog, as mason326 mentioned. Another spot to check out is Jackson Ponds, I think is what they're called. I have hunted these a few times and have killed a number of ducks and geese. The ponds are immediately to the southwest of Jackson Reservoir. I live in Brighton too, and I can make it out there in about 20-30 minutes depending on how tired I am. I have had the best luck on ponds 11 and 12. I like 11 because you can hunt around the entire pond. 12 you have to hunt out of the mandatory blind. For 11 I used a rig on my kayak for concealment and retrieving since I have an upland dog and she doesn't have the coat for waterfowl hunting. The biggest downfall is that reservations fill up quickly and you can only reserve the locations 3 times in a calendar year. On top of that you need to call 2 weeks ahead of when you want to hunt.
After all of that, I tossed in the towel and have decided to lease. I don't know you guys but I'm always up for meeting new people especially over a hunt. I have a lot to learn still, especially in the calling department. So if either or both of you are willing to provide some calling tips I'd gladly take you out to my lease once or twice?
No bird hunting stats for the SWAs as far as I know.
