There’s a hard frost on the pumpkin in northern states and waterfowl are on the move across the northern third of lower forty-eight states. Canvasback numbers are on the rise in North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin at this time, along with redheads, pintail and widgeon. As cooler temperatures descend from Canada and it feels more like fall, expect wood ducks and green-winged teal to hurry their journey south over the next week.
Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
Last week’s reporting on South Dakota non-resident waterfowl hunting policy incited a plethora of email both supporting and discouraging the state’s current policy. To clarify our position on the issue and save readers a lot of writing on unimportant opinions and positions, we have no interest in arm wresting over upland bird issues and pheasants. With specific regards to the non-resident lottery system, we believe that lottery systems in wildlife management are best used to govern a very limited number of harvest tags for species with very low populations.
The issue is not about South Dakota limiting the number of non-resident hunters to mange the resource but the method in which it is done. Lottery systems create a perception of protectionism, offer little to no flexibility and simply restrict opportunity. Electronic licensing systems offer superior management tools to create various zones, hunter quotas and time restrictions that can offer flexibility and opportunity in an over-the-counter process.
Does South Dakota have the right to limit non-resident waterfowl hunter access to properly manage the resource and hunter density? Absolutely. Could they do a much better job than they are currently doing to satisfy the needs of the waterfowl community and promote continued investment in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region? Unequivocally. If the primary reason that justifies the lottery system is demand, then greater efforts and innovative programs should be developed to better address the demand.
As the migration continues and the reports from opening weekends continue to migrate south along with the birds, Waterfowler.com would like to thank our members for the abundance and quality of reports this season. Please keep in mind that pre-season and post-season reports are equally important to our tracking efforts.
Despite the above average temperatures and low activity during shooting hours, migration in the Central and Mississippi Flyways was good to excellent this past week. With the full moon approaching, clear night skies and a favorable jet stream, migration activity is expected to continue at a good pace over the next week.
With a cold front expected to arrive to the Central Plains and Great Lakes Region in the coming week, migration activity could increase significantly. Hunter success during these times will be best for those with flexible schedules and mobility. Be ready to hunt the ducks when and where they are moving.
PACIFIC FLYWAY:
Hunting is underway in Washington and Idaho, with bird activity and populations average for this time of year. Waterfowl numbers are on the rise along the Columbia and Snake Rivers and slightly below average in the Klamath Basin for this time of year. Dark goose numbers are good to excellent in Washington and Oregon, with White-fronted goose numbers fair in northern California compared to previous years.
CENTRAL FLYWAY:
Mallard numbers are climbing in North Dakota but bird remain widely dispersed and hidden on water not visible from roads. Scouting remains the key to success and the further of the beaten path you travel, the higher the reward. Canvasback and Pintail are moving steadily in the northern third of the flyway and expected to continue moving in the week to come. In Nebraska and Colorado, pintail numbers are on the rise, with widgeon, redheads and green-winged teal. With recent frosts in the north, wood duck activity has increased as these staged birds begin to move south at a quicker pace.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY:
Activity in the northern portion of the flyway is good to excellent at this time. Canvasbacks and Pintail are moving in force, along with widgeon, gadwall and green-winged teal. The IL and IA DNR surveys confirm a significant increase in Pintail over the past week and mirror WFC reader reports. Minnesota hunters continue to buck the trends of a poor prediction for the season, with canvasback and ring-necked ducks providing ongoing shooting. Bluebills are beginning to appear in the northern portions of the state and until mallard numbers increase, diver hunting is an excellent option for the next week. Canada goose numbers are good to excellent in MN, WI, MI and northern IL at this time. Hunter success is best for those hunting on the “X” and fair to good for those running traffic.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY:
Canada Goose numbers continue to increase throughout the northern portion of the flyway with light goose numbers low for this time of year. Mallard and Black Ducks are on the slowly building in the New England States with wood ducks and green-winged teal on the move from the recent cold front. Hunter success is expected to decline slightly as these earlier migrating waterfowl leave and other ducks arrive. Pintail and widgeon numbers appear below average for this time of year but expected to increase over the next week with the full moon.
