Duck and goose hunters in the northern and central tiers had a lot to be thankful for this past holiday weekend. With mallards moving in mass over the past week, the Thanksgiving table was complimented by the sights of migrating waterfowl swirling over fields in that breath-taking tornado fashion.
Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
Reader activity peaked this weekend on Waterfowler.com along with the waterfowl migration in many areas. The ducks that everyone was waiting on have arrived and much needed rain has been falling in the south. Snow in the northwestern quarter of the United States has fueled the pace of the migration and the steady trickle of birds from October and November have begun to compress in the central parts of the continent and hunter success has improved dramatically in many areas.
For the past two months, hunters have watched the slow progression of the mallard migration on the Mallard Status Map from the Missouri Department of Conservation (featured this week on the WFC homepage). Slow days in the field were countered by the thoughts that, “there are still birds up north, we just need some weather.” Well, the weather has arrived and the ducks along with it. As the cold weather trend continues, the battle for waterfowl hunters in the north will simply be to take advantage of opportunity before the weather or the end of the season shuts hunting down. As the saying goes, “get while the getting’ is good,” now is the time for northern hunters.
In the south, Gulf moisture is bringing much needed relief to many areas in the southern part of the eastern three flyways. With any luck, enough precipitation will fall in these drought stricken areas and provide good habit for the birds just a few states to the north. Traditionally, waterfowl activity in southern states peaks around the end of December and there is every indication that migration patterns will trend in this historical manner.
While the end of the duck season is just around the corner for a few states in the north, it’s not really THE end of waterfowl hunting. As the boat and keeled decoys are stored and packed until next year, the transition to hard-core goose hunting is already underway for many. Frankly, the opportunity to trade in bulky waders for a cozy pair of coveralls, and a wet marsh for a snow covered stubble field is welcomed by many. If you never hunted geese in sub-zero weather and heard that unique, icy-ping ring out of the barrel over the field, or heard the thud of a fourteen-pound goose hitting the snow, the romance of the moment may be lost for you. If you are of the ilk that has stuffed and old sleeping bag in your ground blind to make life in the field just a little more bearable, you know what we’re talking about and we’re as excited about it as you.
As we ramp up for the holiday season, we remind all of our readers that Waterfowler.com Online Lodge is Second Life is open 24/7 for your enjoyment. We’ll have a tree decorating party later this month in the old cabin and there will be special gifts for your avatar under the tree – including some complimentary cloths from Federal Ammunition and our other sponsors. To instructions on how to access the Online Lodge in Second Life and meet and greet with fellow members on the sporting clay course or virtual duck blind, see the article at the bottom of the homepage.
PACIFIC FLYWAY:
Continued cold in the Pacific Northwest has increased migration activity slightly, but not nearly as much as one would have expected. Duck numbers in the northern tier are good in most areas but slightly below average for this time of year in the coastal states. Duck numbers are increasing at a better pace in Utah and Nevada at this time and hunting remains difficult in southern Californian, and fair in Arizona and New Mexico.
CENTRAL FLYWAY:
With the peak of mallard activity centered over southeastern South Dakota at this time, mallards are moving nicely in the central portion of the flyway. Hunter success has improved greatly in Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma over the past week, with goose hunting in Colorado excellent at this time. Dark goose numbers are excellent in Nebraska with number near peak along the North Platte. Light goose activity has been good to excellent over the past seven days and numbers in Texas continue to increase as the birds arrive south.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY:
Duck hunting is at or near peak in southern Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and western Illinois at this time. Duck numbers in Missouri have skyrocketed over the past week and hunter success has improved dramatically. In the eastern part of the flyway, hunting remains slow in most of Indiana and good to excellent in Ohio. Arkansas waterfowl numbers are fair to good in most areas with good water, with mallard numbers increasing slightly. The little duck shoot continues in Louisiana and Mississippi with teal Wood duck numbers good to excellent at this time.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY:
Waterfowl activity is good across most of the northern tier and with duck numbers good to excellent from New York to Delaware. Dark goose numbers remain good to excellent with light geese fair to good. Waterfowl activity in the Carolinas has improved slightly over the past week, with hunter success fair to good in most areas. The most notable increases were seen in Georgia and Alabama over the past week, with hunter success fair to good in most areas. As rain falls in the southeast, hunting is expected to improve along with the habitat conditions.
Until our next report, hunt safe and hunt often.
