As the 2011-2012 General Waterfowl Season nears it’s final hunting days a remaining special youth hunts, it will likely go down on the record books as the season that “could have been” for many states. Looking back at our reporting archives, it’s becoming apparent that the seasonal weather patterns that produce greatest numbers of ducks also deliver the mildest migration patterns.
Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
As Waterfowler.com begins it’s 15 th year of Migration tracking and reporting, we’ve taken a walk down memory lane and reviewed or historical data – not with a find tooth comb mind you, but more of a nostalgic speed read. Surprisingly, the years that stood out the most were not those were harvests were closer to normal and satisfactory, but those where our members and readers where shouting, “where are the ducks?”
The surprising trend that appears to be developing is that the seasons where ducks were least visible infront of the gun, were seasons were their numbers were the highest. Of course, even during peak years some states will record harvest but by-and-large the records seem to hold to the fact that banner duck years rarely produce great hunting for the masses.
Now, before you go off hoping for a terrible year of production so you can shoot a few ducks while experiencing normal weather conditions, take some time to browse through the WFC Archives and you’ll find that the best seasons we’ve reported on are seasons that immediately follow a banner year of production.
As we kick off our reporting on hunting of light geese under the Conservation Order (which is technically NOT a hunting season but conservation action), we encourage our members to participate this spring. Hunting snow geese during the coming months can offer hunters some of the most exciting shooting money can buy. Snow goose hunting is a great experience for young hunters who have spent a lot of time looking at blank skies during the season. The action is fast, the skies often filled with mind-boggling numbers of birds and they will get a chance to pull the trigger – so take time a book an affordable hunt this spring.
Waterfowler.com reminds our readers that the SNOW GOOSE report page is a species-specific report area and you can post reports from any state to the page. A shortcut link to this special reporting area will be posted on the homepage for easy access throughout the season and we look forward to reading your reports.
Spring snow goose hunters can also post migration map data using our FREE Mobile App, be sure and download it today by clicking the link on the home page.
SNOW GOOSE UPDATE:
Snow goose numbers are good to excellent on their southern most wintering grounds at this time. Numbers are at or above normal from New Mexico to Southern Illinois. Hunter success in Texas, Arkansas, and southern Missouri is good to excellent at this time – with Missouri, as usual, being a notable hot spot.
Until our next report, plan your spring adventure today.
