A series of strong fronts rolling across the US this week have waterfowlers north and south hoping that the weather will deliver an early Christmas gift of new ducks and geese.
Hello, folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com
With Christmas fast approaching Waterfowler.com has donned the red suit and hitched up its team to bring a bit of Yuletide cheer to all of its members. Discount coupons for the Waterfowler.com Online ProShop have been sent out to make last minute shopping easy on both the feet and the wallet. Be sure to check your Inbox for special Holiday saving from the jolly folks at the ProShop.
Members are also reminded to check their profile and renew their membership for the last of the season and the upcoming conservation season on light geese. As we all know, timely information is crucial to success when big fronts move birds and even more important when trying to pin down the movement of snows as they make their way south and back north again. So, don’t let the best online tool for keeping you “On the X” slip through your fingers–renew today.
And now, on to the Migration Report.
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Action for ducks tapered off in the upper flyway this week. After a small influx of birds early this month, hunters are reporting that new birds are few and far between and getting harder to work. Goose hunting has been the better bet for many hunters in the upper flyway.
Most of the southern end of the flyway reports improved bird numbers and hunter success. Large numbers of light geese have moved down into CA and duck numbers have improved for much of the southern inland portion of the flyway.
Typical late fall weather over the next few days should produce good hunting conditions for much of the flyway and a light drift of waterfowl is expected to continue moving south as the weekend draws near.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Northern portions of the flyway are still holding large numbers of geese and surprising numbers of ducks. Goose hunters’ success has been split evenly between fields and small, open rivers. Light calling and flagging have been producing the best results.
Mid-flyway states have seen a respectable increase in birds over the past week. While duck numbers in SD continue to climb it looks as though the latest batch of geese have moved south.
The effects of the most recent front have yet to be reported but a shift of waterfowl towards the southern states should be expected this week as a series of fronts move across the mid-section of the country.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
As duck season closes across much of the upper flyway, reports are still coming in of high duck numbers. Goose hunting has been, and should continue to be, good to excellent for much of the upper flyway.
Around the Great Lakes and the upper Mississippi River duck numbers are good but the birds have become difficult to work for most hunters. This week’s snow and cold weather has the potential to move new, less pressured ducks and geese down the flyway and hunting should improve as new birds arrive.
Mid-flyway states have continued to experience a slow build in duck numbers but have yet to see a major push of new birds. After the most recent snowstorm hunters would be wise to spend time scouting, as the weather of recent days has the potential to bring in a respectable push of birds. Throughout the mid-tier states, success has been scattered and even slight pressure has turned Honey Holes in to duck voids. Until the main body of the migration moves south, rotating hunting areas is strongly advised to keep birds from bugging out to safer waters.
In the lower flyway, hunters are reporting very high concentrations of light geese. Duck numbers continue to be low overall. Here too, scattered pockets of birds can be found but are generally very pressure sensitive and likely as not to be of the “here today, gone tomorrow” kind.
Hopes for the southern flyway are riding high that the recent snowfall and high winds north of the M/D line will bring a fresh batch of ducks, but as of this writing the verdict is still out.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
Heavy snows and iced up waterways made for a tough weekend along the upper east coast. Goose numbers are still good for much of the region but it looks as though the winter storm has moved a lot of ducks to points south. A slight warming trend will make flooding a big issue this weekend before snow and cold temps return early next week.
The warming trend and high water will open up many rivers, streams and lakes. High water will make hunting difficult and caution is the name of the game in such conditions. Birds remaining in the region will likely seek out newly flooded areas but will, no doubt, be scattered by the rising waters.
Mid-flyway states have seen a sharp rise in duck numbers as a result of the recent snowfall to their north. Mallards, black ducks and divers are moving down the flyway in good numbers and should continue to do so as the cold weather returns next week. High water will also be an issue in these areas as another front moves east over the next few days.
Southern flyway states also benefited from the dumping of snow to their north. Small ducks and divers are on the rise for much of the southern flyway. This trend should continue as the next cold front moves into the upper flyway.
Winter is knocking at the door for many waterfowlers across the country. Christmas lights now shine on every block and waterfowlers with more season still ahead of them are hoping that Santa has not forgotten them this year. It is crunch time for many. Holiday parties and shopping trips cut deeply into more important ventures, like scouting and spending time in the blind. Perhaps a united voice from waterfowlers across the country could have some pull and get Christmas moved to a more suitable time, like maybe June? After all, wouldn’t we all like to have our new toys in time for the upcoming season? Just a thought.
