‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the camp, the gun dogs where snoring, all muddy and damp.
Members were pacing from reports they had got, migrants were moving on cold winds they’d caught.
With mouse buttons clicking in the glow of blue screens, members were posting like you’d never seen.
Come mallards, come pintails, teal and geese, on widgeon, on gadwall and spoonies the least.
Their wings they will whistle and hens will quack, you’ll never sleep now, well, maybe a nap.
So hang up your waders and nestle in bed, dream about decoys and big green heads.
As the season continues and we wait for this night, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good flight!
— Happy holidays from the entire WFC staff.
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Action looks to be picking up for much of the flyway. Reports over the last week paint the picture of new birds moving through all points along the west coast. From WA down to CA a renewed migration looks to be underway.
Inland, bird numbers are still good in the upper portions of the flyway but only increasing slightly as you travel south. But fear not! Another round of cold and snow should move into the eastern, upper portion of the flyway shortly after Christmas. By New Year a restart to the inland migration should be in store.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
As hard as it may be to believe, mallards and geese are still in fair supply as far north as MT. Open rivers and fields are producing heavy game straps and should continue to do so until the next snow system arrives.
Central portions of the flyway that have been holding ducks should continue to do so as a warming trend spreads across the region. Cold will return to much of the area shortly after Christmas and should kick start the movement of birds southward as the waters of the region lock back up.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
The Fall/Winter tug of war continues in upper portions of the flyway and it appears the birds are content to wait for the outcome before making any serious holiday travel plans.
Some snow and colder temps moving back into the Great Lakes region has the potential to move birds, if the return of warm weather can hold off for a week or so.
Southern portions of the Eastern, upper flyway have been reporting good bird numbers and the same holds true as you travel west into and through central IL.
Points south have just begun to report a shift of birds into the area with teal, spoonies and other “early season” birds just beginning to make a real showing in the southern end of the flyway. Mallard numbers have increased slightly over the past week in North AR and MS but these increases are scattered and nearly unpredictable. Mobility and hard scouting are crucial until the main body of the migration moves down. On the bright side, Southern states are seeing a snow goose flight that is well above average. So if you are tired of sitting in the duck blind and have nearly forgotten where your safety is, a light goose hunt may be just the thing.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
Rain changing over to snow in the upper flyway should make for a good, albeit messy, post-Christmas hunt. Bird numbers for ducks and geese along the upper Atlantic flyway are still good and in many areas continuing to increase.
Mid-flyway states have begun seeing a push of Sea Ducks, Divers, Dabblers and Geese. That pattern should hold as snow returns to the upper flyway around Christmas.
The southern flyway has also reported a sharp jump in bird numbers over the past week. Ringnecks, teal, spoonies and gadwall are arriving in time for the holiday and numbers look promising from SC down to FL for post Christmas gunning.
The 2003 portion of the regular waterfowl season is winding down and hopes are high in late running states that the 2004 portion of the season can make up for a slow start. Movement appears to be happening that could make those Christmas wishes come true, and with a little cooperation from Mother Nature, waterfowlers could be ringing in the New Year with a bang, bang, bang!
Waterfowler.com would like to extend the warmest of holiday wishes to all our members and guests this season and extend our continued thoughts and prayers to America’s finest fighting forces and their families – who have given so much to us all.
