The first week of the New Year was a weather maker. As waterfowling for the 2003-2004 regular season enters the home stretch it looks like winter will cooperate. The potential is there for the last few weeks of the season to brighten up the faces of weary waterfowlers in many areas of the nation. Snow, wind, rain and cold—now that is the weather that warms the heart of a waterfowler! Hope springs eternal, as they say.
Hello, folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
Just a few weeks remain of both the regular waterfowl season and the opportunity to get your name in the hat for the latest WFC Hunting Adventure Sweepstakes, a once-in-a-lifetime waterfowl hunt in South Africa. Become a member of WFC before January 31, 2004, and you will be automatically entered in the drawing for a 5 day / 4 night hunt with Game Bird Safaris in South Africa. Current members are automatically entered; see our home page for full details.
WFC Journal, our quarterly print publication, wants to hear your stories. Guidelines for submission are now available from the WFC home page. Just click on the link from the right hand menu of the home page, put on your writing / photography hat and let us share your story with the rest of the waterfowling world.
The latest issue of WFC Journal is heading out. Members are reminded to check their profile and renew or update their membership and membership information to help us ensure delivery.
And now, on to the Migration Report.
PACIFIC FLYWAY
A strong winter storm rolled into the upper flyway this week. While the storm improved bird movement and activity, it made reaching them difficult as roads iced and waters froze. The good news is that bird numbers are on the rise in most areas of the flyway and hunter success is improving.
The upper flyway should see a slight moderation in weather over the next few days, and as travel conditions improve, hunters are likely to find their favorite areas holding more ducks and geese.
Southern and inland portions of the flyway have seen a significant increase in both duck and goose numbers over the past few days. That trend is likely to continue as the final wave of the latest winter weather moves inland along the northern flyway.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
The ice-out is on for most of the upper flyway. Geese that had been stubbornly holding in upper flyway states are on the move. Overall waterfowl numbers rose slightly in most of the mid-flyway states as the latest cold blast moved across the region.
Southern portions of the flyway have seen another sharp rise in light goose numbers and a moderate rise in puddle and diving ducks. A warming trend for the heartland may slow movement of new birds for the near term, but with nigh time temps for the mid-flyway still falling below the freezing mark, some continued movement is expected.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
The Northern Tier states have finally received some significant snowfall and as the waters and field began to look more like winter the birds have begun a renewed push southward. Some areas of the upper Mississippi Valley are still holding huntable numbers of geese and ducks, but the drive is on and the weather looks to be conducive for continued snow and freezing weather for most of the next week.
Mid-flyway and southern states saw a smaller than expected shift of birds into their areas as the last front moved south. The vast majority of reports tell of hot gunning one day then nearly empty skies the next. Overall, however, the number of birds on or around the M/D line is rising and is expected to continue that trend over the next week.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
Sea duck hunters along the upper east coast continue to have a banner year. From the Canadian border down to NJ, the salts are the place to be. Eider, Scoter and Brant have been in good supply and appear to be content to ride out whatever old man winter has in store.
Mid-flyway states are seeing a respectable push of both ducks and geese on the tail of the latest storm system. Divers have been the most reliable hunting from VA southward, but mallard and teal numbers are improving over most of the mid-coastal states. Light geese are also making a good showing along the coast.
Small dabblers and diver numbers are climbing for the southern flyway as winter holds on for the upper flyway. Gadwall, teal, ring necks and pintail are reported to be on the increase for FL and GA.
With any luck, winter will decide to stick around for the next few weeks as waterfowlers hit the home stretch of the regular waterfowl season and gear up for the light goose conservation season. The verdict is still out and the potential for a banner wrap up is looking better and better with each new cold front. Fingers crossed, lucky duck foot in hand, waterfowlers across the nation are staying the course and enjoying the last of the season to the fullest.
