The regular waterfowl season has rounded the last turn and entered the home stretch for North American waterfowlers. But even after the closing bell, there is a lot of hunting to be done, as this year’s light goose conservation season kicks off. So don’t pack up the gear just yet.
Hello folks, and as always welcome to Waterfowler.com.
Winter still seems to be playing tricks on duck and goose hunters across the country. Though cooler weather has returned to some areas, temperatures are still running above average in many key waterfowling states. But as we have already seen this year, all of that can change in an instant. Stay tuned to Waterfowler.com for the very latest on migration activity as the regular season draws to a close and the ramp up begins for the spring light goose season.
And now, on to the Migration Report.
PACIFIC FLYWAY
The song remains the same for hunters in the upper flyway, rain and storms rushing inland from the Pacific have water levels on the rise, making scouting the key factor in locating birds. From Washington to Idaho and southward into Oregon, there are still good numbers of ducks and geese around, but these concentrations have been keying in on newly flooded areas. Hunting pressure is keeping the bulk of the migration out of traditional wintering grounds as the birds take advantage of overflowing creeks and rivers.
Hunters report bird concentrations scattered, but heavy. In other words, the main bulk of ducks and geese are holding tight in ‘out of the way’ locations made available by the constant rains. By keying in on backwaters and reducing decoy spreads, hunters with the option of mobility have done well the past week.
Southern portions of the flyway also report good waterfowl numbers, but are also having to adjust their hunting patterns to keep these late season birds working to the call and decoying. Moving away from established blinds and pits has proved successful for many along the Central Valley of California, while hunters in the inland portion of the flyway have seen their success increase by altering decoy spreads. One trick that seems to be working well all across the lower flyway is the “false spread.” By setting up a large decoy spread and a second set of just a handful of blocks down wind and taking advantage of low profile blinds, hunters have been able to decoy many of the flocks that have become decoy shy in the late season.
Overall waterfowl activity should improve this week for the entire flyway as the moon begins to wane.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Mid tier states continue to report an unusual number of birds moving into states, such as, Nebraska and Kansas. Warm weather of recent weeks has everyone wondering if the influx of birds is not an indication of an early spring return flight.
Duck and goose numbers continue to be on the rise in the mid section of the flyway and where the regular season is still in progress, hunting has been good. Though temperatures will remain above average, a slight cool down for the weekend should increase waterfowl activity for the central and lower central portions of the flyway.
Gunning in southern portions of the flyway has slowed over the past week. Warmer weather and a full moon seem to have kept the birds a bit on the lazy side. Waterfowl concentrations, as a whole, have dropped, but huntable numbesr can still be found.
There have, however, been scattered reports of a return of green wing teal and gadwall to many parts of both east Texas and New Mexico. The gadwall influx seems mainly to be centered in the Lone Star State while New Mexico is seeing some fact gunning on late season teal.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
At long last, significant rain has fallen on many lower flyway states. Although it is not likely that there has been enough of it to fill the fabled green timbers of Arkansas and Louisiana, it has been a welcome change for waterfowlers in the southern tier.
In areas where the rain was the heaviest, new water on previously dry ground has produced a marked improvement in hunting success. Limited water has made late season hunting very tough for the lower flyway, as birds and hunters have been concentrated on the few areas capable of floating a decoy.
As the birds seek out less pressured areas, the hunting pressure is sure to follow. A bit of late week scouting for suitable water could provide some stellar shooting this weekend before the pressure again takes its toll.
Snowfall in the northern tier has been well below average for the first part of 2006, but a recent cold front moving across the Great Lakes appears to have moved a few birds back toward the southern flyway states.
As temperatures move back down into the expected range for the weekend, local waterfowl activity should increase for areas of the southern flyway that are holding birds.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
A strong storm system moving into the upper flyway will bring a wet and windy mix of rain, freezing rain, wind and snow to the area. As the front rolls toward the Atlantic, a shift of birds down the flyway is likely, particularly for coastal divers and sea ducks.
Goose and puddle duck numbers in the upper flyway have remained fair to good for the upper flyway, but adverse weather conditions have made the hunting tough for northern tier hunters.
Although the temperature in the upper flyway will warm as the front passes, the chance for snowfall and freezing rain should increase waterfowl activity. Caution is advised while the winds rage along the frontal boundary.
Mid-coastal states have continued to see a trickle of fresh birds moving down out of the upper flyway over the past week. Some improvement in puddle duck numbers has been reported from Virginia to South Carolina, but the movement of birds seems to be scattered.
After a brief cool down late this week, warmer weather will move into the lower flyway. The rising temperatures will most likely slow activity, where local waterfowl concentrations are concerned, but there could be some movement of new birds in from the north as the latest storm pushed into the upper and mid flyway states.
The southern extreme of the flyway is in a bit of a lull as spring like weather holds sway on waterfowl activity. Bird numbers remain better than average for many parts of Florida, but the combination of late season hunting pressure and warm weather are making the hunting more difficult. As usual, ‘out of the way’ places, that have not received the bulk of gunning pressure, should be the primary focus for scouting.
Though the regular season is drawing to a close, several special opportunities remain for the die hard waterfowler. Post season youth hunts, in many states; allow parents and friends to take young hunters out for a day in the field, which is just for the young guns. If your state offers a special youth weekend, be sure to take a young waterfowler out. The future of our grand tradition is in their hands.
And don’t forget, the Conservation Season for light geese is still ahead. If you have always wished for a longer season and dreamed of the sight of thousands of snow geese whirling down from the skies, the special season is a great chance to live out that dream.
