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An abundance of open water and lack of snow in the north continues to allow a substantial number of ducks and geese to remain along the southerly edges of the northern tier. The most recent waterfowl surveys from areas of the Central and Mississippi Flyway confirm that duck numbers along the Missouri River in South Dakota have begun to decline and numbers along the northern portions Mississippi River remain above average for this time of year – proving there is a significant reason we call them “northern birds.”

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The early part of the migration can often build a false excitement for Waterfowl hunters. Every tiny cold front and puff of wind carries a few new birds south and activity is steady and fresh. As the season wears on, the annual harvest takes its toll and birds become educated, scattered and wary. Continue reading

While the bulk of mallards continue to hug the edges of the deep freeze line in the north, colder temperatures, temporary ice and snow in the southern portions of the flyways are moving early migrating birds around at a fevered pace. The lean brown ducks of the early season have matured into full-plumage, fat-layered ducks that look fantastic on the strap and are delightful on the table.

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The evidence of duck production on the prairies this past has come to fruition and simply put, hunters are having a grand season of hunting in most areas. December marks the start of the second half of the general waterfowl season and our half time report is filled with nothing but award winning highlights. Continue reading

As Canada goose numbers near peak levels in the northern portions of our nation, mallards continue to slip further south in the Central and Mississippi Flyways. In the west the migration continues to progress at an un-hurried, near normal pace, while hunters on the opposite coast are witnessing their first hard flights of northern birds.

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Hunters were treated to a spectacular trough in the jet stream over Thanksgiving weekend that ignited migration activity in the Central and Mississippi Flyways. The great Sandhill Crane migration was under way yesterday in the northern Mississippi Flyway, as thousands of cranes rode the thermals in circular fashion as they made their way south. Continue reading

On the cusp of the season’s first hard snow storms in the north, the first major migration event of the year will collide with opening of gun deer season in many northern states. The storm system that is predicted to dump snow from the Rockies to the Twin cities is expected to ignite migration activity across the Central and Mississippi Flyways over the weekend. As the storm moves northeast over the Great Lakes towards Ontario, activity in the Atlantic Flyway should increase during the early part of coming week for hunters in the northeast.

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This past week the best hunting of the season continued in the northern tier of the U.S. as birds trickled down the flyways away from freezing temperatures. As the first widespread snowstorm hits north portions of the lower forty-eight this weekend, migration activity is expected to peak as the exodus of lingering waterfowl begins and ducks and geese head south. Continue reading

With freezing temperatures locking up water in parts of North Dakota and snow accumulation in British Columbia, parts of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, migration activity kicked into high gear this past week as northern hunters enjoyed the first hard push of the season. Ducks were on the move through most of the central and western parts of the nation. With a warming trend expected over the next week, hunters should have an opportunity to capitalize on this activity before it is pushed too far south.

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It was a good week to be a duck hunter in the northern tier this week. Duck activity was near peak levels in the northern border-states and good to excellent as far south as 40 th parallel for mallards and other late moving species. Continue reading

Warmer weather across the central Plains and upper Midwest have slowed hunter success over the past week, as blue-winged teal have continued to move south into states where seasons are now closed. Ringed-neck duck numbers are slow to build in the north with wood duck numbers and local mallards comprising the primary bag limits. Hunting in North Dakota remain good to excellent in most areas, and Canada Goose numbers continue to increase across the northern portions of both the Central and Mississippi flyways.

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Canada Geese are steadily moving into far northern states across the nation, with Canada goose numbers on the rise from Washington all the way to Maine. Hunters experiencing a lull in duck hunting action should consider a change of tactics this weekend to take advantage of increased goose activity. With the U.S. grain harvest in full swing across the northern tier, fresh cut fields are providing active feeding areas for arriving geese and great hunting opportunity. Continue reading

The great migration marathon delivered a number of exciting moments this past week, thanks to a few freakish snowstorms across the nation. As snow pounded the northeast and the central Rocky Mountain States, duck moving weather, winds and colder temperatures fueled duck activity along the west coast. While migration events and activity increased in nearly every flyway, the epic flights everyone was hoping for did not materialize.

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Each and every year the early season lull takes its toll on the confidence and dedication of the hardcore waterfowl hunter. The burst of opening days shots eventually subside and waterfowl activity appears to slow and the mantra of the duck hunter becomes, “where are the ducks?” Continue reading

Mallards have begun to move out of Canada according to the latest Mallard Migration Status map from the Missouri Department of Conservation. Mallard numbers have increased in northwestern North Dakota, as well as central Minnesota. Drought Conditions across the eastern Central Flyway and western Mississippi Flyway continue to impact waterfowl distribution at this time, with the bulk of migration birds sticking to river systems and large water impoundments.

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As gadwall, pintail, teal and widgeon creep slowly to the south in the Central Flyway, their options for good habitat diminish quickly. There are many concerns amongst waterfowl biologists that even if birds push to coastal marshes in the south, their need for inland fresh water will not be met on traditional wintering grounds. While some predict birds will continue south into Mexico, and others hope drift east to Louisiana or Mississippi, wherever the birds end up the hunting will be simply off the charts. Continue reading