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With nearly 400,000 diver species counted in this week’s survey of the Upper Mississippi River, waterfowl activity in the northern third of the nation is heating up as temperatures drop. As canvasback numbers continue to increase this week to nearly 230,000 along the Mississippi River in Southern Wisconsin, hunters are reminded that the canvasback season is closed this season and to use extreme caution when identifying diver species for harvest.

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The annual waterfowl migration is moving at an increasing pace this past week, as calendar ducks begin to move south. These are the species that move more on timing as opposed to strong weather fronts. Canvasback, scaup and ring-necked ducks are trudging south in from the Pacific to the Mississippi Flyways along traditional migration routes. Continue reading

Lesser Canada geese are moving steadily in the Central and Mississippi Flyways and their calls are welcoming in the first days of autumn. With shooting underway in most states along the Canadian border, hunter success on local mallards and early migrants is good to excellent for this time of year.

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As many states prepare for the coming of opening day, youth waterfowl hunts are fast approaching for many, and in some states they are already complete. Waterfowler.com’s hunting reports recount the success of youth hunts that have already taken place across the country, in both harvest and, more importantly, the excitement introducing a child to the grand tradition of waterfowl hunting. Continue reading

With over 450,000 teal already in Louisiana, and a number of Youth Waterfowl Hunts already complete in some northern states, waterfowl hunting is well underway in the United States and Canada.

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While hurricane Ike brought an abundance of water to areas of the Gulf Coast and Mississippi Valley, the southwest, southeast and north central United States continue to experience varying levels of drought conditions. For the traveling waterfowl hunter, the heart of the Mississippi Flyway is offering exceptional conditions this season, and based on the migration trend thus far this year, if you ever planned to hunt the famed timber holes of Arkansas, this would be a year to do it. Continue reading

The 2008 Breeding Survey Results were released this week (link below) and despite the drought conditions across most of the Prairie Pothole Region, total breeding pairs remained 11 percent above the long-term average – and could provide yet another season of liberal framework for all four flyways.

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Total duck populations were estimated at 37.3 million breeding ducks on the surveyed area. This estimate represents a 9 percent decline over last year’s estimate of 41.2 million birds, but remains 11 percent above the 1955-2007 long-term average.

Pond counts were significantly lower this year – down over 2 million ponds compared to 2007. Mallards are down 7% compared to 2007, but remain 3% above the long-term average. Continue reading

The Fly Councils have published their reports on breeding conditions and the results range, as expected, from very good to very bad. While breeding conditions are normally the focus of our off-season reports, deliberations on a new harvest strategy for scaup is on the table for the coming season. Various factions within the waterfowl community are up in arms over this decision, and the possibility of a 1-bird scaup limit.

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The significant, long-term decline of scaup has been a topic of concern for nearly a decade in the waterfowl community. The 2007 Breeding Survey recorded the third lowest scaup population on record. Continue reading

With the May Pond Survey complete, waterfowl hunters across the nation await the published results and the impact on the coming season. With Duck’s Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl Foundation already voicing their concerns over the vast dry areas of the Prairie Pothole Region, the outlook for overall duck production can best be described as realistic, not optimistic.

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The North American Drought Monitor Map (link below) provides a quick overview of the struggle duck production faces this season. Water levels are low across most of the Prairie Pothole Region, and pond counts will most assuredly be much lower than the past few seasons. While the Parklands and Ontario, and most of eastern Canada are in good to excellent condition, it would be unrealistic to hope that the Parklands alone could salvage the production losses expected in Manitoba and Saskatchewan’s Prairie Pothole Regions. Continue reading

Reports are rolling in on nesting conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region. While there are pockets of good news, a number of areas in North Dakota, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan are experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

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A quick review of the North American Drought Monitor Map (link below) shows that large portions of the Prairie Pothole Region are not in prime condition this breeding season. While not severe, it is expected that pond counts for this season will be lower than previous years.

Of course, water is only part of the breeding equation; grasslands are equally important to duck production. According to John Devney, Senior Vice President of Delta Waterfowl Foundation, there are pockets of good news as well. Continue reading

Spring has sprung across most of the nation, and the long, lingering winter has finally given way to a new season. As of April 4, snow geese had moved into North Dakota and moved as far north as the Devils Lake area and into parts of Canada.

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Recent warming trends melted much of the snow covering the Central Plains these past few weeks as Mid-Continental Light Geese pushed north on the warmer winds of spring.

Hunting action was fast and furious in Nebraska, Colorado and South Dakota as the number of snow geese surged to peak populations then diminished quickly. Hunter success was fair to good during that time, and without a doubt, the effects of hunting pressure played a significant role in hunter success. Continue reading