Christmas is fading into memory and the year that was 2003 is all but gone. So what will the New Year bring?
Hello, folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
Waterfowlers across the country hit the field last week to knock the shine off their new toys. For some, Santa brought fresh batches of ducks and geese while the holiday left others wondering if part of their wish list was lost in the mail. But a new year is just ahead and there is still plenty of time for the birds to make up for some earlier slow days.
As the final few weeks of the 2003 – 2004 regular waterfowl season get underway be sure to check your profile and update, upgrade or renew your Waterfowler.com membership. A lot can change in the last few weeks of the season and Waterfowler.com’s Migration Map and Field Reports are a great way to increase your odds of putting more birds in the bag.
January marks the last month to get your name in the hat for the WFC South Africa Hunting Adventure Sweepstakes. By becoming a WFC member before January 31, 2004 you will be automatically entered into the drawing for a once-in-a-lifetime waterfowling adventure in South Africa. Current members are already eligible and automatically enrolled.
Thanks to Waterfowler.com’s ongoing partnership with Frontiers International, one very lucky duck hunter will experience the grand pursuit of exotic waterfowl and upland game species with their hosts, Game Bird Safaris in South Africa.
The South Africa Hunting Adventure includes a 5-night/4-day hunt with Game Bird Safaris in South Africa. This trip is to be taken May through July of 2004, and will be a mixed-bag hunting trip for francolin, guinea fowl, doves, pigeons, ducks and geese. The trip will include round-trip economy air transportation from your closest metropolitan airport to New York and Johannesburg. Accommodations (based on double occupancy), all meals with wine, beer and soft drinks, all land transportation in Vryheid until departure; hunting licenses, services of professional hunters, laundry service, and 14% VAT applicable in South Africa. Full details are available on the WFC home page. Be sure to join before January 31, 2004 to be entered in the latest Waterfowling Adventure from Waterfowler.com and Frontiers International.
And now, on to the Migration Report
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Success continues to be best on the western portion of the upper flyway. From WA down to CA new birds have been arriving steadily over the past week. On the eastern side of the upper flyway, bird numbers appear to have fallen off somewhat, with area waterfowl becoming increasingly difficult to call and decoy.
In the southern interior portions of the flyway, reports of a new wave of birds have begun coming in with teal and wigeon making up the main body of the new arrivals.
With a new front moving onshore over the next few days and snow forecast along much of the upper I-5 corridor, birds will likely shift southward and the potential for a movement of ducks across the Cascades is likely.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Other than strong concentrations of dark geese still holding in MT, the hottest action in the central flyway continue to be in the south central plains. Hunters from KS and NE continue to report high numbers of mallards and light geese with the heaviest concentration centering in and around the Platte River.
Running a close second for the flyway is NM where reports from the holiday tell of a significant increase in mallard and pintail numbers. TX and OK are still a story of scattered pockets of birds, but where they are found, they seem to be in good concentrations. A few last minute reports indicate that the latest front may have brought new birds down out of the plains but it is still too early to make that call.
As the next front moves inland out of the west and temps move back into their seasonal range, hopes are running high for a southward shift of ducks and geese for the lower portions of the flyway.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
With water still open in large portions of the upper flyway, reports are still coming in of large concentrations of ducks and geese as far north as WI and MN. Goose hunting in the northern states continues to be excellent where the season remains open. The northern IL quota zone is nearing its quota for the year and dark goose numbers in that part of the state are staggering, while the southern portion of the state is just beginning to see any movement of geese into the area.
Duck numbers for the upper flyway remain higher in western states than areas farther east. IA and OH have seen bird numbers see-saw over the past few weeks as the weather has shifted from winter to spring and back again a handful of times. Warm weather may be on the way out and bird activity should increase as the mercury falls.
Central portions of the flyway have yet to see the last of this year’s migration of ducks and light geese. As recently as Tuesday, huntable numbers of both remain in areas of MO. KY and TN saw a small increase in duck numbers over the Christmas break, as did portions of northern AR.
The southern end of the flyway continues to be spotty as a firehouse mascot. Portions of north LA and central MS appear to have been the victim a flyover, as hunters along the coast are beginning to report a sharp increase in bird numbers. The Northern portions of MS and AL did report new ducks arriving with the latest front, so there is still hope for portions of north LA and the central MS delta. Light goose numbers in the region continue to be staggering. So perhaps a change of plans can shake off some of the slow season blues for hunters in the southern flyway.
Renewed cold weather in the long range forecast has the potential to make the tail end of the season worth the wait, but weather forecasting that far down the line is subject to change. Keep your fingers crossed!
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
The upper east coast is still hot for sea ducks and Brant. From the Canadian border down to NY and NJ, hunters of the salts have continued to report strong numbers as the season draws on. A new batch of puddle ducks also look to have moved down into the region, with better numbers being reported closer to the coast than inland.
Mid coastal states are seeing a slow trickle of puddle ducks but diver and sea duck numbers look to be on a sharp rise. Ringneck numbers from SC all the way down to FL are strong. Geese have been in fair supply for the mid flyway and should continue to be so as the New Year rolls in.
The southern flyway is seeing large concentrations of Ringnecks and a marked increase in small puddle ducks. Reports from GA and FL are of a rise in Gadwall, Shoveler and Teal in recent days.
A slight cooling trend over the next few days may improve conditions for much of the flyway with the next big front a week or so out, but arriving just in time for the last part of the season.
The New Year is here and the holiday season is slowly winding down. Several weeks remain in the regular waterfowl season for much of the US, and others are just waiting for the opportunity to chase light geese during the conservation season. 2003 now goes into the record books; for some it was a season to remember, for others hope still rides on the next few weeks to make memories of the 2003 – 2004 season shine. Win, loose or draw, there is still no better way to spend our time than in the company of likeminded fools, a good dog and the wonders of a day in the wilds. Happy New Year form Waterfowler.com and may 2004 be all that your heart desires.
