By the end of the week, waterfowlers in many parts of North America will be in the final countdown to the opening of early waterfowl seasons. Fall might not be in the air just yet, but the season is fast approaching.
Hello folks, and as always, Welcome to Waterfowler.com.
With the kickoff to hunting season right around the corner, the WFC ProShop is working overtime to bring you the latest and greatest in waterfowling gear and gadgets. From boats to blinds, camo to calls, the selection of great gear in the ProShop just keeps getting better and Waterfowler.com members save with every purchase.
The latest items to make their debut in the Proshop include Flyway Specialty Blinds, Sean Mann Calls and Bandit Aluminum Pirogues. Stop by the ProShop today and start stocking up for the season. Opening day will be here before you know it.
With the season fast approaching, WFC is making the final additions to this year’s roster of Volunteer Field Editors (VFEs). If you would like to offer your time and knowledge to fellow WFC members, fill out the VFE online application located under the Member Areas menu of the WFC home page. Applications are reviewed twice a month and VFE positions are open to all WFC members.
And now, on to the Migration Report.
It seems hard to believe, but the season is almost here. Even stranger is a scattering of reports that a few birds have already hit the road, perhaps hoping to avoid opening day traffic. This week reports came in from as far south as Missouri of Blue Wing teal showing up at some of our member’s favorite duck holes.
Final season frameworks are scheduled to be announced and approved over the next few weeks, but all early indications point to another set of liberal regulations. Individual states may elect more restrictive seasons and bag limits, so be sure to check with your local wildlife agency for the official word.
The 2003 harvest report recently released by the USFWS is sure to be a topic of debate as we move into the month of August. The preliminary numbers show increases in harvest for several states that have hunters from those areas wondering who it was that had such heavy game straps last fall.
A link to the harvest data pdf file is posted on the Waterfowl Management Forum. Stop by and see how the numbers for your home state stacked up.
Looking toward the regular season, reports of late broods showing up in many production states are bringing smiles to faces of hunters and biologists alike. Though late broods and re-nesting efforts have little impact on the overall waterfowl population, more ducks is more ducks, and when the May surveys are down any such news is good news.
Early seasons kick off in just over a month. Whether you plan to hunt early teal or special resident goose seasons, these are both great times to take new and young waterfowlers out to the blind for their first hunt. Introducing new hunters to our shared tradition is the only way to guarantee that waterfowling will be around for generations to come. So, as you are marking out days to chase teal and your local geese, think about bringing along a young or new waterfower.
