With just days remaining before the early teal and resident goose seasons opening in northern states, reports from the Prairie Pothole Region in Canada and the Dakotas are simply outstanding, with duck numbers good to excellent in most areas.
Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
With the season upon us, and our summer hiatus nearing an end, Waterfowler.com will resume our weekly Migration Updates from now through February 1, 2008.
As dove season opens across most of the U.S. this weekend, migratory bird hunters will blow the dust out of their guns, and celebrate the start of the 2008 Hunting Season.
In select northern states, resident Canada goose seasons will open, followed by early teal seasons. Members are encouraged to begin using Waterfowler.com’s real-time Migration mapping system to post their field observations and participate in tracking the North American Waterfowl Migration.
As we prepare for the coming season, hunters are reminded to revisit the list of gun safety rules with party members before the hunt, as your never too old or too seasoned to be safe.
And now, on with our Pre-Season Summary:
Reports form Saskatchewan and the Dakotas are nothing short of outstanding. A quick glance at the U.S Drought Monitor Map (quick-link at right), shows water conditions vastly different than last season – with most of the Central and Mississippi Flyways having ample (almost too much water) for this time of year.
Bluewing teal are already on the move south, and early reports show that the teal migration is well underway and progressing on the traditional timeline.
With localized flooding across much of the northern Mississippi Flyway, and Great Lakes Region, hunters should take extra precautions before heading to the field to verify emergency closures and no-wake regulations on the waters they intend to hunt. Hunters should avoid taking risks in flooded river systems where additional flash flooding can occur and dangerous currents can be life threatening.
With resident goose numbers continuing to soar across the U.S., early season goose hunting will be good to excellent in most areas – especially in areas where standing water is abundant in agricultural fields.
Early season hunter’s are reminded to double-check the hunting regulations for their area and insure they are following the approved regulations and not the proposed seasons – which may differ.
Until next week, take a kid hunting and enjoy the great outdoors.
