The icy grip of winter has taken hold of the marshes, lakes and rivers in the north. In areas above the snow and freeze line, ducks have departed to warmer climates and geese have congregated in urban areas and river systems that maintain open water. The resulting freeze has compressed waterfowl populations along the edge of the freeze line and hunter success has increased significantly in the south.
Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
A quick glance at the NOAA Snow Cover Map (link at right) provides a clear visual summary of where the storm has relocated the ducks and geese of North America. The bulk of the nations waterfowl have congregated in areas below the freeze line where water remains open and food sources are not blanketed by snow. In short, ducks and geese have arrived in the south in force.
Of course, having ducks does not guarantee you are shooting ducks. A study of the surface temperature map reveals a quick transition from freezing temperatures to those in the seventies in a relatively short travel distance. Waterfowl activity is substantially higher in areas just south of the freeze line, compared to those areas with temperatures above sixty degrees – despite waterfowl being present in good numbers in the far south.
According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across the U.S. are expected to remain below average for the next eight to fourteen days – with above average temperatures expected in January. As waterfowl hunters gather with friends and family over the holidays to share a hunt, they can expect current weather trends to continue and plan accordingly.
For those in areas with the duck season already closed, now is the time to plan a last minute January hunt. The traveling waterfowl hunter willing to reach out to fellow WFC members on the forums and hunting report areas can discover a wealth of possibilities for budget travel and the trade-a-hunt opportunities. While spring snow goose season may be a distant thought, now is the time to make travel plans and secure a spot with your favorite guide service.
Waterfowler.com would like to wish all of our members a joyous holiday season. May your hunting adventures over the next few weeks be filled with excitement and the sound of whistling wings.
PACIFIC FLYWAY:
Fog, fog and more fog! Waterfowl activity is up in the Pacific Northwest and hunters in coastal states are enjoying the kind of weather that moves ducks in Washington, Oregon and northern California. In Idaho, waterfowl numbers remain average for this time of year with activity best along the river systems, with duck numbers slightly above average in Utah. Ongoing drought conditions continue to hamper hunter success in Southern California, Nevada and Arizona — despite waterfowl numbers being slightly above average for this time of year.
CENTRAL FLYWAY:
Canada goose numbers are good to excellent in areas just above the snow line where water remains open. Mallard numbers increased dramatically over the past week in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas – with numbers still fair in western Nebraska and eastern Colorado. Accumulating snow in the north has pushed gadwall, widgeon, teal and other ducks south of the snow line. The results of a good breeding season can now be realized as ducks begin to concentrate in the south. Goose numbers are good to excellent in the lower half of the flyway and slightly above average for this time of year.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY:
Accumulating snow in the north has pushed ducks and geese south in force the past week, with ducks settling along the edge of the snow line. Duck numbers in Missouri, central Illinois and Arkansas are good to excellent at this time, with mallards present all the way to Louisiana. Mallard activity is best along the northern edges of the snowline and less in the deep south — where temperatures are much higher. Canada geese are good to excellent in southern Iowa, northern Illinois and Indiana, where snow accumulation is below three-inches. Geese are congregating along river systems and areas with open water.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY:
Snow continues to pile up in the north and the rain continues in the south. From the extreme drought conditions the past few seasons to the current flood conditions, the southeastern waterfowl hunter just can’t seem to get a break. While snow has pushed ducks and geese south in force, the abundance of water has them scattered throughout the lower half of the flyway. In the north, coastal opportunity for diver species remains good as puddle duck numbers decrease. Duck numbers increased significantly in the Carolina’s this past week as snow in the north continues to accumulate. With snow totals well over twelve inches expected over the next few days from Virginia north, waterfowl are expected to continue to push south during the coming week.
