As the first groups of snow geese begin to arrive in North Dakota, spring has spring across the nation in grand fashion. Flights of juvenile geese remain scattered from northwest Missouri into Iowa and Nebraska. With record warm temperatures and southerly winds pushing them back to the breeding grounds, light goose harvests in the central portions of the Central and Mississippi Flyways is expected to drop significantly over the next week.
Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
“Got time” in the Mound City, Missouri area has switched gears to “getup and go time” over the past two weeks. Snow goose numbers at the Squaw Creek NWR rose to a peak of just over 1 million birds, and then dropped to 300,000 by the next survey. While juvenile geese are still being harvested at this time, open water in the north is inviting them home to the breeding grounds in a hurry.
Record high temperatures are expected in many northern states this week and ducks, Canada Geese and Cranes have been migrating north at a steady pace along with the light geese. For the avid waterfowl hunter, now is the time to take you camera to the field and capture the images of the reverse migration. As waterfowl head back to the breeding grounds in full plumage, your usual hunting grounds will play host to the annual courtship rituals that insure the future of waterfowl hunting.
The outdoor photo enthusiast can improve their images by keeping a few basic tips and tricks in mind as they begin to catalog their library of species shots. Just as in the waterfowl season, minimal movement and camouflage clothing will play a vital role in how close you can get for a picture. Be sure to keep the sun at your back (or sides) to make sure your subject is well lit. Morning and evening sun will provide dramatic lighting and shadows for your shoot and waterfowl activity will also abundant for location scouting. While baiting during the hunting season is an absolute crime, feeding wildlife during the off-season will provide considerable opportunity for spring photography.
With the annual spring surveys set to begin in just over a month and a half, Waterfowler.com reminds it readers that up-to-date habitat reports will be available again this year on FLYWAYS.US. Each spring the aerial and ground survey teams post their findings in real-time on their respective blogs throughout the spring. In addition to the reports, the teams post a menagerie of images that will keep you informed and entertained as you follow the teams along their survey transects.
Waterfower.com encourages our readers to post their spring reports along with local news, banquet, fundraising and volunteer information for your fellow waterfowl hunters. Waterfowler.com encourages our members to participate in grassroots habitat and conservation programs during the off-season and consider starting a Delta Waterfowl chapter in your area this year. For more information, visit deltawaterfowl.org today.
Until our next update, grab your camera and head to the marsh – we look forward to viewing your images in the member gallery.
