On the cusp of the season’s first hard snow storms in the north, the first major migration event of the year will collide with opening of gun deer season in many northern states. The storm system that is predicted to dump snow from the Rockies to the Twin cities is expected to ignite migration activity across the Central and Mississippi Flyways over the weekend. As the storm moves northeast over the Great Lakes towards Ontario, activity in the Atlantic Flyway should increase during the early part of coming week for hunters in the northeast.
Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
This past week the best hunting of the season continued in the northern tier of the U.S. as birds trickled down the flyways away from freezing temperatures. As the first widespread snowstorm hits north portions of the lower forty-eight this weekend, migration activity is expected to peak as the exodus of lingering waterfowl begins and ducks and geese head south.
Many northern hunters will face a hard choice this weekend as gun deer season begins in a number of states. If the storm plays out as predicted, you could find yourself sitting on a deer stand watching flight birds traveling overhead throughout the weekend. Of course, there won’t be a need to toss a coin in the offices at Waterfowler.com, as we’ll all be chasing ducks until the ice chokes the last birds south of us here in northern Illinois.
For those in the central tier states, migration activity will also peak as the early migrating birds condensed below frigid temperatures in the north. Expect an influx of gadwall, green-winged teal, pintail, and widgeon, along with the leading edge of mallards as they move ahead of the storm.
For the hardcore diver hunter, storms such as this provide the ambiance and activity that define this dedicated segment of waterfowl hunters. Blustery winds, blinding snow and white caps will set the stage for classic diver hunts from the Land of 100,000 Lakes to the western basin of Lake Erie. While Canvasback numbers remain above 300,000 in pools 8 & 9 on the Mississippi River, the numbers are declining as the “king of ducks” continues along on its migration path.
Duck activity will not be limited to the central part of the U.S. this weekend. A series of storms will smack the Pacific Northwest and hunter success is expected to improve dramatically over the coming week.
In short, it’s a good time to be a duck hunter so make plans to be one over the next five days before the hard freeze hits and stays in many areas by Thanksgiving.
PACIFIC FLYWAY:
A series of storms in the Pacific Northwest will increase migration activity through the northern portion of the Flyway. Hunters hoping for ice to force ducks into more predictable, congregated patterns may get their wish. Duck numbers continue to climb in the Sacramento Valley as delayed harvest and flooding in un-harvested rice fields continue to hamper success – and White-fronted goose numbers continue to climb. Duck numbers range from average to slightly above average for this time of year in Utah and Nevada with increases expected over the next 5 days as ducks move in from Idaho and western Montana.
CENTRAL FLYWAY:
The arrival of snow across the Northern Great Plains is expected to push the last of the ducks out of areas being choked with freezing temperatures and ice. Duck activity is expected to reach peak levels in Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma this weekend as waterfowl condense below the snowline. In Texas, goose numbers are expected to increase by leaps and bounds as the first hard flights of the storm arrive along with the leading edge of the mallard migration.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY:
It’s game on in the northern portion of the flyway as snow across Minnesota, Wisconsin and parts of Iowa drive birds south. Freezing temperatures that follow are expected to force birds into Missouri, Arkansas, Central Illinois and Indiana. Diver hunting is expected to peak across the Great Lakes region as the big push kicks into high gear.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY:
As the arctic storm system curls across the Great Lakes over Ontario, migration activity is expected to increase dramatically in the northeast for the first time this season from Maine to the Chesapeake Bay. In the Carolina’s expect a steady stream of early migrating species in the days preceding Thanksgiving.
