A winter storm warning is in effect for portions of the northern plains as more upper flyway states open their regular waterfowl season this week.
Hello folks, and as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
Old Man Winter may not be ready to settle in just yet, but early snowfall reaching the upper Midwest has put waterfowlers across the country on alert. Though it is still way too early to call it, portents of an early winter are everywhere, and from folk wisdom to futuristic computer models, more than just woolly caterpillars are warning of a winter to remember.
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And now, on to the Migration Report.
CANADA
The snow maker moving across the Northern Plains of the US will clip the lower reaches of Saskatchewan and Manitoba midweek. While this system may cause the remaining “small ducks” to bug out, it is not likely to drive the more weather-hardy birds out of the region.
After the storm passes, it looks like a more seasonal weather pattern will take hold. A steady buildup of ducks and geese in southern regions can be expected as the farthest northern portions of the provinces begin to empty.
Snow goose numbers in central and southern portions of Manitoba and Saskatchewan should begin a more dramatic increase over the next week. Reports show some small pockets of light geese already across the border, but the bulk the white wave is still building in the Canadian Provinces.
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Migration activity increases can be expected in the far eastern portions of the flyway as the latest cold front drives through the area early this week. Rain, snow and wind will make conditions feel like late October, if not November. The cold weather should increase feeding flights and overall waterfowl activity for the eastern portions of the upper flyway.
Along the western side of the flyway average temperatures and mild weather will keep the gunning to calendar birds and locals. With no major weather systems driving out of the Pacific or Arctic waters, the migration for the Pacific flyway is still on hold. Good thing the season is just kicking off!
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Winter storm warnings for the northern reaches of the flyway are in effect through midweek. Some areas could potentially receive eight to twelve inches of snowfall. Though this kind of snow might have some folks worried about an early freeze up, forecasts show that warmer weather will return to the prairie right on the heels of this storm, melting snow and keeping small waters open.
This front does, however, have the potential to make this week and weekend some of the best early shooting imaginable for areas of Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota. As the weather warms back up, though, conditions will be tough. Wet fields will restrict access and slow crop harvest in many parts of the area.
Positive influences from this early season storm could also move some new birds down into South Dakota, Colorado and other mid-tier states. It seems unlikely that the front will drive the big ducks out of the upper flyway but a good push of teal, gadwall and other small ducks is likely for areas south of the snowfall line.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
A thirty-plus degree cooldown for the upper flyway, and even a bit of ice and snow in some areas along farthest northern stretches, will kick the waterfowl action back into gear this week. The unusually warm weather of the earlier part of the week slowed waterfowl activity dramatically in the upper flyway, but with temperatures falling rapidly mid-week, ducks and geese should start moving again, both locally and along traditional migration routes.
This latest cold front will likely drive out most of the remaining blue wing teal from the upper flyway and could shift wood duck concentrations farther south a bit as the cold weather rakes the US/Canadian border. With any luck, however, the front should also begin the first push of birds out of Canada and bring some fresh flights of geese into the upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
Upper Flyway and New England states will have to wait for the weekend for any improvement in waterfowling weather. Though the front that will sweep the plains midweek will reach the upper flyway by the weekend, it will have lost a bit of its punch. Still, a twenty degree drop in daily high temperatures cannot help but improve waterfowling along the upper flyway once the front rolls though. Rain and wind will make conditions in some areas a bit miserable, but hey, that’s duck hunting.
As October settles in, winter seems to be close on the heels of the arrived fall. Waterfowlers across the country have their fingers crossed, some in hopes of keeping the ice and snow away for a few more weeks, and others praying for a year of heavy snowfall across the northern tier to drive birds south. Here’s hoping every wish comes true, and the waterfowl season of 2005 – 2006 is the best yet. If you’re gonna dream, dream BIG!
