Warmer weather across the central Plains and upper Midwest have slowed hunter success over the past week, as blue-winged teal have continued to move south into states where seasons are now closed. Ringed-neck duck numbers are slow to build in the north with wood duck numbers and local mallards comprising the primary bag limits. Hunting in North Dakota remain good to excellent in most areas, and Canada Goose numbers continue to increase across the northern portions of both the Central and Mississippi flyways.
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Canada Geese are steadily moving into far northern states across the nation, with Canada goose numbers on the rise from Washington all the way to Maine. Hunters experiencing a lull in duck hunting action should consider a change of tactics this weekend to take advantage of increased goose activity. With the U.S. grain harvest in full swing across the northern tier, fresh cut fields are providing active feeding areas for arriving geese and great hunting opportunity.
Hunters often forego geese during the early part of the hunting season as they tend to focus on ducks first. By the time they put away the duck decoys and pull out their field spread for geese, these larger birds have had time to settle into the area and develop habits that make them more difficult to hunt. With new flights of geese arriving almost daily in the north now and the grain harvest changing the terrain and feeding habits at the same pace, conditions couldn’t be better for a successful hunt. If you are spending a lot of time staring at blank skies over the marsh while you wait for the next cold front and flights of ducks, you simply have nothing to loose by chasing geese early this year.
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PACIFIC FLYWAY
Hunting is underway in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. Dark goose numbers are on the rise in Montana. Gadwall, widgeon, teal, pintail and local mallards are providing the primary bag at this time, with Canvasback present but low in Utah.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Goose numbers are climbing in North Dakota and eastern Montana, where hunting remains good to excellent in most areas. The grain harvest is underway and rolling around the clock. Gadwall, teal, redheads, widgeon are providing the primary bag with mallards and pintail low.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
Ring-necked duck numbers in Minnesota remain low for this time of year as teal, wood ducks and local mallards continue to provide the primary bag limit for hunters in MN, WI, northern MI and Iowa. Dark goose numbers have increased substantially in the past week, and the grain harvest has begun in most areas.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
Wood duck and teal numbers are good to excellent throughout the New England states, with other species low. Canada goose numbers are on the rise from Upstate New York to Maine.
Until next week, head to the field and hunt some geese!
