Autumn officially returns this week, and over the weekend, waterfowlers in some northern regions of the United States will open their regular waterfowl season.
Hello folks, and as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
Fall is here and not a moment too soon. With the regular season underway in Canada and about to kick off in the U.S., duck and goose hunters across the continent can breathe a bit easier. After all, even if the season is still weeks away in their home state, at least it’s duck season somewhere.
To celebrate the return of fall, HuntersProshop.com is bringing back the $15 duck call discount. For a limited time, buy any call priced at $100 or more and take $15 off. HuntersProshop.com offers calls from renowned call makers like Rich N Tone, Cutt Down Game Calls, Buck Gardner and many more. Stop by huntersproshop.com today and save.
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And now, on to the Migration Report.
CANADA
Heavy, or at least consistent, rain in many areas of Canada have delayed grain harvest and made field access difficult. Ducks and geese are stacking up in new water and have been difficult to pattern. In areas where breaks in the rain have occurred long enough to allow farmers to renew their harvest, hunters are finding birds eager to take advantage of the fresh cut fields.
A mild cold front is forecast to roll down through the Northwest Territory later this week and should keep the birds active, but continued rain and above-freezing temps will give the migration little reason to make any major southward moves.
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Average to above-average temps for the upper flyway will remain in place while the northern states wit for the opening bell of the ‘05-‘06 season. As one might expect, local birds will be the only game in town for the Pacific Flyway until a more fall-like weather system moves new birds in out of Alaska and Canada. Some movement of early migrators—teal, gadwall and a few of the early divers—could begin moving this week, but chances are that hunters will see the very same birds on opening day next week as they find in their preseason scouting.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
While the mid-tier and southern portions of the flyway swelter in above-average temperatures, the northern tier states should get a nice cool-down for the opening weekend. Early reports from the Dakotas indicate an increase in grain field feeding by both ducks and geese as the first day of fall approaches. With cooler weather on tap for the weekend, activity should remain stable and patterns established this week can be expected to hold until gunning pressure forces birds into new areas.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
The wait for the ‘05-‘06 opening bell for the Mississippi flyway will continue this week with cooler weather moving into the Great Lakes region and warm weather in control for lower portions of the flyway. Teal numbers are still in good shape across central and southern states, but above-average temperatures are making the hunting tough.
Early aerial surveys from Illinois indicate a slow start to this year’s migration, with overall duck numbers down from the long term average for the same survey period. It should be noted, however, that some portions of the survey could be seeing an effect of the severe drought conditions that may be keeping the migration outside the traditional survey areas.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
On the east coast as well, warm weather has the migration on hold. Hunting for local geese has been good, but the patterns have been unpredictable, requiring regular scouting and tactical adjustments to insure regular success.
A slight cooling trend is in store for the flyway later this week and additional cool weather in eastern portions of Canada could get the first light shift of migrants moving toward, or maybe even into, the upper reaches of the flyway.
The season is upon us. Though it may still be a few weeks or even a month before the opening bell rings in your blind, it sure does feel good to know that this weekend, someone somewhere will be ringing in the new season. Good luck and be safe.
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