Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor
lower valley – kalispell 07-19-2005 15:09
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
This Saturday marked the first flight of young geese to pass over the house. The early morning honks had me up at the window. This IS going to be an early season the way it looks now. For the most part, all the yearlings are in full adult dress. Ducks are hiding in phase molt. Coots are everywhere!
Witht the daily sweltering heat, fishing has gone to the regular summer hours – early morning and late evening. The record setting June rains have set up a nice flow of water in the rivers. All lakes are improving and upper drainage impoundments are full. This should be a good season from all indications.
Waterfowl are not the only critters doing well with the improved conditions. Anyone spending more than a brief time at the local boat launch can tell you the mosquitos are having their day as well. Remember to protect your loved ones (the 4 legged ones). These pests can carry a host of diseases that can run you a fortune if they are not taken care of. Montana is now hosting heartworm. Check with your local vetrinarian for tests and innoculations. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure in this case!
MM
Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor
NW Montana 06-22-2005 16:18
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Summer has come on in a big way, literally overnight. The past 3 weeks have held cool moist conditions with an unending rain. The ponds are almost full and the Flathead river is running at it’s highest since I’ve been in the area.
Geese that hatched in March and April are fully fledged. They are just slightly smaller than the adults. Wood duck populations have actually been noted to be on the increase, however with the increased pond depth the predation by pike is on the increase (yes, they DO eat baby ducks!).
PLEASE POST YOUR QUERIES IN THE APPROPRIATE FORUM!
THIS IS FOR FIELD REPORTS ONLY.
I can also be contacted by phone (see my profile for number). I will answer all questions in the Montana forum.
Posted By:
Charlie Smith
Supporting Member
06-21-2005 17:02
– – –
Hi guys :
I am a Georgian who is contemplating moving to your fine state..any info on the quality of duck hunting wil be appreciated…pm me if you want. Thanks.
Posted By:
thadp
Web Member
Butte/Anaconda 06-03-2005 11:52
– – –
Are the lakes starting to warm up? Is the insect hatch early or late this year?
Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor
flathead valley 04-27-2005 17:10
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
The first of the year have hatched.
Seems like the season is progressing like the weather – way ahead of the clock. The fist goslings of the year were out and swimming around yesterday soaking up the sun.
The river has revived itself to more typical spring levels. Lets hope the nests don’t swamp out.
MM
Posted By:
thadp
Web Member
04-22-2005 12:09
– – –
It looked like everything was getting started then the weather turned. Did the Snow storm do any damage or is the breeding season on track?
Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor
lower Flathead Valley 04-04-2005 00:04
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 50-60 Degrees
The past few days held promise of moisture, however the little we got today seems to have been about it.
BONE DRY!!
Geese have set up shop along the sloughs. I have counted 6 active nests in the past 3 days. Ducks have yet to settle down, but by their paired off activities, I would suspect eggs should be showing up any time now.
I managed to get 2 mallard structures and one wood duck nest completed and installed. (tough to do as a one man army). But these are beaver-proofed metal post bomb-proof structures.
Now’s a good time to keep clear of the nesting areas as we don’t want to disturb the momma and make her presence any more known to the predators.
BTW, kill a varmint, increase the fall flight!
MM
Posted By:
Leakydecoy
Guest
Lake Helena 03-29-2005 23:42
– – –
The redheads showed up in full force on Monday along with a bunch more cans and ‘bills.
Posted By:
Leakydecoy
Guest
Lake Helena 03-27-2005 13:03
– – –
Pintails remain the predominant puddler at the lake these days. Still a handful of snows and swans lingering on, and several small flocks of cans in full breeding plumage. The only species notably lacking to date are redheads and BW teal.
Posted By:
Michael-Majcher
Field Editor
Kalispell 03-17-2005 19:36
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 35-40 Degrees
First snow here since January. It feels a little more like spring now.
The pintail excursion lasted all of 3 days. It was a wonderful sight. The ponds have been restocked with incoming wigeon and more mallards.
The teal have been putting up some nice acrobatic shows as well.
Canadas have already nested up. I have seen 2 pair sitting in nests. I did not wish to bother them to check for eggs, but one is in a 40’ tree. It was used 2 years ago by eagles. Just hope the babies can make the fall.
Spring tip #1) follow LD’s advice and get yourself out to take some pictures. Now is also a good time to introduce yourself to that certain landowner. Ask permission to set up and do photography. This can lead to further access this coming fall. Don’t forget to offer assistance in fence maintenance or whatever. People remember that.
Spring tip #2) get those duck nests and boxes up. The warm weather caught me off guard, but it’s never too late. Also remember that the grassy filling in your wood duck boxes needs changing for them to reuse the box. Who wants to sleep on broken egg shells…
