Posted By:
Rick-Nelson
Field Editor
03-23-2011 20:56
Arctic Blast – 10-20 Degrees – Ice
Well, contrary to my last post, signs of winter were everywhere today. Another major winter storm pounded North Dakota yesterday with new snow accumulations up to 16 inches in some parts of the state. Not sure what we got here but prediction was for 6-10 and I am betting we got the 10 inches. If the five hours of shoveling I did yesterday and today was any indication.
And while I was shoveling last night I heard numerous flocks of geese GOING SOUTH and this afternoon I watched hundreds more doing the same thing. Mighty depressing even though I know it is temporary. Fields are covered again in snow deep enough to make feeding difficult.
For waterfowl, the condition of our state’s wetlands is going to be exceptional given all the moisture. We should see excellent breeding conditions on the prairies of ND this spring. I am anxious for spring to get here and stay and the opportunities for spring waterfowl observations.
I have not seen or heard a snow goose yet. We typically don’t get the huge flocks in this part of the state in the spring. But we should see fair numbers when they finally arrive, assuming they don’t just fly over.
Field hunting for snows is going to be characterized by one word this spring – MUD.
When the snow finally does melt I believe we are going to have extremely wet fields. Might have to try an over water hunt this spring just for something different.
Posted By:
Rick-Nelson
Field Editor
03-15-2011 21:30
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 45-50 Degrees
Signs of spring were abundant today. Temperature hit almost 50 with light winds and clear skies. I saw a guy riding his Harley this afternoon AND flocks of Canada geese moving north, first waterfowl I have seen since last fall.
They were a welcome sight and as often occurs I heard them before I saw them. I only saw three flocks totaling probably 100 birds but it was awesome. As we move farther along toward spring this wonder sight will become more common. I always look forward to the return of waterfowl and it is amazing how seeing even these few birds really made it seem like spring.
With some good fortune perhaps we will slowly move out of winter. Although I won’t be surprised if we have more snow and winter weather before it really ends. We are in a wet period and we often have severe spring storms that dump heavy, wet snow on us well into April.
But, even if that happens we are now on the down side of winter – YAHOO! I look forward to seeing more and more birds.
Posted By:
John-Donelon
Field Editor
N. Dakota 03-15-2011 15:27
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Rick,thanks for the update on conditions in balmy Bismarck.We here in Missouri are bracing for some serious flooding this Spring.Yesterday,we had a forcast of one inch of snow,instead we ended up with six inches.All this heavy wet snow did was add more water to the already heavy soil moisture.Have a temp of 70 on thursday being predicted,normal Missouri weather.Concern here is if farmers being able to get in and plant,more thunderstorms for the area on thursday.I agree with you,winter has to come to an end,shoveled more snow this winter than the last three put together.
Posted By:
Rick-Nelson
Field Editor
03-11-2011 19:39
Arctic Blast – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
BLIZZARD – A late winter blizzard is hitting most of North Dakota today. Freezing rain turned to wet snow, and 50mph winds are buffeting a large part of the North Dakota. An already long, hard winter continues. We have plenty of moisture already and don’t really need more.
This winter has been extremely hard on many species of resident wildlife, particularly deer and pheasants. It is anticipated that the state’s deer and pheasant populations will be significantly decreased.
Our spring snow goose season has been open for a few weeks but it will be awhile before we see birds. Long range forecast for March is below normal temps and above normal precipitation. The snow pack has settled greatly but in this area there is still nine inches of snow covering the ground and not many open spots. Unless we get some warm, dry weather we won’t have much in the way of places for birds to feed with this snow pack.
The extreme water conditions in the state will be good news for returning waterfowl. Unfortunately, these same conditions are potentially going to result in serious flooding throughout much of North Dakota.
All the water is resulting in heavy pressure to increase tile drainage in the state, an activity that will likely have significant negative impacts on wetlands, ground water recharge and water quality.
It has been a long, long winter. I am ready for spring!
Posted By:
CPAMAN
Guest
01-27-2011 22:46
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Nice report Rick. Thanks!
Posted By:
Rick-Nelson
Field Editor
Mid-Winter Report 01-18-2011 21:01
Cloudy, Snow Flurries – Below Zero
There will be no shortage of water in North Dakota wetlands this spring. We are experiencing our third hard winter in a row. Most of the state has received above normal snowfall and snow is deep everywhere. We entered the fall with excellent water conditions and wetlands will be full again this spring.
This is obviously good news for wetlands but not good news for resident wildlife. Upland birds and deer are likely to be significantly impacted if we continue to receive snow, bitter cold and strong winds. The last two winters had a big impact on resident wildlife and this winter could also pose problems for many species. And the long range forecast is for above normal precipitation and below normal temperatures.
Despite the potential for excellent water conditions the conversion of CRP will continue to be a major issue for waterfowl production. Good wetland condition is only half of the equation and without good nesting cover we will see production begin to decline.
The 2010 waterfowl season was the strangest one I have experienced in over 40 years of waterfowling. Why the majority of ducks left early remains a mystery, even among waterfowl biologists. And even given the hypothesis that they moved north into Canada the question remains, why didn’t they return later in the fall? Or did they simply trickle their way through North Dakota on their way south.
It is certain that 2011 will be different than 2010 as each season brings new opportunities and new surprises. But unless our weather pattern suddenly changes and we go back into a major drought, water conditions in wetlands next fall should not be a surprise.
Of course if the wet conditions prevail we could all be surprised at how much water is on the land next fall. This past season we had wetlands that were full in October that should normally be dry by July. Plenty of places for waterfowl to roost.
Enjoy the rest of the winter, wherever you are. Honestly, I am sick of it, or at least I am sick of shoveling snow. And for the sake of our resident species, I hope conditions moderate for the rest of the winter.
[Edited By Rick-Nelson on 2011-01-18 21:03]
[Edited By Rick-Nelson on 2011-01-18 21:03]
Posted By:
CRP
Web Member
01-11-2011 13:50
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Anyone know if the ND GFP has completed the Mid-winter goose count for the Missouri River?
Posted By:
CPAMAN
Guest
Northeastern North Dakota 11-22-2010 12:06
Cloudy, Accumulating Snow – 0-10 Degrees – Ice
Deer hunted Saturday. Hit a deer with my truck on Friday evening around 8:15 pm. Took a U-turn off Hwy 35 heading north to south to look for the injured deer on the side of the road/ditch. Upon pulling over to the shoulder after turning around, a buck was running out of the ditch with another doe. I parked the truck leaving it running and headlights on. I stepped out of the truck and closed the door. A doe was standing about fifteen feet from me in the middle of the road. She looked at me for about thirty seconds. I examined her wondering if she was the same deer I had hit with my bumper.
Suddenly, I saw headlights from the south heading north. A vehicle was moving fast so I stepped towards the shoulder of the road. The deer moved a couple of steps away from me on the northbound side and the pickup did not slow down. Thud! The deer was hit directly by the truck at high speed 60-65 mph. The deer literally flew past me missing me by no more than three feet. It ended up about twenty feet behind my truck with its intestines and bowel sitting in the middle of the road.
The pickup left pieces of its grill and headlight on the paved road. The driver continued on down coming to a stop about two hundred yards up the road from me. He got out and looked at the damage to his truck and then did a U-turn back towards me. He asked if I was OK and said he did not see the deer at all. I was a little surprised that he did not slow down seeing me on the side of the road with my headlights on. Anyway, he declined the deer so we tossed it into my pickup. I gave it to a farmer whose hunting party was partying in their garage about twenty miles away close to my farm.
It got down to zero degrees Friday night and it was bitter cold Saturday AM. The deer were moving between 8:00-8:30 AM. I saw four bucks and a total of twelve deer during that time with all bucks seen chasing does. No bucks came within reasonable shooting range so I took a doe at 160 yards. Nothing moving after that. That ended my/our 2010 ND deer season. Very exciting and very cold.
I did not see a single duck or goose all day Saturday. Three inches-plus of ice on all water in the area. There were some goose hunters set up with a huge spread north of Lakota. I have no idea why they were there because there weren’t any geese around anywhere that I saw with no open water. I seriously doubt they saw any geese, let alone shot any that morning.
I would say the season is over in North Dakota except along the Missouri River.
Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor
Devils Lake Basin 11-20-2010 19:58
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As I write, moderate snow is blanketing the region. I spent the day looking for birds and open water. All sloughs are froze and most lakes are as well. The SW, W and NW side of Devils Lake has shoreline ice making it unhuntable. In addition, I saw no Mallards only a few sparce Canada Geese fighting the waves on the lake.
With highs in the single digits for the next few days, the season is pretty much done. Maybe time to go check out Washburn!
Posted By:
pluckaduck
Field Editor
11-17-2010 19:37
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Most water froze, however Devils lake is still open and some ducks. Temps should not get above freezing until next week. Geese were migrating at noon big time overhead going south.
