This weekend’s blustery weather brought snow to the prairie, flooding in Kentucky and much needed rain to many parts of the Central and Mississippi Flyways. The resident season in North Dakota is underway, and the countdown to opening day is ticking for many northern waterfowl hunters.
Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
Below average temperatures across the U.S. have spawned excitement and anticipation in waterfowl hunters. Web traffic on WFC has been surging since September 1st , and the volume of state-by-state field reports has followed suit.
Hunters in Canada are reporting excellent hunting and waterfowl numbers and it’s only a matter of time before the whistling wings of northern flights begin to arrive.
The Mack’s Prairie Wing’s Fall Festival kicks off this week, in Stuttgart on Sept. 29th and runs through Oct 1st . The event boasts a plethora of activities including a huge tent sale, calling contests, shooting competitions and hunting seminars. The event is located at the Macks’ retail location in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and well worth the trip for any avid waterfowl hunter.
Waterfowler.com reminds members to submit their favorite hunting tips on video for inclusion in our premiere video magazine. Tapes and clips can be submitted in DV, Mini-DV or digital formats on CD. Please mail submissions to; Waterfowler.com, 112 1 / 2 N Benton St., Woodstock, IL 60098.
Members who renew or join online right now will receive a bonus Stranglehold DVD from Knock ‘m Down Productions – a $14.99 value!
And now, on with the migration update:
ATLANTIC FLYWAY:
Duck numbers are building from New York through New Jersey. Blue wing and green wing teal numbers are strong in the north, with substantial numbers all the way to Georgia. Reports from sea duck hunters are that Eider numbers are growing off the coast of Maine. In Delaware, hunters reported mixed success during the early teal season with pintail and widgeon increasing each day.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY:
Pre-season scouting reports from Minnesota are excellent for both ducks and geese. Migratory Canada geese have been filtering into Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan steadily over the past week. Teal numbers are declining in Illinois as the teal season approaches it’s close, and numbers in southern states increasing as these birds move south from the recent front. Flooding in northeast Arkansas and Kentucky, while danger in many areas now, will provide excellent hunting conditions in the coming months. Teal numbers continue to rise in Louisiana, with new flights arriving daily.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Shooting is underway in North Dakota. Resident hunters are struggling with low water conditions and adjusting to the ‘Hunters Choice’ harvest program – which has hampered early morning shooting, as it is difficult to identify eclipse phase birds on the wing during low-light conditions just before dawn. Hunters in North Dakota are warning non-resident hunters that low-water conditions are condensing hunters and birds in to confined spaces, and hunting pressure and competition for hunting spots will make hunting on the prairie difficult this season. Snow fell in South Dakota last weekend and pintail, widgeon and gadwall numbers increase daily – thanks to the recent front. Teal shooting in Kansas and Oklahoma was excellent over the weekend, with reports of the first flights of gray ducks arriving.
PACIFIC FLYWAY
In Washington, hunters report moderate success for the youth waterfowl hunt this past weekend but participation was high. Duck numbers were moderate to good in most areas. White-Fronted geese are trickling down the flyway and increasing each day in Oregon and Washington – with the first reports of snow geese. Teal numbers continue to rise in Arizona, California and Nevada, with pintail numbers low. Hunters scouting in areas where wildfires are present, are urged to take extreme caution and make sensible choices – the ducks will be around all season long.
Until next week, hunt safe and hunt often.
