PACIFIC FLYWAY
The trickle effect has taken hold in the Pacific Northwest as each weather front drops a few new birds and much needed water in the region. Mallard and greenwing teal are providing the best duck action though the largest groups of mallards are inactive in protected areas. Goose hunting is providing the best consistent shooting in the northwest and field hunters are experiencing fair to good success.
In the southern portion of the flyway, goose hunters are also experiencing great success. Speckbellies continue to provide the hottest action in northern California and snow numbers are on the rise in the south. Duck hunting is hit-or-miss at best. Recent rains were much overdue in California and the front did provide a spike in hunter success with teal, sprig and the ever-present spoonbills (aka Hollywood-mallards) making up the primary bag.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Hunters in North Dakota will have to test their suspensions and put a lot miles on the tires to find good concentrations of birds. While duck numbers are on the rise, the largest concentrations remain on secluded waters and posted property. Those not willing to work for ducks are coming up with a mixed, reduced bag.
Snow and Canada goose number continue to rise throughout most of the state providing consistent actions in feeding fields.
With a cold front expected towards the end of the week, hunter success should increase in South Dakota and Nebraska. Unless the jet stream dips further south than expected, action will remain low in Kansas and Oklahoma unless Texas hunting pressure runs a few birds back north on a gulf wind.
As predicted the Texas opener was met with great success. Opening weekend bags were mixed and full. Texas goose hunters have little to complain about as goose hunting was fast and furious most everywhere.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
With ample water, food and places to hide from hunting pressure, the “big-lull” is on for the northern portion of the flyway. While states are holding formidable numbers of mallards, widgeon, gadwall and green-wing teal, hunter success is low with a lack of weather and hunting-pressure to move birds. Large flocks of high flying birds are reported across most of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois — with the Illinois River Bottoms holding as many as 67,000 mallards at the moment. The high fliers are mostly educated birds trading between safe-haven feeding fields and roost areas. While some may give the decoys a look, success is spotty at best.
Despite the warm temps, divers are down to some degree. Concentrations of bluebills are providing consistent shooting on big water throughout the Greate Lakes Region — including Michigan and Indiana. Consult the state-by-state reports for details.
The Missouri opener was met with tremendous success and mixed bags — as most openers have been this season. Hunters in Missouri are encouraged to get \’em while they can before the lull of the north dips further south.
With rain and a cold front expected in the Mississippi Flyway the end of this week, at the least a minor influx of new birds is expected for the weekend. Success should increase a notch or two.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
Snow is falling in the northern portion of Maine and teal numbers are on the rise in the northern portion of the flyway — thankfully. The first good rafts of sea ducks were reported in Boston Harbor and Brandt numbers are on the rise in New Jersey.
While teal numbers are still low, hunter success in Virginia and Delaware is reported high for mallards, blacks, widgeon and gadwall. As many northeastern hunters await the second opener of the split, the influx of birds is building anticipation for what should prove to be an incredible season for most.
North Carolina hunters are reporting great success with woodies and a mix of green and blue wing teal as the primary bag for their opener. Big and medium ducks are low and will likely not arrive in any big numbers until northern seasons open again.
