Hello, folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
The new Waterfowler.com National Waterfowl Migration Mapping System is up and running. Utilizing input from hunters from every state the new system provides real time migration intensity information never before available.
By entering data based on seasonal migration intensity for Puddle Ducks, Diving Ducks, Light and Dark Geese and Waterfowl overall, hunters will be able to watch in real time as the birds make their annual journey down the four flyways.
As we all know, birds in the bag, or a lack thereof, does not always accurately reflect the concentration of the migration for the local area. Data entered should reflect the hunter’s observation of migration level rather than individual success. In other words, should you limit out on local birds but see no large groups of Northerns, the accurate data for your area would be on the low end of the migration intensity level. A link is provided on the new system to locate zip codes for your area. Mapping information will be updated every fifteen minutes with reports from up to three zip codes per user per day. So get those reports in and keep an eye on the map as the migration of 2002 – 2003 unfolds. To see the new system and file your reports, click here.
And now, on to the Migration Report.
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Western Montana kicked off the regular season this past week. Hunter success was high in most areas with a strong concentration of mallards already in the area.
On the far northern end of the flyway, hunters in Alaska continue to have good success but reports are of some species beginning to head south.
With forecast temperature around normal for the opening weekend in other Pacific Flyway states, hunters can expect most gunning to be for local birds and early movers of the teal variety.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Reports out of the northern tier indicate a slow trickle of birds moving down out of Canada. Mallard numbers showed a slight rise in bags over the past weekend and scattered reports from along the border of North Dakota and Canada tell of the first real flights of light geese making their way south. Hunters out for Dark geese are reporting increasing numbers, but with many fields still unharvested the big boys of the goose family seem to be content to sit and eat rather than fly. With no major cold fronts in the immediate forecast little is expected in increase of migration intensity.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
Most Minnesota hunters opened the season Saturday amidst drizzle and cool weather. Local mallards became increasingly “wise” after the noon opener and waterfowlers on the north end of the flyway reported fair to moderate success. Sunday brought heavy fog to much of the region and even more widely varied success. Though fair hunting was reported by most, a cold front would go a long way to improving gunning. Forecast models for the next week indicate a slight cooling trend that could bring more birds down across the Canadian border.
Atlantic Flyway
After a spike of warm weather, the forecast for this weekend is looking better for waterfowlers on the northern end of the Atlantic Flyway. As more seasonal temperatures return, local waterfowl populations should become more active and provide fair hunting for the states opening this Saturday. Recent heavy rains have helped ease drought conditions for much of the flyway. Low water levels will concentrate waterfowl but will also tend to concentrate hunting pressure.
Farther south, hunters wrapped up the early teal and wood ducks seasons this past week and began preparations for the regular season. Teal results were spotty at best, while wood ducks kept most hunters busy for the short early season.
Once again, the week ahead in waterfowling looks to be all about weather. Small fronts easing south may move a few birds, but as is usually the case in the first few weeks of the season, nothing major looks to be in the works. But then again, weather forecasts can change, and even if it doesn’t, it is great to be back out in the blind.
Until next week, here’s to wet dogs, webbed feet, and waders.
