With Mid- January only a few days away we have reached the wind down for the 2002-2003 regular waterfowl season. And though there have been reports of success in most regions of the country, this year will most likely be recorded as one of the most spotty seasons in recent memory. Waterfowlers around the nation have been and continue to be stunned by the ability of their prey to be so plentiful in some areas and utterly nonexistent in other, or even more frustrating the “here today, gone tomorrow” pattern that has been the norm for many states throughout this season.
But all is not lost! With three weekends left in the regular season a strong Arctic air mass is poised to drive southward over the next week, and on it rides the hopes of many waterfowlers for pulling out a good season in the remaining days.
Hello, folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
Snow geese are on the move! Reports from members and staff who participated in the Waterfowler.com Timber Hunt with Davy Crocket Guide Service report a major push of light geese moving through Northern Arkansas. Tuesday afternoon hunters around the Walnut Ridge area were treated to a real migration spectacle as light geese filled the sky from horizon to horizon for two solid hours. So if you are looking to extend your waterfowling by way of the special conservation season it looks as though the birds are on the move. Be sure to keep an eye on the Migration Map as the special season draws near, and stop by the Waterfowler.com Pro Shop to get geared up for what looks to be a promising spring snow goose season.
And now, on to the Migration Report.
PACIFIC FLYWAY
At long last the storms and winds have eased for waterfowlers along the west coast. Fog over the past few days has been both friend and foe, but all reports indicate an increase in bird numbers for the upper flyway. Recent rains have made hunting tough however as more and more fields and pastures have become flooded, providing waterfowl with more options to escape hunting pressure.
In the southern portions of the flyway bird numbers remain in the average range, as does hunter success. Late season birds have become somewhat tough to decoy. Hunters willing to adjust their tactics and scout out some nontraditional areas should have better luck.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
With the warm weather moving back in waters have again begun to thaw and there are even reports of geese being seen moving north. This trend is predicted to come to an abrupt halt this week however as a new arctic air mass drives down out of Canada. The mid tier central flyway states should continue to hold birds through the week, and perhaps even see a decent increase in waterfowl numbers, as birds that had drifted north with the thaw are forced to head back south by the approaching front.
The southern end of the flyway should also benefit from this next cold snap. Birds holding in Kansas and Nebraska are poised to make their way to Texas and Oklahoma if the weather provides the proper motivation by locking up shallow waters and dropping snow on grain fields.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
The majority of waterfowl in the flyway still appear to be holding at or above the Mason-Dixon Line. In fact teal and mallards are today being reported as far north as Minnesota. Last weeks cold snap did push a good number of light geese into Arkansas and points south, but duck numbers continue to lag behind historical averages throughout most of the southern flyway.
Record warm weather will be replaced by hard freezes this weekend and with the ice and cold hunters can expect some fresh birds to move down the flyway. In areas where hard freezes are expected hunters should have the best luck finding birds on small rivers and flowing waters as the birds wait out the thaw before returning to the fields to eat.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
The Northern states that remain open are still the best bet along the flyway, both for coastal and inland hunting. Mid coastal states have seen a significant drop in puddle duck numbers over the past week but word from their southern neighbors is that these birds sure didn’t move down the coast.
As might be expected the reports out of the southern flyway states is less than bright. Recent heavy rains have flooded significant portions of the region and the new water has spread puddle ducks there far and wide. Diver numbers are still very good in Florida. Layout hunting on large open water is producing limits more often than not.
Well, it seems as though we just got here, and now we are staring down the end of the season. Once again this year it has been a story of weird weather and wary birds. But success is measured in more ways than simple body count. A morning spent in the company of friends, the one bird dropping in at the last minute to erase the possibility of recording a “snunk”, or maybe the chance to share a barrel burner shoot with a first time waterfowler, any if these scenarios and many more make each and every season and treasure of memories that we will carry for the rest of our lives.
Until next week, be safe, enjoy the hunt, and take the time to enjoy all the aspects that make this the fine tradition we share.
