The strong front that poured down out of Canada this past week sent temperatures dropping and teal on the way south.
Hello folks, and as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com
As individual states began releasing their finalized waterfowl seasons for 2002-2003 a strong autumn-like front moved down through the heartland. With a taste of fall in the air and upcoming season dates etched in their minds, waterfowlers hit their favorite fall haunts to see what was borne to them on the high winds of the first hint of fall.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission announced last week that their state would voluntarily reduce bag limits for the upcoming season, setting their limit at five ducks total, not to include more than three mallards, no more than one of which may be a hen.
On the Northern end of the flyway several State Wildlife agencies opted not to take the newly allowed early opening date as set forth by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife service.
Many states have yet to announce their seasons, and serious questions about erring towards conservation are being debated in California and several other states. Be sure to check back with us often, as news of final seasons and bag limits continue to come in.
And now, on to the Migration Report.
The strong front that pushed down through the plains last week brought a new wave of teal to the lower end of the Mississippi Flyway. Reports from as far south as coastal Louisiana tell of increasing numbers of blue wings on the marsh.
Further north, hunters scouting their favorite teal spots in Missouri now confirm a strong push of the early season birds holding in lakes and sloughs throughout the state. Now the question is whether the birds will hang around for opening day or beat it down to Mexico before the opening bell rings. As with any other year, the waterfowl season of 2002-2003 is shaping up to be a story of weather and timing. In less than a month, in the wildlands of Canada the first chapter of this year’s story will unfold. And as the march of autumn moves south, hunters eagerly await their chance to greet their long absent friends who bring with them the efforts of spring and the promise of winter to come.
