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On the cusp of the season’s first hard snow storms in the north, the first major migration event of the year will collide with opening of gun deer season in many northern states. The storm system that is predicted to dump snow from the Rockies to the Twin cities is expected to ignite migration activity across the Central and Mississippi Flyways over the weekend. As the storm moves northeast over the Great Lakes towards Ontario, activity in the Atlantic Flyway should increase during the early part of coming week for hunters in the northeast.

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This past week the best hunting of the season continued in the northern tier of the U.S. as birds trickled down the flyways away from freezing temperatures. As the first widespread snowstorm hits north portions of the lower forty-eight this weekend, migration activity is expected to peak as the exodus of lingering waterfowl begins and ducks and geese head south. Continue reading

With freezing temperatures locking up water in parts of North Dakota and snow accumulation in British Columbia, parts of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, migration activity kicked into high gear this past week as northern hunters enjoyed the first hard push of the season. Ducks were on the move through most of the central and western parts of the nation. With a warming trend expected over the next week, hunters should have an opportunity to capitalize on this activity before it is pushed too far south.

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It was a good week to be a duck hunter in the northern tier this week. Duck activity was near peak levels in the northern border-states and good to excellent as far south as 40 th parallel for mallards and other late moving species. Continue reading

Warmer weather across the central Plains and upper Midwest have slowed hunter success over the past week, as blue-winged teal have continued to move south into states where seasons are now closed. Ringed-neck duck numbers are slow to build in the north with wood duck numbers and local mallards comprising the primary bag limits. Hunting in North Dakota remain good to excellent in most areas, and Canada Goose numbers continue to increase across the northern portions of both the Central and Mississippi flyways.

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Canada Geese are steadily moving into far northern states across the nation, with Canada goose numbers on the rise from Washington all the way to Maine. Hunters experiencing a lull in duck hunting action should consider a change of tactics this weekend to take advantage of increased goose activity. With the U.S. grain harvest in full swing across the northern tier, fresh cut fields are providing active feeding areas for arriving geese and great hunting opportunity. Continue reading

The great migration marathon delivered a number of exciting moments this past week, thanks to a few freakish snowstorms across the nation. As snow pounded the northeast and the central Rocky Mountain States, duck moving weather, winds and colder temperatures fueled duck activity along the west coast. While migration events and activity increased in nearly every flyway, the epic flights everyone was hoping for did not materialize.

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Each and every year the early season lull takes its toll on the confidence and dedication of the hardcore waterfowl hunter. The burst of opening days shots eventually subside and waterfowl activity appears to slow and the mantra of the duck hunter becomes, “where are the ducks?” Continue reading

Mallards have begun to move out of Canada according to the latest Mallard Migration Status map from the Missouri Department of Conservation. Mallard numbers have increased in northwestern North Dakota, as well as central Minnesota. Drought Conditions across the eastern Central Flyway and western Mississippi Flyway continue to impact waterfowl distribution at this time, with the bulk of migration birds sticking to river systems and large water impoundments.

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As gadwall, pintail, teal and widgeon creep slowly to the south in the Central Flyway, their options for good habitat diminish quickly. There are many concerns amongst waterfowl biologists that even if birds push to coastal marshes in the south, their need for inland fresh water will not be met on traditional wintering grounds. While some predict birds will continue south into Mexico, and others hope drift east to Louisiana or Mississippi, wherever the birds end up the hunting will be simply off the charts. Continue reading

The minor cold front that dipped into the U.S. over the past week from Canada brought heavy flights of Cackling (Hutchinson’s) geese to the upper Mississippi Flyway. Divers are slowly moving into the upper parts of the Central and Mississippi Flyways – with the most notable activity from red heads and ring-necked ducks.

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The anticipated cold front arrived this past week but did little to fuel any massive migration of ducks as many had hoped. Continued hunting pressure and harvest continue to thin duck numbers in the north and the great “trickle” migration is underway until the next major cold front. Continue reading

The 2011 waterfowl migration is in constant motion. Ring-necked ducks are beginning to appear in the northern border-states in greater numbers and each weekend greets another opening day in an addition state – including parts of Illinois, Indiana and Washington this weekend. Green-winged teal activity has also increased across the north along with continued Canada goose numbers in most areas.

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The next cold front is developing expected to push down from Canada early next week. Cooler temperatures in the north this weekend are expected to help in crease waterfowl activity and improve hunter success as a result in the western and central parts of the United States. Soggy conditions in the Mid-Atlantic and New England states will likely result in low hunter success over the weekend in areas with constant rainfall. Rain showers will likely plague hunter success on Sunday in parts of the Mississippi Flyway but the steady precipitation will be welcome by hunters who are struggling with low water conditions. Continue reading

The first flights of sandhill cranes arrived in North Dakota this past week, and the great brown duck shoot is underway in many northern states. Hunters in Minnesota and Wisconsin are reporting a primary bag of wood ducks and teal, with green-winged teal numbers increasing over the previous weeks.

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As we approach the first weekend in October cool, wet weather in the upper Midwest has brought rain to many areas in need of water. While the few inches that fell over the Great Lakes region will improve conditions slightly, most areas in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa remain below normal water levels. Hunters using mud motors and shallow running boats are reaping the harvest in areas where access is limited by low water. While bird numbers are fair to good in most areas, hunter success has varied greatly due to habitat conditions. Continue reading