The Atlantic Flyway is poised for a major migration as a brutal cold front races east across the upper east coast and the New England States.
Hello, folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
Winter looks to be coast hopping as the regular season winds down and the midsection of the country is staring down the barrel of a warming trend. From a nationwide perspective, suffice it to say there is a 100% chance of weather.
With the crazy weather and migration patterns of this season perhaps it is time to try your waterfowling luck in a new local, say, South Africa? Become a member of WFC before January 31, 2004, and you will be automatically entered in the drawing for a 5-day, 4-night adventure with Game Bird Safaris in South Africa. Current members are automatically entered; see our home page for full details.
While the memories are still fresh in your mind, and you can still locate the pictures from this season, why not share your stories with your fellow Members. Waterfowler.com is looking for tales, tall or true, from our Members. Submission guidelines are available on the WFC homepage. So dust off your writing hat and let us share your season with the rest of our waterfowling brethren.
Members, please check on your profile and update or renew your membership and member profile. With the latest issue of Waterfowler.com Journal heading to mailboxes and the light goose conservation order just around the corner, now is the time to make sure you are up to date and up to speed.
And now, on to the Migration Report.
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Most of the upper flyway will see a warming trend over the weekend and with it improved travel conditions, at least for hunters. Warmer weather will most likely mean a lower chance of any new bird movement, but in many areas of the upper flyway, just being able to reach the birds that are around should be enough for a good weekend of gunning.
Last week’s cold front looks to have moved fair numbers of both ducks and geese down the coast and into interior portions of the flyway. The Great Basin can expect cold temps to hang on for the weekend and with the cold weather bird activity should be high.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
The western and northern portions of the flyway have been seeing a strong movement of geese over the past week. From MT down to CO the reports coming in are of rising bird numbers and hunter success.
After a hard freeze-out, the central portion of the flyway has a small warming trend coming and could see some bodies of water reopen, thus holding waterfowl in the region.
Southern portions of the flyway saw a moderate increase in bird numbers and hunter success after the recent cold snap. Bird numbers will most likely remain stable over the weekend as the warming trend reduces pressure on birds to move south.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
Dark goose numbers in the upper flyway states continue to be strong. From Iowa down to southern IL and across to OH the goose migration is on. As snow returns to much of the Great Lakes region more southward movement of both ducks and geese can be expected, and with reports from WI still telling of large numbers of geese in that state the best may be yet to come for goose hunters in points south.
The states along the Mason/Dixon Line appear to have picked up a few more birds over the past week. Reports from AR and TN have been improving in most areas but are still below expectations for the late season. Further south, in MS and North LA, duck numbers have remained low, with only small pockets of higher concentrations being reported. Birds in these areas are reported to be very susceptible to pressure and likely as not to change feeding and loafing areas overnight. Light goose numbers are high in both areas.
Far southern portions of the flyway also report scattered increases in duck numbers with light geese in good supply across most of the area.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
The upper flyway is in the grip of a Clipper System that will most likely lock up all but coastal waters and drive ducks and geese out. High winds and frigid weather forecast for the coming days will make conditions treacherous from the northern border of the US to as far south as Virginia. Hunters in this region are urged to take extreme caution if they choose to venture out as the front moves through.
Mid- and southern portions of the flyway should expect a respectable push of birds this week as the strong front turns most waters in the northern flyway into skating rinks.
The large lady is in the wings warming up and with only two weekends left in the regular season the house lights are dimming. Light geese will become the name of the game soon as waterfowlers prepare to greet them on their northern migration. But as we all know, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” So keep faith, cross your fingers and make the most of the remainder of the season.
