Category: Migration Updates

With less than a few weeks remaining in the 2006 – 2007 general waterfowl season, warmer temperatures across the U.S. have slowed hunter success in some southern states, and provided unexpected late-season action for those in the middle tiers.

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With the spring snow goose season fast approaching, if you haven’t made plans to take advantage of the Spring Conservation Action, now is the time. Snow goose numbers through the Central and Mississippi Flyways continue to rise each year and your participation is both needed and encouraged. As always, Waterfowler.com will feature our spring snow goose tracking system on the WFC homepage and we look forward to reading your reports and field observations. Continue reading

As weather warms across the U.S., waterfowl activity has slowed in many southern regions. While there is no shortage of ducks in many areas, hunting pressure and warmer temperatures are fueling increased nocturnal activities for many waterfowl.

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The reverse migration is on in the Central and Mississippi Flyways, as waterfowl ride the prevailing southerly winds back north to feed. As snow and ice recede in the north, waterfowl seem to be re-appearing as quickly as they disappeared.

Hardy mallards that remained north along open river systems, are dispersing to thawing marshes and flooded fields as the snow and ice begin to melt. While hunters in the central tier are getting a second chance at late season birds, southern states will struggle for easy bag limits until the next cold front. Continue reading

The classic clipper system that moved through the U.S. last week ignited one of the most powerful migrations in recent years. As the snow settles and arctic air moves into the north, resident Canada Geese are all that remain in the northern parts of the Central and Mississippi flyways.

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As temperatures plummet across the U.S. the next few days, migration activity is expected to continue as even the hardiest of mallards and geese journey further south. As expected, last week was an amazing time to be a duck hunter if you happened to be in the field, or on the water as the peak of the migration occurred. Reports have poured into WFC over the past few days and with the help of our members’ field observations, the drought monitor and pressure front maps, current waterfowl distribution is as follows: Continue reading

A major weather system moving across U.S. has ignited migration activity in all four flyways. Snow geese are on the move in the Central Flyway, and surging towards their southern most wintering grounds. Waves of ducks have been reported on the move from Colorado, throughout the Great Lakes.

Reports from central and southern portions of all four flyways indicate increased migration activity ahead of the winter weather, with a second wave of birds moving down behind the system.

Waterfowler.com readers are encouraged to submit field reports as often as possible over the next few days to assist in monitoring this major migration event.

With heavy rains along both coasts and a warming trend in the central U.S., a nationwide stall in migration may be on the menu for the coming holiday weekend.

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Thanksgiving weekend marks the height of the nation’s general waterfowl season. With few exceptions, duck and goose hunting is underway from the Canadian border to the Gulf coast. Thus far this season, cooler temperatures have prevailed throughout the north, and migration has progressed in a steady fashion. The bulk of early migrators — including widgeon, gadwall, teal, pintail and spoonbills — are already at their southern most destinations in the Central and Mississippi Flyways. At this time, duck numbers in Louisiana are four times above the long-term average for this time of year, however mallards are far to the north – hugging the hard-freeze line. Continue reading

With a new cold front expected to travel across the U.S. this weekend, waterfowl activity is bound to increase. If the front proves to be severe, the first big push of the season will be on.

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As central and southern states prepare for opening day in the coming weeks, hunting continues in the north as duck and goose hunters await the first artic winds and the big push of mallards.

Across the US, the majority of early migrants, including gadwall, pintail, widgeon, ring-necked ducks and teal, are moving south in force – ahead of normal schedules.

Scaup, canvasback and other divers are pushing the calendar as well, with waterfowl surveys in many areas reporting above average numbers for this time of year. Continue reading

Below average temperatures across the U.S. are moving ducks and geese consistently in all four flyways. From Skagit Bay in Washington to the eastern seaboard, waterfowl hunters are thanking Mother Nature for fueling one of the best duck seasons of the new millennium.

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After struggling through the past few seasons, waterfowl hunters are reaping the harvest of good spring hatch and favorable weather conditions. With the jet stream flowing in a winter-like fashion, ducks and geese are being swept off their breeding grounds and driven to warmer, southerly destinations. Continue reading

As cold air slides out Canada this week, ducks are on the move in Manitoba. Green-winged teal and wood ducks are starting to bug out of their northern haunts, and ring-necked ducks are passing through the Great Lakes regions — providing spectacular early season diver hunting for big water hunters from Minnesota to New York.

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Hunter reports from Canada continue to rave about the abundance of waterfowl this season. Duck hunters in Southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan are reporting excellent success and a noticeable increase in pintail numbers over previous years. Continue reading