Category: Migration Updates

With the previous cold front behind us, ‘Indian Summer’ returns to many northern states in the Central and Mississippi Flyways. A tapestry of fall color is exploding in the north as the echo of gunfire accents these marvelous autumn landscapes.

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The general waterfowl season is underway for many hunters and opening weekend reports ranged from good to excellent in most areas. Outstanding reports continue to roll in from Canada, so the best is yet to come for the lower forty-eight.

Thanks to the cooler weather trends in late September, migration patterns appear to be back on track compared to previous years. Ringneck, gadwall, widgeon and pintail are on the move, and teal are stacking up in the south. Local mallard and wood duck populations are rounding out the bag for many hunters in the north – with local populations strong in most areas. Continue reading

This weekend’s blustery weather brought snow to the prairie, flooding in Kentucky and much needed rain to many parts of the Central and Mississippi Flyways. The resident season in North Dakota is underway, and the countdown to opening day is ticking for many northern waterfowl hunters.

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Below average temperatures across the U.S. have spawned excitement and anticipation in waterfowl hunters. Web traffic on WFC has been surging since September 1st , and the volume of state-by-state field reports has followed suit.

Hunters in Canada are reporting excellent hunting and waterfowl numbers and it’s only a matter of time before the whistling wings of northern flights begin to arrive. Continue reading

With early resident Canada goose seasons already closed in the north, the first migrant geese have already begun to arrive. Early teal seasons are underway, and much needed rain is falling in the Central and Mississippi Flyways. This coming weekend marks the start of Youth hunting days in many states and Opening Day is about to commence for North Dakota waterfowl hunters.

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Guns are blazing in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and waterfowl hunters in Canada are reporting incredible success and number of birds. Throughout the Mississippi Flyway, teal numbers are above the long-term average for this time of year and hunter success is high. It’s truly shaping up to be a banner year for waterfowl hunting. Continue reading

Early goose and teal seasons are underway in the north and teal numbers in the upper Mississippi flyway are being reported well above the ten-year average. With the general Waterfowl season less than a month away in northern states, avid waterfowl hunters are preparing for the coming season and prepping for what could be the best fall flight since 1999.

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Waterfowler.com is excited to announce that the most progressive hunting magazine in the outdoor industry, Waterfowler.com Journal, is getting an upgrade.

That’s right, Waterfowler.com Journal print magazine is leaving paper behind and will now be featured on DVD! Continue reading

With the eve of early goose seasons and the dove opener just one week away, we can finally put the off-season to bed. It’s time to blow the dust out of the barrels, unleash the hounds and head to the field.

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In the north, the silent summer skies are gone. The early morning and evening flights of Canada Geese increase each day. Their familiar calls capture the attention of the avid waterfowl hunter and seem to beckon them back to their roots. September is here. It is our time — our time to escape; our time to pursue; our time with friends; our time to wrap ourselves in the passion we call hunting and rejuvenate our souls. Yep, it’s go time. Thank God. Continue reading

U.S. Fish and Wildlife offers liberal seasons for all four flyways. At a press briefing today with top officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Migratory Game Bird Division announced the offering of liberal waterfowl season framework packages for all four flyways in the U.S.

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Before we get to the meat of the announcement, Waterfowler.com would like to give all our members a heads-up. Be on the lookout for a special money savings coupon from Mack’s Prairie Wings. Early next week Waterfowler.com members will receive a members only exclusive discount from Mack’s, just in time to gear up for the season ahead. Continue reading

Here today and gone tomorrow – that’s the story of water levels throughout the Central Flyway. While there was ample precipitation during the breeding season, water is quickly evaporating on the prairie and drought conditions are worsening.

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With early teal, wood duck and goose seasons just over a month away, WFC staff has turned a watchful eye to the coming season and migration conditions. While the Pacific, Atlantic and Great Lakes regions have received normal precipitation this year, most of the Central Flyway is losing water – fast.

According to the current Drought Monitor Map (link below), the drought trend is predicted to continue in the central United States, which could indicate an above average season for the eastern portion of the Mississippi Flyway. Continue reading

Special Report – DUCK NUMBERS UP! – July 5, 2006 – The numbers are in, and for most species the news is good. Overall, waterfowl populations rose 14% from the 2005 survey and remain 9% above the 1955-2005 average. Pond counts also improved in key areas of prairie Canada this year, rising 13% from last year to 4.2 Million ponds. The same 13% increase was seen in total ponds over the US and Canada. The report does include some cautionary notes, indicating a drying cycle for many areas of the US breeding grounds that began shortly after the surveys were completed.

There are some troubling numbers within the survey, however. Wigeon and scaup numbers have continued to decline and remain significantly below their long term averages (LTA). Pintail also remain below their LTA but saw an increase of 32% from the 2005 survey. Continue reading