Category: Migration Updates

Pacific Flyway:

The “Good Old Days” are back in California. What has been classified by most as the best opener in seven years surely foreshadows a great season ahead for California hunters. While Klamath Basin hunters are shaking their heads about current water management policies, hunters throughout the Sacramento Valley are ready to capitalize on the resulting dispersal of migrating fowl. While mallard, sprig and cotton-tops comprised a good portion of the bag in northern California, green-wing teal provided the hottest shooting from the far north to the extreme southern portions of the state. Speckle Belly numbers are reported in the tens-of-thousands at the Sac. NWR and reports from Oregon have more birds moving south past Klamath. Continue reading

For those practicing voluntary restraint on long-billed, chicken footed, pint-sized, toothy, non-duck species, here is a run down of happenings across the Continent:

Pacific Flyway:

The first reports of Snow Geese are finally drifting in from Alaska. Full-plumage divers are starting to arrive around the Kenai Peninsula — including Golden Eye, Scaup and Bufflehead. Fall temperatures persist throughout much of a frost-free southern Alaska that is still holding fair numbers of teal. In the lower forty-eight, Youth Seasons are wrapping up and General Seasons is fast approaching. Scouting has made the difference in success for those who have had the opportunity to venture afield during the early goose seasons and youth hunts. Harvest reports are as spotty as wetlands in the Pacific Northwest leaving hunters still hoping for a windfall of precipitation. In California, Speckle Belly Goose numbers continue to build in the north and the first Teal and Sprig sightings are trickling in. Continue reading

Pacific Flyway:

A silver lining was found in the cloudy prediction of a poor season for hunters in the Pacific Northwest. Despite continued dry conditions rains are beginning to fall and those who find water are finding ducks — and lots of them. Teal, widgeon, pintail and mallards comprised the bulk of mixed bags from Washington into Montana. The recent cold front brought skim ice and a few early migrants into Oregon making for a chilly but productive opener. Goose numbers are building throughout the flyway and teal and speckle-belly goose numbers continue to rise in California. Current scouting reports from California indicate that good conditions and numbers for this weekend’s opener. Continue reading

September rains across the country are providing much needed water to key way-points in migration routes. Thanks to the cooperation of Mother Nature things are improving on drought stricken areas and predictability and normalcy are returning to the migration equation. Notable exceptions would include Arkansas and North Dakota — which has been losing water for the past two months.

Under cover of darkness, Teal bugged out of the prairie in two major movements last week. The first occurred exodus occurred around 8th and the second during the later part of the week. Consistent pockets of teal activity are reported moving down the Central and Mississippi Flyways. For the first time since the season opener, states offering early seasons reported exceptional harvests. Continue reading

September rains across the country are providing much needed water to key way-points in migration routes. Thanks to the cooperation of Mother Nature things are improving on drought stricken areas and predictability and normalcy are returning to the migration equation. Notable exceptions would include Arkansas and North Dakota — which has been losing water for the past two months.

Under cover of darkness, Teal bugged out of the prairie in two major movements last week. The first occurred exodus occurred around 8th and the second during the later part of the week. Consistent pockets of teal activity are reported moving down the Central and Mississippi Flyways. For the first time since the season opener, states offering early seasons reported exceptional harvests. Continue reading

September rains across the country are providing much needed water to key way-points in migration routes. Thanks to the cooperation of Mother Nature things are improving on drought stricken areas and predictability and normalcy are returning to the migration equation. Notable exceptions would include Arkansas and North Dakota — which has been losing water for the past two months.

Under cover of darkness, Teal bugged out of the prairie in two major movements last week. The first occurred exodus occurred around 8th and the second during the later part of the week. Consistent pockets of teal activity are reported moving down the Central and Mississippi Flyways. For the first time since the season opener, states offering early seasons reported exceptional harvests. Continue reading

A quick rundown of the current U.S. Drought Monitor Map illustrates the start of what could be the most complex migration Waterfowler.com has monitored since we began tracking the North American Waterfowl Migration four seasons ago.

For starters, water conditions across much of the Prairie Pothole region is normal to above average. Food sources are abundant and if you are heading to Canada, the Dakotas or Western Minnesota during the early part of the season you will likely experience some incredible hunting opportunity. Continue reading