Winter? From snowsuits to short pants, winter came and went for much of the US this past week. Warm weather has begun thawing out frozen fields and lakes and everyone is wondering just how the ducks and geese are going to react.
Hello folks, and as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
With a new year just ahead, Waterfowler.com wants to thank all our members for their support during 2004. Happy New Year to all, and may 2005 bring the best to all our members and guests and to the North American Waterfowl which brings us all together.
In many areas, more than half of the regular waterfowl season is still ahead and the light goose conservation season is still to come. Be sure to renew your Waterfowler.com Membership to keep up with the latest news and migration activity as the peak of the season gets underway and the light geese build up for their return migration.
And now, on to the Migration Report
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Cooler weather will move into the upper flyway by the beginning of the New Year. Below average temps for much of the upper flyway should improve bird numbers as the first week of 2005 gets under way.
Bird numbers in the upper flyway have been fair, but concentrations have been scattered and very susceptible to hunting pressure. The next round of cold weather is likely to move new birds into both coastal and inland portions of the upper and central areas of the flyway.
Southern sections of the flyway should also see a rise in waterfowl numbers as the temperatures drop in the northern tier and a storm system moves in off the California coast.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
The current warming trend for most of the flyway will have ice melting and waters opening back up. Birds are likely to retreat back north somewhat as the warm weather moves in.
Dark goose numbers remain high in Montana, but as you move east bird numbers decline and become widely scattered from the Dakotas down through the Kansas/Nebraska region. Bird numbers on the Platte River have been good, though the concentrations are reported to be somewhat scattered. During the last cold front, hunting along rivers was producing well—but as small waters thaw, waterfowl are likely to disperse into those areas.
Southern flyway states continue to report better than average bird numbers. Though some areas are wondering if they have been cut off or flown over, the general picture from most of Texas and New Mexico is of huntable numbers of ducks and geese. There have, however, already been reports of large waterfowl concentrations showing up in northern portions of Mexico.
Until cold weather returns, migration and general waterfowl activity is likely to be slow for much of the mid- and lower portions of the flyway.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
With temperatures as much as twenty degrees above normal for upper portions of the flyway migration activity is like to slow down dramatically.
Last week’s snowstorm drove good numbers of ducks south, but as the thaw continues, birds are not likely to make any major pushes south.
The good news is that, even as late as this week, new birds from the north have been showing up in northern tier states where the season is already closed. Unpressured, these birds should be easier to hunt once winter drives them down below the firing line.
Canada Goose numbers in the upper flyway are still strong and general waterfowl concentrations in the eastern upper flyway have remained good despite last week’s hard freeze.
Southern areas of the flyway had new birds last week, but many areas also found their fields and sloughs frozen and unhuntable. During the freeze the open waters of area rivers were producing good hunts, but as the weather warmed and fields thawed, birds moved back out to feed and appear to have dispersed throughout the region. With warm weather and rain on tap for the coming week, hunting conditions are less than optimal for the lower flyway. Birds that remain in the area are less likely to be in active feeding patterns as the warm front hangs on.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
Above average temperatures are moving into the upper flyway this week. With the warming trend, small waters will see a slight thaw and bird concentrations that have been holding on the open waters are likely to spread out across the region.
Mid-flyway states saw a moderate rise in waterfowl numbers during the Christmas cold front. Highest bird concentrations have been in select areas along the North Carolina coast, though even here birds appear to be congregating in almost random locations. From one marsh to the next, reports are as varied as they come. While one hunter sees the skies filled with birds another waterfowler a mile or less away is reporting empty skies from dawn to dusk. Scouting, mobility and pressure management will be vital to hunting success until cold weather returns after the New Year.
Southern flyway states have seen small increases in duck numbers but here again, birds are spread thin across most areas. Alternative decoy spreads, varied calling techniques and secluded waters are the best bet for the southern flyway until new birds move down the coast.
Happy New Year from all of us at Waterfowler.com. Be safe, have fun and may 2005 be a year of joy, health and happiness for all.
