Early Season Leg Bands – Member Photo Credit Swamp Gas
As the tropical depression left by the remnants of hurricane Isaac continues to slowly move north, much need rain will fall on drought stricken areas within the Mississippi Flyway. While waterfowl habitat and many hunting seasons will be salvaged by the onslaught of precipitation, it comes at the price of devastation for those in coastal areas of the storms path. Our heartfelt concerns are with those crippled with loss that was caused by hurricane Isaac and we encourage our members to provide support to recovery efforts in those areas.
Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com
On the eve of the annual Dove Opener and official start of the fall hunting season in many states, the events surrounding hurricane Isaac remind us that Mother Nature is both unpredictable and unforgiving. Duck season will be saved in many areas by the storm but it comes at the expense of great loss.
At this time the storm is moving very slowly north and refueling wetlands along the Mississippi Valley just as the teal migration is beginning. The path of the tropical depression is expected to drop 2 to 4 inches rainfall across parts of Arkansas, Missouri and the Ohio Valley with some areas recording as much as 4 to 6 inches. While this will not put an end to the drought by any stretch, the relief will be welcome with open arms by many.
For areas outside the path of the storm, hunting season will begin. Hunters in many states will take to the field for morning doves or resident Canada geese this weekend and the official countdown clock to the general waterfowl season will begin.
Waterfowler.com welcomes our readers back for another season of migration tracking and reporting and we encourage you to visit our expanded access areas of the forums to share your hunting adventures, tips and tactics.
Hunters that are heading to the field this weekend in pursuit of waterfowl in areas of the corn-belt should be CAUTIONED that at this time many farmers are mowing drought stricken fields to fulfill requirements for crop relief and insurance claims. By FEDERAL definition this is not standard agricultural practice and these fields are considered to be BAITED areas when hunting Migratory Waterfowl.
Waterfowler.com WARNS our readers to take extra precautions and scout areas surrounding your hunting spots to insure you are not in close proximity to areas that are considered baited. It should be noted that there are no prescribed or definitive distances regarding the proximity of hunting near baited areas. If you discover a mowed or manipulated field near your hunting spot, contact your conservation law enforcement officials and obtain their assessment before you hunt and understand that ignorance is not a valid defense when trying to avoid this type of violation and associated fines.
Until our next report, hunt safe and hunt often. The season is here.
