With snow and ice building in northern states over the past week from a series of wintery weather systems, the waterfowl migration is progressing in grand fashion. With a mass of arctic air driving across the nation, temperatures and waterfowl are on the move to their most southerly destinations.
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With duck seasons closed or about to close in many northern states, weather has become the deciding factor in driving ducks and geese to their wintering grounds. The timing of the current arctic weather system couldn’t be better, and the size and path of the air mass is an absolute duck hunters dream.
While wind chills drop into the double-digit lows in the far north, a mixture of snow and ice will coat areas south of the Mason- Dixon line over the next few days. Increased waterfowl activity and cold weather feeding habits are expected to increase hunter success and duck numbers in the lower third of all four flyways. Waterfowler.com readers and members are encouraged to post their hunting reports and field observations as often as possible over the next few days as we track this major migration event.
As hunters in the north turn their attention to late-season goose hunting, areas with open water and active feeding fields will continue to provide hunting action throughout the holidays. Of course, duck seasons in the south will continue into late January and if you didn’t get enough duck hunting in this year, now is the time to book a last-minute waterfowl adventure to extend your hunting season.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY:
Winter has tightened its grip on the northern reaches of the flyway and hunters have turned their attention from ducks to Canada Geese. With the ice continuing to build in the north, geese are congregating near open water on river systems and cooling lakes. From Minnesota to Northeastern Illinois, late-season goose hunting has reached its peak in these areas and hunter success will vary with hunting pressure. Ducks are on the move again with the current weather systems. Mallard numbers in Eastern Missouri and West Central Illinois remain excellent but are expected to decline over the next few days as the snow and cold continue to drive them south. Goose numbers remain low in Kentucky for this time of year, and any increase will depend on snow cover to the north. While the current weather system is packed with frigid temperatures, the resulting precipitation may not be enough to move geese into the state. As a mix of snow and ice moves through Arkansas and Mississippi over the next few days, duck numbers are expected to increase dramatically. In Louisiana, hunter success will increase as new birds from the north join those that are educated, call-shy and pressured. Specific data on the current Mallard migration activity can be found at: http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/wtrfowl/migration.php
CENTRAL FLYWAY:
Sub-zero temperatures in the Dakotas is likely to move geese holding along the upper reaches of the Missouri River corridor, further south. While the snow-pack is light in the northern portion of the flyway, sustained below-zero temperatures can also ignite a migration event. Geese in Wyoming are expected to push into Colorado, where duck numbers remain good to excellent on widgeon, goldeneye and mallards. Duck and goose numbers are on the rise in the Texas Panhandle, Kansas and Oklahoma. As the arctic air dips in the southern reaches of the flyway, waterfowl numbers are expected to increase dramatically over the next few days, along with hunter success.
PACIFIC FLYWAY:
In Washington, duck numbers remain good to excellent but slightly below the usual numbers at this time last year. Goose numbers are also good to excellent in the northern third of the flyway with active feeding fields providing the best opportunities. Duck numbers are good to excellent from Oregon to the Great Salt Lake in Utah, and any open water in Idaho providing exceptional shooting. Duck numbers are good to excellent from the Klamath basin south. Hunting remains good to excellent in the Sacramento Valley and the weather that central and southern California hunters have been waiting for has arrived. Hunter success is expected to increase significantly over the next few days, as cooler temperatures ignite active feeding habits. In Nevada and Arizona, hunting remains good for this time of year, with waterfowl numbers increasing from the current front. Hunter success is expected to increase over the next few days as birds move in from the north.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY:
Snow and ice continue to build in the northeast, with open water providing limited action from Pennsylvania to Maine. Duck numbers are best in the coastal states with excellent activity in New Jersey at this time. Duck numbers are fair to good in the Carolinas with goose numbers low for this time of year. With ice and snow expected to accumulate further in the north, waterfowl numbers are expected to increase significantly in the southern half of the flyway over the next few days as the front passes through. Wood ducks, teal and ring-necked numbers remain good to excellent in Alabama, Georgia and northern Florida.
Waterfowler.com would like to remind our readers to take precautions when heading to the field over the next few days. Frigid temperatures, ice, snow and high-winds can create dangerous hunting and travel conditions that can be life threatening. Please take care and exercise good judgment when heading to the field during severe weather.
Until our next report, hunt safe and hunt often.
