The upcoming Holiday weekend has the potential to leave a lot of waterfowlers thankful for the extra day off as the migration for most of the US looks to be kicking into high gear.
Hello, folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
Big meals, family and new ducks, this Thanksgiving holiday is shaping up to be a feast on several fronts. With their blind bags stuffed with turkey sandwiches, waterfowlers across the US will hit the field for a long weekend of promising waterfowling.
Among waterfowlers, autumn, not spring, is the time of renewal. Falling leaves and the return of migrating waterfowl restore our spirits and reassure us that the rhythm of the wilds is unbroken. So it is that this is the time of year for many WFC users to renew their membership. As the fronts continue to line up and drive birds south, be sure to check your user profile and renew your membership today. With Field Reports, Migration Alerts, Migration Maps and all the latest news from the world of waterfowling right at your fingertips, membership to Waterfowler.com is a tool you wouldn’t want to be without.
The Member-Get-A-Member Graveyard Dead goose calls went out this week. Thanks to all our members who have thus far taken part in this program.
And now, on to the Migration Report.
PACIFIC FLYWAY
Cold, rain and snow are on tap for much of the upper flyway this week and into the Thanksgiving weekend. The most recent front appears to have brought in a new batch of birds and the current weather system should reinforce their numbers. Eastern portions of the flyway will be best suited for river and field hunting as many small lakes and sloughs lock up in the cold weather. On the west side, hunters are still having good success on bays and rivers as the birds move down out of B.C.
Southern portions of the flyway are starting to see the first real push of “northern” birds as the waves of cold fronts continue to move into the northern flyway. Bird numbers in the western portions have been on a slow rise while numbers on the eastern portion of the lower flyway have seen a sharper increase due to the influence of weather in the central flyway.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
Snowfall across SD has birds in good supply for the mid-flyway states. Large flights of ducks and geese on the move were reported over the past few days as the most recent front moved through. Temperatures will begin to moderate over the next few days, so birds that have moved into the area should stick around for the holiday festivities.
Lesser geese are thick in North TX and Southern OK and their numbers should remain high through the week. East TX has seen a rise in puddle duck numbers with Gadwall leading the pack. Along the coast, divers, particularly Redheads are beginning to hold in large concentrations.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY
The Northern tier of the flyway reported a major movement of birds over the past three days. Along the major rivers hunters witnessed a significant movement of mallards as the sun set Sunday evening. The downside is that it appears that most of the birds are stopping only briefly before making for points south.
For the eastern portions of the upper flyway, it looks as though the birds were running late. Hunters who had expected a major push ahead of the front went home disappointed but those undaunted souls who went back out early this week found new birds in the wake of the front. Goose and duck concentrations are reported to be on the rise for the eastern upper flyway, with the concentrations building near the Ohio River.
Mid-tier states got a fresh batch of birds over the weekend. MO and KY both reported new birds and better shooting as the front moved in. Some increase can still be expected over the next few days in the mid-level states.
The southern end of the flyway faired well this weekend. Last week’s rains helped conditions in many areas and the approaching front brought birds to much of AR and northern MS. Though the weather was warm, hunter success was high in areas where water could be found, or bought. Along the coast, teal numbers are again climbing, with gadwall running a close second on most game straps.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY
The upper flyway, as odd as it may seem, is still seeing fair numbers of teal. Buffleheads, Bills and Blacks are also still in good supply for much of the region. Snow and high winds forecast along the Canadian border for the upcoming week has the potential of moving birds.
Ringnecks are thick through most of the mid-coastal states. Hunters from those areas are reporting large rafts of the little rockets on both fresh and saltwater. Mallards are still moving down the flyway at a trickle, but should begin to appear in better numbers as the week progresses.
The lower end of the flyway is also reporting a strong flight of ringnecks and other small divers. Teal numbers have also started what appears to be a steep rise over the past several days. Weekend gunning for small, fast birds should be good for most of the lower flyway.
The Holiday Season is here, and for many across the nation it comes with extra time to get out to the blind and share time with friends and family. Soon, Santa will be deluged with mail from waterfowlers chronicling their good behavior. The season of giving is fast approaching and waterfowlers are in high hopes that Santa has a sack full of ducks for each of them. And none of them would mind a bit if he let them have their presents a little early.
