Migration Update – January 12, 2009
Late December storms continue to provide excellent shooting opportunities in the southern portions of the Central and Mississippi Flyways. After struggling through mild winters the past few seasons, waterfowl hunters in the south are rejoicing in increased duck numbers, bag limits and activity.

While hunters in the north may have been disappointed by the early departure of waterfowl, ducks are, as they should be, in the deep-south for the winter and Arkansas once again wears the crown, “Duck Capital of the World.” After nearly a decade of above average duck activity in Missouri, winter finally arrived in the “Show Me State” and waterfowl numbers were up 84% over 2007 through the month of December.

Goose hunting in the north slowed drastically through the holidays as snow continued to accumulate – forcing geese to move below the snowline in search of food. With only a few weeks remaining in the general waterfowl season, now is the time to begin planning for Spring Snow Goose hunting.

MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY:

Late December storms and freezing moved ducks and geese into the deep-south for the first weeks of the New Year. For the first time in nearly eight years, snow, ice and continued freezing temperatures have pushed the bulk of the mallard population south of Missouri and southern Illinois. Mallard numbers are good to excellent in western Kentucky and Tennessee, Arkansas and west-central Louisiana at this time. Heavy snow accumulation in the far north has moved Canada geese well below the snowline and late season goose hunting in the far north was fair at best – limited to areas with cooling lakes and strong local populations. From Arkansas to Louisiana white fronted goose and snow goose hunting is good to excellent – providing excellent hunting when duck activity slows or bag limits are filled.

CENTRAL FLYWAY:

Snow continues to pile up on the prairie, with areas of North Dakota having received over 40-inches of snow this winter – which will be welcome relief to wetlands this spring. While small pockets of Canada geese remain along the Missouri River corridor in both North and South Dakota, the bulk of dark geese have moved into Nebraska and Kansas and eastern Colorado. Mallard distribution has varied greatly in the southern half of the Central Flyway, with numbers average for this time of year from Nebraska to the Gulf Coast in eastern Texas. From Oklahoma south, gadwall, teal and pintail continue to fill the primary bag. Redhead numbers are at their season peak in coastal regions of Texas, with weather the primary role in hunter success.

PACIFIC FLYWAY:

Dangerous weather conditions, flooding and ongoing precipitation in Washington curtailed hunter activity the first week of the New Year along the Columbia basin. Hunter success on coastal areas increased dramatically with the weather and hunter success on divers and seas ducks was good to excellent. In Oregon, widgeon and mallard numbers are fair to good for this time of year, with goose numbers below average. In California, waterfowl numbers are good to excellent in the Sacramento Valley with teal, pintail and mallards providing the primary bag limit. In southern California, teal and pintail numbers are good to excellent and goose numbers average for this time of year. While populations are good to excellent, hunter success varies with the weather (as it always has).

ATLANTIC FLYWAY:

Late December storms increased duck numbers significantly in Massachusetts, Delaware, and New Jersey. Black duck numbers increased dramatically in all areas along with mallards, widgeon and diver species. Both light and dark goose numbers were good to excellent for this time of year and hunter success was excellent through the holidays. In the Carolinas, teal and wood duck numbers are good to excellent, with mallards fair. In South Carolina, goose hunting is good to excellent, with numbers average for this time of year. After struggling with drought conditions the past few seasons, hunters in Georgia are faced with high water conditions and ducks dispersed into recently flooded areas. Teal, wood duck and ring-necked duck numbers are good to excellent at this time, with all other species fair. In Florida, ring-necked duck and teal numbers are good to excellent at this time with gadwall fair.

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