Duck Season Results 2003

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DU REPORTS ON DUCK SEASONS…HUNTERS HAD MIXED SUCCESS
by Steve McCadams
www.stevemccadams.com

"The 2003-04 waterfowl season could be summed up as one of extremes. Hunters either had one of their best or worst seasons, and there wasn't much middle ground among most of the hunters I spoke with," said Chad Manlove, Ducks Unlimited regional biologist. When "ducky" conditions (winds associated with cold fronts) presented themselves, many regions of the country experienced outstanding hunting.

Although ducks numbers were up compared to the last couple of years http://www.ducks.org/news/2003DuckNumbersUp.asp , populations remain below the strong fall flights observed in the late 1990's. Consistent shooting was rare, as Mother Nature continued to challenge duck hunters across all four flyways, particularly those in southern portions of the Central and Mississippi migration corridors. Not unlike the last two years, unfrozen lakes, ponds, and streams over large portions of the upper flyways held large concentrations of ducks and geese throughout much of the season. In fact, according to the state waterfowl surveys conducted in mid-December, nearly four million birds remained scattered across nine states in the upper Central and Mississippi Flyways before the New Year.

Yet, portions of all the flyways had their "golden moments" throughout the season, providing memories that will last a lifetime. Let's learn more about what DU biologists and others heard a-field from duck blinds across the nation this season:

MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY

Upper flyway:

According to Dr. Bob Hoffman, director of DU's Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office in Ann Arbor, Michigan: "The waterfowl season in the Great Lakes region was considered average by most with good to excellent success late in the season when strong weather fronts moved birds southward. With mild weather during most of the season, migration patterns in the Great Lakes states were considered atypical. In Ohio, for example, dabbler migration was slightly above the long-term and 5-year average but peaked one month later."

According to DU Regional Biologist John Coluccy: "The report from Wisconsin and surrounding areas was dry, dry, dry. Water condition throughout most of the area was poor as a result of below average fall/winter precipitation. According to survey data from the Upper Mississippi River NWR, a big push of waterfowl (400,000) occurred the last week of October.

Peak numbers (538,000) were reported the first week of November and large numbers (412,000) were maintained through the following week. Good numbers of divers were reported (307,000 canvasbacks and 132,000 scaup). Cold weather began to move birds out the 3rd week of November and about 255,000 birds remained. Low numbers were recorded the 1st and 2nd week of December as cold weather pushed all but the hangers on southward. In general, cold weather in early November moved good numbers of migratory waterfowl into Wisconsin. Good numbers of geese, canvasbacks and scaup were reported and hunters reported some excellent hunting. Cold fronts during the third week of November provided migration conditions that were described as, 'too good.'

Strong weather systems combined with cold temperatures froze primary staging areas such as Horicon Marsh, resulting in migrating waterfowl overshooting Wisconsin and continuing more southern destinations. However, Canada geese remained at near peak population levels at Horicon Marsh. The word was that waterfowling was spotty and you needed to be out virtually every day of the season to catch flight days.

Missouri and Illinois experienced average hunting with some areas above average. Several Missouri Department of Conservation Waterfowl Areas averaged almost 3 birds per man/per day for much of the season. Illinois had good duck numbers for most of the season and excellent hunting in some locales. Strong Canada goose hunting occurred late in northern zones of both states," Coluccy added.

Lower flyway:

According to Regional Biologist Mike Checkett, the season began with high hopes and expectations in the Mid-South: "Early cold fronts provided good shooting opportunities from the start and northern states were able to take advantage of much of the 60-day season as warm temperatures provided open water throughout much of the flyway well into December.

Early teal seasons started with reports of good to excellent shooting of the fast-flyers in many areas along the Mississippi River Valley. This initial success contributed to raising hunters' expectations for a fast and furious regular duck season. Mother Nature had other plans."

By late season, Missouri was still holding an estimated 443,000 ducks, (higher than last year, but about the same as the year before). The state's historic early-January surveys range from 85,700 to 714,000. The 2004 numbers reflect a slightly higher than average number of staging birds for the time period. These hardy birds remained in the "Show-Me" state because the lack of snow and available open water provided ample food resources for their energy needs.

Checkett added, "In Arkansas, snow and white-fronted geese were in high numbers all season. Duck numbers were decent at times but with the very mild temps statewide, coupled with extremely dry conditions, they were not very active and it was difficult to hold ducks for long. The Mid-south lost a lot of the early migrants due to these dry conditions and the heavy shooting pressure."

According to DU Sr. Regional Director Doug Lasher, "North Alabama and the Tennessee River Valley had a fair season. Although I spoke with some frustrated hunters, most were shooting ducks, including mallards, just not with the frequency any hunter might wish for.

There would be a periods of good shooting as new birds arrived, but the action tapered off quickly in most of the prime waterfowling spots. The last few days of the season brought large numbers of ducks, (mallards in particular) on the Wheeler NWR and I heard quite a few reports of Canvasbacks being taken on the Tennessee River as well."

Overall, the season in the southern portions of the Mississippi flyway was better than the last two years. Those hunters that were willing to scout and locate new hunting locations did fairly well throughout the season. Duck clubs that were able to pump water early in the season enjoyed consistent shooting. Permanent water bodies (i.e., oxbow lakes or cypress/tupelo brakes) held good numbers of ducks as well.

Hunting conditions, however, were not ideal. DU Regional Biologist Chad Manlove explains: "The Mississippi Delta was very dry nearly all season. Warm weather patterns prevented 'new birds' from migrating farther south. Temperatures reached as high as the mid-70s during Christmas week, which is very un-seasonal for Mississippi.

Hunters that had access to pumped water or permanent water bodies experienced good hunting conditions as long as they managed the hunting pressure. Too much hunting pressure would cause the birds to leave.

The last week of the season, duck hunting picked up in Mississippi. The weather cooperated for those that had access to flooded timber. Temps dropped to the mid-20s during overnight hours on several occasions resulting in semi-frozen conditions. With clear skies, mallards showed up in the timber. I heard several good reports of mallard limits taken in the flooded timber," said Manlove.

According to DU's Hugh Bateman, director of conservation planning for the Louisiana Field Office in Monroe, LA: "There were high hunter expectations early and some relatively good hunting success reported from the coast and in a few inland areas, especially around the central part of the state. Most birds in the bag were teal, gadwall, and wood ducks. There were some divers, mainly ring-necked ducks and scaup showed in the mix of birds bagged both on the coast and around Catahoula Lake. The number of mallards seen and reported in the bag statewide was very weak overall throughout the season. Survey results of duck populations and hunter reports from the state and federal agencies seemed consistent with what we heard. Those 'hit or miss trends' held during the first segment and into the first two weeks of the second segment of the hunting season.

During the second segment of the season birds got blind-decoy and call-smart quickly in most areas. Some hunters who were willing or able to move around and 'freelance' into lightly hunted areas did well when weather conditions (cold and wind) were right. Basically, LA experienced another below average year," Bateman said.

Steve McCadams
is a professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing area. He has also contributed many outdoor oriented articles to various national publications.

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