| Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley Outdoor Guide- Fishing, Hunting and everything outdoors...... | |
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| Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley Outdoor Guide- Fishing, Hunting and everything outdoors...... | |
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Home Sporting Goods, Bait and Tackle Hunting Stories and Information Fishing
Stories
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Duck hunters across Tennessee haven’t reached the half-way point in their 60-day season but for most it’s already been better than last year’s total season harvest. While there have been some ups and downs for local hunters here in the Kentucky Lake region, the overall consensus is that it’s far better than last year at this same time with cooler weather on the way. From recent aerial surveys taken on the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge comes word of waterfowl buildup as both ducks and geese have increased since the previous survey taken about two weeks ago. Aerial surveys taken last Monday indicate the total number of ducks on the refuge to be 194,753, which is 43 percent above the total counted two weeks ago. The present tally is also 48 percent above last year at this time and 59 percent above the 5- year average and 38 percent above the 10-year average for this time of year. Topping the list in the refuge total were mallards at 128,771, followed by gadwall at 25,611. Third on the list were greenwing teal at 12,968, followed by pintails at 7,162 and ringnecks at 7,065. The comparisons to long-term averages help put the present waterfowl picture into perspective. And, thanks to several cool fronts ducks have steadily increased since late November here in this area. Last weekend’s heavy downpour dampened the spirits of most hunters on Saturday but Sunday’s cold front seemed to offer a rapid rebound as gale force northwest winds stirred up ducks throughout the area. This week most of the lowland areas across West Tennessee have been inundated with water after heavy rains swelled streams and creeks. From the Mississippi River west to Kentucky Lake backwaters have been out, giving ducks a lot of flooded fields, swamps, and green timber areas to feed and rest. Sometimes that scenario is good for the ducks but tough for hunters. Earlier this week many areas that experienced good shooting were relatively dry and void of ducks a week or so ago. The fresh water scattered ducks as they moved toward new territory this week and more rain is in the forecast cast this weekend as a cold front approaches. Up the Duck River and Buffalo ducks were moving into Cherry Bottoms earlier this week and following the rising rivers. East near Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge at Dover Bottoms WMA action had improved as well. Mild temperatures and relatively light winds at midweek seemed to curtail activity as ducks didn’t move much. However, the weatherman is voicing support for waterfowlers with a forecast of cooler weather late this weekend and leading up to Christmas. That should send ducks back in the air after a sluggish week of movement due to the mild conditions. Across the West Tennessee region action improved in the Gooch and Bogota WMA areas this week, along with Tigrett and Horn’s Bluff sectors where thousands of acres of bottomland areas were flooded. The Obion and Forked Deer River drainage areas saw significant improvement this week as ducks moved toward the flooded backwaters. Improvement was also reported around Dyersburg and north to Reelfoot Lake area. Recent reports have also shown a lot of ducks still using the southeast Missouri bootheel, along with Western Kentucky’s Mayfield bottoms and upper Hickman sectors. Northeastern Arkansas has been holding good numbers as well. If more rain arrives this weekend look for ducks to scatter even more as they head out to secondary river bottoms between Kentucky Lake and the Mississippi River section.
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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