In the latest Ducks Unlimited Article submitted by John Pollmann, who is a freelance writer from Dell Rapids, South Dakota, and an avid waterfowler and conservationist, we get good news coming out of the northern reaches of the Central Flyway this week. Pollman reports that there are still massive numbers of ducks and geese waiting to migrate south. Although there isnt significant snowfall in the current forecast, the next strong front may recharge hunting opportunities to the south. In eastern MONTANA, the number of waterfowl has climbed in recent weeks according to DU Regional Biologist Bob Sanders, and hunters are reporting sizable concentrations of mallards and giant Canada geese. Sanders says, It has been cold enough to freeze nearly all the wetlands and other smaller waters, so the birds are targeting areas of moving, open water. Primarily those portions of the river systems in the eastern half that are adjacent to harvested agricultural fields, Sanders says. Hunters are now benefitting from the tremendous duck production that Prairie Canada experienced this spring and summer. The hunting in North Dakota has shifted exclusively to the Missouri River, says Bismarck hunter Joe Fladeland, and those able to secure access to fields are enjoying phenomenal hunts for giant Canada geese. We dont have much for ducks anymore, but there are still good numbers of Canada geese, and the hunting has been very, very good over decoys in the field, Fladeland says. The most recent aerial waterfowl survey conducted by the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks reports more than 300,000 mallards still roosting on the Missouri River along with nearly 100,000 Canada geese and nearly 30,000 light geese. Rocco Murano, South Dakotas chief waterfowl biologist, says that while it is not uncommon to see large numbers of ducks and geese hanging out in the Dakotas and Montana during the first week of December, it is somewhat surprising to see so many birds this far north after much of the state experienced bitter cold temperatures and snow in early to mid-November. Much of the snow that did fall has melted, Murano says, leaving little cause to migrate for those birds that remain. We have open water on the Missouri River, no snow, and access to a lot of food, Murano says. And it seems that we have this large group of mallards that are determined to remain as far north as they can. It is going to take some serious weather to get them out of here. The hunting has been fantastic, but the ducks are getting a little hard to pattern, Vandemore says. And instead of the big bunches of birds that will decoy the first couple of weeks after fresh ducks arrive, were working to decoy smaller groups, singles, and pairs. One major snowstorm is all that separates Vandemore and other hunters dependent on the migration from the massive concentrations of ducks and geese still holding in the northern reaches of the Central Flyway. Todd Heitkamp with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, says the forecast for the next 10 to 14 days has little in the way of a weather event necessary to spur a migration. I hate to say it, but things are looking warm and dry, with some forecast models showing temperatures in the 60s by the second weekend in December, he reports. I see nothing in the way of cold or significant snow. Anything could change, but December is looking to be the complete opposite of November. Im hopeful that we do receive some winter moisture at some point, because that snowfall plays a large role in recharging wetland basins throughout the region.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 00:46:00 +0000
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