Waterfowl Report

Welcome to Steve McCadams' Weekly Waterfowl Report. Waterfowlers wanting to monitor activity of ducks and geese here in Tennessee's Kentucky Lake area, along with reports from elsewhere in the Mississippi flyway, will want to check in often for the latest migratory movement, state and federal refuge counts, and other interesting information for hunters.

(Waterfowl Reports containing refuge surveys and overall duck and goose hunting activity, along with interesting tidbits on waterfowling will resume here in early November)

YOUTH WATERFOWL WEEKEND ARRIVES…DUCK NUMBERS DECLINE

By Steve McCadams - February 2, 2012

Young waterfowlers have a special weekend hunt coming up to call their own. It’s the annual Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season, a special two-day hunt held each year the week after the regular season closes.    

It’s open to youngsters age 6-15 years of age. And yes, they are required to be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age.    

Each year several states offer the special weekend hunt to youngsters in hopes of introducing kids to the sport of waterfowling in a different atmosphere from the regular season hunts where they often compete with adults for shooting opportunities.    

With the youth hunt it’s the kids who either hit or miss. Odds are they will shoot a few holes in the air but it’s a nice opportunity to see kids participate with their young buddies during a hunt specially designed for them.     

Hopefully, the adults will steer them in the right direction as to gun safety and hunting tips while also providing a nice atmosphere in the blinds where hot biscuits and sausage help pass the down time if ducks are scarce.    

Here’s hoping the kids have a couple of good mornings and share those sunrises with friends and family in the great outdoors.

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DUCK NUMBERS DOWN    

Recent aerial surveys taken on Kentucky Lake at the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge and on Barkley Lake at Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge confirm the decline in duck numbers the last week or two of season.    

Refuge biologist Robert Wheat reported duck numbers on TNWR on Kentucky Lake were down 35 percent from last year’s survey at this time and also down 26 percent from the 5-year average and down 13 percent from the 10-year average.    

Is it any wonder that most duck hunters in this area suffered through a long, dreary season with very few good days throughout the 60-day season? No doubt the warm winter has been a factor.    

Meanwhile, the survey estimated 138,925 ducks using the three units of the refuge. There were a mere 4,151 geese observed, which showed a whopping decline of 63 percent compared to last year at this time and 56 percent below the 5-year average for geese here. In the 10-year average the numbers of geese wintering here were down 45 percent!    

Numbers of diver ducks such as canvasback, ringneck, scaup, bufflehead, and goldeneye were down dramatically compared to times past, a further indication that cold weather never pushed these species down south as lakes up north never froze over during the unusually mild winter.    

Over on Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge at Dover the aerial survey showed 48,413 on ducks and only 2,596 geese. Ducks were actually up 13 percent compared to last year’s count at this time but down 4 percent on the 5-year average there.    

Numbers of geese were down 42 percent compared to last year at this same time and off a whopping 50 percent compared to the 5-year average.     

The aerial surveys were taken back on January 18th at CCNWR and January 20th at TNWR.

WATERFOWLERS WINDING DOWN FROM WARM AND WET SEASON

By Steve McCadams - January 26, 2012

Duck hunters are tuning up their calls for Sunday’s swan song. Tennessee’s 60-day season draws to a close at sunset for both ducks and geese.

Although it has been a warm and wet winter, it appears a cold front will arrive this weekend and perhaps end the season on a good note. Most hunters deserve a reprieve as it has been a slow and unproductive season for the majority of waterfowlers across West Tennessee and the region in general.

There have been a few good days when rare cold fronts delivered change and ducks responded favorably but the north winds and cool spells have been rare and overdue. To put the season in perspective hunters have won a battle or two but lost the war.

Not everyone has had a tough season as there have been some success stories scattered among the torn and tattered moral of mallard seekers. However, for every blind or hunter that boasted of good hunts there have been ten that reported negative results, empty skies and below average harvests throughout the long, weary season.

Some very popular hunt locations across the Kentucky Lake region and West Tennessee that have a proven track record recorded one of their worst seasons in recent memory. Ducks just didn’t arrive in numbers sufficient to supply southern duck hunters with replacements when needed.

It was supposed to be a good year with a fall flight forecast that projected record high numbers of ducks coming off a wet spring on the breeding grounds where several species were at or above long term averages in their population.

Despite the optimistic forecast weather played the dominant role and a very mild winter across much of the north did not stimulate much of a migration. Ducks remained north of the Mason-Dixon Line in record numbers, partaking of ample food and open water that never froze.

Once hunting seasons in states to our north expired ducks and geese had no hunting pressure so they road it out there, fat and sassy as mild weather lingered for months in one of the warmest seasons on record.

Heavy rains inundated a large portion of a four state region back in early December and some areas never recovered from the scenario that scattered ducks in backwater acreage that was high and dry this time last year. Once those areas got slash water it never iced over so ducks and those hunting in a few select areas experienced favorable conditions while the lion’s share of hunters stared a hole in empty skies.

Locally some blinds in Big Sandy, Camden bottoms, and West Sandy chalked up some good days and actually started the season on a high note only to fall from grace once season matured. Not many blinds in local wildlife management areas held up to their reputation this year.

Most private hunt clubs in and around the Kentucky and Barkley Lakes area suffered too. Even flooded corn fields and water controlled dikes that offered excellent feeding and resting areas just didn’t appeal.

Elsewhere across the region the popular Mississippi River drainage areas such as the Obion, Forked Deer, and Hatchie River backwaters never attracted ducks in sufficient numbers. Beautifully flooded corn fields were no match for the abundance of backwater and shallow rice fields in the Bootheel of Missouri and eastern Arkansas or the high waters of the Mississippi and Ohio River once they back out.

Even those areas were inconsistent for most of the season despite a few surges in activity at times. Bottom line is that duck weren’t here in very high numbers and those that did visit didn’t have to move around much. Extended spells of bluebird days where stagnant winds hung around were appreciated by winter fishermen but despised by dreary duck hunters.

As the season winds down for us old folks the youngsters get another crack at it when a special youth waterfowl weekend arrives February 4-5. Kids ages 6-15 years of age have a waterfowl weekend to call their own if accompanied by an adult who cannot hunt ducks but can participate in other open seasons for geese such as snow and white-fronted species.

TOUGH SEASON WINDING DOWN FOR DREARY DUCK HUNTERS

By Steve McCadams - January 19, 2012

In real estate there are three key words for success: location, location, location. For waterfowlers there are also three key words for successful seasons: weather, weather, weather!

Duck hunters across the region had a very short honeymoon the last week or two with rare visits from cold fronts. Last week saw a major migration take place one day when a dramatic weather change brought falling temperatures and gale winds to the area but within 24 hours a south wind took over and temps bounced back above the norm for this time of year.

This week was almost a carbon copy as a minor cool snap passed through at midweek but it only lasted one day before moderate weather chased it away. Forecasts for the weekend indicate temps will climb into the upper 50’s and low 60’s, a weather pattern that has pretty much dominated the duck season here in Tennessee and elsewhere across the southern region.

While a few hunters enjoyed significant improvement last week for a day or two, action quickly slowed as bluebird days filled with high skies and no wind seemed to curtail the short surge of activity. Ducks have been sluggish to move around much, a scenario that had been common throughout this year’s mild and wet winter.

No doubt the warm weather in states to our north has been a big factor. Lakes that normally ice up this time of year have remained open and big numbers of ducks have stayed north of their normal wintering grounds where ample food and open water have met their needs.

The National Weather Service recently reported a January day when some 163 cities across the nation set record highs and some 65 others tied a record.

It has been an unusual winter and added to the above average temperatures over an extended time has been wet weather that further scattered ducks.

Although local hunters had a brush with cold weather on a few rare days it hasn’t enough to erase some two months of mild weather. Overall it has been tough season for most hunters south of the Mason-Dixon Line yet there are always a few success stories and isolated spots that have fared well.

Generally speaking, this year’s duck season has been disappointing for many hunters, and mild weather is a likely culprit. Many weather stations in the Dakotas and other parts of the northern plains were recording record high temperatures earlier this month. In fact, the mercury soared to 73 degrees at Rapid City, S.D., on Jan. 5, which was 4 degrees warmer than the high temperature in Miami that day.

Over in neighboring Arkansas, high temperatures reached 60 degrees somewhere in the state on more than a third of the days between Dec. 1 and Jan. 15, according to a recent waterfowl report from Arkansas Game and Fish. And the cold air that has made its way into the state hasn’t stayed for long.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reported more than 650,000 ducks in the Show Me State as of Jan. 13, a record number for this time of year. Missouri’s five-year average for the first week of January is about 242,000 ducks.

Here in the Kentucky Lake area duck numbers have been below average all year on all the aerial surveys taken at Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge. The same goes for Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge on Barkley Lake at Dover.

Back on January 3 an aerial survey on TNWR showed 147,110 ducks on all three units, which was down 30 percent from last year at this time. A comparison to the 5-year average showed the count to be 23 percent below normal and 14 percent below the 10-year average.

Nearby CCNR had 32,502 ducks on a survey flown a day later, which at the time was 28 percent below the 5-year average for this time of year and 13 percent below the 10-year average.

An updated aerial survey will likely be taken in the days ahead but the surveys throughout the season have reflected what duck hunters already knew and that was low numbers of ducks in the skies day in and day out.

Local hunters may take some gratification in knowing that neighboring state duck hunters have pretty much been in the same boat.

The window of opportunity is narrowing as season ends in Tennessee on Sunday, January 29th. Hunters are about to hit the home stretch in a season filled with long and winding roads.

After an excellent fall flight forecast waterfowlers were braced for a good season with high expectations thanks to record high numbers of ducks raised on the breeding grounds this spring. However, the dismal picture once again shows just how important weather is in pushing ducks.

Weather is the most active ingredient in the recipe for successful ducks seasons. Local hunters are hoping to end on a good note but someone better send the weatherman some flowers. Thus far he’s been at odds with duck hunters.

DUCK NUMBERS DOWN…COLD FRONT COMING COULD BOOST HUNTING

By Steve McCadams - December 29, 2011

Will a cold front projected to arrive as the new year enters the picture salvage what has been a poor season for Tennessee duck hunters? Ducksters sure hope so as the drastic weather change is a good way to start off the second half of season and perhaps lift the spirits of weary waterfowlers.    

Since the second segment of season opened in early December duck hunters have been at odds with the weatherman. There has not been much duck weather to work with and as a result, hunting has been below average over a large region.    

Temperatures throughout the month have been above average and the warm and wet trend has extended to northern states, a scenario that has kept a lot of ducks north of the Mason-Dixon Line this season. Most lakes to our north have not frozen over and a mild winter has lingered there as well.    

Many feeding and resting areas that are normally frozen over this time of year have remained accessible to ducks that have parked north of their normal wintering grounds during the lion’s share of December. It appears the first significant cold front in well over a month will arrive Sunday night and that should stimulate a migration by lazy ducks that have grown complacent in northern states.    

Temperatures were expected to be in the lower 60’s as New Year’s Day arrives but plummet that night and fall some 25 degrees courtesy of north winds. This will be an overdue cold snap as highs early next week will struggle to reach the upper 30’s as the National Weather Service is predicting an “Artic Blast” for this area.    

Meanwhile, to put the season in perspective thus far there has not been a single day when ice was a factor for duck hunters or their decoys. There has yet to be a single morning when an ice cycle formed on the bill of a decoy.    

Added to the mild month has been excess rain that inundated low lying areas over a five state region and pretty much all tributaries to the Mighty Mississippi River were flooded out for a spell. Slash water has lingered in many bottoms, which scattered ducks over a wide area.    

So, things may be on the threshold of changing for the better as duck hunters enter the second half of the 60-day season.    

Recent waterfowl surveys taken on the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge further confirm the duck dilemma. Aerial estimates taken last week (December 22nd)  showed 131,896 ducks and 3,128 geese using the Kentucky Lake refuge units.    

The duck numbers are down 22 percent compared to last year at this same time and 22 percent below the 5-year average. Ducks were down 11 percent when compared to the 10-year average according to U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service figures.    

A breakdown on species showed mallards topping the list at 81,997, followed by gadwall at 16,904. There were 8,455 greenwing teal, and 8,280 ringnecks observed in the survey. Another footnote to the aerial survey is the lack of diver ducks represented. Very few scaup, bufflehead, redheads, goldeye, and canvasbacks were seen, which clearly shows the influence thus far of a mild winter here as those species have yet to arrive.    

Locally, the Big Sandy unit had 43,797 ducks out of the total refuge count.    

Odds are ducks and geese will increase in the area by next week as this will be the first real push of weather since late November. Hunting should improve and waterfowlers across a vast area are hoping the second half of season is better than the first.     

Tennessee’s duck season will run through January 29, 2012.

DUCKS DODGE HUNTERS DURING AS MILD WEATHER LINGERS

By Steve McCadams - December 22, 2011

Most waterfowlers across West Tennessee and several other neighboring states are hoping Santa brings a cold snap and some new ducks.  It appears slightly cooler weather will arrive Christmas Day but no significant cold fronts are in the forecast.    

Since the second segment of duck season opened back in early December mild temperatures and very wet conditions have dominated the duck hunting scene. After more than a week of flooding that backed out water over a five state region water began receding late last week but above average temperatures have lingered.    

A day with north winds and falling temperatures is what waterfowlers would like to see under their tree or stuffed in their stockings. It has been an unusual season thus far with only two or three days when a north wind was present. Most days have had either rainy mornings, calm winds or some fog.    

Bottom line is there just hasn’t been much duck weather and overall hunter success has suffered because of it. Reports from across a vast area indicate duck hunters are dreary due to a lack of success. Skies have not been filled with ducks but given the conditions since the second season opened the diminished success rate comes as no surprise.    

Spot checks from Springville bottom echo what other wildlife management areas are doing. From Camden bottoms to Big Sandy, Gin Creek and over on Lake Barkley at Dover bottoms comes word of low duck numbers and inferior harvest numbers when compared to last year at this time.    

Further west the reports mirror tough conditions as many private flooded grain fields across the Ob ion, Forked Deer, and Hatchie River drainage are facing empty skies at times or low numbers of ducks that are still beneficiaries of abundant food and water. When mild conditions hang around the ducks just don’t have to move around much to meet their needs.    

Open water on Kentucky Lake has not produced consistent hunting and neither has the Reelfoot Lake area of northwest Tennessee.    

While overall conditions have not been favorable not all news is bad as some blinds have scored double digit harvests on days when some wind and partly cloudy skies were present. But it has been inconsistent and pretty much a “hit and miss” game as some days the fog and stagnant winds have not stimulated movement from lazy ducks that have been basking in the mild weather.    

Although it doesn’t always have to be a blustery day with bone chilling temperatures to make for good hunting, a change of weather is needed from time to time to both bring new ducks to the area and stir up those that are already here.    

For the last week daytime highs have hung around the 59 to 63 degree range and the nights have been above average as well. Mix above average temperatures for an extended spell with lots of water across a big area and the hunting swings toward below average.    

Things will change as soon as an Alberta clipper enters the picture and brings a change to the region where ducks have grown complacent the last week or two. Hunters know things will improve quickly once a cold front comes but a weather change is long overdue. Last year at this time we were shoveling snow and shooting ducks.    

Aerial surveys taken recently at nearby Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Barkley near Dover reported 21,190 ducks and 2,534 geese on hand. The survey was flown on Monday.    

The numbers are 24 percent below last year’s survey taken at this time and 11 percent below the 5-year average. However, ducks there are 12 percent above the 10-year average according to U. S. Fish and Wildlife data.    

Surveys from Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge were underway on Wednesday but final numbers were not available as this report was updated.    

Even though the majority of ducks hunters have experienced tough sledding the last week or two season has yet to reach the half-way mark so there is plenty of good hunting time ahead. Weather is always the big factor as to success for Dixie duck hunters.    

Despite a good fall flight forecast with record high numbers of ducks coming off the breeding grounds the season has yet to deliver. Great expectations have given in to the reality of a mild late fall that has not stimulated any significant migration but one that would probably have been much better had it not been for all the recent flooding that really scattered ducks.    

Next week’s cooler conditions may help some but it’s high time a north wind entered the waterfowl scene and put some ducks in empty skies. If the ducks just knew how early we rise, how much we spend, and how far we drive they’d be more respectful.    

Rodney Dangerfield would have made a good duck hunter. Hey, he couldn’t get any respect so he would have fit right in!

DRENCHED DUCK HUNTERS TRYING TO DRY OUT…ACTION SLOW ACROSS THE REGION BUT IMPROVING

By Steve McCadams - December 15, 2011

Duck hunters across the region were hoping to dry out some after last week’s flooding from heavy rains that drenched a big area and sent small creeks and rivers raging. Most ducks have been very scattered this last week as they had thousands of acres inundated across a five state region, a scenario that proved to be tough on hunters who have not fared well since high waters entered the picture.    

This week waters did indeed recede some but rains have reentered the picture as the weekend approaches, pouring more water on an already saturated area. Both the Mississippi and Ohio River drainage areas were out of their banks last week and when that happens it influences ducks to fly different routes as they have picking choice of just about anything they want in any direction.    

Even areas that were holding good numbers of ducks such as state and federal refuges or private hunt clubs where an abundance of standing, flooded corn offered a buffet free from hunting pressure have not been able to hold on to the ducks as they up and left.    

Things should show some improvement by next week barring any flooding as rivers and streams have fallen back in their banks and some swamps are back down to normal. Warm weather has also played a factor as several days have seen temperatures dance around the 61 to 64 degree range so balmy conditions have not been kind to duck hunters either.    

Kentucky and Barkley Lakes were some five feet above normal last week and are falling fast. Several refuges and wildlife manage areas were flooded out last week and some blinds in public hunt areas were not huntable due to high water while other hunters chose to move up to shallow water in the upper ends of bottoms and hunt from temporary setups or wade in shallow timber, tossing out small spreads of decoys.    

A spot check from across the region showed some improvement earlier this week in the open water where we bagged mallards, gadwalls, and experienced some influx of divers such as bluebill, goldeneye, and buffleheads.    

Further west the Obion, Forked Deer, and Hatchie bottoms areas were dealing with high water that proved to be a hit or miss for most duck hunters who saw birds moving up river bottoms but it was tough to pinpoint their locations. Several established hunt areas with blinds known for good reputations as to harvests saw their kill decline dramatically.    

When so much water inundates a five-state region is proves to be a high hurdle for duck hunters and that was the case last week. With water levels now falling ducks should resume normal flight patterns in the near future and action should improve as a cold snap is expected to arrive early this weekend, bringing with it north winds and falling temperatures.    

Highs on Wednesday and Thursday were in the 61 to 65 degree range but expected to fall about 20 degrees as the high on Friday will be only 44. Night time temperatures will be in the upper 20’s.    

No recent aerial waterfowl surveys were available from nearby refuges but officials are slated fly early next week so water for updates posted here.    

From various local wildlife manage areas under Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency comes word of medicore hunting in Camden bottoms and West Sandy where activity had fallen off the last few days. The same reports were also coming in from Big Sandy and Gin Creek units, along with Dover Bottoms on Lake Barkley.    

A few select blinds were getting shooting in the early morning hours but falling off after that. No doubt ducks had left the areas during the flooding conditions but hunters should start to see numbers increase soon as winter weather and normal water levels will work in favor of bringing birds back to these units.

While it has been a warm and wet second season thus far, things may be headed in the right direction as to weather and water. Hunters here haven’t even reached the halfway point of season yet so there is ample time left to turn things around.

TOO MUCH WATER SCATTERS DUCKS ACROSS FIVE STATE REGION

By Steve McCadams - December 9, 2011

Lots of water may be good for ducks but it’s bad for hunters. Flooding conditions this week in the aftermath of heavy rains that drenched an already saturated area have inundated thousands of acres in low lying areas across portions of Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky and Missouri.    

What does that mean for dreary duck hunters? Right now ducks have a million places to go for feed and resting areas and normal flight patterns have changed somewhat. The backwaters are attractive to ducks but they can be in one place today and gone tomorrow as ample opportunity awaits them in the form of flooded timber, soybean, rice and corn fields.    

Some of the more popular hunt clubs and wildlife management areas across west Tennessee have seen their productivity decline this week, a scenario that’s common when flooding occurs over a vast area. There’s really no need for ducks to flock to a specific spot right now as they can find everything they need most anywhere.    

Locally, lake levels on Kentucky Lake have surged this week and jumped about five feet from last week at this time. Most of the reservoir is well above the summer pool mark, which covers up shallow sandbars and inundates islands, a situation which greatly alters the hunting scene.    

Hunters were busy this week chasing lost decoys and runaway blinds in some areas. In West Sandy and other units throughout the region some blinds were flooded out if they were built in a stationary style or not high enough.

Reports indicate a few ducks had moved to the upper end of West Sandy where shallow areas were appealing. Acorns were abundant in the backwaters and a few hunters were wading and using temporary setups for hunting in willow breaks and tall timber.    

Further west it appears the Obion, Forked Deer, and Hatchie are out of their banks and backing up into grain fields and swamps. Many hunters that have sunken pits have been flooded out due to the rising waters while other hunters have used boat blinds and temporary setup to log some good hunts in areas that are normally dry ground.

A cold front entered the area on Monday and heavy rains preceded snow flurries at midweek. Temperatures fell for the last three days and it appears rain is out of the forecast for the next five days, which may allow some streams and small tributaries to crest by this weekend.    

Although the hunting is not all bad across the region and may improve as waters crest and recede by next week, it’s not unusual for hunters to face tough conditions for a few days when flooding occurs over such a wide region. Ducks simply have too many places to go right now.    

The Mississippi River had begun to flood out around the region and the Ohio River was out too. From the air it must look like an ocean to waterfowl which have picking choice of places that may well be away from hunters and blinds.    

Due to inclimate weather no recent aerial surveys have been taken on national wildlife refuges but updates are expected later this week or early next week.    

The duck picture has been rearranged this week due to massive flooding but things should improve by next week once waters recede somewhat and put the ducks back on normal flight patterns. For some it’s a temporary hurdle and a bump in the road but most know there is a long season ahead and ample time to rebound while others might be fortunate to take advantage of a situation that puts ducks in places they normally don’t go.    

All of us know things can change quickly and every day is different out there as the ducks make the rules and change them as they go along.

SEASON OFF TO GOOD START…COLD FRONT COINCIDES WITH DUCK SEASON OPENER

By Steve McCadams - December 1, 2011

Duck season got off to a good start this past weekend for the lion’s share of watefowlers in west and middle Tennessee thanks to a cold front that arrived on Sunday that really stimulated movement.  After a 73 degree day on Saturday that had some hunters shedding their shirts, temps fell drastically on Sunday as northwest winds delivered a 24 degree drop mixed with rain that had ducks restless.    

The weather change had excellent timing and appeared to bring new ducks into the region and also stirred up the ones that were already here. A lot of rain has fallen across a four state region and ducks have multiple places to feed and rest as most low lying bottoms and tributaries to the Mississippi River/Tennessee River drainage are inundated with runoff.    

Snow flurries arrived on Monday and the damp, bone chilling winds lingered. Hunters sure hated to waste some cold, windy days (season closed Sunday and will reopen Saturday) as ducks continued to move around in response to the flooded backwaters and changing weather that has rearranged the landscape for waterfowl and those who hunt them.    

Here in the Kentucky Lake region we had good numbers of ducks and a variety of species ranging from mallards, pintail, gadwall, widgeon, and greenwing teal to some bluebills and ringneck in the open water areas. Most of the bottoms had an abundance of wood ducks as well.    

Wildlife management areas across the region such as West Sandy, Camden bottoms, Big Sandy, Dover bottoms, and west toward Gooch and Tigrett reported good shooting as ducks had been using the areas all week where units were off limits to boating traffic.    

Backwaters off the Obion, Forked Deer, and Hatchie River bottoms reported increased activity on Sunday and will likely pick up ducks this week as the headwaters often lure ducks to new food sources. Right now, thousands of acres are flooded ranging from rice fields on the West side of the Mississippi River to swamps, soybean and corn fields on the east side.    

“It’s shaping up to be a good year”, said Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency state waterfowl biologist Tim White. “The last two years most of the Obion, Hatchie, and Forked Deer bottoms were dry but all units have good water, along with beaver ponds, sloughs, and fields that are flooded.”    

“Old Hickory and Cheatham wildlife management areas in middle Tennessee had decent openers with a mixed bag taken. Most hunters were seeing ducks and I think it was a good start across the state.”    

Overall the opening day hunt in most public areas was good and ducks used the upper ends of units where shallow water proved to be attractive. Most all areas in both open water and shallow flooded fields or swamps experienced increased activity on Sunday once the cold front kicked in and put ducks in the skies for everyone.    

Temperatures remained quite cool throughout the week and were below average until Thursday. It appears a warm up will arrive for this weekend’s second season opener. Rain and snow was still falling Monday and Tuesday so rivers and backwaters will likely rise for the next several days.    

Last year at this time much of West Tennessee was dry, a scenario that likely sent many ducks further west in the flyway.    

Much of eastern Arkansas, west Tennessee (the Reelfoot zone has been closed since mid-November and will reopen Dec 3rd with the statewide segment) and Kentucky, along with the bootheel of Missouri had lots of ducks and lots of water. In fact, there may be a little too much water right now as ducks are likely to scatter across a wide region for the next week or so.     

Hunters in the bootheel of Missouri reported good hunting when season opened there on Thanksgiving Day as the flooded rice fields were attracting a lot of ducks, although many hunters were bagging mixed species that lacked mallards.   

Many West Tennessee hunters that didn’t see big numbers of ducks leading into opening day but got a pleasant surprise on Sunday as skies filled with flocks that apparently migrated into the area almost overnight. There were a lot of private hunt clubs holding ducks too and once the shooting started it helped stir up ducks that had been basking in the warm weather for well over a week and hadn’t had to move around much.    

Tennessee’s season resumes on Saturday (Dec 3rd) for a 58-day straight stretch that will take hunters all the way through January 29, 2012. There is a lot of hunting time left and a spot check across the region indicates the season got started on the right foot and for most it was much better than last year’s opening weekend.    

Duck numbers are reported to be up this year and the fall flight is 11 percent above last year and the best forecast since surveys began back in 1955. Still, hunters know that weather is the big factor in pushing ducks but most duck hunters have a good taste in their mouth after a nice opening weekend.     

It’s a long race but there’s nothing like a good start.

WATERFOWLERS AWAIT STATEWIDE DUCK SEASON OPENER  
By Steve McCadams - November 23, 2011

It's Thanksgiving weekend and that means a lot of hunters will trade their turkey for ducks. Waterfowlers are anxiously awaiting the arrival of season as a rainy week will give in to a cold front this weekend and set the stage for duck weather.

The wait is almost over as Tennesee's statewide season opens Saturday, raising the curtain on a 60-day window of opportunity split between two segments.

After a two-day weekend season comes a 5-day closure before season resumes December 3 for a 58-day straight stretch taking it all the way through January 29, 2012. Thanks to a very optimistic fall flight forecast duck hunters throughout the Mississippi flyway will be the beneficiaries of another long season with a liberal bag limit.

Somewhere in there will be bone chilling winds and spitting snow when ducks migrate and hunting is great. There will also be some foggy mornings when stagnant winds and above average temperatures see ducks sleep in. Empty skies produce broken hearts at times.

We all know the weather giveth and it taketh away. About the only control duck hunters have throughout the season is being there. It's true we have influence over the blind, camouflage, decoy spread, boat motors, wake-up calls, gun maintenance, and a choice of outdoor clothing that helps battle the elements.

Some think they can outguess the weather too, choosing to play the forecast and go when north winds approach and deliver precious cold fronts. Yet trying to outsmart the ducks and predict their surge of activity has put many gray hairs on the heads of duck hunters from the breeding grounds to the wintering areas.

There are days when wind seems to stir up the ducks and make them restless, a scenario that works in favor of hunters. Other times it seems the ducks just didn't get the memo.

Flooding can have a lot of influence and too much water scatters the ducks over a wide area, especially when the mighty Mississippi River goes on a tear and backs out over thousands of acres in several states, giving the birds an abundance of places to feed and rest. When that happens it's good for ducks but tough on hunters.

In the final analysis, the best time to go is when you can. Stay home and your buddies will burn their gun barrels up shooting ducks and you'll never hear the last of it!

Meanwhile, how does the forthcoming season look? That's a question on the minds of all duck hunters this time of year and it appears there is reason to think positive.

It's easy to get lost in the figures when you stress your eyes looking at empty skies but first and foremost is the numbers game as to ducks heading south from the prairie pothole regions of Canada and the Dakotas. This fall hunters will benefit from an 11 percent increase over last year as some 45.6 million ducks will head south.

The fall flight is the largest total estimate since surveys began in 1955. Mallards are up 9 percent and pintails were up a whopping 26 percent. Although scaup and wigeon are below their long-term averages, most of the more popular species had a great year on the breeding grounds due to abundant water conditions that teamed up with ample habitat.

Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl both paint a pretty picture for the season ahead as does the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service which allowed another 60-day season and 6-duck bag limit as the criteria again met the liberal season requirements.

Just how the birds are distributed throughout the region will depend on weather and water conditions, not to mention accessible food once cold conditions arrive. So, a great season is not automatic for every duck blind and duck hunter. Still, it's nice to know the resource is there in sufficient numbers to provide great hunting should the weatherman cooperate.

Locally, aerial waterfowl surveys were taken last week by USFWS on the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge here at Kentucky Lake and ducks were estimated to number 64,132, which is down 7 percent from last year at this time but 12 percent above the 10-year average.

Mallards are topping the list at 27,112, followed by gadwall at 11,962. Greenwing teal are usually here early and the number 8,240 with pintail at 5,651 and ringnecks at 4,230.

With all the water now inundating river bottoms between here and the Mississippi River courtesy of a 5-inch rain last week and another 3-inch rain on saturated ground earlier this week there has been a lot of runoff. Soybean and corn fields are flooded over West Tennessee. Rice fields in the bootheel of Missouri are also covered with water as is eastern Arkansas and West Kentucky so ducks have a buffet awaiting them over portions of four states.

Several state wildlife management areas are holding ducks too and this week has been off limits to boat traffic, giving ducks access to food and roosting areas free of disturbance.

"We've got good water in most all the units and ducks are showing up in good numbers in the upper end of West Sandy, all across Camden bottoms, Big Sandy and Dover bottoms," said TWRA area manager Ronnie Cole. "I'm seeing a wide variety of species too and some geese are using the open fields. For some reason there aren't many ducks in Gin Creek but most of the other WMAs look ducky."

Once season opens and some of the private and public hunt areas begin shooting, ducks will be up and moving.

Bag limits are similar to last year, allowing six ducks daily but not more than four mallards and only two of those can be hens. Rounding out the daily bag can be one black duck, three woodies, two pintails, one canvasback or two scaup and two redheads.

There's a long season ahead with plenty of time to put points on the board. Some hunters think the early opening days are best while others prefer late season periods when colder weather and new ducks have entered the area.

It's a guessing game we all play and remember; the only real control you have during the duck season is being there!

(Note to Editors: Download the species chart and other photographs from Delta's website: deltawaterfowl.org/media/images.php)