Drought

[Hansen]

Lakes around the metro are still in decent shape, ponds are low, much lower than in prior years. This could be a good thing for Minnesota and duck hunting this fall. I have over 200 pounds of millet and 20 pounds of smartweed to plant this June. That could make for some epic hunting this fall.

[maplelakeduckslayer]

Not many mosquitos yet is the bonus...only seen one. But noticing a lot of bug hatches this week see if numbers explode next week

[Hansen]

Wednesday night on the lake in the west metro . . . massive hatch, large mayflies, midges, etc. No mosquitos.

[9manfan]

not to change subject but holly molly for little goslings this year, one slough I go by every morning to work I bet has 8-9 nesting pairs of geese with little ones, maybe not a shocker to some but in last few years I seen maybe 3 nesting pairs in this slough, could be a good crop this year....

[Hansen]

Saw my first batch of ducklings the other day. This decent, dry weather does help with brood survival. There are not seasonal wetlands as a negative. Lots' of goslings this year, I agree.

[emptymag]

We moved to a new house this weekend. It’s got very large retaining pond in the back yard that currently has 4 mallard broods averaging about 10 each and 2 broods of geese on with 4 chicks and one with 13. The neighbors also have 3 wood duck houses up that each have a hen and drake going in and out of them but I haven’t seen any little woodies yet.

This pond goes 100 or so yards in either direction and connects to a small over flow pond that also has a few broods on it

[maplelakeduckslayer]

Saw first mallard ducklings last Sunday in the middle of 3 lanes on 94... guessing survival of that brood was pretty minimal

[h2ofwlr]

Weather pattern change in the works.... Summer like temps, humidity, and precipitation is on the way. How long this pattern will last? Who knows, but the farmers have got to be worried for their crops if we do not get widespread heavy rains in the week week across Mn.

I've seen a fair amount of goslings the last week too. But not so much for ducklings.

[Nershi]

Talked to a farmer in SK that said it is crazy dry up there. Some big roosts we have hunted around are almost dried up. Not looking good for crop planting this year. Sounds like it may be even drier than the dakotas.

[Hansen]

Even the ponds and small lakes around here (Metro) are low. We need rain but out west the need it much more.