Minnesota Waterfowl Migration and Hunting Report November 12, 2015
The following report is a compilation of state and federal wildlife manager reports and waterfowl surveys from across Minnesota. This is the 8th report for 2015.
Reports will be compiled weekly throughout the hunting season and should be available by Thursday afternoon each week. The Conservation Officer Report, available on the DNR web site, also contains information about waterfowl hunter success across the state.
General: 12 November 2015
Duck hunting was variable over the past week and hunter numbers remain very low. Some migrant ducks moved into the state last weekend with some areas reporting good hunting success. More late season migrants (goldeneyes, scaup, mergansers) have moved into the state the past 2 days with the weak cold front and strong NW winds. Most ring-necked ducks have migrated south. Mallard abundance is variable.
Fair numbers of migrant Canada geese and swans were observed moving south early this morning.
Hunting pressure remains very low and should remain low for the rest of the season.
The weather forecast calls for a weak cold front to move through the state today and tomorrow bringing rain and/or some snow, cooler temperatures and NW winds. By the weekend, the forecast calls for a return to above average temperatures and south winds across the state into early next week. The long-term forecast calls for above average temperatures to continue into late next week. Wetlands should remain ice-free until at least next weekend.
Full migration report attached below.