Saw a blue bill last weekend. Reds showing, some rings.
High hopes for not getting rained on all weekend.
Those waiting for the cold front are not smart. Too late when it shows up.
Forum rules
NOTICE! These forums are intended for CIVIL discussion around waterfowl hunting. If you've got an axe to grind or rant to make, do it in the MNFOWL's Misguided Children forum.
NOTICE! These forums are intended for CIVIL discussion around waterfowl hunting. If you've got an axe to grind or rant to make, do it in the MNFOWL's Misguided Children forum.
Re: MN Waterfowl Hunting & Migration Reports 2017
217,000 at the Rice Lake NWR refuge seems hard to believe. I've followed their counts over the years and they always seem way inflated.
Full moon and calm winds this week = migrating birds. I love the guys who wait for the magical cold front to hunt.
Full moon and calm winds this week = migrating birds. I love the guys who wait for the magical cold front to hunt.
Re: MN Waterfowl Hunting & Migration Reports 2017
Nershi wrote:217,000 at the Rice Lake NWR refuge seems hard to believe. I've followed their counts over the years and they always seem way inflated.
Full moon and calm winds this week = migrating birds. I love the guys who wait for the magical cold front to hunt.
It's the Big Push!
Re: MN Waterfowl Hunting & Migration Reports 2017
General: 12 October 2017
Waterfowl hunting remained fair in most areas over the past week. Hunter reports indicated that more mid-season migrants were showing up in hunters’ bags, which include species such as gadwall, wigeon, and pintail. Redheads and canvasback numbers increased as well and small numbers of scaup have moved into the state. Ring-necked ducks are present in good numbers in most areas. There are still some wood ducks and a few blue-winged teal present, mainly in the southern portion of the state.
Canada goose numbers appear to be similar to last week and a few small (Cackling) geese are present in the state.
There is still lots of water present in most regions, but conditions have tried out some and crop harvest is starting up again which should provide some increased field hunting opportunities.
The weather forecast calls for seasonal high temperatures this weekend with highs in the low 50s in the north and low 60s in the south; lows should be near freezing in the north and near 40 in the south. Rain is expected on Saturday across most of the state. The extended forecast calls for temperatures to remain about 10 degrees above normal into late next week.
The South Zone reopens on Saturday.
Waterfowl hunting remained fair in most areas over the past week. Hunter reports indicated that more mid-season migrants were showing up in hunters’ bags, which include species such as gadwall, wigeon, and pintail. Redheads and canvasback numbers increased as well and small numbers of scaup have moved into the state. Ring-necked ducks are present in good numbers in most areas. There are still some wood ducks and a few blue-winged teal present, mainly in the southern portion of the state.
Canada goose numbers appear to be similar to last week and a few small (Cackling) geese are present in the state.
There is still lots of water present in most regions, but conditions have tried out some and crop harvest is starting up again which should provide some increased field hunting opportunities.
The weather forecast calls for seasonal high temperatures this weekend with highs in the low 50s in the north and low 60s in the south; lows should be near freezing in the north and near 40 in the south. Rain is expected on Saturday across most of the state. The extended forecast calls for temperatures to remain about 10 degrees above normal into late next week.
The South Zone reopens on Saturday.
October 12, 2017 MN WF Mig Report.pdf- (161.69 KiB) Downloaded 309 times
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maplelakeduckslayer
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Re: MN Waterfowl Hunting & Migration Reports 2017
Hearing a lot more geese filtering into the ponds by my house in the middle of the night, last 5 days or so been hearing them quite a bit
Re: MN Waterfowl Hunting & Migration Reports 2017
maplelakeduckslayer wrote:Hearing a lot more geese filtering into the ponds by my house in the middle of the night, last 5 days or so been hearing them quite a bit
Only observation, nothing empirical, but geese #'s have trippled in/around MN Valley Refuge.
Local geese do not loaf or roost in my pond, travellers do. Over night counts are moving beyond "family group" sizes into 2-3 dozen. Average flock size observed has likely increase 20+%
Re: MN Waterfowl Hunting & Migration Reports 2017
A day late on this one, sorry fellas!
General: 19 October 2017
Waterfowl hunting success was spotty in most areas over the past week with the warm temperatures and no large migrations of ducks into the state. Most reports indicated success was good in the south zone when the season re-opened last Saturday. Hunters are seeing an increase in species diversity as most early season migrants have migrated south and midseason migrants have moved in. Redhead and canvasback numbers have increased and some scaup and buffleheads have been observed. Ring-necked ducks are present in very high numbers on refuges.
Canada goose numbers appear to be unchanged from last week with a few small (Cackling) geese present in some areas.
Conditions have dried considerably from last week. Soybean harvest is nearly complete in most areas and some corn harvest has begun.
Hunting pressure has declined considerably in most areas, which is typical for this time of the season. The forecast calls for well above average temperatures the next few days with highs in the 60s in the north and 70s in the south. Rain/thunderstorms are expected on Saturday across most of the state. The extended forecast calls for cooler temperatures later next week, with highs in the 40s in the north and 50s in the south.
Fire danger remains high especially in NW and western areas with very warm temperatures, high winds, and low relative humidity over the next few days.
General: 19 October 2017
Waterfowl hunting success was spotty in most areas over the past week with the warm temperatures and no large migrations of ducks into the state. Most reports indicated success was good in the south zone when the season re-opened last Saturday. Hunters are seeing an increase in species diversity as most early season migrants have migrated south and midseason migrants have moved in. Redhead and canvasback numbers have increased and some scaup and buffleheads have been observed. Ring-necked ducks are present in very high numbers on refuges.
Canada goose numbers appear to be unchanged from last week with a few small (Cackling) geese present in some areas.
Conditions have dried considerably from last week. Soybean harvest is nearly complete in most areas and some corn harvest has begun.
Hunting pressure has declined considerably in most areas, which is typical for this time of the season. The forecast calls for well above average temperatures the next few days with highs in the 60s in the north and 70s in the south. Rain/thunderstorms are expected on Saturday across most of the state. The extended forecast calls for cooler temperatures later next week, with highs in the 40s in the north and 50s in the south.
Fire danger remains high especially in NW and western areas with very warm temperatures, high winds, and low relative humidity over the next few days.
- October 19, 2017 MN WF Mig Report.pdf
- (160.39 KiB) Downloaded 303 times
Re: MN Waterfowl Hunting & Migration Reports 2017
General: 26 October 2017
Waterfowl hunting success was fair in most areas over the past week. Hunters continue to see an increase in species diversity in their bags’ as
birds move in and out of areas at this time of year. Ring-necked duck numbers are still very high on refuges in northern Minnesota. Scaup
numbers have increased and some later season migrants (buffleheads, mergansers) have arrived.
Canada goose numbers increased some in most areas and some tundra swans have migrated into the state.
Soybean harvest is nearly complete but more than 1⁄2 of the corn is still unharvested.
The forecast calls for much colder temperatures this weekend and continuing all of next week, with highs only in the 30s in northern Minnesota
and lows in the 20s or upper teens. In southern Minnesota, highs are expected in the upper 30s or low 40s with lows in the mid-20s. Many wetlands and shallow lakes should be ice covered by Saturday. Snow is expected today and tomorrow and chances for additional snow next week.
The outlook for the next few days is excellent as large numbers of ducks and geese will move into, and out of, the state with the weather conditions and strong winds.
Waterfowl hunting success was fair in most areas over the past week. Hunters continue to see an increase in species diversity in their bags’ as
birds move in and out of areas at this time of year. Ring-necked duck numbers are still very high on refuges in northern Minnesota. Scaup
numbers have increased and some later season migrants (buffleheads, mergansers) have arrived.
Canada goose numbers increased some in most areas and some tundra swans have migrated into the state.
Soybean harvest is nearly complete but more than 1⁄2 of the corn is still unharvested.
The forecast calls for much colder temperatures this weekend and continuing all of next week, with highs only in the 30s in northern Minnesota
and lows in the 20s or upper teens. In southern Minnesota, highs are expected in the upper 30s or low 40s with lows in the mid-20s. Many wetlands and shallow lakes should be ice covered by Saturday. Snow is expected today and tomorrow and chances for additional snow next week.
The outlook for the next few days is excellent as large numbers of ducks and geese will move into, and out of, the state with the weather conditions and strong winds.
- October 26, 2017 MN WF Mig Report.pdf
- (155.31 KiB) Downloaded 303 times
Re: MN Waterfowl Hunting & Migration Reports 2017
General: 2 November 2017
Waterfowl hunting success has been excellent over the past week for both
diving ducks and dabbling ducks. As of Monday, Rice Lake NWR was still
holding >900,000 ring-necked ducks. Scaup and other diving duck
abundance increased in most areas and late season migrants (goldeneyes,
buffleheads, tundra swans) are increasing. Mallard abundance increased
in most areas as well.
Canada goose numbers increased some in many areas but large numbers
still remain in southern Canada.
Soybean harvest is complete but as of October 30, only 38% of the corn
had been harvested, which is 15 days behind the 5 year average and 12
days behind last year.
The weekend forecast calls for highs in the low 30s in the north and lows in
the 20s with additional snow on Friday and Saturday. In southern
Minnesota, highs are expected in the upper 30s to low 40s with lows in the 30s. The forecast through next week calls for highs
only in the mid 20s in the north and mid 30s in the south, with lows in the low 20s in the south and teens (or single digits) in the
north. Expect significant ice coverage by next week, particularly in the north and central zones.
The outlook remains excellent over the next few days for both field hunting and water hunting but water hunters should keep
safety in mind.
Waterfowl hunting success has been excellent over the past week for both
diving ducks and dabbling ducks. As of Monday, Rice Lake NWR was still
holding >900,000 ring-necked ducks. Scaup and other diving duck
abundance increased in most areas and late season migrants (goldeneyes,
buffleheads, tundra swans) are increasing. Mallard abundance increased
in most areas as well.
Canada goose numbers increased some in many areas but large numbers
still remain in southern Canada.
Soybean harvest is complete but as of October 30, only 38% of the corn
had been harvested, which is 15 days behind the 5 year average and 12
days behind last year.
The weekend forecast calls for highs in the low 30s in the north and lows in
the 20s with additional snow on Friday and Saturday. In southern
Minnesota, highs are expected in the upper 30s to low 40s with lows in the 30s. The forecast through next week calls for highs
only in the mid 20s in the north and mid 30s in the south, with lows in the low 20s in the south and teens (or single digits) in the
north. Expect significant ice coverage by next week, particularly in the north and central zones.
The outlook remains excellent over the next few days for both field hunting and water hunting but water hunters should keep
safety in mind.
- Nov. 2, 2017 MN WF Mig Report.pdf
- (155.79 KiB) Downloaded 323 times
Re: MN Waterfowl Hunting & Migration Reports 2017
General: 9 November 2017
Waterfowl hunting success has remained very good over the past week but
very few hunters have been out. Most of the harvest has been mallards
and Canada geese, but some scaup and goldeneyes remain on larger
lakes in the central and southern portion of the state. Most of the North
zone is now frozen and significant ice cover is present in the rest of the
state on small and medium sized lakes.
Canada goose numbers increased significantly statewide with large
numbers of migrating geese and tundra swans observed all week.
Corn harvest is >60% completed.
The weekend forecast calls for highs in the 20s to near 30 in the north and
lows in the teens. In southern Minnesota, highs are expected in the 30s to
low 40s with lows in the mid-20s. The forecast through next week calls for
considerably warmer temperatures across the state.
The best opportunities are in the south and central zone, especially for field hunting. Some opportunities should remain through at least next week in this portion of the state.
Waterfowl hunting success has remained very good over the past week but
very few hunters have been out. Most of the harvest has been mallards
and Canada geese, but some scaup and goldeneyes remain on larger
lakes in the central and southern portion of the state. Most of the North
zone is now frozen and significant ice cover is present in the rest of the
state on small and medium sized lakes.
Canada goose numbers increased significantly statewide with large
numbers of migrating geese and tundra swans observed all week.
Corn harvest is >60% completed.
The weekend forecast calls for highs in the 20s to near 30 in the north and
lows in the teens. In southern Minnesota, highs are expected in the 30s to
low 40s with lows in the mid-20s. The forecast through next week calls for
considerably warmer temperatures across the state.
The best opportunities are in the south and central zone, especially for field hunting. Some opportunities should remain through at least next week in this portion of the state.
- Attachments
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- Nov. 9, 2017 MN WF Mig report.pdf
- (140.19 KiB) Downloaded 306 times
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God, help me be the man that my dog thinks that I am.
God, help me be the man that my dog thinks that I am.
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