MN Waterfowl Hunting & Migration Reports 2018

[shnelson]

Fresh from Mr. Cordts - I'll try to keep up with these as they come out.

General: 20 September 2018

Duck hunters should expect to see good numbers of ducks present in most areas
on opening weekend based on reports from state and federal wildlife managers.
Blue-winged teal, wood ducks, and mallards should dominate hunters’ bags in most
areas; ring-necked ducks should be more common in the north zone. Some
migrant green-winged teal and ring-necked ducks have been noted this week.
The number of breeding ducks in Minnesota was 9% above last year’s estimate
and 12% above the long-term average. In the continental waterfowl surveys, total
duck abundance was 13% lower than last year but 17% above the long-term
average. Waterfowl production (number of young hatched) was thought to be good
in Minnesota based on anecdotal field reports.

The early September goose season was poor to fair statewide. The late spring and April snowstorms negatively impacted
nesting Canada geese so goose production was low. Some molt migrant geese have returned to the state over the past week
which should improve goose hunting success. These are non-breeding and unsuccessful geese that migrate to Canada in early
summer to molt (replace their flight feathers) and return to Minnesota in September.

Water levels are fairly dry in the northern portion of the state but good across most of the rest of the state so access should not
be an issue for most hunters. With the heavy rains this week, many areas in southern Minnesota will have flooded areas in fields
that should be very attractive to ducks. Wild rice production was fair this year, with poor rice production on lakes mainly in the
NE. Small grain harvest is complete and some soybean harvest has started.

In recent years, about 90,000 state waterfowl stamps have been sold; based on waterfowl hunter surveys, about 50,000 hunters
are expected to participate this weekend. Goose hunter numbers during the September season (23,000) were lower than last
year (26,500) and the lowest on record.
Temperatures on opening day are expected to be near 60 in the north and mid-60s in the south with southerly winds. Below
average temperatures are expected most of next week.

Sept 21 2018 MN WF Mig Report.pdf

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[Takem1]

Nice new ponds in the fields with 4-5 inches of rain around here.

[gimpfinger]

Teal movment....that is all from my driveway. #watchingtornados


Oh and my limit of geese is 75 yards on the other side of the driveway.

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[gimpfinger]

Teal movment....that is all from my driveway. #watchingtornados


Oh and my limit of geese is 75 yards on the other side of the driveway.

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And then the **** landlord jr shows up and now all I can think about pushing teeth into his spine.

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[h2ofwlr]

Weekly precip.

just N of me 10 miles they had 7" last week, I had over 4". So the map os not the most accurate, but gives a general idea of where the heavy rains occurred.

Also, 8 days ago they was a heavy band from Brainerd to Duluth area of 4+" of rain

[gimpfinger]

Got 6 and 7/10th" at redwood falls for the week.

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[shnelson]

General: 27 September 2018

Duck hunters had a good opening weekend across the state. Blue-winged teal,
wood ducks, and mallards were most common birds in hunters’ bags in most areas;
ring-necked ducks and green-winged teal were also common on some lakes.

The number of ducks/hunter at different locations across the state on opening day
in 2018 compared to 2017 was: Lac qui Parle WMA (2.6 vs. 2.6); Swan Lake
(Nicollet county) (2.0 vs. 2.0); Thief Lake WMA (3.3 vs. 3.5); Big Rice (Remer) (1.8
vs. 1.4); Big White Oak (2.1 vs. 1.9); Mud Goose WMA (2.7 vs. 2.2); Roseau WMA
(2.0 vs. 2.4); Carlos Avery WMA (2.4 vs. 2.6); Canosia WMA (0.8 vs. 1.0).

Both Thief Lake WMA and Carlos Avery WMA recorded their 2nd highest ducks/hunter on
opening day on record while most other areas were above their long-term averages.

The number of state waterfowl stamps sold through opening weekend was 62,177, which was 4% lower than last year’s total of
64,576 and the lowest number on record.

Water levels remain fairly dry in the northern portion of the state but good to excellent across most of the rest of the state. Many
areas in southern Minnesota still have flooded areas in fields from the rains last week that should continue to be attractive to
ducks. Small grain harvest is complete and some corn and soybean harvest has started.

Hunters should see increased species diversity this week as more migrant ducks move into the state. Green-winged teal,
wigeon, gadwall, and redheads should become more common and larger numbers of ring-necked ducks should be present by
next week.

The weather outlook for this weekend calls for highs in the 40s in northern Minnesota with lows near freezing. In southern
Minnesota, highs should be in the mid 50s with lows in the 40s. The long-term forecast calls for daytime high temperatures to
remain 5-10 degrees below average with considerable rain next week and some chance for snow in northern areas.
The waterfowl season in the Central and South zones closes on Sunday.

Sept 27 2018 MN WF Mig Report.pdf

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[Quack]

Saw a good glock of greenwingers on a slough today. Haven’t seen a duck there all summer so maybe they’re new to the area and checking out the sites


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[h2ofwlr]

Migration on the NW wind late this afternoon, 2 flocks of honkers up high heading SE.
Tomorrow would be a great day hunting as I think fresh ducks will be coming in, but teal and Woodies heading out.

Also I am surprised by the number of sea ducks shot on opener, also the # of Widgeon reported.

Then again the winter song birds have arrived already.

Do they know something that we don't? Like an early winter??? I hope not.