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.