Duck hunting outlook depends on rain

Changes in hunting regulations include implementing the "Every Hunter Draws" system at three more areas and simplifying goose hunting regulations.

JEFFERSON CITY-Favorable weather in the Prairie Pothole Region bodes well for Missouri duck hunters, but western Missouri needs substantial rainfall to improve habitat conditions so birds stop on their way south. Meanwhile, waterfowl habitat actually suffers from too much rain in southeastern Missouri.

This year's duck season runs from Oct. 28 through Dec. 26 in the North Zone, from Nov. 4 through Jan. 2 in the Middle Zone and from Nov. 24 through Jan. 22 in the South Zone. Youth seasons are Oct. 21 and 22 in the North Zone, Oct. 28 and 29 in the Middle Zone and Nov. 18 and 19 in the South Zone.

Dave Graber, a resource scientist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said the number of ponds in the north-central United States and south-central Canada was fairly good this year for the second year in a row. The region produces most of the ducks that migrate through Missouri. Thanks in part to favorable water conditions, several duck species posted significant population gains this year.

Mallards - the most numerous duck species and the one most hunters focus on - were up 8 percent from last year, though they remain 3 percent below the long-term average.

Gadwalls showed the biggest increase, with a 30 percent jump in the number of breeding birds from last year and a 67 percent increase compared to the long-term average.

Numbers of northern pintails, which are highly esteemed by hunters, were up 32 percent from last year, although they remain 18 percent below the long-term average. This prompted regulators to maintain restrictive pintail bag limits.

Redheads and canvasbacks posted gains of 55 and 33 percent, respectively, compared to 2005, but remain 47 and 23 percent below long-term averages. Scaup are at record low numbers for the second year in a row, and the daily limit has been dropped to two. Experts say loss of habitat is the cause.

Overall, the number of breeding ducks counted this summer was up 9 percent from the long-term average. It is still 16 percent below the high-water mark of 1999, but experts predict a fall flight of 9.8 million mallards - up slightly from last year and enough to produce excellent hunting.

Graber said Missouri needs substantial rainfall to replenish wetlands in the western half of the state. Low water levels in the Missouri, Grand and Osage rivers and their tributaries could reduce water management and pumping capabilities at several Conservation Department wetland areas in western Missouri.

In contrast, 10-plus inches of rain in the southeastern part of the state flooded public and private wetlands. Excessive flooding reduces ducks ability to find plant seeds, making these areas less attractive.

Graber recommends that hunters contact wetland area managers for up-to-date reports on habitat conditions as the waterfowl hunting season progresses.

The daily limit is six ducks, including no more than four mallards (no more than 2 females), two scaup, two redheads, two wood ducks, two hooded mergansers, one black duck, one pintail and one canvasback. Other species may be taken in any number up to the daily bag limit of six ducks total. The possession limit for ducks is twice the daily limit. The daily and possession limits on coots are 15 and 30, respectively.

Missouri's three waterfowl hunting zones remains in effect for duck hunting. The only change is a slight northward shift in the North/Middle zone boundary. The new boundary follows I-70 from its junction with Highway 47 in Warrenton all the way west to the Kansas border. The change moves Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area (CA) from the North Zone to the Middle Zone. For more information on zone boundaries, visit mdc.mo.gov/hunt/wtrfowl/zones/index.htm.

Another change in this year's duck hunting regulations is the extension of the daily drawing system tested at Eagle Bluffs and Otter Slough CAs for the last two years to three additional areas. New areas using the system this year are Grand Pass, Ten Mile Pond and Bob Brown CAs.

Under the old system, every hunting party gets to draw one number to determine whether and where they will hunt at state-managed wetland areas. The new system lets each hunter in a party draw a number.

By improving larger parties' chances of a favorable draw, the new system encourages hunters to form larger hunting parties, up to the maximum of four hunters. The goal is to give as many hunters as possible a chance to enjoy the limited hunting opportunities available at state areas.

Five wetland pools totaling 525 acres at Columbia Bottom CA will be open to waterfowl hunting this year. However work on the area was not far enough along last summer to permit its inclusion in the waterfowl hunting reservation drawing. As a result, all hunting opportunities will be assigned by drawings at area headquarters each morning. For drawing times and other details, call (314) 877-6014.

Missouri's resident population of giant Canada geese is stable at about 60,000. These are not evenly distributed around the state, however. They tend to be more densely clustered around cities and suburbs and other areas where an abundance of lakes and ponds and lack of hunting favor population buildups.

Biologists predict a strong fall flight of Eastern Prairie Population Canada geese. This subpopulation of the species includes most of the migratory Canada geese seen in Missouri.

This year's goose hunting regulations are the simplest in many years. The first portion of the Canada goose season ran from Sept. 30 through Oct. 9. The second portion of the Canada goose season and the white-fronted goose season run from Nov. 24 through Jan. 31 statewide. The bag limit is two Canada geese daily and four in possession and two white-fronted geese daily and four in possession.

The season for Blue, snow & Ross's geese is Oct. 28 through Jan. 31 statewide The limit during the regular hunting season is no more than 20 blue, snow or Ross's geese daily. There is no possession limit on these species.

-Jim Low-