Weekly Migratory Bird Hunting Report

Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.

High Plains Mallard Management Unit/Panhandle: Duck season drew to a close at sunset Jan. 27; and, according to outfitters, the season finished strong. Mallards, pintails, teal, wigeons and gadwalls were the prominent birds found in bags. Many days in January saw duck hunters breaking ice to open water for the ducks. Though temperatures were in the teens, most of the snow missed the region. Goose hunting for darks continue consistent over wheat and corn. Most outfitters are getting their limit of Canadas every hunt. The regular goose season runs through Feb. 5, while the Light Goose Conservation Order begins Feb. 6 in the West Zone. Outfitters say prospects for the special light goose season are in limbo. Snow geese have been fickle lately; and, with few juvenile birds, decoying action might remain tough, even with electronic callers. Prospects are fair to good.

North Zone: Duck season ended at sunset Jan. 27, and the last two weeks of the season improved in the region. Most of the season sloughs, rivers and bayous were dry from a two- month absence of significant rainfall; however, recent rains filled backwaters and floated acorns. Acorns and other mast lying on the ground became floating food and mallards, gadwalls and wood ducks found it quickly. That, coupled with freezing temperatures in the northern states, sent wads of birds across the Red River where they found refuge in the region. Good hunts were posted near Centerville and along the Red River. Lots of teal on lakes and reservoirs helped fill bags throughout the season. The usual assortment of diving ducks staged on lakes like Caddo, Lake O’ the Pines, Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Fork, Palestine and Cooper. Along the IH-10 corridor, the rains the past 10 days only scattered ducks in plowed fields. Teal, shovelers and a few pintails were taken the final weekend. Hunters in the North Zone said action throughout the season was below average.

South Zone: Duck season ended at sunset Jan. 27 and hunters said the overall season was well below average on the coastal prairie. El Campo, Eagle Lake, Wharton, East Bernard and Garwood never held the ducks like in seasons past. Declining rice production may be a contributing factor. If not for green-winged teal, many hunters in the area would have stared at barren skies. The lack of gadwalls puzzled many outfitters. Once a mainstay like teal, few gadwalls were found on prairie ponds. Pintail numbers on the prairie continue to decline as well; again, lack of rice probably is a factor. An influx of rain the last 10 days of the season did push more pintails to the high ground of the prairie. Port O’Connor, Seadrift and Rockport were the hot spots on the coast for teal, wigeons, redheads and gadwalls. Marsh hunting near High Island remained steady throughout with fresh wads of green-winged teal and gadwalls keeping the shooting steady. Goose season in the East Zone ended Jan. 27 and overall results for the season was fair to poor. Hunters reported few juvenile snows in the flock, as little as two percent by some estimations, which proved difficult for decoying. The geese arrived a month late in some areas of the coast, and outfitters said numbers were significantly down. Many geese are using fallow grass fields and lush wheat fields. Water is everywhere with the recent rains. The Light Goose Conservation Order began Jan. 28 and prospects are fair.