Waterfowl Migration update

Greenwings will stay around until ice up, it’s the bluewingers that bug out early.

One of my most memorable hunts was 5-6? years ago now……we hunted weaver (out of west newton) the last weekend of the season and had WALKABLE ice in the back waters pot holes…..we hunted right off the west newton chute, as it was the only water open…..had gaddies bombin in all morning!!!

I was still seeing woodies around as of last week

Looks like by next week the weather pattern is in for a change…..that should help

We shot one of the most beautiful Drake Greenies i’ve ever seen last weekend. The spots on his chest and the mask over his eyes had perfect defenition. I thought about mounting it. If there wasn’t holes in the bill I would probably would have.

We shot one of the most beautiful Drake Greenies i’ve ever seen last weekend. The spots on his chest and the mask over his eyes had perfect defenition. I thought about mounting it. If there wasn’t holes in the bill I would probably would have.

chriss,
I actually made a trip out on Pelican yesterday afternoon.
Wow, the wind sure raises heck with that body of water .
Ducks really were not moving, a few mallards and ringnecks after legal shooting.
The geese kept things interesting, but none would completely commit .
I got checked, as usual, by the DNR-COs at the landing when we came off. Real nice guys as long as you are not doing anything wrong .
They said that the wind had not yet changed the hunting success much .

chriss,
I actually made a trip out on Pelican yesterday afternoon.
Wow, the wind sure raises heck with that body of water .
Ducks really were not moving, a few mallards and ringnecks after legal shooting.
The geese kept things interesting, but none would completely commit .
I got checked, as usual, by the DNR-COs at the landing when we came off. Real nice guys as long as you are not doing anything wrong .
They said that the wind had not yet changed the hunting success much .

Yeah Jake, your are right.
I guess we did not quantify. There are always going to be straglers.
Actually, another interesting story; This same weekend 2 years ago we were freezing up pretty hard. I was up in Steamboat Bay on Leech, with my full diver trot-line deployed. At the end of our hunt we were knocking down the boat blind when we noticed a couple of birds that locked up on the spread at the far end of the line. They road the line into us (600′) picture perfect. They were a pair of blue wingers?
FYI, see if you can get permission to hunt the wastewater treatment plant in Zumbro Falls or the farm stock ponds just east of Buckman’s Coulee. I have had fantstic luck there in past years!
Also, on the Zumbro between Z. Falls and Hammond there is an easily accessible island that the ducks and geese seem to love, particularily the late season golden eyes and buffleheads!

Yeah Jake, your are right.
I guess we did not quantify. There are always going to be straglers.
Actually, another interesting story; This same weekend 2 years ago we were freezing up pretty hard. I was up in Steamboat Bay on Leech, with my full diver trot-line deployed. At the end of our hunt we were knocking down the boat blind when we noticed a couple of birds that locked up on the spread at the far end of the line. They road the line into us (600′) picture perfect. They were a pair of blue wingers?
FYI, see if you can get permission to hunt the wastewater treatment plant in Zumbro Falls or the farm stock ponds just east of Buckman’s Coulee. I have had fantstic luck there in past years!
Also, on the Zumbro between Z. Falls and Hammond there is an easily accessible island that the ducks and geese seem to love, particularily the late season golden eyes and buffleheads!

Thats my I saw some new ducks dance! Last night I saw 3 flocks of over 50 mallards and a pond full of ducks behind the house. Hoping these were new ducks looked like it to me!

Thats my I saw some new ducks dance! Last night I saw 3 flocks of over 50 mallards and a pond full of ducks behind the house. Hoping these were new ducks looked like it to me!

did they quack in a canadian accent?

did they quack in a canadian accent?

Where were you, in Buffalo?
What is the hunting plan?

Where were you, in Buffalo?
What is the hunting plan?

I have a couple small sloughs and flooded bean feilds to hunt. I have been holding them until I saw somthing worth while. Looks like it’s time. And yes I am in the Buffalo area.

I have a couple small sloughs and flooded bean feilds to hunt. I have been holding them until I saw somthing worth while. Looks like it’s time. And yes I am in the Buffalo area.

Jake,

They weren’t talking. But the Bufelhead in my pond tells me they are. There were only a couple, but a good sign.

Jake,

They weren’t talking. But the Bufelhead in my pond tells me they are. There were only a couple, but a good sign.

Quack-Eah, Quack-Eah!

Quack-Eah, Quack-Eah!

I knew somone would go there!

I knew somone would go there!

Quote:

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If there wasn’t holes in the bill I would probably would have.

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alot of the taxidermists now use artificial bills. we still use the real ones, but im sure any taxidermist you use would of been more than happy to mount that for u using an artificial. just thought i let you know it was still good to mount

Quote:

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If there wasn’t holes in the bill I would probably would have.

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alot of the taxidermists now use artificial bills. we still use the real ones, but im sure any taxidermist you use would of been more than happy to mount that for u using an artificial. just thought i let you know it was still good to mount

Thank you. Glad I didn’t know. Probably an expense that I don’t need.

Thank you. Glad I didn’t know. Probably an expense that I don’t need.

I saw 200+ Canadian geese on a pond near Marshall. We saw many more flying very high. Earlier in the day, there was a flock of about 30 mallards flying pretty low. I talked to some guys out hunting and they got 4 mallards. Not impressive if you ask me, but they are out there.

I saw 200+ Canadian geese on a pond near Marshall. We saw many more flying very high. Earlier in the day, there was a flock of about 30 mallards flying pretty low. I talked to some guys out hunting and they got 4 mallards. Not impressive if you ask me, but they are out there.

We hunted geese in Pine City this weekend. Many MANY geese in the area. We got one yesterday(Chip Knoll’s first goose of his life!) and 5 today, including 1 banded honker. My son Ben and my fishing buddy ElRoy AKA LeRoy Carl bagged his first as well! I wish we would have shot straighter! Went through a lot of rounds trying to catch up to them doing 45 MPH in the wind!!! Not seeing any mallards there yet. Still some woodies in Cross Lake, and the Snake.

Hastings still is a haven for local honkers. The freeze should bring some out of town honkers and mallards down. Started seeing some divers in the area, and a few mallards in the fields at sunset.

Tuck

We hunted geese in Pine City this weekend. Many MANY geese in the area. We got one yesterday(Chip Knoll’s first goose of his life!) and 5 today, including 1 banded honker. My son Ben and my fishing buddy ElRoy AKA LeRoy Carl bagged his first as well! I wish we would have shot straighter! Went through a lot of rounds trying to catch up to them doing 45 MPH in the wind!!! Not seeing any mallards there yet. Still some woodies in Cross Lake, and the Snake.

Hastings still is a haven for local honkers. The freeze should bring some out of town honkers and mallards down. Started seeing some divers in the area, and a few mallards in the fields at sunset.

Tuck

Central MN is filling up. There were 2-3k mallards on Pelican. The divers have started and we actually saw snows and cacklers on sat. Not many mind you. But there was a group of each.

Myt partner and I shot 8 mallard on Sat and 8 on sunday. I love this time of year!