2006 Waterfowl Migration Report Update

Great picture of the dog grump.

Hunted near Lino Lakes this morning. Had a problem with fog forming as legal shooting began. It was tuff if they can’t see your decoys and your calling will they come? With the gentle wind blowing at my back it was a tough start to my morning.

Well for me a nice drake mallard came and he got wacked I let the hen go.

During the fog storm I had come in I had a couple of birds I was unsure of. The first pass I dropped one. I was totaly surprised when the second on swung again to decoy. I shot dropped that one. After Rocky my yellow got them back I was unsure what they were. I had to go home to get my duck book. Turns out they were a pair drake and hen Widegons (sp?) the colors were pretty decent. So off to my unlce’s taxidermy shop. Yup those are Widgons. I thought cool that was a first for me. Took the breats out and they are ready to mount! I was pretty happy.

Around here there still are tons of locals. I am assuming that these are locals as well. I have noticed that the ringbills are swinging the center’s of the big bodies of waters. Soon it will be time to set the bills and divers out!

The geese around here are nuts. In a sod fieild there had to be at least 2,000 honkers. People were pulled over taking pictures they were so many. Wish they would let a guy hunt those fields! If you could I would bet my truck that you would need a sinlge shot 410 shooting 3″ shells and you would be done in 10 mins. Or you could jump up and yell DIE and they would fall out of the sky

All in all good day. Got three. With the brief change it could make some northern birds at least think it’s time to go………..

Hunted near Lino Lakes this morning. Had a problem with fog forming as legal shooting began. It was tuff if they can’t see your decoys and your calling will they come? With the gentle wind blowing at my back it was a tough start to my morning.

Well for me a nice drake mallard came and he got wacked I let the hen go.

During the fog storm I had come in I had a couple of birds I was unsure of. The first pass I dropped one. I was totaly surprised when the second on swung again to decoy. I shot dropped that one. After Rocky my yellow got them back I was unsure what they were. I had to go home to get my duck book. Turns out they were a pair drake and hen Widegons (sp?) the colors were pretty decent. So off to my unlce’s taxidermy shop. Yup those are Widgons. I thought cool that was a first for me. Took the breats out and they are ready to mount! I was pretty happy.

Around here there still are tons of locals. I am assuming that these are locals as well. I have noticed that the ringbills are swinging the center’s of the big bodies of waters. Soon it will be time to set the bills and divers out!

The geese around here are nuts. In a sod fieild there had to be at least 2,000 honkers. People were pulled over taking pictures they were so many. Wish they would let a guy hunt those fields! If you could I would bet my truck that you would need a sinlge shot 410 shooting 3″ shells and you would be done in 10 mins. Or you could jump up and yell DIE and they would fall out of the sky

All in all good day. Got three. With the brief change it could make some northern birds at least think it’s time to go………..

I’m not certain yet, what this weather is doing to the birds.
But I do know what it is starting to do to me
I can not focus on anything and I just got done (in my previous post) saying that I was shuten’ ‘er down for a couple of weeks
cheers

I’m not certain yet, what this weather is doing to the birds.
But I do know what it is starting to do to me
I can not focus on anything and I just got done (in my previous post) saying that I was shuten’ ‘er down for a couple of weeks
cheers

It appears that the storm migrated in from Canada. I will be around the Menahga area duck hunting this weekend. You can rest assure that I will have bluebill and can decoys on the water. The temps are estimated to be around freezing up there for the next couple days. Seems early, but I will gladly trade my sunscreen for a stocking hat anyday.

It appears that the storm migrated in from Canada. I will be around the Menahga area duck hunting this weekend. You can rest assure that I will have bluebill and can decoys on the water. The temps are estimated to be around freezing up there for the next couple days. Seems early, but I will gladly trade my sunscreen for a stocking hat anyday.

This thing pushed down threw canada. THERE WILL BE NEW BIRDS! Time will tell how many.

Drake. I put the plug back in the boat for this weekend! If I shoot just one BIG green head this weekend it’s worth it!

This thing pushed down threw canada. THERE WILL BE NEW BIRDS! Time will tell how many.

Drake. I put the plug back in the boat for this weekend! If I shoot just one BIG green head this weekend it’s worth it!

OK, I think that I am recanting
I just spent my lunch hour scouting, from Maple Grove to Elk River and south.
THEY’RE HERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRE
The first small rafts of the season seem to have hit the area. Ringnecks, redheads, cans, goldies and buffleheads (no bills yet)
Small rafts, meaning 1-4 dozen birds each.

FYI, this is exactly the type of report that I think we can all benefit from.
Species, Numbers and Approximate geographic area
No one needs to give up any secrets, but we will all have a much more accurate idea exactly what the migration is doing to us
Here we go boys, let the fun begin
cheers

OK, I think that I am recanting
I just spent my lunch hour scouting, from Maple Grove to Elk River and south.
THEY’RE HERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRE
The first small rafts of the season seem to have hit the area. Ringnecks, redheads, cans, goldies and buffleheads (no bills yet)
Small rafts, meaning 1-4 dozen birds each.

FYI, this is exactly the type of report that I think we can all benefit from.
Species, Numbers and Approximate geographic area
No one needs to give up any secrets, but we will all have a much more accurate idea exactly what the migration is doing to us
Here we go boys, let the fun begin
cheers

Plymouth to Montrose.

Not a huge change but there is a fair number of new ducks in the area. It looks like yesterdays front pushed some fresh Mallards in the area. Many small farm ponds and sloughs are holding groups of 8 to 10 mallards. The larger water is beging to show some small rafts. (Not sure on Species.) Looks to be similar counts in drakes previous post.

Drake…. I should have a Brainerd and Clearwater update later this afternoon.

Plymouth to Montrose.

Not a huge change but there is a fair number of new ducks in the area. It looks like yesterdays front pushed some fresh Mallards in the area. Many small farm ponds and sloughs are holding groups of 8 to 10 mallards. The larger water is beging to show some small rafts. (Not sure on Species.) Looks to be similar counts in drakes previous post.

Drake…. I should have a Brainerd and Clearwater update later this afternoon.

Chriss,
Get out o’ here you are actually going up there the only week that I am not?
PM me if you want to talk specifics. I hunted some new water (to me) that you may be interested in or already have experience with.
cheers

Chriss,
Get out o’ here you are actually going up there the only week that I am not?
PM me if you want to talk specifics. I hunted some new water (to me) that you may be interested in or already have experience with.
cheers

cheers

cheers

Brainerd.

This area has seen a big push the past two days. I recieved reports of large flocks of Geese and Mallards pushing into town on the lead edge of the lastest weather.

The weather has madee scouting difficult last night and this AM due to High winds and snow. It sounds as though Brainerd will be white by days end. Lets hope the birds are pinned down with the snow.

Brainerd.

This area has seen a big push the past two days. I recieved reports of large flocks of Geese and Mallards pushing into town on the lead edge of the lastest weather.

The weather has madee scouting difficult last night and this AM due to High winds and snow. It sounds as though Brainerd will be white by days end. Lets hope the birds are pinned down with the snow.

got 45 minutes of hunting in this morning before work on a pasture and pond i get birds off of when they start moving..only saw probably 20 or 30 geese but i was out of there by 730 got a beatutiful drake widgeon that was shot at 15 yeards with an extended choke and 2 mallards i doubled up on a hen and drake both were definatly not local birds that we have been shooting unless they have been eating a ton and filling out there colors in a couple days but about positive these have moved in…saw 4 large groups of ducks at sunrise but didnt give me the time of day!! so it is starting to look a little more positive for the weekend

got 45 minutes of hunting in this morning before work on a pasture and pond i get birds off of when they start moving..only saw probably 20 or 30 geese but i was out of there by 730 got a beatutiful drake widgeon that was shot at 15 yeards with an extended choke and 2 mallards i doubled up on a hen and drake both were definatly not local birds that we have been shooting unless they have been eating a ton and filling out there colors in a couple days but about positive these have moved in…saw 4 large groups of ducks at sunrise but didnt give me the time of day!! so it is starting to look a little more positive for the weekend

Doing some additional research today. I will pass it on as I find it.

N.W.R. Activity:
Big Stone N.W.R.- Reports that the recent cold front has pushed a lot of new Canada geese into the refuge. They have not completed their official count for the week yet but they are seeing geese everywhere. There are also a lot of mallards in the refuge as well.

Lac Qui Parle Refuge: Reports that in the past week there numbers of Canada geese in the refuge have risen from 5,000 to well over 15,000 birds. Note the Canada goose season in that zone does not open up until October 19, 2006.

Talcot Refuge: Reports goose numbers are increasing up to around 1,900 birds earlier this week. Also report a good diversity of puddle ducks around and a few divers starting to show up.

Agassiz NWR: reports on Thursday that they had a little snow today and a little bit of ice early this morning. They are holding 10,000 mallards which is down from 15,000 last week. They also have 5,000 widgeon 1,000 Gadwall, 850 Pintails, 1,500 Teal, 1,100 Ringnecks and about 5,000 Canada geese. They expect to see a large increase in birds this weekend from the recent cold front.

Doing some additional research today. I will pass it on as I find it.

N.W.R. Activity:
Big Stone N.W.R.- Reports that the recent cold front has pushed a lot of new Canada geese into the refuge. They have not completed their official count for the week yet but they are seeing geese everywhere. There are also a lot of mallards in the refuge as well.

Lac Qui Parle Refuge: Reports that in the past week there numbers of Canada geese in the refuge have risen from 5,000 to well over 15,000 birds. Note the Canada goose season in that zone does not open up until October 19, 2006.

Talcot Refuge: Reports goose numbers are increasing up to around 1,900 birds earlier this week. Also report a good diversity of puddle ducks around and a few divers starting to show up.

Agassiz NWR: reports on Thursday that they had a little snow today and a little bit of ice early this morning. They are holding 10,000 mallards which is down from 15,000 last week. They also have 5,000 widgeon 1,000 Gadwall, 850 Pintails, 1,500 Teal, 1,100 Ringnecks and about 5,000 Canada geese. They expect to see a large increase in birds this weekend from the recent cold front.

I’m glad we have this. The information available these days is awful. Most other sites and agencies are a week behind.

I’m glad we have this. The information available these days is awful. Most other sites and agencies are a week behind.

There is something else that will impact the outcome regarding where the birds will lay-over after this push.
My business partner from Bemidji call me yesterday and reported that in his travels, towards home, across northern Minnesota, all of the small bodies of water had skimmed over!
Obviously, this ice will not stick arround. But if it is there when moving birds arrive, especially dabblers, they will likely keep moving.
It is just the start of things to come.
I am personnaly happy to see things start this early for a change
cheers

There is something else that will impact the outcome regarding where the birds will lay-over after this push.
My business partner from Bemidji call me yesterday and reported that in his travels, towards home, across northern Minnesota, all of the small bodies of water had skimmed over!
Obviously, this ice will not stick arround. But if it is there when moving birds arrive, especially dabblers, they will likely keep moving.
It is just the start of things to come.
I am personnaly happy to see things start this early for a change
cheers

I was thinking the same thing yesterday. Many of the small ponds were skimmed over around Montrose/Buffalo.

This should be a good year for BIG duck though. I personally like it when things freeze up around deer opener. We’ve got some great water for that situation.