Minnesota Waterfowl Migration and Hunting Report October 16, 2014
The following report is a compilation of state and federal wildlife manager reports
and waterfowl surveys from across Minnesota. This is the 4th report for 2014.
Reports will be compiled weekly throughout the hunting season and should be
available by Thursday afternoon each week. The Conservation Officer Report,
available on the DNR web site, also contains information about waterfowl hunter
success across the state.
Hunters can also view waterfowl counts from the Upper Mississippi River in SE
Minnesota at: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Upper_Mississippi_River/Fall_Flights.html
General: 16 October 2014
Duck hunting was fair to good last weekend in most areas of the state but has been
only fair since then with the mild temperatures and southerly winds. Diving ducks
were more common in hunters’ bags this week as ring-necked ducks, canvasback
and redhead abundance increased in many areas. A few wood ducks and bluewinged teal remain in southern Minnesota and a few late season migrants such as
scaup and buffleheads have moved into the state. Tundra swans are also present
in some locations. Canada goose numbers remain fairly low in most locations.
NW
Roseau
Karlstad
Thief Lake
Agassiz
NWR
Baudette
NC
Crookston
Tamarac
NWR
Park
Rapids
NE
Grand
Rapids Rice
Lake
NWR
Fergus
Brainerd
Falls
Aitkin
Little
Glenwood Falls
Cloquet
WC
Big
Stone
NWR
Cambridge
Sherburne NWR
Carlos Avery
LQP
Willmar
Appleton
Slayton
Talcot
Lake
Sauk
Rapids
Swan
Lake
Windom
SW
C
MN Valley
NWR
Upper
Miss.
Rochester
Owatonna
Winona
SE
Opportunities for field hunting should improve as more farmers begin to combine their corn fields this week.
The weather forecast calls for a cold front to move into the state by Friday. Highs are expected to be near 50 in the north and
mid 50s in the south on Friday and Saturday, with strong NW winds on Friday. The forecast into next week calls for warmer
temperatures by Monday and mild temperatures all of next week with no precipitation.
The outlook for this weekend is good as the cold front should move some migrant waterfowl into the state.
Reminders:
Duck season dates:
North Zone:
Sept. 27-Nov. 25
Central Zone: Sept. 27-Oct. 5 and Oct. 11-Nov. 30
South Zone:
Sept. 27-Sept. 29 and Oct. 11-Dec. 6
Canada goose season dates
Sept. 27-Dec. 25
Sept. 27-Oct. 5 and Oct. 11-Dec. 30
Sept. 27-Sept. 29 and Oct. 11-Jan. 5
Bag limits are 6 ducks/day, with no more than: 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 scaup, 3 wood duck, 2 pintail, 2 redhead, 1 canvasback, 1
black duck. Mergansers: 5 per day, no more than 2 may be hooded mergansers. Canada goose bag limits are 3/day.
Possession limits: 3 times the daily bag limit for all migratory birds.
Shooting hours begin ½ hour before sunrise and end at sunset the remainder of the season. Motorized decoys are prohibited on
state wildlife management areas the entire season.
The sandhill crane season is open until Oct. 20 in the Northwest zone only. Bag limits are 1/day and a sandhill crane permit is
required.
Open water hunting: On Lake Pepin, Lake of the Woods, Lake Mille Lacs, and Lake Superior, open water hunting is allowed as
long as boats remain anchored. On the Mississippi River south of Hastings, hunting is allowed not more than 100 feet from any
shoreline, including islands. Hunters should consult the 2014 Waterfowl Hunting regulations (available from license vendors or
online at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/hunting/index.html) for additional details and regulations.
Safety Never Takes A Holiday: treat every gun as if it were loaded, be 100% certain of your target before pulling the trigger,
wear your life vest, pay attention to other hunters and your hunting partners, and watch the weather.
The following is a summary of pre-season waterfowl habitat and hunting conditions from various reporting stations across the
state.
Area
Northwest
Thief Lake WMA
Roseau River
WMA
North central
Grand Rapids
Habitat conditions
Waterfowl migrations and weather conditions
Hunter Activity and Success
Thief Lake is at target level,
and access is good from all boat
launches. Bulrush cover is
widespread, but Phragmites
cover grew through deep water
for much of the summer, and is
sparse in places. Food is
available for both marsh and
field feeding birds.
South winds have slowed the movement of birds
into and out of the area. Winds are projected to
be strong out of the NNW as we move towards
the weekend which should result in the arrival of
new birds. Temperatures are expected to drop
Friday and remain cool through the weekend.
Hunter success has decreased
since last Friday when hunters
saw an average of 3.0 ducks per
person. Hunter success on
Sunday and Tuesday were 1.53
and 0.92, respectively. Ringnecks continue to be the number
one bird in the bag followed by
redheads.
CHZ use picked up over the
weekend. A blue goose was taken
on Saturday.
Roseau River WMA: Shallow Friday’s forecast is for a stiff NW wind and
Hunting activity throughout the
backwater areas of the Roseau falling temperatures, so some movement of birds Roseau River work area
River are abundant. The wild
into the area is expected.
continued to be light during the
rice in Pool 2 continues to hold
past week. 40-50 hunters/day
mallards.
Goose and mallard use of the WMA is somewhat were hunting on the unit over the
diminished from a week ago. Ring-necked duck last weekend.
Access to the pools and the
numbers continue to be impressive on the pools.
Roseau River is good.
Duck hunters averaged 3.4
Snow goose numbers increased noticeably in the ducks/hunter last weekend at
Roseau Lake WMA: Very little Roseau Lake area and near the City of Roseau in RRWMA. Ring-necked ducks
waterfowl use noted in the past the past week.
and mallards were dominant in
week.
the bag and comprised 75% of
the harvest. A few wood ducks
Grain stubble remains
are still showing up in the bag,
abundant in the area
and a few scaup have begun to
surrounding these 2 WMAs.
appear in the bag as well.
Water levels are stable and
food conditions have not
changed.
The weather has been fairly stable with above
normal temps. No significant migrations noted.
Hunting activity appears to be
normal for the time of year.
Some areas are providing good
success.
Area
Habitat conditions
Waterfowl migrations and weather conditions
Hunter Activity and Success
Rice Lake NWR
Water levels are near normal.
50% of the wild rice is laying
over in water
Lake, stream, and wetland
water levels appear near
normal. All areas are
navigable. Small grain fields
have been harvested and many
have been tilled. A few corn
fields are beginning to be
harvested. Some rice stands are
starting to deteriorate. Near
shore vegetation is in good
shape.
Water levels are normal in most
locations of the Brainerd work
area. Food & feeding
conditions are still favorable.
Water levels have stabilized.
Wild rice is still present on area
wetlands providing good
foraging for birds
Over 200,00 Ring-necks this week
No waterfowl hunting on the
RLNWR
Southerly winds have produced mild
temperatures this week. A cold front is expected
by the weekend bringing with it more seasonable
temperatures and NW winds. No major
migrations have been noted but new birds
continue to trickle into and out of the area. Ringnecked duck numbers have increased and are the
most prominent species using area lakes and
rivers with a mix of other species including some
mallards, redheads and canvasbacks. Goose
numbers remain stable.
High: 48° -61° F
Low: 24° - 42° F
0.08 in of rain in the last 7 days
Hunting pressure has been
average for this time of year.
Hunter numbers are expected to
increase over the upcoming MEA
weekend. Most hunters who
have been out are finding
opportunities to harvest birds.
Recent weather has returned to norms for this
time of year. A small influx of divers has been
noted. Most of the teal and larger numbers of
wood ducks have moved out of the area.
Hunting pressure is beginning to
decline but there is still moderate
weekend pressure. No bag
checks were completed but
reports from the area have been
good with hunters reporting 1-3
birds per outing and decent
opportunities.
Water levels are still about
normal. Wild rice is starting to
break down and open up.
Relatively stable and mild conditions over the
last week. No notable migration activity reported.
A cold front is approaching this Friday and
Saturday that could get some birds moving.
Hunting pressure is relatively
light. Hunters are having some
success with mallards, ring-necks
and green-wing teal the most
common birds right now.
Park Rapids
Brainerd
Mille Lacs WMA
Northeast
Cloquet
No major migration noted.
Hunter pressure seems to be
down.
Area
West Central
Detroit Lakes
Tamarac NWR
Fergus Falls
Habitat conditions
Waterfowl migrations and weather conditions
Hunter Activity and Success
Wetland conditions remain
good; rainfall has been sparse
the last two months. Wild rice
stands were spotty this year.
Small grain harvest/tillage
complete. Soybean harvest is
80% complete with tillage close
behind. Expect corn harvest to
begin this weekend.
Good numbers of migrant divers passed through
the area on 10/11 and 10/12. Numerous flocks of
canvasbacks and redheads observed, along with
buffleheads, a few scaup, and the first goldeneyes
of the season. Coot numbers continue to build on
select area lakes. Some field feeding mallards
observed this week in silage fields, but for the
most part mallard numbers are lower than
anticipated. Blue-winged teal are essentially
gone along with many of our local wood ducks.
Canada goose numbers are unchanged from last
week.
Fair amount of duck hunters out
this past weekend. Success was
spotty, but heard numerous
reports of parties of hunters
shooting their canvasbacks and
redheads, but not seeing many
other species to finish out their
bag. Divers were more prevalent
in the bag last weekend, with
ring-necks, redheads,
canvasbacks, and buffleheads
common, along with mallards,
green-winged teal, and wood
ducks. A few geese also continue
to be taken as fields open up.
Weather conditions this week have been warm
with highs in the 60s; extended forecast shows a
cool front moving in tomorrow with strong NW
for Friday and Saturday which should move
some birds. Warm temperatures return early next
week.
The rice beds continue a slow
Picked up about 0.1” of rain over the weekend.
deterioration. Water levels are No significant waterfowl migrations of note but
stabilizing and beaver activity there are huge flocks of blackbirds in the area.
is increasing.
One flock heading to an evening roost stretched
for more than a mile and was followed by several
smaller flocks. (Reminded one of an old Alfred
Hitchcock movie.)
Soybean harvest more than
Southerly winds and warm weather likely slowed
50% complete, some corn
migration but a good number of divers including
harvest underway. Water levels redheads, canvasbacks and ring-necked ducks in
in more permanent wetlands
area along with some mallards. Few new geese
still high despite recent dry
with goose numbers relatively low.
spell.
Hunting pressure remains steady.
Several hunters reported taking
single black ducks during the last
two weeks, one was on refuge,
one was off refuge.
Good numbers out on Saturday,
the start of the “second opener”
and generally success was good.
Lots of shooting heard around
Fergus Falls with reports of good
success, particularly for divers.
Area
Habitat conditions
Waterfowl migrations and weather conditions
Hunter Activity and Success
Glenwood
Water levels have begun to
drop with the dry weather but
still remain high
Low duck and goose numbers are the normal
across the work area. There are a few pockets of
geese in large enough numbers to be hunted;
scouting and private land permission will be
needed to be successful on the geese. Weather
has been warm and dry for the most part. Most of
the ducks that arrived earlier with the front
during the week of 10/6 have moved out and very
few new ducks seem to have arrived with the
warm weather.
Light to no pressure on weekdays
and some activity on weekends,
success to those that have gotten
out has been spotty.
Water levels are being lowered
in the Sunrise Pools to bring
them down to normal fall levels
before freeze-up. Levels in the
other pools are still high.
Flooded crop fields are drying
up. Bean harvest is in full
swing with corn harvest about
10% complete.
Mild weather this week has meant little change in Ring-necks have replaced teal in
the duck population. There has been a significant the bag, along with a few
increase in coots on the area.
mallards and wood ducks.
Central
Carlos Avery
WMA
Sauk Rapids
Cambridge
Sherburne NWR
Canada geese numbers have been increasing in
the area at a moderate pace. There have been a
few reports of more diver duck movement
through central MN. Canvasback/redhead
harvest is picking up on larger shallow lakes.
Hunters are commenting that they are seeing
more mallards in full plumage.
Water levels are decreasing.
Although there hasn’t been a large influx of
Bean and Corn harvest is
migrant birds, some northern birds have been
increasing. Both large flocks of observed. Species surveyed in the area this week
geese and mallards have been
include mallards, wigeon, green-winged teal,
observed feeding in cut fields. redhead, wood ducks, ring-necked ducks, and
scaup.
No change in water levels from Approximately 4,000 coots were seen on our
the previous week.
main reservoir, St. Francis Pool.
Hunter activity has slowed, but
the die-hards are scouting and
finding decent hunting. Most
successful hunters are going out
on windy days.
Hunting pressure has been low in
the area since the central zone
reopened. Hunters interviewed
reported lower duck numbers in
the area and low hunting success.
There were 5 vehicles parked at
the Long Pool parking lot this
morning. One duck hunting party
reported seeing very few
waterfowl.
Area
Habitat conditions
Waterfowl migrations and weather conditions
Hunter Activity and Success
Southwest
Swan Lake
(Nicollet)
Redwood Falls
Marshall
Same habitat conditions, dry
with crops starting to be
harvested
It has been reported that the migration is in full
swing with reports of diving ducks and green
winged teal moving into the Northern part of the
Nicollet Area. The central and Southern portions
have seen an increase in Mallards and Swans
tipping us off to new birds entering the area.
Area wetlands have good water Blue winged teal have moved out of the area, but
levels. Soybean harvest is 80% recent migrants, including gadwalls and pintails,
complete, corn 20-30% and
have replaced them. Wood ducks are still
progressing rapidly. Tillage is present, and mallards have increased slightly.
beginning.
Small numbers of migrant Canada geese seen.
Coots present in large numbers on better quality
wetlands. Unseasonably warm weather in the
middle of the week will be replaced on Friday by
northwest winds and seasonable temperatures,
likely continuing the migration flux.
Good overall. A few local
No major migrations noted this week. There are a
basins are in drawdown.
few less teal and wood ducks but a wide variety
Soybean harvest about 75%
of other species are in the area, including some
complete and corn harvest has divers. Weather for the duck re-opener was
begun. Fall tillage continues.
mostly clear, highs around 60, light south winds
Saturday morning, but stronger south winds in
the afternoon, and gusting to 30 mph on Sunday
afternoon. Outlook for this weekend is sunny
with highs in the mid 50’s Sat and mid 60’s on
Sun with lows above freezing and southerly
winds.
No new reports on hunter
success.
Only one hunting report, hunters
averaged three ducks apiece,
mostly mallards with a few
pintails and Canada geese thrown
in.
Good hunter participation and
success on Saturday morning but
many left the marsh early to
pursue pheasants. Some hunters
were also out for a late hunt
taking advantage of the sunset
closure. Although mallards and
teal (both blue and green-wings)
still dominant in the bag and
wood ducks still around, hunters
had more of a mixed bag
compared to the opening
weekend with reports of
redheads, shovelers, gadwall,
wigeon, pintail, scaup and ringnecks taken. Duck hunting
reports weren’t as good on
Sunday.
Area
Habitat conditions
Waterfowl migrations and weather conditions
Hunter Activity and Success
Lac qui Parle
WMA
Marsh Lake and Upper LQP
Lake - water levels at normal
pool.
Temps slightly above normal for this reporting
period and predominately south winds. Little
precipitation.
Moderate hunting pressure and
success on Marsh Lake on
Saturday with lighter pressure on
Sunday. Divers and puddle
ducks present but not in huge
numbers.
Cattail and sedge cover in good No migration to report. Duck species
shape on Marsh Lake; cattail
composition the same as last report. Canada
and sedge cover in the Twin
goose numbers are very low over wide area.
Bridge area a little thin.
Canada goose numbers on the Lac qui Parle State
Habitat west of Marsh Lake Game Refuge around 500 geese.
backwater channels and
impoundments holding water.
Soybean harvest approximately
70% complete; no corn harvest
yet.
Lac qui Parle Controlled Goose
Hunt - the controlled hunt starts
this Thursday, 16 October. A
significant number of changes
have been made most noticeably
blinds are now available first
come, first serve. A 15 page Lac
qui Parle Goose Hunting Guide
has been developed and contains
just about everything hunters
need to know relative to hunting
geese on the refuge including
detailed maps. This guide is on
the same page as the migration
reports - see section on geese.
Hard copies will be available at
our office and outside after
business hours.
Currently goose numbers are very
low on the refuge and harvest
opportunity will be very limited.
Standing crop around certain
blinds will be an issue too. Quite
frankly - hunting geese on the
refuge is now a November and
December phenomenon based on
migration chronology that has
developed over the past 10 years.
Area
Habitat conditions
Waterfowl migrations and weather conditions
Hunter Activity and Success
Willmar
Wetland water levels continue
to be in good shape. 40%-50%
of soybeans have now been
taken out with harvest activity
going full force.
Area weather is now in a mild mode with above
normal temps. and southerly winds in the
forecast for next several days with highs in the
60s and lows in 40s or high 30s. No new
migration taking place at this time, and would not
expect any in the near future. Some leftover ringnecks and redheads in a few places.
Hunter activity and success has
dropped way off at the present for
waterfowl. Pheasant hunting has
been poor as well.
The second opener in southern Minnesota was
mild and sunny with light winds. Clouds and and
showers moved in on the 12th and 13th producing
widespread precipitation. The wet weather was
chased out by very strong northwesterly winds on
the 14th. Numbers of Canada geese, coots,
mallards and several other mid-season migrants
such as green-winged teal, gadwalls, redheads,
canvasbacks, and buffleheads have started to
arrive. Good numbers of wood ducks remain in
the areas. Blue-winged teal numbers are
dwindling, but they are still common in good
habitats.
Hunting pressure was high on
opening weekend and into the
early part of the week. Most
hunters had a successful second
opener. Bag reports indicate an
average of 1 – 2 birds per hunter
with a mixed bag and some limits
reported. Blue-winged teal,
mallards, green-winged teal and
wood ducks were the most
common birds taken. Goose
hunting activity has also picked
up some.
Windom
Marshes and water levels still
good. Bean harvest in full
swing and nearing completion.
Corn harvest started. Tillage
underway on harvested acres.
MEA happens this week so more
hunters should be in the field but
one would expect poor results.
Low for Sat, 10/11 around 27degrees.
Most duck hunter success was
Occasional frost on mornings since then. No
fairly low on the weekend of Oct
significant precip in last week. Many coots
11th. Bag was very mixed, with
coming into the area starting around 10/10. Most both divers and dabblers. Duck
blue-winged teal appear to have left the area. A hunter numbers were low,
few ring-necks showing up with the coot influx. possibly electing to pursue
Overall duck numbers still relatively low.
pheasants.
Southeast
Owatonna
Water conditions are good in
most of our area. Drier
conditions prevail in northern
and western sections. Lake
levels are generally at typical
fall seasonal lows. Bear and
State Line Lakes near Emmons
are drawn down for habitat
rehabilitation and access is
difficult. Soybean and corn
harvest is well underway
opening up field hunting
opportunities.
Waterfowl Count Data, week of October 13, 2014.
Canada geese
Ducks
a
Number seen :
Area
Date
Swans
this
week
This
week
Last
count
Number seen:
Last
year
This
week
Last
count
Last
year
This weeks duck
Species - %
b
composition
Coot
this
week
Comments
NORTH
Thief Lake WMA
NS
3,000
3,100
NS
18,000
14,000
Beltrami/Clearwater
counties
10/13
200
1,500
500
1,100
5,000
6,000
Rice Lake NWR
10/15
360
1,700
1,500
500
250,000
177,000
Tamarac NWR
10/15
160
120
150
50
31,000
36,000
Sherburne NWR
10/15
30
1,900
1,700
5,000
8,500
11,000
Carlos Avery WMA
10/15
15
120
80
120
800
3,300
3,000
Brainerd
10/13
5
20
130
50
500
800
300
500
500
12,000 82% RN, 18% MAL
12,000
33,000 93% RN, 7% MAL
20,000
CENTRAL
250
97% RN, 2% MAL, 1%
RED
2,000
34% GWT, 30% WD,
12,000 18% RN, 15% MAL,
2% BWT
65% RN, 26% MAL,
6% WD, 1% CAN
5,000
41% WD, 33% RN,
17% MAL, 6% MERG
1,800
SOUTH
Lac qui Parle WMA
10/14
a
- Numbers seen during the current survey, last survey: the previous count from this year, last year: the number recorded during the same or nearby week last year.
b
- abbreviations: MAL = mallard, GAD = Gadwall, WIG = Am. wigeon, GWT = Am. green-winged teal, BWT = blue-winged teal, SHOV = Northern shoveler, PIN =
Northern pintail, WD = Wood duck, RED = Redhead, CAN = Canvasback, SCP = Scaup, RN = Ring-necked duck, HOOD = Hooded merganser, NS = No survey.