Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Opening weekend saw fast shooting over playa lakes for blue-winged teal, gadwalls, wigeons and a few pintails. The season reopens Oct.29 and prospects remain good with a cold front forecasted for this week. Dark geese continue to trickle to the Panhandle, though they are not legal game until Nov. 6. Sandhill cranes are arriving daily and are legal to harvest Nov. 6 in Zone A. Prospects are good.
North Zone Duck Forecast: Conditions are dry throughout the North Zone, quite a contrast from this time last year when rivers and lakes were brimming with water. As a result, few large concentrations of ducks have been seen, according to biologist Jared Laing. Habitat conditions are stressed, with only a handful of teal and shovelers showing on lakes and reservoirs. The good news is a cool front is expected this week; and, coupled with the backside of the full moon, more birds should show. The first split runs Oct. 30-Nov. 28. Prospects are fair.
South Zone Duck Forecast: What was a very wet September has turned in to a very dry October. The coastal prairies and marshes remain in good shape, but rain is needed to sustain habitat through the fall and winter. Wildlife managers have been pumping prairie ponds and many are reporting more blue-winged teal now than during the special September season. Shovelers, pintails, wigeons, gadwalls and green-winged teal are showing as well. Specklebelly numbers remain below normal, but that is to be expected with mild temperatures the past two weeks. Highs along the coast have been in the 90s since the middle of October. Snow geese have not shown in large numbers, but that could change any day with a cool front expected to move through Texas this week along with the current bright moon phase. Coastal flats from Matagorda to Port O’Connor to Rockport still need a good push of birds to make for good shooting. Few ducks have been seen on the bays. The first split runs Oct. 30-Nov. 28. Prospects are fair to good.
