Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.
North Zone Dove: The North Zone season closes at sunset Oct. 24, and reopens Dec. 25-Jan. 9, 2011. Best flights occurred around the Panhandle in sunflowers and milo around Amarillo, Dumas and Spearman. Good shoots were posted around Lubbock and north of Abilene in plowed ground. Most of October has enjoyed chilly mornings from back-to-back fronts pushing through which has also encouraged birds to migrate steadily. Red River hunters have enjoyed steady flights around treelines and in harvested soy bean fields. Tanks and ponds holding water have been good in the afternoon due to dry conditions. Prospects are fair to good.
Central Zone Dove: A steady influx of birds has arrived over the past month due to back-to-back cool fronts. The San Antonio area remains solid for whitewings over corn. Dove hunting priorities have shifted to preparations for the upcoming deer and waterfowl seasons. Strong hunts were posted near Hankamer and Winnie in the afternoon around trees and goat weed. Good afternoon shoots were had around Uvalde and Hondo. Waco, Stephenville and Brownwood hunters have seen best shoots around tanks and ponds in the afternoon. The season closes at sunset Oct. 24, and reopens Dec. 25-Jan. 9, 2011. Prospects are fair to good.
South Dove Dove: The absence of rain has helped South Zone hunters, especially in the Rio Grande Valley where birds have patterned better during the past two weeks. A steady influx of birds has greeted hunters with steady cool fronts pouring into Texas during October. Port Mansfield and Raymondville hunters have enjoyed good shoots over milo and sunflowers. Bay City, El Campo and Port Lavaca shoots have been best in the afternoon. George West, Three Rivers and Fashing has been good around tanks in the afternoon. The season runs through Oct. 31, and reopens Dec. 25-Jan. 18, 2011. Prospects are fair to good.
Waterfowl: The High Plains Mallard Management Unit runs Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 29, 2010-Jan. 23, 2011 and prospects look good for the opener this weekend. A wet summer recharged playa lakes and habitat conditions are good. Teal, gadwalls, wigeons and a few mallards are using playas. A few Canada geese are showing, but the West Zone season does not get underway until Nov.6. Lots of sandhill cranes are showing in the Panhandle. September floods along the coast provided ample water for prairie ponds, however, high pressure has dominated for much of October and sunny blue skies have evaporated much of that water. Outfitters have had to turn on the pumps to begin filling ponds for the Oct.30 duck and goose opener. Teal, pintails, shovelers, gadwalls and wigeons are using watering sources. A few specklebellies are showing in cut rice fields. No cold fronts are forecasted for Texas this week.
