Wdovehunterseekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.

North Zone Dove: Corn, milo and sunflowers continue to produce near Amarillo and Dumas. Feed lot tanks have held birds in the afternoon since few playas are wet. Abilene and Lubbock hunters have seen the same results. Red River hunters have seen their best shoots around tree lines and watering troughs. More birds moved into the area this week with the cooler temperatures, and expect more with the forthcoming full moon. The season runs through Oct. 23. Prospects are fair.

Central Zone Dove: Whitewings continue to find corn and milo fields in and around San Antonio, though hunter participation is down since the opener. New birds showed last week around Katy, Brookshire and Columbus. Beaumont and Dayton fields saw an influx of mourning doves with the cooler temps. Hankamer is holding more mourning doves than whitewings. Many hunters along the coast have said they haven’t seen whitewing numbers like seasons past. Stephenville, Brownwood and Waco fields have been best around available water in the afternoon. The season runs through Oct. 23. Prospects are fair.

 

South Zone Dove: Rio Grande Valley hunters have shot limits of whitewings in sunflowers. El Campo, Bay City and Port Lavaca have seen steady flights and an influx of birds with the cool front. Palacios has held birds around mesquite beans and milo fields. Hondo, Del Rio and Sabinal has been good in the afternoon for both whitewings and mourners. Devine and Big Foot continues to produce steady shoots. The forthcoming full moon should send more migrants. The season runs through Oct. 30. Prospects are fair to good.

Waterfowl Migration: Teal continue to dominate coastal fields and flats. More pintails, shovelers and green-winged teal showed along the coast this week with the cool front. Water continues to be an issue for waterfowl, as ponds that were pumped for teal season are quickly evaporating. More birds have shown on bay shorelines earlier, probably due to the absence of water on the high ground. Flights of teal have readily buzzed hypersaline shorelines in the morning hours. Marsh ponds have been dry from the drought and even drier due to abnormally low tides for this time of the year. Shallow flats on East Texas reservoirs have held birds. More specklebellies should show this week. Duck and goose season opens Nov. 5.