Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Duck hunting improved with milder temperatures and open water on playa lakes. Lots of pintails have been reported on Lake Etter near Dumas. Still lots of water in the Panhandle and an abundance of playas have ducks scattered throughout. Outfitters reported lots of movement early in the week with the return of south winds. Goose hunting continues to be hit-or-miss. Outfitters have scratched their heads all season trying to pattern birds. A low juvenile population is probably the culprit for the lack of success. Duck season ends at sunset Jan. 24. Goose season runs through Feb. 7. Prospects are fair to good.
North Zone Duck: Milder temperatures have actually helped hunting in the region. Ponds that were iced over are now free-flowing water, but high water continues to be a problem across the region. Lots of canvasbacks have been reported on Lake O’Pines, Lake Fork and Caddo Lake. Some mallards have been harvested on the Sulfur River, but high water has been a problem there as well. Wood ducks have been steady in the timber — many hunters have targeted the birds more this season with the increase in the bag from 2 to 3 birds per man. Shallow coves on reservoirs and lakes have held gadwalls and teal. Many hunters across the region say hunting has slowed overall and birds are call-shy and decoy-shy. The season ends at sunset Jan. 24. Prospects are fair.
South Zone Duck: Some portions of the coastal prairie received as much as 10 inches of rain late last week. Already soaked ground gave rise to small ponds and flats of water everywhere. As a result, hunting suffered since birds dispersed to readily available watering sources. However, the return of southerly winds helped hunting throughout the region. Many prairie hunters reported seeing an influx of pintails and green-winged teal. Bay hunters said decoying action improved around Port O’Connor and Rockport. Hunting around Baffin Bay and the Lower Laguna Madre has been fair at best. Goose hunters continue to struggle, and the recent flood has made plowed fields almost unhuntable. Duck and goose season ends at sunset Jan. 24. Many seasoned goose hunters are calling the 2009-10 campaign the worst they can remember. The Light Goose Conservation Order begins Jan. 25. Prospects are good for ducks, and poor to fair for geese.
