January 2009 Updates page 4
8 January
Missouri Waterfowl Update 2008
Time sure flew by fast this fall. It seems like just yesterday we were covering and working on the blinds for waterfowl season.
This season was definitely an abundant year for water. Several of our wetlands were damaged by floodwater, but all of the levees and blinds were repaired prior to the season. Excessive water typically spreads out the ducks but at the same time gives our hunters more places to hunt.
The opener in the North Zone was limited to Linn County since the beans were cut late in Holt County, which delayed pumping the marsh until the second week of the season. Across the board, Linn and Holt Counties both produced above average waterfowl hunting with some exceptional days throughout the season for those that were fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time.
As usual, the beginning of the north zone season was warm with flurries of a mixed bag of ducks to choose from.
Late season, we were fortunate to have a couple of strong December cold fronts move in that brought flight mallards and geese with them.
Plenty of ducks in spots.
Mallards feeding on club stubble fields December 17, 2008
On and off, many of our wetlands froze solid pushing the birds to roost on the rivers or whatever open water was available. Large flocks of snow geese and mallards fed on the fields adjoining our waterfowl crop fields, wetlands, irrigation and watershed lakes.
We have a limited amount of waterfowl hunters willing to put in the time and effort to field hunt. Those tough enough to deal with extreme weather conditions and mud seem to find success due to their effort and determination.
Quail Hunters
Reminder that no one quail hunter or group of quail hunters are permitted to repetitively hunt the same quail units pounding the coveys to extinction. The guidance is no one unit is to be hunted by any one hunter more than twice during any month of the season. Spreading every one around allows for more known covey locations and good quail hunting for seasons to come.
