Texas Waterfowl News
Migratory Bird Report No. 22 - Jan. 26, 2011High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Duck season ended Jan. 23 in the High Plains and the consensus was a successful season. Lots of water in the Panhandle gave ducks ample habitat and hunters many playa lakes to hunt. However, the abundant water scattered ducks, somewhat. Mallards, pintails, wigeons, gadwalls and teal were harvested the final weekend. Goose season runs through Feb.6, and prospects are good for decoying action. Outfitters said good goose numbers are roosting on Lake Etter and around Dalhart. More geese moved in to the Amarillo area. The Light Goose Conservation Order in the West Zone begins Feb. 7. Prospects are good.
Migratory Bird Report No. 16 - Dec. 15, 2010
Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.
Migratory Bird Report No. 10 - Nov. 03, 2010
Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.
Weekly Migratory Bird Hunting Report - Feb. 03, 2010
West Zone Goose: Snow on the High Plains has made it difficult to hunt geese. A foot of snow, with drifts as deep as three feet, have made for tough hunting conditions. Outfitters have not even considered hunting, but a warm-up forecasted for this weekend should aid in the meltdown. Still lots of geese, including Canadas and snows on Lake Etter. Peanuts and wheat have been producing around Lubbock. The regular goose season closes at sunset Feb. 7. The Light Goose Conservation Order begins Feb.8. Prospects are fair.
Weekly Migratory Bird Hunting Report - Jan. 13, 2010
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Outfitters are shaking their heads at the direction geese have gone. There has been no solid pattern for birds, according to several sources in the Amarillo area. Some days the birds never leave the roost. Snow goose hunting has been tough as well. Duck hunters had a tough time finding open water, and outfitters said many birds moved out of the area to find water. Playa lakes were unhuntable due to ice. Prospects are fair to good.
Weekly Migratory Bird Hunting Report - Dec. 23, 2009
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: An abundance of playa lakes have given birds plenty of wintering habitat on the High Plains and many duck hunters are taking advantage by bouncing from playa to playa. Good numbers of mallards, gadwalls and teal have been harvested, along with wigeons. Goose hunters have enjoyed steady shoots for Canadas. Best goose hunts have come over wheat and corn in the Panhandle. Lots of Canada geese on Lake Etter. Snow geese have been tough to decoy with light winds and blue skies. Outfitters are reported larger Canada geese (westerns and greaters) with the freeze-ups in the northern states. Peanuts have been best for geese around Lubbock and Abilene. Prospects are good.
Weekly Migratory Bird Hunting Report - Dec. 09, 2009
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: The cold front pushed lots of new ducks and geese to the Panhandle. Decoying action has been steady for geese, with some 40-bird hunts reported. Both Canada geese and snow geese have been making up the bag around Dumas and Etter.
Weekly Migratory Bird Hunting Report - Dec. 02, 2009
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Outfitters said the pre-Thanksgiving cold front pushed more geese to the High Plains. Goose hunters enjoyed better decoying action near Dumas, Spearman and Amarillo. Specklebellies and Canadas continue to work in Knox and Haskell counties. Duck numbers continue to build in the Panhandle, with more mallards showing with the cool front. Lots of water has scattered ducks throughout the region, with the exception of the Knox City area, which could use more rain. Sandhill crane hunters enjoyed great decoying action. Prospects are good.
