Weekly Waterfowl Report

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The following report is a compilation of WMA reports and habitat assessments during the week ending January 3, 2010.

Jackson, MS – Habitat conditions throughout the entire Delta continued to improve during the past week as major rivers experienced significant flooding.  A major cold front from the north reached the state over the weekend, but no significant duck migrations were reported during the previous week. 

An extremely cold weather system moved into the state during the New Year’s holiday, and more northern states have reported significantly fewer ducks as a result.  Significant ice has been reported throughout the mid-latitude states and even into northeast and central Arkansas.  Waterfowl populations, however, appear to be widely distributed throughout the Southeast U.S. and good harvest has been reported in areas outside the Mississippi Flyway. Most hunter success has been reported along major rivers in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Waterfowl harvest on WMAs has been below average, and many areas could receive significant ice cover by the end of the week.

MDWFP is currently flying its aerial waterfowl survey for the early January period and results will be posted on MDWFP’s website upon completion.  This survey will serve as the Mid-Winter Inventory, which is a cooperative waterfowl survey with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  The Waterfowl Program website also reports water levels and habitat information for specific WMAs throughout the state.

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