Weekly Waterfowl Report

Waterfowl season opens to scattered success and low numbers of ducks

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The first segment of the 2010-11 waterfowl season opened with some success on WMAs and intensively managed private lands even with low numbers of ducks observed during the first aerial survey. The November aerial survey reported that duck numbers in the Delta were much less than last year’s November estimates with significantly fewer mallards. These low numbers are likely due to drought conditions which dried cypress brakes and other areas, which in most years, provide consistent habitat for the first arriving waterfowl to Mississippi. In fact, the November survey observed the fewest ducks since 2007, which was also an extremely dry winter. However, after the survey was completed, a minor cold front reached the state which resulted in the first significant rainfall in quite awhile. As a result of these weather and habitat changes, waterfowl numbers have likely slightly increased throughout the Delta.

Even with efforts to provide early flooded habitat on many WMAs in the South Delta, managers observed that duck numbers were less than last year. WMA habitat that is dependent on rainfall and pumping from local rivers has not reached full pool, and more precipitation is needed. Since waterfowl numbers are relatively low throughout the Delta on both WMAs and private lands, harvest continues to be fair at best. Hunter use of popular WMAs was much greater than last year, likely due to the current dry conditions on most private lands. Gadwalls and mallards were the predominant bird reported at Mahannah WMA, and green-winged teal were the predominant bird reported at Muscadine Farms WMA. Gadwalls were the most common bird in many other parts of the Delta on private lands. However, some mallards are being harvested in areas of the Delta with intensively managed habitat and low disturbance.

The second segment of the 2010-11 waterfowl season begins on December 3 and continues December 6. As in most years, hunters can expect waterfowl numbers to build through December with each cold front that reaches the state. For example, cold weather in the Midwest has been inconsistent until recently, with the first significant migration activity reported in Missouri over the last two weeks. The mid-December aerial waterfowl survey will occur during the week of December 13, and results will be posted on MDWFP’s website upon completion. Hunters are also encouraged to track the mallard migration throughout the Mississippi Flyway through the MDWFP Waterfowl Program website: http://www.mdwfp.com/waterfowl. The Waterfowl Program website also reports water levels and habitat information for specific WMAs throughout the state.

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