Minnesota is a bit of a gatekeeper for the Great Lakes states when it comes to waterfowl. While an extraordinary number of birds pass through the Gopher State during migration, Minnesota is also a production state that contributes a considerable number of ducks to the annual fall flight.
Hunting reports have been mixed so far, with blue- and green-winged teal, wood ducks, and mallards being the most commonly harvested species, although ring-necked ducks, redheads, wigeon, and pintails have also been showing up in hunters’ bags.
The general tone in the northern half of Minnesota is that the robust number of locally produced teal and wood ducks have moved farther south since last weekend. This has left much of that region of the state in a bit of a gap between waterfowl that will soon migrate in and the ones that have already left.
“Drought conditions have dried up many small wetlands across the state, but duck numbers have been steady for those who’ve found them,” reports Bret Amundson, host of the Fish Hunt Forever Podcast. “Recent rains have helped fill some of those areas back up, but we sure could use more. Favorable conditions brought early Canada geese, giving hunters the opportunity to get into the fields and set spreads.”
According to Amundson, farmers are in full harvest mode, and this should help concentrate geese and mallards as waste grains become more readily accessible.
“With warm weather continuing for the rest of the week, the migration will definitely slow down, but a cold front is in the forecast for next week, which should signal the next wave of birds from the north,” Amundson adds.
What is unfavorable for hunters could be good for the ducks in the near term. A lack of hunting pressure and just enough water for waterfowl to take advantage of plentiful food sources may help hold birds temporarily, and as more crops are harvested, count on Canada geese and mallards to key in on that food source.
According to Minnesota Department of Natural Resource reports, redheads and ringnecks are beginning to build up on larger marshes and lakes, and a significant number of Canada geese moved into Minnesota over the past ten days. A smattering of snow geese are also being reported in the northwest region.
Brenda Kelly, a wildlife biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, reports that hunters along the Mississippi River have had success with a mixed bag of puddle ducks, including significant numbers of teal, pintails, wigeon, and wood ducks. The southern zone opened this past weekend, and many of the more popular boat launches were at capacity.
Regarding both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of Pools 7, 8, and 9, Kelly notes that given low water levels, hunters may have to work harder to secure good spots and avoid pressure.
The bottom line is that early season species may rule the roost for the time being, but this won’t last long as the next push of waterfowl will begin to move into Minnesota during the second half of October.
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