Imprinting with the slow season.

[hillhunter]

We were talking about this the other day while hunting on yet another slow morning. What do you guys think about the effects this slow, warm season is having on the imprinting of ducks to the MS Delta? If the weather doesn't get any better for the remainder of the year, do you think we have lost a generation of imprinting with migrating ducks?

It makes a little bit of sense if you think about it... Most of this year's hatch has been held up in Missouri, Illinois, and N. Arkansas due to little or no cold fronts and weather. They don't even know MS exists yet! So just say that next year when they migrate and if we were to get some descent weather, how are these ducks gonna know where to go? I know there will be some older ducks who have been here before to help guide the way, but then many of the older generation will die this year as well. Will they just pick a random hole with water in it? Or will they go to more of a traditional spot that has always held ducks and always will?

To me its comparable to a piece of timber or a field that normally doesn't get flooded. Everyone knows of a place that only gets 'right' once every five years or so. For some reason when this particular place gets water the ducks literally flock to it, and it doesn't matter if its been three, five, or ten years since its been that way, when it gets 'right' they will be there no matter how long its been since a duck was there. Its neat how when these places finally get some water that ten thousand years of instinct kicks in and sends birds to these spots. As much as we try to pattern a duck or plan to hunt this hole or that hole, its funny how they always know where they are going on different days and sometimes we are in that spot and sometimes we aren't.

So when I think about imprinting and loosing this in some of our spots, I go back to thinking about those traditional honey holes that only get 'right' once ever so often and hope that instinct will kick in the next time the weather decides to cooperate whether its this year or three years from now.

What are yalls thoughts on this??

[msbigdawg1234]

They'll know...

[maverick21]

They'll be in MS this year, but it will be mid-late Feb.

[dchughes]

They are in MS

[cheeko]

They are in MS

yep

[hillhunter]

I'm not saying that there are no ducks in MS at all, but if you think we have had a normal migration then you've lost your mind. I really think we are a month behind, maybe more. Unless they have arrived in great numbers since Sunday, then compared to a normal season, there are not many here. And yea I know they will be here in Feb, but what if it stays warm throughout Feb. as well. Many birds may never see this state this year for lack of weather.

[Hambone]

We have had slow seasons before and will suffer through them again. There are many factors that determine the migration other than summer population counts.

[870 express]

I'm not saying that there are no ducks in MS at all, but if you think we have had a normal migration then you've lost your mind. I really think we are a month behind, maybe more. Unless they have arrived in great numbers since Sunday, then compared to a normal season, there are not many here. And yea I know they will be here in Feb, but what if it stays warm throughout Feb. as well. Many birds may never see this state this year for lack of weather.

I'm not sure that I have ever heard a more true statement than this on this site!

[juliodux]

Very little snow up north. If any.

[54]

They go as far south as they have to no more now less

[levi127]

We have had slow seasons before and will suffer through them again. There are many factors that determine the migration other than summer population counts.

One good thing to look at is the duck numbers will be even higher next year... I mean no where near as many birds im sure killed this year then previous years im sure..
Just what I think

[Tedl10]

They are in MS

ditto

[ScottyLee]

We have had slow seasons before and will suffer through them again. There are many factors that determine the migration other than summer population counts.

One good thing to look at is the duck numbers will be even higher next year... I mean no where near as many birds im sure killed this year then previous years im sure..
Just what I think

prolly just as many birds being killed, just not in ms. Mizzou, ok and midwest states are having some of best seasons they've had in many many years. the ducks are sitting there in those areas and not having to move because no cold weather to push them. so these areas are consistently holding birds all year, and they are having jam up seasons as a result. JMO

[msbigdawg1234]

I have to disagree...yes they are having banner yrs but you take out la ms ark and tn out the mix aint noway as many birds being killed

[duckter]

Spoke with a customer of mine in Minneapolis today - she said it was -13 degrees this morning...but....still no snow on the ground. Those ducks still have food and certainly can find moving water, so why migrate? Cover their food with snow and now you got some movement.

Last year's snow pack at Christmas showed snow on the ground just about everywhere 150 miles north of the latitude line of Memphis. Minn, WI, MI - very little snow on the ground today.