Weekly Waterfowl Report:12/24/03

[SB]

I've tried posting the numbers differently, so they stay aligned. If the numbers get jumbled up and you want to see them, I can e-mail them to. Just drop me an e-mail at Mahannah1@aol.com

MISSISSIPPI HABITAT CONDITIONS AND WATERFOWL NUMBERS
12/24/03


In previous years the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) has been able to conduct waterfowl surveys and post waterfowl numbers on the MDWFP web site to aid hunters in locating waterfowl concentrations and follow migrations in Mississippi. In an effort to improve the survey method, the MDWFP has provided funding to Mississippi State University for research to develop a sampling method that is efficient, accurate, and more scientific for providing absolute numbers of waterfowl wintering in Mississippi. Over 1,800 miles of transects will be flown bi-monthly to obtain this data. Waterfowl numbers will be provided as soon as possible to waterfowl hunters across the state. In addition to this information, waterfowl hunting reports will be provided by hunters across all regions of the MS Delta.

WATERFOWL NUMBERS:

Other
Area Dates Mallards Dabbling Diving All Ducks
Ducks Ducks

NE 11/19-21 41,500 43,000 19,000 103,500
12/02-06 42,000 21,000 26,000 89,000
12/18-20 45,000 33,500 9,000 87,500

NW 11/19-21 18,500 21,000 11,000 50,500
12/02-06 14,000 17,000 5,000 36,000
12/18-20 18,000 19,000 1,000 38,000

SE 11/19-21 4,000 11,000 25,000 40,000
12/02-06 16,000 5,000 37,000 58,000
12/18-20 19,000 40,000 45,000 104,000

SW 11/19-21 12,000 10,000 2,000 24,000
12/02-06 4,000 2,000 2,000 8,000
12/18-20 5,000 15,000 7,000 27,000

South 11/19-21 NA NA NA NA
Delta 12/02-06 7,000 2,000 1,000 10,000
12/18-20 2,000 1,000 500 3,500

Total 11/19-21 76,000(37*) 85,000(19%*)57,000(27%)218,000 (20%*)
12/02-06 83,000(16%*) 47,000(18%*)71,000(32%*)201,000(15%*)
12/18-20 89,000(30%*)108,000(30%*)62,500(31%*) 260,000(23%*)
* Coefficient of Variation

Area descriptions:

Northeast: north of Hwy 82 to state line, east of a line from Indianola to Clarksdale (Highways 3 & 49) and Clarksdale to Helena (Highways 61 & 49) to hill line

Northwest: north of hwy 82, west of a line from Indianola to Clarksdale (Highways 3 & 49) and Clarksdale to Helena (Highways 61 & 49) to state line

Southeast: south of Hwy 82 to Vicksburg, east of Hwy 61 to hill line

Southwest: south of Hwy 82 to Vicksburg, west of Hwy 61 to state line

South Delta: Delta region south of Vicksburg to Natchez and south to the state line.


HABITAT AND WATER CONDITIONS:

North Delta - Water conditions are fair. This area has far less water than it has averaged for the last several years. Most available surface water is due to pumping. Landowners were observed still pumping water. Very little rainfall runoff has occurred. Approximately 1 inch of rain fell during the early morning hours of December 23. This will help offset any water loss due to evaporation. This area has had enough drying days that farmers were observed in the fields preparing for next Spring's planting season and scrapping cotton from this year's cotton crop.

South Delta - The South Delta is very dry. The only areas with substantial surface water were artificially flooded. A substantial rain is still needed. Rainfall amounts of 1"- 3" were reported from the storm system that came through on December 23. This rain was helpful, but more rain is needed.


HUNTING REPORTS:

Private Lands

North Delta - Successful hunting has been spotty at best. New ducks in Tunica County have been reported since December 21. Hunter were able to take limits of Mallards in flooded agricultural fields. It appeared ducks were feeding all night in rice fields and going back to their roosts at first light. Hunters who adapted and started hunting roost location in the morning reported good success. Large number of Northern Pintails are still being reported. Pintail and Canvasback season will open on December 27, 2003.

South Delta - Hunting success has been spotty as best with a few reports of Mallard limits being taken in flooded timber, primarily cypress/tupelo and willow brakes. Hunters hunting flooded fields or WRP moist soil areas have been able to average 3-4 birds per hunter with Northern Shovelers being the primary bird harvested. Wood Duck harvest has been consistent in wooded areas.

Public Lands

North Delta - Average success ranges from 1.0 - 1.5 birds/hunter/day. WMAs with the capability to pump areas have done so and are at normal pool. Those WMAs dependent on rains and river flooding are dry. Harvest has been primarily composed of Mallards and Wood Ducks. There have been no reports of new birds.

South Delta - There appears to be a few new birds on the WMAs. WMAs are maintaining an average duck harvest of 1 bird/hunter. Wood Ducks and Mallards are the primary species being harvested. WMAs have ceased pumping. A large rain event is still needed to bring these areas to full pool.

[SilverBack]

Thanks Scott for the info. I am just hoping that after Christmas the DUCKS will arrive in Quittman County. Keeping my fingers crossed. Happy Hollidays.

[Bullet]

Here's a little more info. on geese numbers. THEY'RE FREAKING EVERYWHERE. A reported 10 ga-zillion geese were spotted in every location in the state, even in grocery store parking lots. I HATE GEESE. Thanks for the info on the ducks.

[hbrown]

hope to see plenty this weekend. I got one this evening, but it was up here by me.

[duck head]

This duck season is the worst I have had in at least 10 years, mabee ever. We finally have enough water to be huntable though still below full pool in the south delta, but no birds. Fact is, we won't have any birds when the snow line is still in the northern half of South Dakota. I hate to say it, but I have been reduced to deer hunting. Killed my first buck in 5 years last Sat...... a crying shame! I may have to seriously re-evaluate the $$$$ I spend on duck hunting in the future. In fact, I am starting to believe that the future for most folks will be reduced to pay hunting with pen raised birds before it is all over and the next generation will actually believe that they are hunting. Welcome to our "new" world!

[Delta Duck]

Thanks for the weekly report SB!

In the NorthDelta the Pintail to Mallard ratio is about 35 to 1.

See big groups of those weary birds.