The Hatch

[Duck Engr]

Awesome! Thanks for the report. We’re excited to head your direction in a few weeks.

[PorkChop]

My buddy in Sioux Falls says things are looking great in SD as well!

[Duck Engr]

My buddy in Sioux Falls says things are looking great in SD as well!

Upping the excitement even more!

[PorkChop]

Bumped into a farmer yesterday that told me about some Honkers on one of his fields. Drove by it this morning and I noticed in some road ditch water there was two adults and about 5 ducklings. Didn’t get a species but I’m guessing teal. They only appeared to be about two weeks old so I suspect they won’t be flying before the season. Up in Alaska it was very common for there to be bluebill ducklings that couldn’t fly yet during the season. Can’t tell you how many pictures I saw of them birds dead From proud water wacking “duck hunters”. Didn’t feel so bad ass once you told them those were young birds that did not even have their first flight yet. In the last week or two I’ve spotted some other ducklings that should be flying sooner than later. It appears we had a pretty good second hatch or second attempt. I’m thinking the same holds true for north of the border.

One thing that will be great for the ducks and probably great for duck hunters not this season but next season is, we have miles and miles and miles of crops across the state that were destroyed by hail. Most of them farmers are just disking those crops into the ground so those will be considered baited fields. Once the birds find those fields they’re going to get big and fat and they probably won’t leave the area until they have to. That may slow the migration down and make for less birds killed. Should be nice and healthy with plenty of food for them on their way back up next spring. Just my uneducated opinion, but there is a lot of food on the ground for them this year. I am already paranoid of when the federal warden comes and checks us this year. I think the state guys are pretty lenient, but not the federal guys. I won’t be hunting any fields unless I can 100% tell it’s been combined. Even that being said it could still be considered baited.

[Darren]

Indeed a lot of talk of late water so presumably made for some re-nesting efforts. Hoping most late ones get some wings under them soon!

[PorkChop]

We’ve been having some problems finding the Geese so decided we would go fishing tonight on the refuge. Flock after flock after flock after flock of ducks heading out to feed. Things are looking good!