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Media Contact for This Release: Steve Lightfoot, (512) 389-4701, steve.lightfoot@tpwd.state.tx.us

Jan. 25, 2006

Weekly Migratory Bird Hunting Report

Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.

High Plains Mallard Management Unit/Panhandle: The region still needs rain. Most geese are roosting on Lake Etter near Dumas. Decoying action slowed this week; however, those willing to stay late in the field did scratch out limits of dark geese and a few light geese. Duck hunting for mallards continued steady for those able to access wet playas. Duck hunting has been better in Haskell County. Duck season ends at sunset Jan. 29. Goose season continues through Feb. 7. The Light Goose Conservation Order season begins Feb. 8. With lots of juvenile snows on the ground, the season should be prosperous. Prospects are good.

North Zone Waterfowl: Sunday, Jan. 29 draws to a close what many are considering the driest waterfowl season in years for North Texas. Sloughs and timber ponds have been dry throughout the season and most waterfowlers have had to resort to hunting big water on lakes and reservoirs. The region did receive rain over the weekend, which will provide some water for established ponds for the last week of the season. Leveed ponds near IH-10 received rain over the weekend to help sustain hunting for another week. Those ponds might prove prosperous when the Light Goose Conservation Order begins Jan. 30. Prospects are fair.

South Zone Waterfowl: A bit of a surprise to many duck hunters this week was the influx of blue-winged teal that moved across the coastal prairie and coastal marsh. The bonus is most of the drakes are in their cobalt-headed spring plumage, perfect for a mount. Waterfowlers have expressed delight in the later closer of the season. Normally, the second weekend of January is the traditional closure of duck season. Mallards continue to be the highlight of duck hunts on the prairie. Another shot of rain this week helped ponds sustain water for the last week of duck season, which ends at sunset Jan. 29. Pintails are very good in Rockport and Port O’Connor. Some canvasbacks have been showing in the freshwater marsh near Copano Bay. Bluebills and gadwalls have been showing on Trinity Bay straps. Green-winged teal are good in the Anahuac and High Island marsh. Snow geese continue to feed on green forbs in fallow fields or winter wheat fields. The Canada geese that were on the prairie in early January have relocated. The Light Goose Conservaton Order begin Jan. 30. With many juveniles in the light goose flock, prospects are good for the liberal season.

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On the Net:

Avian Influenza: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/birdflu/

BG 2006-01-25

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