+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | TPWD News Release 20061004a | +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | This page contains only plain text, no HTML formatting codes. | | It is not designed for display in a browser but for copying | | and editing in whatever software you use to lay out pages. | | To copy the text into an editing program: | | --Display this page in your browser. | | --Select all. | | --Copy. | | --Paste in a document in your editing program. | | If you have any suggestions for improving these pages, send | | an e-mail to webtech@tpwd.state.tx.us and mention Plain Text Pages. | +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ [ Note: This item is more than two months old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references. ] [ Media Contact: Steve Lightfoot, (512) 389-4701, steve.lightfoot@tpwd.state.tx.us ] [BG] Oct. 4, 2006 Weekly Migratory Bird Hunting Report Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from late August through early February. North Zone Dove: Hunters are taking limits to half-limits in sunflowers and milo fields in the High Plains region. Unseasonably warm temperatures have done nothing to spark a new migration of doves to the area. Forecasts this week expect record highs in the region. Half-limits have been taken in the afternoon around Terrell, Marshall, Bogota, Palestine and Mount Pleasant. Those able to let a field rest often have scored better hunts. Areas with water have produced better in the afternoon. Hunter participation has waned. Prospects are fair. Central Zone Dove: Hunters are hoping for another cool front to deposit new birds to stale fields; however, no cooler weather is in sight, at least for the next week. Best hunts have occurred around Uvalde, San Antonio, Hondo, Sabinal, Waco, Austin and San Saba. Those able to get out and scout have seen more birds. Those able to rotate fields have done better as many doves have moved on in fields with heavy pressure. Best hunting scenarios have been around water in the afternoon. Until cooler weather hits Texas, prospects are fair. South Zone Dove: Best hunts have come from the Rio Grande Valley area. Cameron and Willacy County fields have been good for mourners and whitewings. Del Rio, Laredo and Uvalde has been fair to good around watering holes in the afternoon. Plowed ground along coastal counties have been fair to good for limits and half-limits as long as hunters do not hunt a field too hard. Fields near Winnie and Anahuac have been good for half-limits. Matagorda and Wharton County hunters have taken half-limits lately as well. The region needs another wave of birds. Prospects are fair to good. Waterfowl Migration: Blue-winged teal remains the most abundant specie of waterfowl in Texas now. Pintails are beginning to show in small groups along the bays and on the prairie. Some shovelers and a few wigeons have been spotted as well. No significant concentrations of geese have been seen on the coast. A few specklebellies have been spotted, but only a single here and a single there. Specklebellies normally hit Texas in force sometime around the middle of October, depending on moon phase and frequency of cold fronts. Snow geese usually show at the end of October or the first of November, depending on temperatures in the northern states. No change in temperature is expected this week. Forecasts call for record highs in Texas this week. --- On the Net: Hunting Regulations: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/ Avian Influenza: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/birdflu/ -30-