Duck migration question

[SwineAssassiN]

do the fronts still push down more ducks this late in the season? or are they starting to head back?

[captainsling]

If the waters up north freeze over it could push some a little further south!

[panhandlehunter]

Yes they push new birds down. They'll start heading back as it warms up. As far as them leaving, we used to drain our duck ponds in April, and there were still birds on them. Sometimes lots of birds.

[Coach W]

Yes they push down more.

[Lungbustr]

Migration is minimal to non existent in january, unless you get some crazy arctic front. November is always the biggest migrations especially with a decent front and full moon. Best migrations are always full moons though.

[SwineAssassiN]

so the front hitting this week should push some more down right? cuz i need a new batch of birds. lol

[SwineAssassiN]

Migration is minimal to non existent in january, unless you get some crazy arctic front. November is always the biggest migrations especially with a decent front and full moon. Best migrations are always full moons though.

oh. i guess this is a controversial question. haha.

[deer99hunter]

all I can tell you is there was still a LOT of open water in Michigan between Christmas and New Year. If it doesn't freeze, they wont leave - if it does , they will. Freezeover early in the winter period is crucial for ducks making it this far south. I saw way more ducks in S.E. Missouri and Arkansas for this time of year than normal. Good luck !

[Whirlwind]

Lots of birds up north still. Tons of open water everywhere.

[Smart]

Yes... We used to get some of our biggest pushes of mallards in mid to late January.....

[SwineAssassiN]

Yes... We used to get some of our biggest pushes of mallards in mid to late January.....

what area u hunt in. we dont see hardly any where i hunt

[Lungbustr]

oh. i guess this is a controversial question. haha.

Just telling what I have learned hunting the coast for the last twenty something years. Up in north texas it may be different but for us after mid january your usually not going to see a lot of new birds. January considerably less birds migrate, a few do but not many. This data is from personal experience and a spreadsheet that my buddy keeps up with our duck kills. He does it every year by date, how many hunters, how many ducks killed, species killed etc. There's no way I would do it because its too time consuming but the data is great to have, there is so many different ways it can be used.

[Smart]

what area u hunt in. we dont see hardly any where i hunt

All over.

[panhandlehunter]

The problem late in the year is that ducks just get weary and that's why people kill less. You have to change your tactics to be successful this late. I don't have 20 years of experience but have put in my time and guided for several years. I'll out this weekend chasing em around. We're supposed to have some good weather this weekend.

[Lungbustr]

We stay on the move constantly to stay where the birds are, but the marsh becomes a lifeless wasteland a lot in january. Yeah they get skittish, and we can kill skittish but we can't kill not here.