Positive news on ET water fowl

Published 3:27 pm Wednesday, November 13, 2024

For many East Texas hunters, the opening of the general deer season is a highly anticipated.

Not because they enjoy deer hunting but these hunters are purist waterfowl hunters.

Sound confusing?

The opening of the general deer season means the rivers and lakes will left completely to the duck hunters and a few hard core anglers. Boat ramps will be nearly vacant and parking will not be a problem. There are many deer hunters that will only be able to sit in the stand opening weekend until they see flock after flock of ducks funneling into the old slough.

For those that got their trophy on opening day, make room because this weekend more deer hunters will morph into duck hunters.

Reports from last month indicated a rare piece of positive news on the state of duck numbers.

The US Fish & Wildlife Service counted breeding/nesting birds as well as habitat survey. Timely rainfall in June and July boosted the already prime conditions. In other words, the birds had optimal nesting and hatching success in addition to the enhanced conditions for raising the young.

Overall the total number of ducks increased 5 percent from last year and some species showed notable gains. Mallards were up eight percent, American wigeon 55 percent, green-winged teal 20 percent and scaup 16 percent. Here is the good news for duck hunters. With the success of the hatch, we can expect higher numbers of juvenile birds arriving this fall and winter.

The juveniles are normally easier to work with a call and or decoys. This works much better if the young birds are in a small group or best of all traveling alone. I have witnessed an old, raspy Mallard hen ruin the approach of juvenile drakes to the decoys more than I care to remember.

The young greenheads would nearly be in range when the old Susie would high ball. As soon as they heard her, the boys would flare and get back in the group and follow the experts.

While East Texas is experiencing its 3rd June of 2024, many ducks are still up north chilling. Things should start to be shaping up for an excellent season. I have heard reports of large flocks building on Toledo Bend and I watched a beaver slough this week that is hosting a few Gadwalls and Widgeon but the Wood Duck and Teal numbers awesome.

With every cold front that rolls through East Texas more birds will be arriving. Recent rains filled up some sloughs in the river bottom where acorns and duckweed will be waiting as the new birds stop in. Scout as much as you can. If you find a busy slough or farm pond, get your group together and plan a hunt asap.

Don’t wait or try to save the birds for later. Ducks come and go and may only stop here a day or two on their way South.

Get to your favorite duck hole this weekend and remember to show up early and stay late.