TPWD Migratory Bird Hunting Update

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reports that northeast Texas ducks are slow to appear this year.

Milder weather may be delaying the arrival of ducks in our area. Winter patterns are setting in, and hopefully, that will get our feathered table guests on the move south.

Excerpt of the TPWD report follows:

North Zone Duck: Cold weather exited and mild weather set in over the region during the weekend. However, a forecasted front mid-week and into the weekend should help prompt birds to move.

Many hunters in Northeast Texas say they are not seeing the number of mallards they normally see this time of year. Most of the mallards have been harvested in ponds and sloughs near the Red River.

Lake Wright-Patman has been good for gadwalls, teal and wood ducks. Lake Palestine has been good for gadwalls and wood ducks. Caddo Lake has been steady for gadwall, teal and ringed-necks. More divers have shown on Sam Rayburn, Lake Fork and Toledo Bend.

Along the coast near IH-10, mottled ducks, pintails and green-winged teal have made up the brunt of the bag. Many hunters set up on rice fields say they are seeing more birds this year, probably due to poor conditions in the nearby marsh. The first split end at sunset Nov. 30. Prospects are fair to good.

The full report can be found here.