TPWD Migratory Bird Hunting Update - Jan. 21, 2009

Diving ducks are still abundant on local lakes, wood ducks take a powder and mallards remain scarce.

NEWS RELEASE, Jan. 21, 2009 -- As creeks and backwaters dry up, woodies are leaving the area.

Pines hunters are still taking gadwalls and divers, but mallards, scarce all year, remain so.

North Zone Duck:
Duck hunting has slowed as of late, probably due to dry conditions and light winds. Hunters searching for mallards have had a tough time finding the prized duck. Area lakes and reservoirs have been devoid of greenheads for most of the season. Wood ducks have disappeared as of late, probably due to timber sloughs and back waters drying to dust. Lots of diver ducks on Toledo Bend, Caddo Lake, Lake O’the Pines, Lake Fork and Sam Rayburn. Gadwalls and a few wood ducks have been taken on Lake Palestine. Timber ponds able to be rested during the week have yielded decent shoots for mallards on weekend. Duck hunting around the IH-10 corridor has been slow, except for a few rested ponds. An influx of green-winged teal helped fill the bag during the past week. The season closes at sunset Jan. 25. Prospects are fair.

South Zone Duck:
Dry conditions across the coast have hurt duck hunting success. Few prairie ponds are left from the lack of rain during the past five months; however, those who have water have had successful hunts. Best hunting has been around East Bernard, Wharton and Chesterville. Duck hunting along the bay has been tough around Port O’Connor. Hunters able to find large rafts of redheads and pintails have shot their birds, but movement has been minimal during the day. Good hunts have been posted near Collegeport and Palacios. An influx of green-winged teal has helped put birds in the bag. Rockport hunters have taken limits of redheads and a few bluebills. Port Mansfield has been fair for divers and pintails. Goose hunting has been fair at best with bluebird skies. Geese are beginning to separate into small groups and worked the edges of fields for remaining food sources. Most geese are feeding on green fields or pastures over-seeded with rye grass. Duck and goose season ends at sunset Jan. 25. The Light Goose Conservation Order begins Jan. 26. Prospects are fair.

See the full report at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20090121a