Ducks and the drought.

[Gordie]

If you haven't seen it already most of the mid central United States is under severe drought and this will have a impact on the waterfowl movement. I have no proof but I belive it will happen.

The trend for this type of weather is only supose to get worse as time rolls on as the meterolists predict,

What will this mean for our water fowl?

Will it stay warmer longer in to the fall keeping the birds north longer?

Should the seasons really be looked at differently as pushing the seasons to a later date?

Will the Flyways change?

These birds we love will adapt to the changing weather but will it be any better for hunting or will it make it harder?

We are very lucky here in Minnesota for the most part this state has not been hit by drought as hard as most states but still it has been affected in severe ways.

For those affected by the drought my thoughts and prayers are with you and your familys.

I hope the waterfowls fair well through this trying time of drought too.

[nate larson]

I have been thinking about this as well. Our wetlands are long overdue for a good ol' fashioned drought. Hopefully the they get dry enough that we can kill off some carp and get the native vegetation back on track. I am also hoping that the flyway shifts back towards Minnesota again.

[BoxMN]

Not sure what will happen now, but last time the country had huge drought (late 80's ?) they were talking about shutting down duck hunting all around the US. Here in MN with the true lakes, we had incredible hunting! Just unreal, as in landing in dekes while setting.

[BrdHunter01]

I have been thinking about this as well. Our wetlands are long overdue for a good ol' fashioned drought. Hopefully the they get dry enough that we can kill off some carp and get the native vegetation back on track. I am also hoping that the flyway shifts back towards Minnesota again.

I would estimate it would take at least a decade of drought in the dakotas to dry up all the potholes and shift the migration back towards MN

[Riverratpete]

I'll let you know in November!

[Scott M]

I would estimate it would take at least a decade of drought in the dakotas to dry up all the potholes and shift the migration back towards MN

Agreed. The last time Minnesota had exceptional hunting was when the Dakotas were bone dry for a couple years. In the short terms, the Dakotas have been in a wet cycle more than a dry cycle, so I'd expect the same mediocre hunting here.

[Gordie]

I'm not talking about the Dakotas as much as what is directly south of them and much of SoDak is being hit hard as well along with portions of Minnesota. Even Iowa is having problems with their water ways.

I know it will take some time for a flight to shift back to the glory days but these birds are going to be in trouble once they leave here and head south.

Now In a time when people are all worried about how many ducks we can shoot or when the season open should start the ones that are really gonna be hurt are the guys south of here and if this drought rips thru the states you may even see lower limits next season because of it.

The climate is changing around us each year. We are getting warmer each year and the proof is they changed our growing season to the next climate zone up so you actually have a longer growing season for plants in Minnesota.

[TylerS]

Here you go. Straight from Delta Waterfowl: Drought conditions and Ducks

[Shane Z]

Gordie-

A very good topic that I believe will need to be looked into much more as time progresses. I'm really hesitant to make a prediction on how the flyways will diverge,converge, or stay the same within the next 2-5 years from now.I can say that when I started out waterfowl hunting(~11yrs ago), the majority of ducks I bagged were divers. Now, it seems like the tables have turned, mallards being the most common. Thoughts and Prayers to those who are in need of Rain

Shane Z.

[dan z]

thanks for the link tyler.