The Migration is Upon Us

It appears as though the birds have really started pouring into the buckeye state in the past few weeks. With the northern OH season starting, reports of huge numbers of mallards are all over the web. The Ducks Unlimited migration report is on repeat, with many of the entries attesting to the numbers. Almost every hunter I've spoken to believes this season will be better than last year.

2011 was predicted to be "a year to tell your grandkids about", according to many in the world of ducks. But, it was proven otherwise just a few days into the late season, when traditionally peak numbers of the migration are in the midwest. The population was up 11%, which reflects the improved condition of the breeding prairies in the U.S. and Canada. The Prairie Pothole Region was engulfed with water, providing ideal conditions for record breaking bird numbers, but the majority of the country was in one of the worst droughts many of us have ever experienced. The result was poor hunting, and a very skewed migration pattern for many birds coming through Ohio.

Everyone is optimistic about this year, including myself. It's plain to see that the birds are here. Lake Erie is covered with southbound mallards, and the river in the south is filling with birds everyday. The difference is the weather. With an acceptable amount of rainfall, many marshes are still holding water. Big improvement from 2011. Not an overage of water by any means, but hopefully enough and more on the way. Many of our friends to the southeast haven't seen these kind of numbers quite yet, but it appears that it's just a matter of time. Mid to southern parts of the Mississippi flyway reports show a healthy number of birds, and historically that means ducks for VA, NC, SC, and GA.

This year, populations are up again. According to DU, the overall duck population is up another 7% from last year's record numbers. That brings us to 48.575 million birds. I do find it interesting that this year we haven't heard much about the status of black ducks, a species with great concern considering the population drop over the last decade. Ohio is one of the few states to still see black ducks year after year. Look for them late in the season, as they are usually one of the last birds to migrate.

Needless to say, 2012 looks to be a good year for the duck hunter. Southern Ohio's season starts in just a few days, and all it takes is a good cold front to bring down some incredible species.

Happy Hunting.