South Zone Waterfowl Hunting Report

ANAHUAC, November 23, 2005 - The region received and influx of birds this week, especially mallards and snow geese, with the cooperation of a full moon and strong cold front. Waterfowlers are saying they have not seen this many mallards along the coast in years. A dry Northeast Texas might be the reason so many mallards made it to the coast so early in the season.

The coastal prairie is dry, too; however, many ponds on the prairie have access to canal water or pumped water which has established roost ponds full of water.

Duck hunting slowed a bit during the week in Eagle Lake, Lissie, Garwood and El Campo, but it still remained solid enough to scratch out limits.

Trinity Bay hunters continue to take limits or near-limits of gadwalls, teal and shovelers. The same holds true for marsh hunters near Freeport and the rest of the Brazoria County marsh.

Port O’Connor, Seadrift and Rockport hunters have taken limits of redheads, scaup, gadwalls, wigeons, shovelers and teal.

Snow goose numbers are strong now, but less than ideal conditions this week did not put a dent in the population. Most goose spreads are taking their specklebellies, but even that slowed a bit Sunday when stiff north winds blew in at daylight. The region needs rainfall or waterfowl managers will have to dig deep into their pockets to pump water, which many cannot do.

The South Zone closes at sunset Nov. 27, then reopens Dec.10. Prospects are good.

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