Waterfowl Hunting Report

AUSTIN, December 6, 2006 - The second split of duck season begins 30 minutes before sunrise Dec. 9.

More mallards have found the region during the split and expect more on ponds with forecasted cold fronts this week. Gadwalls, wigeons, teal and shovelers have been the mainstays on ponds and in hunters’ bags during the first split.

In the coastal marsh, stiff north winds have dropped water levels several feet below normal. Access to shallow, tidal ponds may be tough this weekend. Rockport, Seadrift, Matagorda, Galveston Bay, Trinity Bay and the Sabine Lake marsh look promising for the second-split opener.

Goose hunting has been average at best. Since the Nov. 4 opener, goose hunters can count the number of “good goose hunting weather” days on one hand. A high ceiling and light winds have been the norm. Specklebellies are getting tougher to decoy. More Canada geese have moved into the region and hunters have been happily taking the bonus dark geese.

The coastal prairie needs rain. Outfitters and wildlife managers will have to pump more water to roost ponds if significant rain does not fall in the next two weeks. Prospects are good.

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