Too much snow, too little rain – what a year for weather

    There was no consistency in the nation’s weather this year. Droughts scarred much of Texas, other Southwestern states and some Midwest areas. Other regions suffered damaging floods. Contrast this with the unusually abundant snow pack in the Rocky Mountain chain through Colorado north to the Canadian prairie providences of Alberta and Saskatchewan, the two primary wetlands regions Colorado Central Flyway waterfowl nest in each spring.
    Even more encouraging for Colorado waterfowlers is the two previous wet years that resulted in full lakes and reservoirs and full flowing rivers and streams. Good water years not only mean full impoundments but good crops, which is the clincher in attracting and keeping ducks and geese. Colorado has enjoyed both, promising a very good waterfowl season this year.
    Ducks Unlimited CEO Dal Hall summarizes the promising condition.
    “The duck numbers in the traditional survey area reached the highest level since waterfowl surveys began in 1955,” he said.
    US Fish & Wildlife Service reports in May showed a 22 percent increase in the number of Canada prairie ponds holding nesting ducks and geese, from 6.7 million ponds in 2010 to 8.1 this year. Add to this the fact breeding populations this spring increased by 11 percent, again the highest increase since 1955. Colorado’s mallard, the most popular hunted duck specie, had a healthy increase of 11 percent, the best since 2000.
    The real question local duck hunters wrestle with each fall is what does good north area nesting and production mean for local hunting? Colorado has the water and excellent crops to feed the migrating ducks, and that is paramount. What is always unpredictable is the weather.  A watchful eye on weather and temperature changes in Canada, Montana and Wyoming will help anticipate the arrival of the big flights into Colorado.  Some years, we have seen a plummeting of temperatures in December or January. Too often, that can freeze ponds and cover food sources, pushing the mallards on through the state.
    Where to hunt is an equally important factor. Those who belong to waterfowl hunting clubs have their sites defined. Fortunately for those not associated with hunting organizations, we can look to the good work of the Colorado Wildlife staff and commission that secured thousands of acres of state wildlife area river access along the South Platte northeast to Greeley, Fort Morgan and Sterling. These hunting areas are shown on the SWA maps available at DOW offices. Hunters should contact landowners in areas having water, river or reservoir access. Many private landowners open their land to hunting, when permission is sought.
    Planning and scouting prospective duck hunting areas is a worthwhile exercise to make maximum time before hitting the fields and ponds. SWAs offer good water access, but it is helpful to know their locations, access points and any conditions that may apply to each area.
    The duck season opened Oct. 8 and extends to Dec.  23. The second split season season resumes Dec. 23 through Jan. 29. Start early and enjoy what can be a banner duck hunting season in Colorado.

Contact the author at Ron-Hellbusch@comcast.net.