With the 2014 Waterfowl Season Opener just a few hours away, expectations are running high. According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service, breeding pairs are up 8% from last year. Only Pintail and Canvasback saw a reduction from 2013. With these kind of numbers and weather forecasters predicting another cold winter, it should be a stellar season in all the flyways.
Georgia unfortunately does not get a large number of migratory birds with a few exceptions. Georgia always has a high number of wood ducks that fills our season. As far as the large numbers of big ducks, we rarely see those. Last season, with the cold weather, there were some big birds late in the season. We could hope for the same thing this year.
Scouting is a must. There are ducks in Georgia, but it takes time scouting. Public land hunting is challenging as it is with all game species. The best bet is to find a secluded swamp on a WMA and get there early in the morning. The more days you spend there, the more likely you are to find new species of birds. Some of the larger lakes do hold ducks, but are often overhunted. Once again, scouting the key to success. Get where the ducks want to be.
Regardless of your successes this season, please be safe out there. Always wear your life jacket, dress appropriately, and be safe around other hunters. Good luck this season and keep checking back for updates throughout the season!!!
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