
Minnesota Waterfowl Migration and Hunting Report: ring-necked ducks up, wood ducks and blue-winged teal down
The first three weeks of duck season have been the coldest recorded in at least the last 50 years.

The first three weeks of duck season have been the coldest recorded in at least the last 50 years.

Some areas in central and southern Minnesota still held good numbers of teal and wood ducks. In northern Minnesota, ring-necked numbers have increased along with other diving ducks.

Water levels remain fairly dry in the northern portion of the state but good to excellent across most of the rest of the state.

The following report is a compilation of state and federal wildlife manager reports and waterfowl surveys from across Minnesota. This is the first report for 2018. Reports will be compiled weekly throughout the hunting season.

Although teal action was slow, Canada geese provided a great start to the early waterfowl hunting seasons.

Wetland habitat conditions are variable across the state, with some dry conditions in the northern portion of the state, for Saturday’s opener.

A painting of a gadwall by Cannon Falls artist Jim Caturia will be featured on the 2019 Minnesota Migratory Waterfowl Stamp, after he won the annual stamp contest sponsored by the DNR. This was Caturia’s

Waterfowl seasons among first to begin in the fall.

Scouting, hard work, patience and serious planning with a willingness to change from what worked in the past are the ways to go.
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