WATERFOWL SEASONS 'Spotty' was the word for 2003-04

Weather patterns, moisture played the part of spoiler for many waterfowlers.
By DUCKS UNLIMITED
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
"The 2003-04 waterfowl season could be summed up as one of extremes. Hunters either had one of their best or worst seasons, and there wasn't much middle ground among most of the hunters I spoke with," said Chad Manlove, DU regional biologist.
When "ducky" conditions (winds associated with cold fronts) presented themselves, many regions of the country experienced outstanding hunting.
Although ducks numbers were up compared with the last couple of years, populations remain below the strong fall flights observed in the late 1990s. Consistent shooting was rare, as Mother Nature continued to challenge duck hunters across all four flyways, particularly those in southern portions of the Central and Mississippi migration corridors. Not unlike the past two years, unfrozen lakes, ponds, and streams over large portions of the upper flyways held large concentrations of ducks and geese throughout much of the season. In fact, according to the state waterfowl surveys conducted in mid-December, nearly 4 million birds remained scattered across nine states in the upper Central and Mississippi Flyways before the New Year. Yet, portions of all the flyways had their "golden moments" throughout the season, providing memories that will last a lifetime. Let's learn more about what DU biologists and others heard a-field from duck blinds across the nation this season:
Flyways in brief
Pacific: Although populations were slightly higher than last season, severe conditions during most of the season will undoubtedly lead to lower harvest estimates when surveys are completed this spring. In contrast to the duck season, the Canada goose harvest was reported to be good during most of the peak migration period in October and November, and in localized areas later in the season. A delay in the rice harvest prompted waterfowl to overfly specifi areas
CENTRAL: A moderate to severe drought hit much of the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region by duck season while Texas experienced a good early season, but things slowed down after the first split because lack of rain on the coastal prairies. As a result, most birds headed south to the lower coast where water was plentiful. Overall it was a good year if you were able to take advantage of the habitat, ducks and the opportunity to enjoy the hunting.
MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY: The waterfowl season in the Great Lakes region was considered average by most with good to excellent success late in the season when strong weather fronts moved birds southward. With mild weather during most of the season, migration patterns in the Great Lakes states were considered atypical. In Ohio, for example, dabbler migration was slightly above the long-term and five-year average but peaked one month later. In the Mid-South, early cold fronts provided good shooting opportunities from the start, and northern states were able to take advantage of much of the 60-day season as higher temperatures returned providing open water throughout much of the flyway well into December.
The report from Wisconsin and surrounding areas was dry, dry, dry. Water conditions throughout most of the area were poor as a result of below average fall/winter precipitation.
Overall, the season in the southern portions of the Mississippi flyway was better than the past two years. Those hunters that were willing to scout and locate new hunting locations did fairly well throughout the season. Hunting conditions were not ideal though.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY: New England and the Mid-Atlantic state seasons were also considered average by most with good success late in the season. Mild weather throughout most of the season resulted in fewer birds' migrating until strong weather fronts in early January moved birds down the coast. Although it was an average season, black ducks appeared plentiful in the northern portion of the region, as well as improved numbers