Waterfowl migration season final report
Thanks to David Rearick of Avery Outdoors’ Pro-Staff for another season of western Pennsylvania waterfowl migration reports. Here’s his season wrap-up:
Location: Butler
Notable weather changes/differences this season: The weather was strange again this year. We went from unseasonably warm with rain to cold and snow overnight. Following a major snowstorm, the temperatures dropped into single digits locking up water quickly and sending the migration further south.
Winter snowsummary: Snow conditions went back and forth frequently from feet to inches and back to feet during a week-long period. Snow cover has been consistent since early December.
Season water conditions: Water was low most of the season, but not too low to allow ample hunting opportunities on the water.
Overall feeding conditions: Feeding conditions were good all year. They decreased some when we had periods of freeze-thaw and freezing rain, but overall I would say they were very good.
Duck numbers compared to previous years: Low, it was the weakest year on duck numbers I have seen in some time.
Goose numbers compared to previous years: Normal, there seem to be less resident geese, but overall the count seemed pretty consistent with last year’s numbers.
Notable duck migrations: In early December a large migration hit the area and less than a week later they were pushed out by heavy snowfall and freezing water.
Notable Goose migrations: It seemed to be a slow migration and finally peaked quickly. I wouldn’t say there were any notable migrations.
Overall hunting report: Overall, I would say hunting was on par with last year, but way down from previous years. Severe changes in weather caused a short stop by many birds and it just never seemed to get going like it did four-plus years back where hunting would become consistent and hold constant for two to three weeks.
0 评论: