Journals

Delta Waterfowl Migration Study

Synopsis of Delta Waterfowl’s Duck Migration Study

The Bipartisan Policy Center commissioned Delta Waterfowl to produce a study of ducks migration in this era of climate change. The study was completed in 2011 and, by and large, is inconclusive. We have seen good numbers and statistics compiled on nesting and hatch numbers throughout the years but virtually no reliable corresponding numbers for ducks migrating during any given time period. Delta Waterfowl undertook the study of available harvest data in their attempt to determine if waterfowl in North America are migrating later in the season in response to climate change.

The study did conclude that waterfowl hunters are harvesting ducks later in the season and suggest that mallards and possibly other ducks are not widely available to hunters until later in the season because they are migrating significantly later. There are other factors in addition to climate change which may be contributing to this change in migratory patterns. For Mississippi, the average harvest dates are later for every species including mallards 16 days later, pintails 24 days later, blue-winged and cinnamon teal 35 days later, gadwall 14 days later, and green-winged teal 25 days later.

I certainly agree that ducks are harvested later. We discuss throughout the site that such is the case. My personal observations are that there is traditionally a good first wave that produces enjoyable hunting the opening weekend through early December, numbers drop off in mid-December and customarily pick back up the third and fourth week of January. The two biggest weekends for our programs are opening weekend and Martin Luther King Jr. three- day weekend in January. Sometimes the big migration of ducks arrives earlier in January and other times (like last season) to a great extent, not at all. This later migratory phenomenon is a major reason that we have changed focus here at MS Delta Ducks to a season hunt program as opposed to the traditional single-location duck lease. Spreading out the hunting into a variety of habitats helps to maximize the harvest of available ducks. The habitat complex areas are stronger in the early season while the outlying brakes and fields yield greater numbers of mallards and gadwall from mid-January to season’s end.

Give me a call to discuss programs, leases and duck hunting in general.

Bowfishing Mississippi Delta Waters

For the outdoorsman there can be a real lull during the months between the close of spring turkey season at the end of April and the opening of dove and teal seasons in September. Fishing some of the outstanding Delta lakes in search of game fish as well as hitting the links helps pass the time in sportsman style. Also, of course, scouting out new potential duck holes, planting food sources and building blinds is a priority. Bowfishing is another fun sport that combines fishing skills with the thrill of the hunt and, who knows, you might even discover a new secluded duck hole.

As I was becoming acclimated to my new Delta lifestyle about 4 years ago, a group of friends took me on my first bowfishing adventure. I only shot a few that night but was hooked. Bowfishing is not only exciting, but it is also inexpensive. With the costs of my other hunting habits, this was a real plus.

Any longbow, straight or recurve, or compound bow can be used for bowfishing. Don’t use your best bow because bows get a lot of rough treatment with this sporting activity. Fiberglass or aluminum arrows need to be equipped with the heads designed so that barbs can be reversed or removed to permit removal of the arrow from the fish. One end of a line having a minimum breaking strength of forty (40) pounds, and a minimum of forty (40) feet should be attached to the arrow being used, and the other end of the line should be attached to the bow or some type of reel which is attached to the bow. My set up is on an old compound bow with a BMS retriever reel and Trophy Ridge bowfishing rest. I use fiberglass Muzzy arrows that can be found in any local hunting store carrying bowfishing supplies.

The Delta is full of places to bowfish. You can hunt during the day or night, from a mounted platform on a boat, a bridge or raised bank. I prefer night because it seems that the fish feel more secure and come out more. Bowfishing at night can produce some excellent fish. The best way is to use a spotlight to shine on the fish. This method prevents the fish from spooking very easily. Grass carp are the most jittery of the non-game fish and take more patience and hunting savvy. Our lakes, rivers and backwaters are full of this species, which were originally stocked in catfish ponds to control weeds and algae. Fish can be shot at depths of five or six feet.

Non-game fish such as buffalo, carp and gar are all legal to bowfish and many lakes and waterways are overpopulated with these varieties. The alligator gar is a predator high on the food chain, capable of consuming abundant non-game forage species too large for most predators to eat. They can live up to 50 years. The Mississippi Department of Wldlife, Fisheries and Parks has recently stocked alligator gar into Bee Lake in Holmes County in an effort at controlling Asian Carp that entered the lake during flooding. If you harvest a tagged alligator gar , report the catch by phoning (601) 432-2400.

I have already enjoyed some productive outings this spring, bagging a gar weighing 25lbs and another weighing 18lbs along with some decent buffalo. When the water is muddy from runoff, the fishing is difficult. Summertime bowfishing trips have come to be an event I look forward to. The thing that keeps me coming back is that I never know what I might shoot. Getting a fight from a big fish that I just stuck is a huge rush and will keep me coming back for more. There are always locals who treat the fish as a delicacy and consider them good to eat when prepared the proper way. I pass them on and don’t dump them out or throw them away.

Enjoy all the sporting activities that the MS Delta has to offer. Stay tuned for our summer activities.

Elusive Third Bird

Searching for that Elusive Third Bird

After enjoying a great start to the spring turkey season with two gobblers on opening weekend, I staked out the fourth weekend of the season to bag that third and final bird. The 2012 spring season continues through May 1.

First things first, I needed to get my hunting buddy, Greg, his second bird to even us up with two apiece. Early Saturday morning, Greg and I met at his camp house to collaborate on a plan. Greg has the time both before and during to scout out specific birds while my schedule no longer affords me that opportunity. Knowing the location of feeding and strutting areas can pay huge dividends when you’re trying to maximize those daylight hours on the weekend. After all, turkey numbers vary greatly from property to property depending on habitat conditions. It takes a lot of work with Greg’s advanced scouting and collective thoughts utilizing my experience to lay out the morning’s strategy.

Saturday morning turned out to be one of those times when we couldn’t even buy a gobble. We tried a number of spots without hearing or seeing a single bird. When the woods fall silent as they had this morning, find solace in the turkeys hunter’s secret: lunch and a nap at the camp house or at the base of a tree brings clarity of mind and renewed purpose. This day would be no different. After a quick lunch and a snooze in front of the TV, we set out for one of Greg’s afternoon spots.

On a warm afternoon, I felt that we were being overly anxious and heading out too soon. From mid-morning to early afternoon, gobblers will be out looking for hens. However, 1:30 p.m. normally falls on the edge of that quiet period where tight beaked birds won’t gobble. But in turkey hunting you never know. Surprise is the norm.

We unloaded and approached the open field under the cover of some fresh cutover. Turkey tracks were everywhere, which was a good sign. We eased up on a tree covered fence line separating the cut over and the hay field. From the cover I began scanning the field and there was a big gobbler walking up the hill toward some thin pines. He blew up into a strut so I knew some hens were close by. Three hens strolled into view about 40 yards out. The hens fed slowly toward the gobbler as he strutted around. Signaled for Greg to slide over and confer. This was going to be a tough one to bag. Greg wanted to stay put on the fence row waiting on the birds to come back into the field to feed. We hunkered down to out-wait a big bad field turkey. With no water, it could be a long afternoon.

After an hour and a half, two hens appeared. I glanced through my binoculars in an attempt to locate a gobbler. The hens continued to feed in our direction with no appearance from the tom. As the hens drew within 50 yards, I spotted the gobbler watching the hens from the edge of the pines. I had a good feeling. We were set up in a good spot with ample cover. Now all we needed was luck that the big gobbler would pass by in range.

As the gobbler headed in our direction, Greg whispered to me that something was biting his nose. I told him to be still and deal with it. A turkey can see 7 times better than a human and hear 10 times better. When a gobbler is approaching, you can’t move and you can’t make any noise. These are basics when trying to out-smart the big bird with the little brain. The tom drew closer and closer all the while Greg’s nose was killing him. When the gobbler was about 53 yards out, I told Greg to take him but he didn’t feel good about the shot. Part of the responsibility of being a good sportsman is to avoid crippling a bird through a rushed or careless shot. After the birds walked by and around a bend in the hayfield, Greg pulled down his mask revealing a nose swollen up like an orange. The early spring may be causing turkeys to gobble but definite downside with ample mosquitos and insects. Further, our state capitol was rated as the fourth worst city in the nation for allergies in a report by The Weather Channel. The study also stated that due to the mild and wet winter, the allergens are appearing much earlier and more severe than normal.

Time to head for the house or take a stand. We were locked, loaded and in for the long haul. If he wasn’t coming to us, we decided to sneak into the gobbler's comfort zone. The decision was to utilize the terrain and set up closer to the gobbler. The thinned stand of pines where the gobbler had been coming and going seemed to be the ideal spot to get another chance with this long beard on his way back to roost before dark. We ventured over and made some ground blinds out of natural brush to break up our outline. And once again the wait was on. For four hours in 84-degree heat with the sun beaming down and no water we bided our time. We were committed to this bird.

It had taken some work and lots of time but we had ended up in a familiar place for the birds. As we were waiting them out, I heard the gobble of a new bird over my right shoulder. To confirm the gobble and locate the bird, I made a soft yelp, which was answered with a quick gobble. Turned to Greg, winked and said “I am going to get this one you just watch the field for the other one coming back.” In his position hard to my left, there was no way for Greg to turn around and shoot a turkey behind and to the right. I turned around on the tree and made one more soft yelp. He gobbled closer. I sat tight and waited for him to appear. I heard him drumming in a small draw 60 yards in front of me. Then he gobbled again. His head popped out of the draw looking hard for the hen he was pursuing. I sat patiently and let him do his thing.

The key to calling is knowing when to shut up. He gobbled, looked, and ducked behind a brush pile. Turning my head, I yelped again, sounding like I was in a depression in the hay field where the group of turkeys passed us by earlier. Gobbling again, he stepped out and came slowly but surely, looking and strutting. I could tell by his actions that this was an old turkey. While he continued to gobble and drew within 40 yards Greg spotted the other gobbler back in the field. He was still a long way out so I decided to take this bird. He was in range and putting on a show. I sat back and enjoyed until he got within 30 yards. I rested the bead on his head and squeezed the trigger, and CLICK!! I wasn’t locked and loaded after all. Startled by the unidentifiable noise he retreated the way he came while I sat stunned by a basic mistake that I had never made before.

I turned my focus to the other gobbler strutting in the hayfield with his two hens in tow. Slowly headed in our direction. As they got closer, I realized that with trajectory, they would fall behind a ridge to the right before getting in range for a shot. Turkey hunting is a series of instant tactical decisions. I told Greg to crawl back down the road, get in a low spot and move in position along the ridge for a clear shot at the long beard. He deliberated and headed that way a little to late. Greg spooked a hen that had already topped the ridge. Unfortunately those tactical decisions are invariably irreversible. Alarmed by the flushed hen, the big gobbler headed straight for me – a chance for redemption with a loaded gun. The wary tom approached my set up looking hard for the source of what spooked his hen. I remained still, calm and patient. He drifted across the open pasture 35 yards from where I lay in wait. Still reeling from my earlier mishap, I took the shot without taking my time or focusing. BOOM! And off he went. This was the first time that I have ever missed a turkey. Two first mistakes in one day.

Though the day was far from what Greg and I planned, chasing turkeys all day still made it worthwhile. Time to head to the house, refuel, rest and relax. I found consolation in the Sunday that lay ahead.

2012-2013 Federal Duck Stamp

According to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, the 2012-2013 Federal Duck Stamp will go on sale in late June. The service produces the Federal Duck Stamp, which sells for $15 and raises about $25 million each year to provide funds for conserving wetlands. Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry the current Duck Stamp. Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from the $15 Duck Stamp goes to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund which has purchased nearly six million acres of wildlife habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System since 1934.

I am particularly fond of this year’s selection which is an acrylic painting of a single wood duck. Since my first duck hunting experiences as a boy were in the hills of Lauderdale County, the sight of a colorful wood duck still gets my blood pumping.

This year’s winning artist is Joe Hautman of Plymouth, Minn. According to his web site, Hautman earned a Ph. D in physics from the University of Michigan and embarked on an active research career prior to his current professional art career. As an amateur artist, Hautman began to enter the Federal Stamp contest as a way to enjoy his hobby of drawing and painting. He won the contest in 1991 and this makes his fourth win with his art previously appearing on the 1992-1993, 2002-2003 and 2008-2009 Federal Duck Stamps. In the spirit of sportsmanship, the contest has ignited a brotherly rivalry. Hautman’s brother Bob has won the Federal Duck Stamp twice previously in 1996 and 2000. Their brother Jim is the current Federal Duck Stamp Artist, having won the 2010 contest and three previous contests. Among them, the three brothers have won the contest 10 times.

As funds for wildlife conservation efforts are curtailed under the current Farm Bill, hunter supported efforts at habitat conservation such as Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited and the Federal Duck Stamp program become even more vital. With historic numbers of ducks, let’s stick to the course in pursuing our lifetime commitment to hunting and preserving wintering waterfowl in the Mississippi Delta. Join me in purchasing a stamp or two this summer. The wood ducks are already here!

Back to my Roots

Locked and Loaded and Back to my Roots

Decided to seek redemption on Sunday by going back to my roots. Loaded up with my Dad to spend a morning hunting some of our tried and true turkey haunts. Headed to a place where I had grown up hunting turkeys. Leaned against the truck in the dark and listened to the spring woods start to wake up. Soon, sounds of the whippoorwill singing in the night, was joined by a host of jays and mockingbirds. As the chorus built, I listened hard for that first gobble of the morning. We were positioned where Dad had heard turkeys gobble earlier in the season, but nothing this morning. It was a beautiful and clear day with perfect conditions to hear a turkey gobble. We tried out multiple locations, but the silence ensued. I started to lose hope of bagging a bird and punching that last tag.

Dad suggested that we head to our cow pasture. I wasn’t very excited at the prospect because I hadn’t seen a turkey there in a while, but we’ve had a good deal of success at this location in years past. After a hike through the pasture and a climb to the top of the ridge, I didn’t spot or hear a bird. Headed back to the truck, one sounded off. He was across the ditch at the very back of the pasture.

I love calling turkeys. Coaxing a smart long beard across an open pasture and into a full strut 35 yards from where I’m set up creates a rush of adrenaline like nothing else. But sometimes you just have to cover ground. Dad and I took off as fast as we could walk across the pasture all the while hoping the bird wouldn’t spot us. Getting closer, he gobbled at the sound of our footsteps in the leaves. He was absolutely fired up. I told Dad to do the calling that I had enough to worry about with the shooting. He laughed at my nervousness but agreed. He made one yelp to locate the bird, and the turkey cut him off. He was only about 70 yards over the hill.

A few minutes went by and dad asked if I could see him. I couldn’t but knew that he could. I heard him drumming and had a pretty good idea of his location. He appeared in full strut with the sun hitting him perfectly. No matter how many times I’ve experienced this spectacle, if it’s close enough, it raises goosebumps. He was moving pretty fast through the woods in search of the hen. As he got closer my heart began to beat faster. With yesterday’s mishaps fresh on my mind, I concentrated really hard on bagging this bird. He got in for a clear shot at about 25 steps. I slowly squeezed the trigger and rolled him. Jumped up and hollered “I’m back.” Dad just smiled in that knowing way a Dad can.

With my self-confidence restored, it was time to help Greg. Arranged to meet at the camp and, while on the way, Greg called to report siting a gobbler with two hens in one of his fields. The remainder of the drive over I was in guide mode contemplating how we could trick this ole boy and his hens into range. Upon arriving at Greg’s camp, I hopped in the truck with him and laid out the plan. It’s taken him two years, but he’s finally learned to listen to me. We parked on the edge of a thick pine plantation and set out through the thick timber using it as concealment to sneak in close to the feeding birds. By late April flocks are pretty much established. A dominant strutter shadows his hens, waiting to breed one. They move from the food source in the late afternoon working their way back to the roost. It’s hard to call the gobbler away from the hens. The wrong call will send the flock in the other direction. The plan was to observe the birds, set up near a defined travel lane, put the calls away, and wait for the birds to walk past us.

On the edge of the field, I instructed Greg to hang back while I scouted the horizon for the birds. Spotted them about 200 yards out feeding in our direction. Part one of the plan was on point! They were going to utilize one of the two lanes of travel – feed straight toward us or feed along the edge of the field and fence row before passing through the cattle gap and crossing the road into the stand of pines where we lay concealed. I felt pretty good either way.

Watched their feeding behavior for about an hour and determined that they were drifting left toward the cattle gap. Sent Greg to set up near the gap while I observed and updated him through text messages. Thirty minutes elapsed and I lost sight of the hens. A text to Greg confirmed that they had passed into his field of vision. Returned text that the gobbler would be along shortly. A few minutes passed with no shot so I text asking if he had seen the gobbler. As I hit send – Boom! The gobbler was crippled so the race was on. We both took off running, and Greg shot him again from 7 steps. I yelled “I think you got him now!” Half his head was gone. Greg had taken the first shot from 65 steps, which was a long one. Redeemed and tagged out for the season!

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