This is a copy of a post from the refuge. If it happens it should be something to see...
"Grand Passage may be here again
Well you boys down south best be ready to call in sick next week because we are about to have a fall flight not seen in some time! We are looking at a total freeze out of the Canadian prairies and both of the Dakotas simultaneously! This is going to force a huge amount of birds south in one giant push sometime starting Sunday and peaking probably Monday night or Tuesday.*
I have my bayonet ready to go if I am overrun withem. Even broke out the secondary barrel just encase the 1st one gets to hot. Dont want rounds going off in the chamber.
Spent the morning watching the skies. Nothing. This afternoon could be good, but this morning was the oposite. I see guys up in ND just starting on the divers.
Spent the morning watching the skies. Nothing. This afternoon could be good, but this morning was the oposite. I see guys up in ND just starting on the divers.
Here in Des Moines we are expecting a south wind until 5:00. If I were a migratory bird, I would wait until the wind turns out of the North before moving south....just saying...tonight and tomorrow might provide better luck.
The issue with this cold front is that most of the snow is falling south of most of the ducks. Snow is coming in from the west. Yes the sloughs and smaller waters are going to lock up but Grand Passage no.
Well bottom line on all this is.... ducks are gonna move period. There is physically no way that any young birds can stay with 8 plus inches of snow. No comes the real question... how many was in the band of snow that was more then 2-3 inches????
Here's one scenario that shouldn't be over looked .. These birds that are above the snow line.. where do you think that's gonna put them when them decide to move??? My guess is in our lap (leaving nebraska and kansas out) and why do I say that.. well because where are they gonna stop and feed between here and there??? Its gonna very tough on them to cross that huge of a snow line!!
Tomorrow will move ducks!!! Just be prepared to be disappointed if your in the wrong spot or on the wrong side of the state. I feel that north and south will play a bigger roll then east or west of 35
Migration started yesterday in NE iowa! One of the funnest hunts ive been on in a long time! But while all of you guys are out in the blind the next couple of days ill be at work busting my ass trying to not get layed off for the winter becuse the ground is going to freeze at least a month earlier than usual. Should see some new birds the next couple of days so for the guys going out have fun and dont kill em all.
Was on the Mississippi yesterday and today. Yesterday, saw a ton of birds going every direction. Today was a huge disappointment...didn't see 100 ducks. Yeah, I have my hopes up for tomorrow, but I think Wed. we will see a bigger push.
OK a lot of you think I am full of shit but here is probably what is going to happen.
Most of the snow is in SD. ND is getting cold as is the whole upper midwest. Prior to today there was and is a lot of birds still in Canada. As the sloughs and pot holes freeze up the birds will move to Devils Lake and the river, hunting pressure will increase in these areas and will eventually push the birds out of ND but with out snow cover a lot will stay. Inside of 2 weeks it is forcasted to be in the upper 40's again in ND with all kinds of grain to eat.
Yes there are birds moving and there will be this week but there still is going to be 1 or 2 more major pushes. Nebraska is filling up with birds as I type this as well as Kansas. North of interstate 90 in SD is kinda screwed unless you are along some rivers. Snow cover and frozen water makes birds move. It will be interesting to see Dreamweavers reports.
The Platte river in NE was hit or miss today depending on where you were at. East central part didn't report any birds by noon and out west limits of green.
Take it for whats its worth, it was free, but 40 years experience tells me something and I have seen this situation many times.
Well boys all I know Is I didn't watch ducks leaving tonight that's for sure.. And we had 5 inches here at the lodge. I will keep yall updated, but tomorrow could be a repeat of this morning.
It was 58 when I got in my truck at 5:30am this morning, by 10:00am it was about 20 degrees. When the snow broke I could see/hear flocks of lessers everywhere in the sky but I didn't see a single mallard on any of the numerous lakes and ponds.
Already got texts from my uncle. This is from Missouri: Took them 40 minutes to get a 4 man of straight green, all being new migrators.
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