U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - News Release

Sept. 27, 2006

MIGRATION SLOW AS NONRESIDENTS JOIN N.D. WATERFOWLERS

Nonresident waterfowl hunters join their North Dakota counterparts in the field this weekend, but bird numbers aren’t much improved from last week, and neither are wetland conditions. The weekly update from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports the waterfowl migration is moving very slowly, and potholes continue to dry up.

Ducks and geese are scattered on many small wetlands in southeastern North Dakota, but scouting will be needed because not all wetlands have birds. Biologist Kristine Askerooth of Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge says hunters are still finding some blue-winged teal and green-winged teal. She adds that most birds are locals, but a few lesser Canada geese have arrived. Askerooth notes that recent rains have left fields and roads muddy.

Good numbers of diving ducks have reached some of the larger wetlands in southern Barnes County. Ed Meendering, wetland manager of the Valley City Wetland Management District, says duck populations seem to be about average in other parts of the five counties, and hunters are finding small groups of local Canada geese and a few tundra swans.

The duck population at Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge near Jamestown has jumped from 5,000 last week to 50,000. Biologist Paulette Scherr says the big majority of those are puddle ducks, and most of those are mallards. The Refuge is also holding 4,000 Canada geese and about 50 tundra swans. Surrounding wetlands continue to dry up, but that is concentrating the ducks, with most of them on larger wetlands. Scherr notes that the first of the lesser Canada geese have begun moving in.

Waterfowl movement has been minimal in Stutsman and Wells counties. Chase Lake Wetland Management District manager Tomi Buskness reports some sandhill cranes have moved into northern Stutsman County, but the best duck hunting opportunities are in the southern part of the county.

Hunters are finding some pockets of mallards and pintails in southeast-central North Dakota. Mick Erickson of the Kulm Wetland Management District says eastern Logan and McIntosh counties have the best water conditions, but he warns hunters that recent rains could mean muddy fields and roads. Erickson reports little change in waterfowl numbers from last week.

Scouting remains mandatory for successful hunting in northeastern North Dakota. Biologist Cami Dixon of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District says field hunters in northern Ramsey County have been doing well, but there are additional hot spots. The first few snow geese have reached the northern part of the District, but not much other migration has been reported.

North-central North Dakota wetlands continue to vanish. Gary Erickson, assistant refuge manager at J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, says hunters will have to be willing to move around to find waterfowl. He reports the teal seem to be heading out, but there hasn’t been much other change in bird numbers. Erickson says low water levels continue to provide attractive habitat for sandhill cranes.

Local birds continue to provide much of the action for hunters in McLean, Sheridan and Ward counties. Audubon National Wildlife Refuge wetland manager Mike Goos says the area enjoyed good local production, and dry conditions have concentrated birds on the remaining wetlands with water. Some more small bunches of lesser Canada geese have moved in, and a few sandhill cranes are being reported.

The sandhill crane and Canada goose populations at Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge have shown modest increases in the past week. Biologist Gregg Knutsen says the best water conditions and duck numbers are in northern Burleigh and Kidder counties, but hunters will need to scout in order to find the scattered concentrations of mallards. Knutsen notes that the first confirmed sightings of migrating whooping cranes in North Dakota were reported this week.

Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge near Minot has not seen much change in waterfowl numbers. Biologist Duane Anderson says most of last week’s 5,000 ducks and 1,000 Canada geese remain on the northern part of the Refuge.

Good numbers of local ducks have gathered on Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge near Kenmare. Refuge operations specialist Chad Zorn says there are some fair-sized groups of Canada geese in the area, but very few snow geese.

Central and southern Mountrail County continue to offer some opportunities for waterfowl hunters. Biologist Cory Lawson of the Lostwood Wetland Management District notes that scattered sandhill cranes and tundra swans are starting to show up throughout the county. Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge was holding about 300 resident Canada geese and 100 tundra swans early this week.

A fair movement of sandhill cranes is being reported in Divide, Williams and Burke counties. Crosby Wetland Management District refuge manager Tim Kessler says the local ducks are concentrated on the remaining large wetlands with water. He adds that most local Canada geese haven’t migrated yet, and about 200 snow geese have reached the Crosby area.

Waterfowl numbers remain steady at Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern South Dakota. Biologist Bill Schultze says the Refuge continues to hold 20,000 ducks and 900 Canada geese. He believes the best hunting opportunities are east of the Refuge.

Field checks during the first days of waterfowl season found that some hunters neglected to replace the plugs in their shotguns after the spring light goose season. Only shotguns capable of holding no more than three shells can be used

Hunters are reminded they must register each year with the Harvest Information Program. HIP registration is available by calling 888-634-4798. Information gathered from a brief survey helps with the management of migratory birds.

Another reminder about the "hunter’s choice"bag limit. The daily limit is five ducks, with these restrictions: two scaup, two redhead and two wood duck; and only one from the following group: hen mallard, pintail and canvasback

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit the Service’s website at www.fws.gov