Lan-Lord
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2002
- Messages
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from http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/rele.../?req=20051207a
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Outfitters claim they have enjoyed some of the best decoying action for geese in years. Normally, decoying action slows a bit as December approaches; however, as many guides have attested, a young bird count is keeping many Canadas on the deck. Easy limits have been had near Dumas, Etter and Spearman. Goose hunters are taking two to three snows per man, too. A lot of young Ross’ geese have readily decoyed. Haskell County continues strong for Canadas. Specklebellies and snow geese are scattered in the mix. The recent front deposited more mallards to the area. Any playa with water is holding ducks. As a side note, outfitters claim the pheasant hunting is as good as they have seen. Limits are the norm and not the exception. Prospects are good.
North Zone Waterfowl: The second split of duck season begins 30 minutes before sunset Dec. 10. The first split of duck season was fair to good in the region. Those on area lakes and reservoirs saw good action for mallards, gadwalls, teal, divers and shovelers. Lack of rainfall remains a factor. Backwater sloughs and bayous remain dry. The recent front deposited new birds to the region. Mallards, gadwalls, wigeons and teal are holding on Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Cooper Lake, Lake O’the Pines, Caddo Lake, Lake Tawakoni and Lake Fork. Along the coastal prairies portion of the North Zone, recent rains recharged leveed ponds. The second-split opener should see plenty of action. Prospects are good.
South Zone Waterfowl: The second split of duck season begins 30 minutes before sunset Dec. 10. Coastal prairie ponds enjoyed as much as three inches of rain last week which help raise water levels in ponds. More mallards have found the region during the split, and expect more on ponds with forecasted cold fronts this week. Gadwalls, wigeons, teal and shovelers have been the mainstays on ponds and in hunters’ bags during the first split. In the coastal marsh, stiff north winds along with the upcoming Solstice tide have dropped water levels several feet below normal. Access to shallow, tidal ponds may be tough this weekend. Rockport, Seadrift, Matagorda, Galveston Bay, Trinity Bay and the Sabine Lake marsh look promising for the second-split opener. Goose hunting has been average at best. A high ceiling has done hunters no favors. Specklebellies are getting tougher to decoy. More Canada geese have moved into the region and hunters have been happily taking the bonus dark geese. Pintails and canvasbacks are legal to harvest Dec. 22. Prospects are good.
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Outfitters claim they have enjoyed some of the best decoying action for geese in years. Normally, decoying action slows a bit as December approaches; however, as many guides have attested, a young bird count is keeping many Canadas on the deck. Easy limits have been had near Dumas, Etter and Spearman. Goose hunters are taking two to three snows per man, too. A lot of young Ross’ geese have readily decoyed. Haskell County continues strong for Canadas. Specklebellies and snow geese are scattered in the mix. The recent front deposited more mallards to the area. Any playa with water is holding ducks. As a side note, outfitters claim the pheasant hunting is as good as they have seen. Limits are the norm and not the exception. Prospects are good.
North Zone Waterfowl: The second split of duck season begins 30 minutes before sunset Dec. 10. The first split of duck season was fair to good in the region. Those on area lakes and reservoirs saw good action for mallards, gadwalls, teal, divers and shovelers. Lack of rainfall remains a factor. Backwater sloughs and bayous remain dry. The recent front deposited new birds to the region. Mallards, gadwalls, wigeons and teal are holding on Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Cooper Lake, Lake O’the Pines, Caddo Lake, Lake Tawakoni and Lake Fork. Along the coastal prairies portion of the North Zone, recent rains recharged leveed ponds. The second-split opener should see plenty of action. Prospects are good.
South Zone Waterfowl: The second split of duck season begins 30 minutes before sunset Dec. 10. Coastal prairie ponds enjoyed as much as three inches of rain last week which help raise water levels in ponds. More mallards have found the region during the split, and expect more on ponds with forecasted cold fronts this week. Gadwalls, wigeons, teal and shovelers have been the mainstays on ponds and in hunters’ bags during the first split. In the coastal marsh, stiff north winds along with the upcoming Solstice tide have dropped water levels several feet below normal. Access to shallow, tidal ponds may be tough this weekend. Rockport, Seadrift, Matagorda, Galveston Bay, Trinity Bay and the Sabine Lake marsh look promising for the second-split opener. Goose hunting has been average at best. A high ceiling has done hunters no favors. Specklebellies are getting tougher to decoy. More Canada geese have moved into the region and hunters have been happily taking the bonus dark geese. Pintails and canvasbacks are legal to harvest Dec. 22. Prospects are good.
