Hard Core Brands Weekly Flyway Reports

Mississippi Flyway - Hard Core Manager: Tom Forman
Region: Upper Mississippi
The past week brought the first major winter storm of the season across much of the Upper Mississippi flyway. Heavy snowfall followed by frigid temperatures caused most of the inland lakes and potholes to freeze. The storm forced a big push of mallards through the Mississippi and Illinois River Valleys. Many hunters reported harvesting limits of mallards during the early part of the week. Following the storm, there are reports of the "northern birds" still being spotted in the northern states of the flyway. Hunters that have access to river systems are still having very successful hunts; however, it's been difficult to fill their daily bag limits with odd ducks.

Canada Goose numbers are increasing daily in the Rochester, Minnesota area. Many hunters reported seeing migrating Canada Geese during the early part of the week. The geese appear to be staged at the snowline as southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois have not seen the strong push of migrating geese as of yet.
Waterfowl Species Observed: Canvasbacks, Black Duck, Redhead, Canada Goose

Region: Central Mississippi
The opening weekend for many of the central parts of the flyway was very rewarding. Prior to the opener, locals reported that they have NEVER seen this many birds in the area at this time of year. One individual reported, "This reminds me of the good old days and hearing my grandfather talk about the number of birds that use to be".
Waterfowl Species Observed: Wood Duck, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Wigeon, Gadwall, Redhead, Blue Goose, Specks/White Fronts, Snow Goose

Atlantic Flyway - Hard Core Manager: Jeremy Bedette
Region: Atlantic
While the southern part of the flyway is seeing abundant teal, wood ducks, gadwall, widgeon and cranes; the north is getting ready for the push. The northeast part of the flyway has experienced an unusually slow start to the season. Moderate temps have kept most puddlers and divers to the North. Most ducks that are present have left popular hunting areas and are concentrated on small pieces of water and sanctuaries. However, Canada Geese have been abundant for several weeks. Most corn and beans fields are being cut and winter wheat fields are coming up. Couple that with the mild temperatures and large amounts of open water, and goose hunting should remain strong for the foreseeable future. Some are reporting divers migrating including bufflehead, ring necks and bluebills. With cold temperatures predicted for the next 10 days, several states in the flyway should see a noticeable increase in waterfowl activity, and new birds showing up daily.
Waterfowl Species Observed: Mallard, Gadwall, Coots, Ring Necks, Black Duck, Canada Goose, Snow Goose

Pacific Flyway - Hard Core Manager: Scott Roduner
Region: Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake area saw a cold front push through late Thursday dropping snow and temperatures. By Saturday evening, most everything froze leaving very little area for birds to sit. The swans moved in very heavy early in the weekend, but many of the local hunters fear they will leave if it doesn't warm up soon. The swans have pushed onto Great Salt Lake. Many divers and puddle ducks are still in the area but didn't fly well on Sunday.
Waterfowl Species Observed: Wood Duck, Blue Bills, Canvasbacks, Redhead, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shovelers, Coots, Ring Necks
Region: Northern California
With the arrival of the polar blast, new ducks showed up in large groups over the weekend. Many refuges saw a huge push of mallards and other puddle ducks. The geese continued to push into the area, even as far south as the grasslands.
Waterfowl Species Observed: Specks/White Fronts, Snow Goose, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shovelers

Central Flyway - Hard Core Manager: Jason Summer
Region: Montana and the Dakotas
The recent weather has put a damper on the birds with the ice and snow. Birds are moving through with a lot of water being locked up. Hopefully things will thaw and some new birds will move into the area. The birds that are around, mainly mallards and geese, are staying on large bodies of water. With weather like this, the best strategy is to look for fields close to the roosting sites.
Waterfowl Species Observed: Mallard, Canada Goose, Lesser Goose, Specks/White Fronts, Snow Goose
Region: Colorado and Kansas
Snow moved into Kansas early on 11/16/14 from Colorado and across from the northwest. There has been some birds sticking around but most headed out before the snow hit. Good reports of birds in northeast Kansas have continued to come in. A lot of the water has been freezing up with larger bodies of water staying open as long as the birds stay around to keep it open. Finding and locating the birds that are around takes some time, but once you find them, you're in! The temperatures are supposed to be in the single digits overnight, and low teens through the middle of the week.
Waterfowl Species Observed: Mallard, Pintail, Wigeon, Gadwall, Canvasbacks, Redhead, Canada Goose, Lesser Goose, Specks/White Fronts
Region: Oklahoma and Texas
Good reports have been coming in of fairly good numbers of mallards in northeast Oklahoma and central Oklahoma that moved ahead of the snow. The temperatures are getting colder and birds are around, but it takes some time to find them. Texas is seeing good numbers of ducks as well.
Waterfowl Species Observed: Mallard, Pintail, Gadwall, Canvasbacks, Redhead, Canada Goose, Lesser Goose, Specks/White Fronts

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For information about this Press Release, contact:
Heather Delacoma
Sr. Project Manager/PR
Stone Road Media - www.stoneroadmedia.com
724-803-5804