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Mallard Forecast 2020 #8048038 11/12/20 03:23 PM
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ndhunter Offline OP
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Hot off the press

Duck Hunting Forecast 2020
Quote
In a late-August news release, the organization painted a rosy forecast based partly on a spring nesting survey conducted by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Long term population trends and good springtime breeding habitat across critical regions also factored into the outlook.

North Dakota harbors a large slice of the prime breeding grounds. The DW report says the state agency estimated a statewide breeding population of 4 million ducks that represents an 18 percent increase over 2019 and 64 percent above the long-term average.

Last year’s USFWS survey numbers included 10 species totaling about 38.9 million ducks estimated across the northern U.S and Canada. Mallard numbers totaled about 9.4 million a year ago — an increase of about two percent from 2018 and 19 percent above the long term average. Blue-winged teal were the second most abundant with an estimated population of 5.4 million in 2019.

DW bills itself as “The Duck Hunter’s Organization.” The outfit forecast a strong flyaway for the 2020 duck season, particularly for mallards, gadwall and blue-winged teal.

Texas teal hunters already witnessed a banner early teal season in September that produced record harvests along the Texas coast. Only time will tell how things will shake out for Texas’ duck season.

The first of two splits in Texas’ South Zone got underway on Nov. 7. The first split in the North Zone begins Nov. 14; High Plains Management Unit, Nov. 6.

Based on what heard out of the Dakotas, Kraai thinks Texas hunters could be in for a fruitful season.

https://www.athensreview.com/duck-h...2ca0064-243f-11eb-b466-ffe3feec3442.html

Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8048050 11/12/20 03:30 PM
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Been seeing some on my ponds, which is early for this area. Matter of fact, seeing a lot of ducks.

Last edited by Stompy; 11/12/20 03:31 PM.

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Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8048073 11/12/20 03:39 PM
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That's good news Stompy

Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8048105 11/12/20 03:54 PM
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I'm no biologist, but with 70 degree weather well into November I'd say the mallard forecast is looking bleak the first few weeks. Same thing happened last year, most of our green didn't show up until January.

Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8048125 11/12/20 04:07 PM
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Foggy with a chance of green falling from the sky.



Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8048247 11/12/20 05:29 PM
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Had 7 on a stock tank in Carbon last weekend. First time in years I've seen any at the place. I have seen more ducks down early this year than years past. Not that it means anything

Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8048256 11/12/20 05:37 PM
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We're froze up , up here. Your hunting should be great coming days and weeks.
We had an early below zero stint in Sept, that sent the teal down kind of early for us.
The earlier we freeze up the better your ducking is.

Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: tdogg] #8048259 11/12/20 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by tdogg
I'm no biologist, but with 70 degree weather well into November I'd say the mallard forecast is looking bleak the first few weeks. Same thing happened last year, most of our green didn't show up until January.


This!

Seeing good numbers of Teal, Gadwall, and divers right now. A few green, but still too warm. We need hard freezes up North to really push them down.


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Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8048609 11/12/20 10:14 PM
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I did see quite a few mallards halloween weekend while scouting. But its suppose to be 80 on Saturday here in dfw. I imagi e once the pressure of opening weekend hits these birds they will be headed back north


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Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8048610 11/12/20 10:14 PM
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Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8048653 11/12/20 10:49 PM
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I've got a buddy that was in SD last week. Found an area piled up with mallards the day he got there. South wind came in and they were gone the next. Poof.

Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8049032 11/13/20 04:09 AM
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Teal have been solid around East Bernard where I hunt. Booking a green head hunt around Paris Texas mid December. I hope it’s solid I got an itch for green heads


“Two things that define an individual what you do when you have everything, and what you do when you have nothing."


Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: tdogg] #8049313 11/13/20 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by tdogg
I'm no biologist, but with 70 degree weather well into November I'd say the mallard forecast is looking bleak the first few weeks. Same thing happened last year, most of our green didn't show up until January.


I think you are probably right tdogg. I never know what to make of wildlife forecasts in general but it makes for interesting reading. Just thought I would post it up to get the conversation flowing. I don't think you need a forecast to find ducks.

Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8049347 11/13/20 03:22 PM
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I've seen mallards on tanks already this year might get into some this weekend if I'm lucky. Normally don't get them till late season but last year they never really showed up. Only shot a couple.


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Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8049402 11/13/20 04:10 PM
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Seems like most everywhere is dry and warm



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Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8055378 11/18/20 08:04 PM
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Well maybe not much of a mallard forecast

Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8055430 11/18/20 09:03 PM
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I scouted a spot on Nov. 1st that had alot of mallards, gads, and wood ducks. Opening weekend they were gone. I follow alot of guides and outfitters in texas on social media and all they arent shooting any mallards. We aren't going to see any mallards till we get a severe artic front that dumps snow and ice all over kansas and northern oklahoma.


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Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8055442 11/18/20 09:16 PM
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ducks are plentiful! shot some Mallards on the prairie already. Going to Oklahoma in january to put the smack down on em


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Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: rickym] #8055496 11/18/20 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by rickym
Foggy with a chance of green falling from the sky.


I can picture it

Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8055771 11/19/20 01:44 AM
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Shot 4 greenheads on Sat and 5 on Sunday, they are around. Agree the big pushes aren't here however I am convinced there is a good portion of ducks that migration is the least impacted by temperature (besides locking up all water), has a lot more to do with moon phase. Some of my best mallard hunts were opening weekend of first split on Texas public.

Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: tdogg] #8056208 11/19/20 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by tdogg
I'm no biologist, but with 70 degree weather well into November I'd say the mallard forecast is looking bleak the first few weeks. Same thing happened last year, most of our green didn't show up until January.


I'd like to say I didn't call it, but.......


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Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8056249 11/19/20 02:00 PM
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I have shot most of my mallards within the first 2 weeks of the season. Seems a portion migrate early and head to Mexico.

Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: TrackQuack] #8056327 11/19/20 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by TrackQuack
(besides locking up all water), has a lot more to do with moon phase. Some of my best mallard hunts were opening weekend of first split on Texas public.


Some real good points here. Completely agree. Some of my best green shoots have been 2nd split normally mid December til the end.


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Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8056582 11/19/20 05:18 PM
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This is my season thus far..... all downhill from here - first 3 hunts were dry field hunts in North Dakota hunting close to this lake that had thousands of mallards on it. Last two hunts were Texas public.

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Re: Mallard Forecast 2020 [Re: ndhunter] #8057632 11/20/20 04:36 PM
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That's a lot of ducks

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