Ducks Unlimited Podcast

This special Ducks Unlimited migration alert covers three major flyways experiencing dramatic shifts caused by early winter storms. The hosts discuss teal surges and goose arrivals out West, peak‑level movement in the Atlantic Flyway, and Kansas lighting up after northern systems locked up wetlands. With freeze‑ups, warmups, and rapid weather swings influencing bird behavior, the episode highlights how hunters can adapt to unpredictable migration waves while staying safe during dangerous ice conditions.

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Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.

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Creators and Guests

Host
Jerad Henson
DUPodcast Conservation Host
Host
Matt Harrison
DUPodcast Outdoor Host

What is Ducks Unlimited Podcast?

Ducks Unlimited Podcast is a constant discussion of all things waterfowl; from in-depth hunting tips and tactics, to waterfowl biology, research, science, and habitat updates. The DU Podcast is the go-to resource for waterfowl hunters and conservationists. Ducks Unlimited is the world's leader in wetlands conservation.

VO:

Please stand by. A migration alert has been issued. Repeat. A migration alert has been issued. Please visit ducks.org/alerts for more info.

VO:

Can we do a mic check, please? Everybody, welcome back to the Ducks Unlimited podcast. I'm your host, doctor Mike Brasher. I'm your host, Katie Burke. I'm your host, doctor Jared Henson. And I'm your host, Matt Harrison.

VO:

Welcome to the Ducks Unlimited podcast, the only podcast about all things waterfowl. From hunting insights to science based discussions about ducks, geese, and issues affecting waterfowl and wetlands conservation in North America. The DU podcast, sponsored by Purina Pro Plan, the official performance dog food of Ducks Unlimited. Purina Pro Plan, always advancing. Also proudly sponsored by Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails.

VO:

Whether you're winding down with your best friend or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Matt Harrison:

Hey, everybody, and welcome back to the Ducks Unlimited podcast. I'm your cohost, Matt Harrison. Also joining with me is doctor Jared Henson to bring to you another migration alert. Doctor Jared, how are you doing this morning?

Jerad Henson:

I'm good, Matt. I'm good. I'm trying to get over a little bit of a cold that's jumped on after getting out in that cold weather this weekend, but, but happy to be here.

Matt Harrison:

No doubt. I'm the same way. So if you hear me sniffling on the mic, just know that I as well have a little bit of a cold. And I think exactly what you said, it was due to hunting this past weekend and freezing my tail off. So I believe a lot of waterfowl hunters right now either have a sniffle or a call for a sore throat of some sort with all this cold weather that we have here in the South.

Jerad Henson:

No doubt. No doubt. But it was it was good. It was good to see some weather come in. And it seems like, Matt, after reading through some of these migration reports, that's kind of a theme Yep. For all three that we're gonna go through today. So

Matt Harrison:

No doubt. Normally, whenever we start getting cold weather down here in the Mississippi, Arkansas, Memphis area, that means up north is really cold. And like you said, a couple of these migration alerts that we'll be reading, they shows exactly that, that it is extremely cold, some in the negative negative temperature range at and it's locking a lot of different things up for them up north. So we'll just hop right into it, though. We'll start with the Pacific Flyway in California, and, you know, they're talking about they've kinda had a big migration with mixed results, though, you know, the colder weather up on the Pacific Fly Away has pushed some ducks and geese into the California Central Valley, but with some of the mild temps and abundant flooded rice, they kind of have some birds, but they're spread out, you know.

Matt Harrison:

That's one thing, you know, some of the part of The United States haven't struggled with tremendously is having a ton of water and spreading those birds out. But with this migration report, that's what they are saying is is in this Pacific Flyway, is a lot of water, and it has spread a lot of the ducks out, which can be challenging at times. But at least, you know, they have water, at least they have some opportunity to get get out there and chase some birds.

Jerad Henson:

Yeah, and on top of that, Matt, it looks like some of that West Coast fog seems to be playing a lot of a factor on bird movement as well. That was something I saw. One of the things that I thought was pretty interesting is, like, with the we'll talk about this, I think, a little bit too, with the Atlantic Flyway too, lots of teal, right? That Lots generally comes through on the front edge of a good front. You'll start to see teal show up ahead of that, and that's an indicator that the birds are moving, but you're not getting your bigger ducks quite yet.

Jerad Henson:

It seems like those California guys are really having a good time shooting teals and teal. Cinnamons and green

Matt Harrison:

ones. Yeah. One thing that I found interesting, and I would like to kinda know what this was due to, and maybe you can weigh in on this a little bit, Doctor. Jared. But it said, you know, with the abundant amount of water, it's kinda had some inconsistent opportunities for hunters, but some are still limping out, you know, and having good hunts out there, but it says some are struggling in traditional rice blinds that typically do pretty good, and I wonder what the cause of that is exactly.

Matt Harrison:

What if you just had to kinda weigh in on that a little bit, what would you think some of the causes might would be why some of these traditional, little bit better rice fields may not be producing quite as good as they typically do?

Jerad Henson:

Yeah, I mean, all I can say based upon the reports, I'm a West Coast hunter, so I don't know everything in and about that, but it really sounded to me like they're getting one, you got some dispersion of water, so ducks don't have to go to those traditional rice brines quite as much, so that bounces them around. And then also some of the fog and some of the weather patterns have set up to basically make it to where you're not getting that traditional movement. But that's just kind of my guesses on that. And some of that looks like there was some late water Yeah. As well, especially coming into some of those government or the the NWRs where they have some rice ground.

Jerad Henson:

Because of the shutdown, there was some water that just now is getting to those areas. So that's going to move birds around as well.

Matt Harrison:

Well, if you enjoy goose hunting, in this report it says the White Fronts and the Light Geese and some Snows and Rawls have finally arrived in some of the hunting areas, they said, especially around the, and I may mess these town names up, but Richvale, Biggs, and Caloosa, which California's generous 30 goose daily limit offers a great opportunity to get out there and chase some geese. I had no idea, Doctor. Jared, that their limit is 30 on geese.

Jerad Henson:

Yeah. Well, 20 light geese is pretty normal, but 10 specs, that's Yeah.

Matt Harrison:

10 specs in the same I top mean Wow.

Jerad Henson:

And that has to do with the number of hunters versus the the population of birds, right? They don't get the hunting pressure like some of the other the Central And Mississippi flyaways do.

Matt Harrison:

Yeah. One of the

Jerad Henson:

things that I thought was really cool was the fact that they're about to open up their first mute swan season.

Matt Harrison:

I saw that January 1.

Jerad Henson:

And that's a big, mean bird. I know they've caused problems on the Atlantic Flyways and areas around there. They're super aggressive. They'll they'll run off Canada geese

Matt Harrison:

Wow.

Jerad Henson:

And and other birds, and and can keep those birds from nesting or having successful nests during nest season. So they can be quite a problem for native waterfowl.

Matt Harrison:

I see in this report, it tells us that these birds can weigh up to 25 pounds. That is unbelievable.

Jerad Henson:

That's that's, you know, that's bigger than a turkey.

Matt Harrison:

I mean, that's unbelieve can you imagine one of those just coming in and landing on the water right in front of you? Like, that's something I have never gotten to experience, but I imagine that is quite the sight to watch as a mute swan come in and just put the put the landing gear down and land right in front of you.

Jerad Henson:

Yeah. I was like shooting an airplane.

Matt Harrison:

Yeah. If you shoot one flying, you may better wear a helmet, because if that one comes down on you, that that may knock you out.

Jerad Henson:

Yeah, it's like getting hit by an NFL linebacker at that point.

Matt Harrison:

Ray Lewis coming That's across the middle it.

Jerad Henson:

But it's really good that they're opening that up and providing that opportunity for hunters to try and see what they can do to tackle that invasive species problem.

Matt Harrison:

For sure. For sure. Well, now let's move on to the Atlantic Flyway, and it's specifically talking about Pennsylvania, but they've had a cold weather jump and started off to a great start to their season. It says early cold fronts and increasing eyes to the north have pushed waterfowl to Pennsylvania setting up one of the better seasons hunters have seen in years. Birds arriving in waves and momentum is clearly building rather than tapering off, which is every waterfowl hunter's dream, is it to see those numbers continue to climb without it tapering off.

Matt Harrison:

So sounds like the Pennsylvania area and the Atlantic Flyway is off to a really good start, and they seem to think that it's gonna continue to uptick in waterfowl numbers.

Jerad Henson:

That's it. That's what I kinda got from that report as well. The northern parts of Pennsylvania, most of those birds are being pushed onto big water or to rivers. It's getting pretty cold. They had sea ducks really starting to show up, you know, on some of the big water, and so that's really that's always a good sign that you've got good weather up north pushing birds down.

Jerad Henson:

Bluebills and buffalo heads are really showing up as well on those bigger bodies of water. What I thought was kind of cool was they thought that they're probably close to peak migration, but they don't think the birds are leaving out anytime soon. They're going to get a timely kind of warm up this week, and that should allow those birds to to linger a little bit longer

Matt Harrison:

For sure.

Jerad Henson:

Before moving further south. When you get into some of the southern areas, it looked like in in Pennsylvania, starting to really pick up some more puddle ducks, and then the the geese as well.

Matt Harrison:

I see where it says in the Northwest Part of Pennsylvania that it is starting to really ice up, and that offers great opportunity, but also a challenge. And one thing just kinda off a migration alert topic, If you're a waterfowl hunter and you are hunting around ice or trying to boat around ice, be careful. Be very, very careful. That is something that could turn extremely dangerous really, really quick. You know, anytime you're boating or waiting or have a dog and you have ice around, it just offers a very dangerous challenge.

Matt Harrison:

So if you're a waterfowl hunter, this is just a Matt Harrison plug. Be careful. You know, be careful. If it's a situation that you could see turning very dangerous very quick, refrain from it because nothing is as important as risking your life or someone else's over a duck. And listen, we all love ducks.

Matt Harrison:

We all love to get after them. But if you're in a situation and you see it coming that, hey, this could be this could be pretty dangerous, just just play it safe. Play it safe. Especially in, like I said, in the Northwest Part Of Pennsylvania and in many other states, you know, they get typically a lot more ice than we do down here in the South. So I know that y'all are probably a lot more educated than we are in the South on how to handle those situations, but always just be mindful of making sure that you're doing everything you can to protect yourself and those around you.

Jerad Henson:

Yeah. Keep your gear your gear tuned up and ready to go, and and make sure you've got somebody that knows where you're gonna be and where you're headed. Correct. So if something goes awry, they you can get help fast.

Matt Harrison:

Yep. Well, it says in the central and southern parts of Pennsylvania, the geese and river ducks are on the move. It says the Canada geese and snow geese are moving through the state in strong numbers, while some other rivers is filling up with widget black ducks and golden eyes as smaller ponds begin to freeze up. So, you know, I think we've talked about this on a couple of our different podcast episodes, but typically speaking, whenever these smaller, you know, bay areas and especially smaller wetlands begin to freeze up, your river hunting can be extremely, extremely good, which again, can be dangerous, but these rivers, typically this time of year when stuff really starts to lock up, offers great opportunity to chase some ducks.

Jerad Henson:

Oh, for sure. You know, that that they're gonna linger for a little while, and it's gonna push those birds to those open water with that little bit of warm up that we mentioned. It's gonna allow birds to bounce back, and so you're gonna have to be kinda on your toes as their habitat starts to thaw and then refreeze through these fronts. It should keep some birds in your area, and it should keep keep them on their toes, allow for some pretty good hunting because they can't get into a super consistent pattern as the water freezes and thaws like that.

Matt Harrison:

So Yep.

Jerad Henson:

If you're willing to move and and get around and get after them, I think there's some a lot of opportunity there in that weather.

Matt Harrison:

Well, it sounds like the Atlantic Flyway is in a great part of their season with a lot of ducks in their area. So if you're in that Atlantic Flyway, especially around that Pennsylvania area, get out there, get after them. Know it's the holiday season, but it sounds like there's a great opportunity right now to to chase some ducks.

VO:

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Matt Harrison:

Let's go ahead and switch over to the Central Flyway, and this report's coming from the Kansas area. It says the winter weather finally flipped the migration switch. It says early in the season improved water conditions, spread ducks out, and made Kansas hunting feel hit or miss, but once late November winter storms hit the Northern Plains, a noticeable push of mallards, lesser Canada geese, and snow geese rolled into Kansas. So, you know, kind of sounds like a little bit more our speed, you know, kind of starting out here in the South. We did not have duck hunting weather.

Matt Harrison:

I mean, was hot, swat mosquitoes, but here's of late to kinda had that that that switch flip and started to get some colder weather and get a good push of ducks, but it sounds like central the Central Flyaway Kansas area is starting to finally pick up as well.

Jerad Henson:

Yeah. Oh, I mean, they've and they've they've been in that same kind of situation we were talking about in Pennsylvania, those freeze thaw cycles as well. Yep. Getting some little fronts, and so that's kept the birds moving, but also kind of spread birds out, is what they were talking about early. So it made it hard for some people to actually see that true migration, but the birds are getting there, and this isn't in the report, but I've got a friend of mine that hunts Kansas, and he said there for the last few weeks, they hunt some small water, you know, little ponds and things like that, and it was really good until this cold front came through this past weekend, and he said it moved a lot of their birds.

Jerad Henson:

He assumed they probably went to some big water or something, or a river, but he said there was quite a few birds in the Kansas area, and at least his part of Kansas.

Matt Harrison:

One thing I find interesting too, Doctor. Jared, is when you get a lot of these freezing and thaw cycles, you really don't know what the next day's gonna hold. You can go from holding a bunch of ducks in your area to overnight, boom, those ducks have moved out. Because when everything is constantly locking up, thawing out, locking up, thawing out, and this area has open water, this area does not, you really don't know what to expect that next day whenever you have freezing temperatures, and the next day it's up to 45, 50, and then the next day it's back down in the twenties. That, you know, those type of conditions really make ducks move around in kinda funky ways.

Matt Harrison:

You know what I mean? It's not it's not one of those things that you're like, okay, we're gonna get a really good big push. I mean, it could literally be, like I said, overnight where you're just like, where'd all the ducks go? Or it can be just the opposite, man. We have a bunch of ducks in the area due to those switching rapid conditions.

Jerad Henson:

Right, oh yeah, yeah, when it's in that area, even if it freezes for a couple days, two to three days,

Matt Harrison:

a you

Jerad Henson:

lot of the telemetry studies out there and things like that are showing it takes, you know, three to five days of below freezing temps to really make ducks push further south, so they'll try and ride it out and find habitat for three to five days, but then when you get to that three to five days, then it's a big question mark, like,

Matt Harrison:

are they gone? Are they not?

Jerad Henson:

Where did they go? One of the things that I thought was really interesting for this sport, not really interesting, but kind of exciting, is to see in, you know, in December, they were talking about the temperatures in the Dakotas. I mean, they're gonna hit, and you mentioned it earlier, 20 degrees below zero? Correct. That's gonna make a lot of hard water.

Jerad Henson:

Those ducks are coming down. They're not gonna be able to eke out a living in that kind of weather. So Kansas, probably not at their peak. They're probably getting their peak with this cold front coming through.

Matt Harrison:

Which is great news for them. You know, it sounds like they've had good hunting so far for the past couple weeks, and like you said, with this major cold moving in from the north, it sounds like their, you know, better days are still right here at their fingertips. So I'm sure if you're in that area, you should start to see a good bit of ducks. And we all know that that's not always the case, but it sounds like the conditions are setting up for that.

Jerad Henson:

That's it. That's it, and it sounds like there's plenty of ducks around to be had if you can find them on these kind of weird weather patterns.

Matt Harrison:

For sure. The good news is, you know, with all these reports we're getting and we're reporting on and we're sharing this information with, it seems to be that, you know, most of these flyaways and most of these areas are having pretty good years, you know. And of course, don't get me wrong, we we all know that there's parts of the state that may not be doing what they were expecting or what they were hoping, but for the mass majority of the people I even either stay in contact with or sit on social media, you know, I've seen a lot of people having some very successful hunts as of late. So that's that's great to see. I'm glad to see people are getting out there and chasing after them, but also glad to see that people are are are being successful while they're out there chasing them.

Jerad Henson:

That's it. It's it's it's good to see this kind of cold weather come through after a couple years of, you know, pretty warm fall into to early winter. So glad to see we can still get some cold weather and push some birds out. And just a reminder to everybody, if y'all wanna jump on and learn more about our migration alerts, hop on to, ducks.org backslash hunting backslash migration alerts. You can find all of the the latest information and and latest migration alerts across the different flyways.

Jerad Henson:

You can even scroll down on there and sign up, and you'll get an email when any new migration alert comes out. It's the easiest way to stay up to date on what's going on with migrations and movements all across, all four flyways.

Matt Harrison:

No doubt about it. No doubt about it. Well, get out there and get after them if you're able. It's a great time of year. As we just discussed, these cold temperatures offer great opportunity for waterfowl hunters.

Matt Harrison:

So if you have the opportunity, get out there. And it's like I always say, you will never know unless you go. So get out there, have some fun. This time of year offers great opportunity during the holiday season to enjoy some time and to chase the waterfowl that we all love to get after. So thank you all so much for tuning in to the Ducks Unlimited podcast.

Matt Harrison:

Doctor. Jared, thank you so much as well for hopping on to share some information with us. And we also want to thank our podcast producer, Mr. Chris Isaac, for making all this happen. Thank you all so much for tuning in.

Matt Harrison:

Hope y'all all have a wonderful holiday season. Y'all take care, and God bless.

VO:

Thank you for listening to the DU podcast, sponsored by Purina Pro Plan, the official performance dog food of Ducks Unlimited. Purina Pro Plan, always advancing. Also proudly sponsored by Birddog Whiskey and Cocktails. Whether you're winding down with your best friend or celebrating with your favorite crew, Birddog brings award winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

VO:

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to the show and visit ducks.org/dupodcast. Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect those of Ducks Unlimited. Until next time, stay tuned to the Ducks.