Duck season off to mixed start
I've never been much of a gambler. If I were, I would feel safe on the bet that East Texas duck hunters likely experienced a mixed bag of results when the first of two season splits got under way 30 minutes before sunrise Saturday in the North and South zones.
While a few hunters may have found a sweet spot and got their limits, the majority probably struggled. Some may not have fired a shot.
That pretty much summarizes how many duck season openers have played out in this part of the world over much of the last decade, especially on inland reservoirs and rivers.
Nasty, cold weather is what puts migrant ducks on the move. As a rule, we don't see enough foul weather during early fall to push the big flights of birds our way. Early arrivals are usually quick to fly off once shot at and missed a few times, causing hunting prospects to go downhill in a hurry without follow-up cold fronts to usher in new birds.
Low-water conditions like those now on many East Texas lakes can add to the frustrations. When water levels are low, the empty area between the normal shoreline and the current water's edge leaves hunters with fewer options for cover to hide from passing or approaching ducks.
Low water also can rob ducks of valuable food options and prompt them to look elsewhere for forage. Those that do hang around are sometimes prone to raft or loaf in big, open water, well out of reach of hunters.
I recently polled some sources who keep tabs of the pulse of the East Texas duck season. Here's what they had to say about the prospects during the first split, which is under way until Nov. 28.
Lake Fork
Guide Lance Vick has been gunning for ducks on Lake Fork for about 12 years, and experience has taught him that early season hunting can be hit or miss across most of the East Texas region.
"I'm seeing a few mallards and gadwall, but not enough to mess with," Vick said. "The numbers usually don't start getting here until right towards the end of the first spilt and the beginning of the second split. Some guys will have decent shoots during the first spilt, but I'll wait."
Vick said low-water conditions at Lake Fork will force hunters to set up away from the available shoreline cover in many areas. The guide added that low water also can pose some dangerous navigational hazards, especially since most duck hunters will be on the water well before sunrise.
Toledo Bend
One of the brighter spots on the map is Toledo Bend, where hunting guide Stephen Johnston of Hemphill says big numbers of ducks are building.
"There are few birds down south, but the bigger numbers I've been hearing about are up north," Johnston said. "Some guys are telling me they are seeing more ducks up there than they have seen in years."
Charlie Shivley of Huxley owns a lakeside fishing camp called Bill's Landing at the upper end of Toledo Bend. He doesn't guide duck trips, but he spends significant hours on the water running trotlines. He said some big waves of birds moved in ahead of the most recent cold front.
"I've been seeing good numbers of pintails, gadwall and a few mallards," Shivley said. "We've also got quite a few teal that are still hanging around. Right now things are looking pretty good if they'll just hold."
Shively said a problem that may hex some hunters is using larger boats in low water. The lake is about 7 1/2 feet below normal, which could cause some access issues.
"We can't get out at our ramp, but you can still put in at Huxley Bay," he said. "That's not that far of a run once you get in the river, plus it is easy to follow the channel with all the stumps on both sides."
Winnie-Port Arthur
Marshes and bays around this southeast Texas coastal region typically yield some banner shoots over the course of the season, but the best hunting traditionally occurs during the second half, according to veteran guide Jim West.
West said he was expecting some decent shoots on opening day but looks for things to go south quickly with good weather in the forecast. He said he was seeing fair numbers of spoonbills and teal on marshes and a few pintail on the bays leading up to the season opener.
"There will be some good shoots early, but I am not looking for it to last very long," he said. "The first half of the season isn't looking all that good right now, but it really never does. For me, the second split is always the best. Right now I'm going fishing. The trout and reds are tearing it up."
Rockport
While the hunting is always good in this waterfowl mecca along the middle Texas coast, duck guide Brad Smyth says this season has the ingredients to be a banner one -- quite possibly the best he's seen in the last several years. According to Smyth, bays and backwater ponds are alive with waterfowl of all kinds.
"I've already seen the sky turn black with birds several times," he said. "We're loaded with pintails, wigeon, teal, gadwall and redheads. They really made a big push the week before the season."
Even more encouraging is the fact that primo habitat conditions are in place to keep the birds holding tight.
"They've got a ton to eat," Smyth said. "The wigeon grass and shoal grass are thick in the backwater lakes, and it's loaded with crustaceans. These ducks aren't going to have any reason to leave. I'm pretty pumped about it."
Matt Williams' e-mail address is mattwilliams@netdot.com.
East Texas Duck Guides
* Lake Fork: Lance Vick, 903-312-0609
* Toledo Bend: Stephen Johnston, 409-579-4213 (Bill's Landing fishing camp, Charlie Shivley, 936-368-2542)
* Winnie-Port Arthur area: Jim West, 409-996-3054
* Rockport: Brad Smyth, 361-790-8354
Share this story:
Google
Yahoo
digg
del.icio.us
facebook
Slashdot
