Wisconsin Statewide Waterfowl Report 10.19.08
Waterfowl hunters have reported there have still been a lot of wood ducks in the Wisconsin River bottoms. There have been some sightings of ring necks and bluebills. The first significant migration of canvasbacks should occur this week along the Mississippi River flyway, although peak numbers will not occur for about two weeks.
Iowa County -
Waterfowlers have reported a lot of wood ducks in the river bottoms to the west of Spring Green, although not as many teal. There have been some sightings of ring neck or ring bill and bluebill, but not in the numbers that hard core waterfowlers are awaiting. The wood ducks are very spooky now making jump shooting difficult but possible if one is quiet approaching the water.
La Crosse
The first significant migration of canvasbacks should occur this week, although peak numbers will not occur for about two weeks. Peak numbers of coot, green-winged teal and wigeons should occur within the next week.
Crawford County
The combination of decent water levels and food have made the Wisconsin a good spot for ducks. Mississippi River duck hunters found action slowed a lot later during the first season. Warm weather made hunting success decline. Duck hunters in the Prairie du Chien found the going tough especially with the warm weather. Some wood ducks, mallards, pintails, and teal were found in the Lower Bottoms. Hunters up the Ambro Slough complex report spotty action. Up in Pool 9 (Lynxville and Ferryville) hunters saw very spotty action. The islands from Lynxville to Lansing saw fair action on Canada geese, mallards, teal, and other dabblers. Hunters that walked in from Rush Creek, Sugar Creek, and Copper Creek found action also. Up near the Lansing Dike hunters report fair numbers of wood ducks and some teal. Overall, the last few days of the first duck season weren’t that great.
