Dismal Duck Tale

Watching the northern horizon for waves of Canadian ducks may be a near futile pastime for Idaho duck hunters this fall. It is dry again this spring in much of Canada, including Alberta, the part of Canada where most of the ducks that migrate into Idaho originate. Last fall's migration from that area of the prairie pothole country was weak but the coming fall promises to be worse, based on moisture levels and pond counts. Winter moisture fell far below normal there after the prairies were already dry from two droughty years. Idaho's waterfowl production should be about average. Duck production will be down in southern Idaho but up in the northern part of the state. Goose production has been steady and strong in most of the state in recent years and continues to offer waterfowlers a great deal of hunting opportunity.