Migration Alert: Incoming Cold Front Should Increase Migration into Minnesota

Minnesota is a large state that offers a wide range of habitats for migrating ducks and geese. While the far north is often on the leading edge of the migration for so-called “calendar ducks” such as blue-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, and redheads, waterfowl numbers in the southern prairie region usually don’t peak until late October into November.

Early season reports from around the state indicate that good numbers of local birds are still present in many areas, but Indian Summer weather has slowed the arrival of new birds. This could change over the next week or so as cooler mid-October weather and robust north winds will hopefully bring down fresh flights from Canada.

Big water diver specialist Joe Harren of Warroad says he’s had a great season so far, with “unreal” early goose hunting. Herren reports that fishing has been “insanely good” as well. He expects the duck migration will kick in next week, bringing a big push of early migrating diver species.

Not too far to the east, near Baudette, Sportsman’s Lodge general manager Adam Gau has been having a good early season too. “The vast majority of birds have been mallards and teal so far,” he says. “I’ve been hunting this area for about six years, and this is the most mallards and teal I’ve encountered this early. By far, the largest number of ducks I’ve seen are puddlers, which is unusual for this area.”

Interestingly, Gau says he has been seeing fewer than average numbers of Canada geese on the far southeast corner of Lake of the Woods, while further east he has observed good numbers of geese feeding in agriculture fields adjacent to the Rainy River.

To the south, smack dab in western Minnesota’s most prolific goose migration corridor, Duncan Abrams of PIT Properties says he has been mainly dealing with local geese, but some migrators have been showing up on days with a good north wind. “Ducks seem to be fairly plentiful in the area, with local mallards and other dabblers hanging around with the warm temperatures, and we received a fresh push of some divers this past weekend,” Abrams says.

In the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ weekly waterfowl report, Resident Game Bird Specialist Nate Huck says that drought conditions are beginning to impact access in some areas. He recommends checking your planned access points during daylight hours prior to hunting to ensure there is sufficient water.

“Despite the warm weather, some calendar migrants are being seen across the state. With the upcoming cold front there is hope that we will see a decent push of birds Saturday and Sunday,” Huck says. “The first snow geese have recently arrived in the northwest part of the state.”