Migration Alert: Midwest Habitat Primed for Early Teal

With 2024 waterfowl seasons kicking off throughout the Midwest, anxious waterfowl hunters are finding relief from summer doldrums by way of early goose and teal seasons.

Drought has been an issue across much of the Midwest the past few seasons, and while some serious relief occurred in many areas this summer, some regions are still addled by drought conditions that will have an impact on teal opportunities locally. Managed wetlands, river bottoms, permanent ponds, and lakes will be important in these areas where natural wetlands remain relatively dry.

Early teal seasons opened on September 1 in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. All three states pump locally reared teal into the flyway, but perfect migration conditions and good habitat have been attracting migrating bluewings since mid-August.

Minnesota’s three-year trial season was extended for a fourth year while data is compiled. The season ended on September 5, and reports were overall positive across the state. “Wet conditions in western Minnesota gave hunters a lot of places to hunt teal, and renesting opportunities produced a good population of ducks in general,” says Bret Amundson of Fish Hunt Forever. “Early teal season hunters were working overtime to identify their ducks, with young mallards, wood ducks, and even gadwall mixed in with bluewings and greenwings.”

Across the border, Wisconsin’s early teal season runs through September 9. Habitat and bird numbers are much the same as in Minnesota. “Conditions are excellent,” reports Wisconsin DNR Bird Ecologist Taylor Finger. “Wisconsin was very dry throughout last year but received a lot of rain this spring and summer, resulting in really good wetland conditions as well as available wetland food. 

“Additionally, morning temps for the past week have been in the 40s or 50s, so hunting conditions also were very good for this early in September. Reports have been excellent for both bluewings and greenwings, and I expect the next couple of days to be no different,” Finger adds.

Michigan’s vast inland and lakeshore wetlands are always a big attraction for nesting and migrating teal, and this year has been no exception. Reports were positive for much of Michigan for opening weekend, including Saginaw Bay and Lake St Clair. Michigan’s early teal season runs through September 16.

“We had a good push of teal around August 20, but about half were gone by the opener,” reports Michigan DNR Wildlife Biologist Supervisor Joe Robison, who is located near the Ohio border along Lake Erie’s western shoreline. “We are waiting for the next push, and given the forecast, that should happen this weekend.”

Ohio’s Lake Erie marshes are a waterfowl mecca and an important stop for teal pushing south into the Mississippi and Atlantic Flyways. This region should be well-primed for the opening day, Saturday, September 7.

Indiana is not known for consistent teal hunting, but northwest and southwest parts of the state have their moments. Managed wetlands on public and private property are in good shape overall. According to reports, large wetland complexes in both regions of the state are hosting decent numbers of bluewings. While this is encouraging, Hoosier waterfowl hunters will have to wait for the opener on September 14.

The Illinois early teal season runs from September 7 to 22. Staff from the Forbes Biological Station, located in Havana, Illinois, flew the first waterfowl survey of the season along the Illinois and mid-Mississippi River Valleys. Habitat conditions and teal numbers were excellent, with bluewings being the most abundant of all early-season migrants—nearly 24,000 were tallied in the Illinois River Valley, and over 5,600 were counted on the nearby mid-Mississippi River Valley.

The massive wetland complexes along both rivers are typically dependent on water levels, but good moist-soil and food-plot growth this summer will benefit waterfowl as fall rains kick in and allow access to the smorgasbord.

“As is the case for this time of year, blue-winged teal were the dominant species,” reports Forbes Bird Ecologist Josh Osborn. “But I was excited to see more than a few northern pintails, green-winged teal, and northern shovelers mixed in as well. Fall waterfowl migration 2024 is underway and all is right in the world again.”

Tony Vandemore of Habitat Flats in north-central Missouri is smack dab in the middle of one of North America’s teal superhighways. Vandemore knows a thing or two about managing waterfowl habitat, and he rolls out a red carpet of sorts, with vast moist-soil floodings to greet migrating teal.

“I love teal hunting and things are looking good,” he says enthusiastically. “We have excellent moist-soil habitat, and cool weather has pushed some birds here already. With another nice cold front slated for the opener this weekend, hunting should be fantastic.”