Are they still coming?

[bear]

Only seeing a fraction of the ducks that last year gave us. Talked to a guy on the dry side and he said he’s not seeing them either.  Are they still coming?  Or is this it for this year?

[KP-Skagit]

A lot of factors last year that are different this year. For one its just getting cold up north. This last week should bring them down.

Also the sheer volume of standing water is a big pain. Birds are not concentrated like you'd hope. You go out on the bay and there are thousands but drive around the fields and its a few here, a few there.

[boneaddict]

There is so much open water.

[metlhead]

Some will. But, they are already here. Have been for some time.

[vandeman17]

As others have said, with the amount of open water, the normal amount of birds could easily be here but just don't appear to be as many given how spread out they are. Over here on the eastside, temps are starting to drop as well up north in Canada. If that holds out, I would expect to see a flow of some fresh birds over these next few weeks but we will see. Won't stop me from getting out regardless

[Stein]

I've seen some strange stuff to the opposite, birds seem very concentrated.  There is tons of water around but 90% of it has no birds.  On the places they like, there are rafts of hundreds and thousands.  I've never seen that before, usually every puddle has a mallard or two.

This is the time of year we always wonder when the cold will push more down.  It will happen, hopefully.

[KP-Skagit]

I've seen some strange stuff to the opposite, birds seem very concentrated.  There is tons of water around but 90% of it has no birds.  On the places they like, there are rafts of hundreds and thousands.  I've never seen that before, usually every puddle has a mallard or two.

This is the time of year we always wonder when the cold will push more down.  It will happen, hopefully.

Wouldn't by chance be the first field to the west when you come down off of Starbird Hill into Conway is it? That one most definitely sees a lot of birds.

[Stein]

That's one, several like it.  With some places 100% flooded it's like sheet lakes.  I did see a flock of mallards swimming around a WDFW parking sign which was ironic.  There was a guy parked on the county road standing by his truck looking like he was thinking about taking a poke at them.  I had similar thoughts.

[Kola16]

I've seen some strange stuff to the opposite, birds seem very concentrated.  There is tons of water around but 90% of it has no birds.  On the places they like, there are rafts of hundreds and thousands.  I've never seen that before, usually every puddle has a mallard or two.

This is the time of year we always wonder when the cold will push more down.  It will happen, hopefully.

This is what I have found too. Massive rafts of ducks.

[ghosthunter]

On my drive to and from work I usually see hundreds in the flooded fields. But not this year. We have had lots of sheet water before and still seen ducks. But just have not seen that many around.
I have not even bought a stamp yet. But I will around Christmas. I retire New Year’s Eve. So plan ton hunt three days mid week with the dog till season closes, ducks or not.

I don’t think the cold up north has been enough yet.

[hdshot]

I remember back in the late 80’s to early 90’s when I started was like going to the grocery store when my dad and brother threw out the decoys.  Never will see that type of good consistent public hunting again.

[Spuddieselwwu]

Is anyone else seeing more Pintail than ever before?  It's crazy the amount of pintails in the area I primarily hunt.

[Blacktail135]

I’m not seeing as many ducks as usual on my place. I’ve got 25 acres of flooded sheet water and between 12 and 60 ducks using it at any given time. I’ve only hunted the place twice this year….back in October. There was a ton of ducks and Cacklers then. Seems to me to be kind of a weird year for ducks. Maybe they’re hanging north following the freeze-line, maybe they’re scattered?

[bear]

Almost everywhere from Western Washington to Idaho I’m hearing reports of no birds compared to normal. Most are saying they are still coming. I’m doubtful

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Seems to be plenty of birds in the Mid Columbia.  They seem to be most all black with white beaks?