2024 Washington Waterfowl Forecast - Off to a Slow Start?

[JBG]

Seems like we are talking about two different set of facts.  Local/WA State production of Mallards is down.  Nationally/NA Continent mallard numbers are up.  I doubt they will lower the limit based off of local duck production vs. total bird production.  If AK duck production cratered then it might happen.  I would love to see more people count cripples towards their daily bag but huge duck piles make smiles I guess.

[Feathernfurr]

Delta forecasted a top notch wigeon year for us, which I’m cool with, they may be my favorite birds to shoot.

[ducks4days]

Delta forecasted a top notch wigeon year for us, which I’m cool with, they may be my favorite birds to shoot.

Up 55% this year in NA. Fun birds and not bad eating.

[DeerThug]

My local ducks are almost non existent.  Compared to year before last lots of them.  Last year down ~80% ish.  This summer like none.  Im thinking bird flu??  Same with the Urasions was a lot now just a few.  Found dead song birds through the summer here and there.

[metlhead]

Seeing lots of teal today and pinners have started to arrive.

[wadu1]

Arrived this week about 75 wigeon on the golf course pond I drive by.

[hdshot]

What is happening is mallards are up 8% from last year. Positive.

Still doesn’t beat the 2022 survey which was a head scratcher for sure after that unbelievable mild winter for the most part. Plus the puddle ducks had to go farther north than normal and what I’m reading doesn’t paint a pretty picture on the hatch because production goes down up there the experts claim. We will see but not clicking my heels by any means.

[h2ofowlr]

I watched a video that brought some perspective into the forecast numbers by Fred Zink.  He mentioned in his perspective that they survey the same spots year after year.  These numbers are based off these surveys.  He also mentioned his perspective that he has seen birds shift.  Better feed, more water in other locations, develepment, fires, etc.  The forecast numbers may not fully represent what is truley fully represent the true numbers.   
Probably similar to what happens during the migration south when the big clubs with lots of corn ponds and feed start shifting the flyway from traditional wintering grounds.

[lovetogrouse]

Glad to see Green Winged Teal are doing well.

[mboyle0828]

Glad to see Green Winged Teal are doing well.

One of my favorite eating ducks. Small but delicious 

[metlhead]

Never noticed a diiference in taste. All seem to taste like bacon honey and garlic dipped in crab butter.

[metlhead]

Stop pouting

[Feathernfurr]

Took the duck boat out this morning for some scouting. Tons of teal, a lot of big ducks, couple of geese. Will definitely have seats in the boat this fall for interested folks.

[hdshot]

Stop pouting

But you said California and Oregon have no bearing. Your screenshot is way out of date.

[Big6bull]

It seems like every year a bunch of resources reporting contradicting information. It’s hard to know what’s accurate, what birds are just late etc.