SANDHILL CRANES ARE BONUSES TO TEXAS waterfowl hunters. Free sandhill crane permits are required. Their bag limit is in addition to those of ducks and geese. They may be hunted until January 28 in Zones A and B; January 21 in Zone C. See TPW Outdoor Annual pages 58- 63 for waterfowl seasons, bag limits, zones, closed areas, and dusky duck exceptions. Hunting licenses are required for all 17 years of age and older (See pages 11-12); Hunter Education requirements (page 5). (Photo by John Jefferson)

by John Jefferson

A Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. (TPWD) October news release read that “Lingering drought conditions throughout much of Texas could present challenges as waterfowl hunters prepare for the start of the new season. The dry habitat conditions in many parts of the state are not ideal for ducks and duck hunters according to TPWD biologists. However, weather pattern changes, timely cold fronts and significant rain could boost hunters’ prospects.”

Ducks DO take to water; but when there’s not enough water, they take OFF, looking for more.

Texas began getting rain in late fall, and we thought conditions were improving. We did get some good rains. The parched watershed of the lower Colorado River got enough for a four-foot rise. But by the week before Christmas, 75% of that runoff had evaporated or been guzzled up by streamside users. So, I did some statewide checking.

Julian Wright, owner of Top Gun Outfitters in Knox County, near the Red River, south of Oklahoma, says most of the country east of them is dry. I was hoping that since he was in North Texas, that his hunting country would have ducks. He says his hunters have had fine hunts WEST of Highway 277, however, and only one hunting party failed to limit out. But that’s about it.

I then contacted Jeff Hotz, a renown Central Texas duck hunter who has hunted some of the best waterfowl country in America this year.

Hotz told me the birds are “stacked up” at the Kansas border,” waiting for a brass-monkey cold front to cool off Oklahoma and Texas. We’ve had some weather in the thirties, but my grass is still green and growing!

Jeff says the Rockport area has some red heads and pintails, but with sparse puddles, they’re no puddle ducks, yet.

Double Sprig Outfitters near Eagle Lake in the rice belt was my next contact call. Kevin Roberts, an owner, reported that his hunters have had good days and NOT such good days. It sounds like the old “here today, gone tomorrow” story.

Kevin Kraai, TPWD’s Waterfowl Program Leader, explained that situation in the October press release mentioned in the opening paragraph, above. Kraai wrote: “Typically, when there is less water spread out across the landscape, it concentrates birds in areas where hunters tend to be waiting, and hunting success increases. However, ducks will be intolerant of excessive disturbances and move on quickly after hunting begins if habitat conditions don’t improve.”

As I write this, I see wet rocks on our patio. It’s starting to rain a little. In the northeast on December 11, heavy winds and rain finally blew a strange chair off the roof of a dilapidated house that had drawn 13,000 Facebook followers wondering about the chair’s mysterious history – and when it would fall.

An old proverb says “It’s an ill wind that blows no good.“ So, hopefully more storms will come from the north and bring welcomed wet weather and waterfowl!

So, Hunters: Pray for cold, rainy conditions!

JJ