Northeast

Migration has been slow to develop in the northeast. We did get some new birds to move down but we are not seeing an influx that matches the calander. Wetlands are still holding decent numbers of gadwall wigeon, and green winged teal. Mallard numbers remain well below what they should be for this time of year, and everyone is just waiting for the push.

Goose hunters are having good opportunity for both Canada and white fronted geese. Swan migration continues with the greatest opportunity in the northern tier counties. Crop harvest has resumed after the recent rains, so more fields are becoming available for hunting each day.

East Central

The area is drying out some after recent heavy rains. Temporary and seasonal wetlands are holding water in some areas especially in the Lake Thompson area providing new water for ducks. Puddle duck numbers continue to build with mallard numbers still fairly low. Increases in diving ducks and a few swans were seen in the region.

Crop harvest has resumed and should be nearly complete within the next week. Goose numbers continue to be good with increases in white fronts apparent this week.

Southeast

Weeklong rainy conditions have created plenty of standing water throughout the area. Still decent numbers of specks and puddle ducks around. A few pockets of mallards starting to show up.

Harvest has been at a standstill all week, and the fields are saturated. Remember to respect the landowner and the muddy roads and not tear areas up.

Lower River/South Central

We are seeing a few new birds with the rain and cold front but not a lot. Some specks, and ducks have been in the area. I expect hunting to be average with birds becoming stale with the weather warming back up a little bit.

James River Valley

Theres a lot of waterfowl on the landscape lately of pretty much every variety. Similar to prior reports, white-fronts (a few snow geese mixed in) numbers are really good along with gadwall, wigeon and pintail.

Some mallards and Canada geese can be found, but they are in pockets and not widespread. Diver numbers have been good, and we are even seeing some sandhill cranes and a few swans around. Birds have been using sheet water formed by rains last week, but some cooler nights in the forecast may cause them to switch up their patterns if these spots ice up. There is a lot of opportunities right now, but we are in need of a weather change.

Pierre Area/Central SD

With the stable weather pattern for the past week, there have been no significant changes in waterfowl numbers since last week.

Northeast

The migration is slowly progressing across the Northeast portion of the state. A large rain system moved in early in the week and some areas received over 3” of rain over a couple days which put a lot of sheet water on the landscape. Northerly winds helped in pushing some birds down with more mallards showing up. Ducks responded to this new water and look to also have dispersed them some as they explore new feeding opportunities on the landscape.

Area wetlands hold good numbers of gadwalls, wigeon, shovelers and green-winged teal. Mallard numbers have increased a bit and have been hitting the cornfields. Diving duck numbers are also increasing, and some good concentration can be found on the bigger waters.

Goose hunting opportunities are increasing as well with good numbers of Canada geese and whitefronts using harvested fields. Some snow geese have been observed but just the leading edge of the push.

Swan numbers are building and those with tags are starting to see more opportunities. Again, the northern tier counties have greater potential.

Crop harvest has come to a standstill with the wet conditions and area fields are very wet right now so prepare accordingly.

East Central

Most of the area has received 2-4 inches of rain over the last week creating new water for ducks and improved wetland conditions throughout. We’ve also had a pretty good blow from the north over the last few days which should bring in some new migrants. Goose numbers are good with Canada geese continuing to increase and some staging of whitefronts in the area as well.

Pockets of puddle ducks seem similar to last week however scouting will be critical with all of the new habitat on the landscape. Larger bodies of water have seen a decent bump in diving ducks. No swans were seen this week but should be showing up in the usual spots. A stable, cool forecast for the next week should keep birds in the area through mid-November. What crops are still unharvested will remain for now with all the recent rain.

Southeast

Weeklong rainy conditions have created plenty of standing water throughout the area. Still decent numbers of specks and puddle ducks around. A few pockets of mallards starting to show up.

Harvest has been at a stand still all week, and the fields are saturated. Remember to respect the landowner and the muddy roads and not tear areas up.

Lower River/South Central

This week we have seen a fair number of waterfowl move into the area. Green wing teal, gadwall and wigeon can be found on most water sources.

We are also seeing pockets of Canada geese and white fronted geese.

Hunting should be good for a few days until we see more birds move into the area.

Much of the area waterholes are again dry making it hard to find waterfowl.

James River Valley

Some drastic changes on the landscape this week. Abundant rain has filled up most of the seasonal wetlands, creating a lot of sheet water. The big rain system also brought some heavy north winds. It seems as if the north winds brought a trickle of new birds down, but its hard to tell how many birds are new to the area as opposed to birds that have just changed their pattern to start utilizing the new water.

A strong number of white-fronts are still present and are now accompanied by the first flocks of snow geese. Canada geese have also had a slight uptick from last week. With the mild weather, there are still good numbers of gadwalls, green-winged teal, shovelers, and other earlier season ducks around. A fair number of mallards can be found as well but we are far from peak mallard numbers given the lack of this season of any major cold front. Good duck hunting opportunity exists, but scouting will be essential to finding concentrations of ducks as opposed to smaller groups scattered around.

Pierre Area/Central SD

We received an additional 2+ inches of rain across the area last Sunday night and through Monday, which has slowed crop harvest again and created some very muddy field and road conditions. Staff are starting to see a few more divers, but overall numbers remain fairly low.

Some snow geese have been heard migrating through with a few stopping and hunters are taking advantage of the limited opportunity. Majority of geese in the area right now are in and around the Mobridge/east of Mobridge area. Some decent groups of swans have also been observed throughout the area this week. Very few cranes migrating through, as of now.

Northeast

Waterfowl migration into the Northeast portion of the state has been slow. We have seen some increases in divers and a few more gadwall, wigeon and pintails. Mallard numbers are low across the board but there are a few pockets around. Some good concentrations of divers are building on the bigger waters.

Goose numbers are building as well with more whitefronts showing up by the day. Canada geese are providing good opportunities for those chasing geese.

Swans are showing up on area wetlands so those that have tags are seeing more opportunity by the day. The northern tier of counties are the best bet for now.

Crop harvest continues in the area but was hampered by wet conditions early in the week but they are starting to roll again late week.

Overall, the weather has been mild with mainly southerly winds so everyone is waiting for any kind of weather up north that may push some ducks around.

East Central

Below freezing temperatures and even some light snow in North Dakota have moved some birds. The mallard spigot seems to have turned on a little with a few new birds seen.

Decent numbers of gadwalls, wigeon, and green winged teal were seen. The forecast look pretty stable for the next week so what we’re seeing probably what we have for a while.

Goose numbers are good with Canada goose and Whitefronts continuing to increase. A few small flocks of light geese are also reported to be in the area.

Southeast

Cool and wet conditions has pushed in a new push of gadwall, wigeon, pintail gw teal into the areas that have water. Conditions have improved somewhat with the recent moisture. Canada goose numbers still remain low, besides a few pockets. Whitefront migration is in full swing and plenty of them around.

Further west has more crop harvest done, further east is still only around 50% out.

Lower River/South Central

This week we have seen a fair number of waterfowl move into the area. Green wing teal, gadwall and wigeon can be found on most water sources.

We are also seeing pockets of Canada geese and white fronted geese.

Hunting should be good for a few days until we see more birds move into the area.

Much of the area waterholes are again dry making it hard to find waterfowl.

James River Valley

The big north wind this past weekend led to some nice changes on the waterfowl situation. We are still far from ‘peak’ bird numbers, but the hunting situation is a lot better than last week. White-fronts made quite the appearance with some large concentrations on larger wetlands and harvested crop fields. A small influx of Canadas are also joining the white-fronts. Duck numbers also increased, most notably mallards, gadwall, shovelers, and diver ducks. Even with these new birds in the area, scouting is still key. Some neighborhoods are holding good bird numbers, while others are void of water and bird numbers.

Pierre Area/Central SD

We received a significant (1-2 inches) of rain across the area last weekend and early this week, which has slowed field harvest and created some muddy field and road conditions. Staff are starting to see more ducks, Canada geese and sandhill cranes moving into the Mobridge and east of Mobridge areas this week. Further south, waterfowl are more limited with a few white-fronted geese moving through the area. Staff reported that with the few birds around east of the Pierre area there is a lot of distance between groups of birds on the landscape.

Northeast

It appears like the Northeast has gotten a trickle of gadwall and wigeon this past week but more so in the northern tier counties. Weather has been warm with southerly winds so not a lot happening for migration. Area wetlands are holding a variety of ducks with gadwall, wigeon and shovelers making up the majority. Some field feeding of mallards has been observed in the mornings/evenings. You can find some divers on the bigger waters with most species being represented.

Goose numbers have been increasing with some whitefronts moving in as well as a few snow geese in the mix. Solid Canada goose numbers remain providing great opportunity for hunters chasing geese.

Some swans are showing up as well and more to the northern counties.

Crop harvest has been going full swing this past week so opening up more opportunities for field hunting. A good percentage of beans are out and corn is coming out by the day.

East Central

Very little change from last week, relatively warm and dry weather has stalled out migration. If I noticed anything, it was a few more divers were observed on larger bodies of water. Goose numbers are slowly building with a few more Canada geese and scattered flocks of white fronts. No swans were seen in the area this week. Corn harvest is proceeding rapidly and should be wrapping up soon.

Southeast

Warm weather has not pushed any new birds into the area. A few new Canada geese have arrived and concentrated. Conditions are still poor for most of the area. Some puddle ducks on water to be found. A good portion of the teal have left the area. Crop harvest has sped up in the last week, but still only around 40% crops out in the area.

Lower River/South Central

Reminder that the Low Plains South duck zone opens this Saturday.

Bird numbers in the low plans south zone are not looking up. With warms temps we are not seeing any pushes of new birds. Pockets of ducks and Canada geese can be found in the low plains zone, but they are sparse.

Much of the area waterholes are again dry making it hard to find waterfowl.

James River Valley

The most notable change in the area is that of increasing diver numbers. Redheads, buffleheads, scaup and a few canvasbacks are on some of the larger water bodies. Green-winged teal and shoveler number have also increased slightly. Goose numbers are still relatively low, but a few white-fronts are now joining them. Surprisingly, I even saw the first flock of Ross’ geese this week. Combines are running hard this week, but a lot of crops are still standing. There is some goose and duck dry field opportunity, but its limited and sparse for now.

Pierre Area/Central SD

No change from last week.

Northeast

Area wetlands are holding some ducks but you have to put some time in to find the right ones. Birds have dispersed out some and there are some good bunches of gadwall/wigeon around with some green-winged teal. An increase in some divers including redheads and ringnecks were also seen this week. Mallard numbers are on the low side yet as we wait for any kind of push down from the north. Some field feeding is occurring but nothing great yet.

Goose numbers remain strong in the area and great opportunity for both field and water hunting. White fronted-geese are just starting to migrate through mid-week but I haven’t seen any on the ground yet.

Crop harvest is progressing with the more of the beans done and starting on corn.

East Central

Duck numbers seen similar to last week with maybe a slight increase in calendar ducks (gadwall, wigeon) and green winged teal. The NW wind is howling with a strong cold front is currently hitting the northern plains which should move some fresh birds into the area. Canada goose numbers are increasing, and I saw my first flock of white fronts earlier this week. No swans have been observed to date.

Harvest continues to progress with beans wrapping up and corn progressing.

Southeast

Warm stretch has not pushed any new birds into the area. A few new Canada geese have arrived and concentrated. Conditions are still poor for most of the area. Some puddle ducks and remaining teal are on the few pieces of water remaining. Crop harvest has sped up in the last week, but still only around 30% crops out in the area.

Lower River/South Central

No report/Low Plains South Zone no open.

James River Valley

No report

Pierre Area/Central SD

No change from last week.

Northeast

It doesn’t look like a lot has changed in the past week as far as migration happening. We have had several days of above normal temperatures with south winds so not a lot of new ducks coming in. There are still some good pockets of ducks around on area wetlands with maybe a few more gadwall in the mix. Some of the bigger waters are seeing some divers bunching up with redheads and ring-necks making up most of it. A few buffleheads are showing up as well.

Some field feeding is going on with mallards and pintail using sileage and a few combined corn/bean fields. Harvest is going strong this week on beans.

Goose hunters are seeing good opportunities with local geese in the fields.

East Central

Same old, same old this week.

Very similar conditions and bird numbers to last week. Warm and dry conditions have been the rule this week leading to stable migration and wetland conditions. A strong cold front is set to hit early next week which should move some birds around.

Harvest continues to progress and fields are drying out leading to good dryland hunting conditions.

Southeast

No report

Lower River/South Central

James River Valley

Overall, things are looking similar to last week. Ducks are still scattered around with a few extra gadwall and green winged teal. Some calendar diver ducks also made an appearance the past week. Crops are starting to get harvested at a rapid pace, which will hopefully increase opportunity for field hunting for the limited mallards and geese around.

Pierre Area/Central SD

Hunting conditions remain unchanged, with limited opportunities throughout this area. We have been experiencing some nice fall weather with some days being quite warm. Temperatures are predicted to start cooling down next week.

Northeast

Waterfowl hunting in the Northeast portion of the state was pretty solid for the opener with a good variety of species in the bag. Ducks have moved around some with the pressure but still great opportunity available on both water and in the fields. Still some blue-winged teal around but getting to be less by the day. Area wetlands are holding good numbers of puddle ducks as well as a few divers. With the recent moisture, harvest has slowed but they are getting after it again late week. Mallards, pintails and some wood ducks have been using sileage fields along with some beans that have been taken.

Goose hunting opportunities are great right now with good numbers of local geese using both sileage and wheat fields.

East Central

Wetland conditions across Brookings, Kingsbury, Lake, and Moody counties are similar to opening weekend.

As usually happens after opening weekend the birds reassort in response to hunter activity. We continue to lose blue winged teal but there should still be a few around for bonus teal opportunity this weekend. A few more gadwall, wigeon, and green winged teal were observed. A decent cold front late in the week may cause additional bird movement in time for the weekend.

The forecast is stable, dry weather for the nest week and I expect wetland conditions to remain stable for now.

Southeast

Conditions in the southeast should be similar to last week. While we did get some beneficial rain, but it will take more to significantly improve wetland conditions.

Lower River/South Central

No report/Low Plains South Zone no open.

James River Valley

We did get a small push of calendar birds in the area since last weekend. This push mainly consists of shovelers, green-winged teal, gadwall and wigeon. There also seems to be a small up-tick in mallards scattered about the landscape in smaller numbers. Goose numbers are still slim, but I did observe a few high-flying flocks, so hopefully some decided to stick around. Wetland and crop conditions are very similar to last week, offering similar opportunities for chasing fowl. Scouting is still the name of the game, but I’ve been finding birds a bit easier this week compared to last week.

Pierre Area/Central SD

We have had some significant rainfall across portions of central SD this past week, however waterfowl numbers remain unchanged. Many wetlands and ponds are still dry or holding marginal amounts of water. Overall, hunting conditions remain unchanged, with limited opportunities throughout this area.

Northeast

Generally, things in the Northeast portion of the state look pretty good for the upcoming duck opener. Wetland conditions vary depending on summer rainfall and what areas received rain vs. others. Some wetlands have receding water lines where mud flats are showing between the water and the cover while others are generally full.

Most wetlands have some ducks using them and still seem to be pretty good numbers of blue-winged teal around. Most of the puddle duck species are present on area wetlands so hunters should expect a good opener. Of course, scouting is key and with the dryer summer, you don’t want to show up to your favorite spot to find it dry. Some field feeding is occurring in sileage fields with wood ducks and mallards.

Canada goose numbers are strong in the area and I’ve seen them in wheat, alfalfa and sileage lately so hunters should have good opportunity for both ducks and geese this weekend.

East Central

Wetland conditions across Brookings, Kingsbury, Lake, and Moody counties are variable with northern and western portions of the area in better shape than eastern and southerly areas. We have had persistent drought conditions most of the growing season making scouting your favorite hunting areas a must. Recent rains have improved some areas and may provide some new water opportunities.

Decent numbers of blue winged teal along with some other assorted puddle ducks were observed area wide. Teal should provide good opportunity for early season action.

Canada goose numbers are fair with some field feeding taking place in silage fields.

The long-range forecast is unsettled and hopefully we will continue to catch rain this fall to further improve wetland conditions.

Southeast

Conditions prior to the last week were extremely poor. Over half of the sloughs were dried up. The recent rain has added a good amount of water, but it wasn’t here for the local nesting ducks, so our local population is very low.

Youth season had a few select pockets of puddle ducks on the water that hunters could find. There are a few teal and puddle ducks around but numbers are not great.

Goose numbers in the SE/Sioux Falls area are extremely low.

Lower River/South Central

No report/Low Plains South Zone not open.

Pickings seem to be thin around the James River Valley. We had a dry summer, which led to limited local bird production. Recent rains have some water back into a few temporary wetlands, but a lot of wetlands are still low with the prolonged drought. Blue-winged teal are still hanging around and are spread around the area utilizing some of this newer rainwater. Pockets of big ducks (even some prairie wood ducks) and some Canadas can be found with a lot of scouting. A few corn fields are out, but limited field hunting opportunity exists with most crops still being in with the wet weather recently. Scout, Scout, Scout!

Pierre Area/Central SD

Throughout this area conditions have been dry most of the year, with very little water available. Many wetlands and ponds have either dried up or are very low, resulting in limited local waterfowl production and hunting opportunities at this time.