Missouri Department of Conservation

2011 Season Outlook

For the third year in a row, pre-season reports from the breeding grounds look good. The 2011 duck population estimate rivals record counts from the mid-1950s and late-1990s. Ample water for nesting and rearing broods should result in good production. While conditions on the breeding grounds appear excellent, in Missouri we face much more uncertainty. Habitat in southeast Missouri will be affected by the record Mississippi River flood this spring. High river levels also influenced habitat further upstream in northeast Missouri. A similar story is unfolding along the Missouri River. A flood of unprecedented duration is challenging the integrity of Missouri River levees. Extensive flooding in northwest Missouri will limit crop and natural food production in that region. Further downstream, conditions could change dramatically if additional levees break. In both the Mississippi and Missouri River corridors, it is likely that habitat will be highly variable depending on the timing and duration of flooding. Recent dry conditions in west Missouri have given wetland managers the opportunity to conduct fieldwork and provide much needed disturbance in areas that have been inaccessible due to wet conditions in recent years. This region will depend on fall rains to provide habitat. Throughout the state, dynamic conditions caused by flooding, and in some places drought, will require hunters to do more scouting to find locations with optimal habitat. In addition to local habitat conditions, weather and migration timing will play a major role in shaping this season’s outcome.

Although EPP Canada goose numbers were lower than last year, giant Canada goose numbers in Minnesota, Manitoba, and Iowa were similar to last year and should provide ample opportunity. Snow and ice cover in states north of Missouri will determine, to a large extent, the degree to which Canada geese will arrive in Missouri. Hunters should expect a similar proportion of young birds in the light goose population and average numbers of young in the white-fronted goose population.

Hunters will once again have the opportunity to take advantage of a 16-day teal season, a 60-day duck season, late season Canada goose hunting, and the light goose Conservation Order. Season dates that bracket both early and late hunting preferences should provide hunters with a variety of hunting opportunities during the upcoming waterfowl season.