Waterfowl numbers increase

Waterfowl seemed to enjoy the spring rains that, at least temporarily, filled puddles and lakes throughout the region.

Mallard counts in Washington are up 11 percent from 2005, although still down about 17 percent from the long-term average, said Don Kraege, Fish and Wildlife Department waterfowl manager.

Mallards are the most popular duck with area waterfowlers. The daily limit is seven drake mallards in Idaho and Washington. Check regulations carefully for combined limits with mallard hens and other species.

All ducks were up 21 percent and down only 8 percent from the average, he said. Wigeons are up a whopping 75 percent.

Washington this year is offering full seasons for pintails and canvasback rather than the abbreviated seasons of the past.

Opening weekend, starting Oct. 14 in Washington, is the best opportunity to take advantage of these locally produced ducks, said Matt Monda, department regional wildlife manager in Ephrata.

“Other waterfowling days are much more weather dependent, but opening day is always good,” he said. “There’s a lot of young birds that haven’t seen decoys, but they wise up fast,” he said.

And if you haven’t scouted since spring, you’d better look again.

“We’re still at the tail end of a drought,” he said. “We had lots of water this spring but it wasn’t enough to recharge ground water. A lot of places are hurting for water.”

Hundreds of hunters will spread over the hunting areas on the 300,000-acre Columbia Basin Wildlife Area — including Potholes, Gloyd Seeps, Desert wildlife areas — near Moses Lake for the opening weekend, Monda said. “It has a lot of wetlands and there’s a lot of area to explore and get away from other hunters,” he said.

Canada geese numbers are still high and stable throughout the region, Kraege said.

Here are some Washington waterfowl rule reminders:

“Non-toxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl throughout the county. That means lead shot can’t even be in your pocket while hunting waterfowl.

“It’s illegal to place waterfowl decoys before 4 a.m., or to leave them unattended for more than an hour, or fail to remove them within two hours after hunting hours.

“Electronic or battery-powered devices and decoys are illegal.