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Just giving it a thought, I hunt land that is 1/4 mile from the Missisisippi River and I have noticed that ducks are sticking to land that is closer to the river, rather than spreading across the east side of the delta as well. Just a thought to see what anyone else thought?

Ducks have been flying this flyway for hundreds of years, and if anyone thinks that they just up and quit flying it, I would love to here their argument. So my answer is no I don't think the flyway has changed.
They have always flown the Miss. River and they always will.
Chopper

I do agree with Chopper in that migratory routes will continue along the same patterns as established for many of years. I believe periodic changes in flyway patterns exist as well. In addition to the lack of real winter weather, our foremost problem is lack of water. Without the natural flooding of the Delta, there is no reason for the ducks to venture off course. Food and habitat can be found without expending much energy. Today, most all flooded areas have been "pumped" and if a duck chooses to go there, there's going to be a gun waiting for him. There's no real sanctuary for him away from the Big River so why go?

Even though the season is now a wash (in my opinion) we still need the water and weather to get them to spend some time down here during February and March.

At the beginning of the season, most of the water here was right around the River. There was little water around the delta and the ducks stuck with the water that was around. That's my opinion on why we've been killin' a lot more ducks around the River than normal.....and my excuse on why there's not many ducks around the lease. It would take more than a couple of years for the flyway to change that drastically.

Just my 2 cents, and you know how much that's worth.

I know some guys who have been having pretty good success hunting the Crueger area.... you can see the HILLS from where they hunt.... as far east as you can get in the Delta- Fly way can't change that fast

i agree that the fly-way is changing some what... more birds in north-east Ms. than ever recorded by the bird count council.....haha..... maybe my efforts of planting food plots, provideing water habitat and letting the hens fly over the past 10 years has proven to be a plus for my back-road fly-way.... you can say what you want, but my hole has been covered in ducks since the first day of season..... remember, the hens instill the flight pattern to their young and that is the only path they know.... due to my health problems i have let the Quack-Shack rest since the week before Christmas and it is litterally covered in ducks.... i'm not able to wade the mud, so i just like watching em..... kinda got my own refuge and i decided to give them a place to fatten up..... with a little luck i will blast em and send a few south.... it took a series of strokes to make me realize a duck holes potential......have a good time.....

judge jb

judge jb glad to hear that you are able to get out to refuge and enjoy the fruits of your labor even if can't harvest the fruit. Everyday above ground is a blessing.

My answer to the question is no. I agree with you Chopper, ducks have been flying this route for hundreds and hundreds of years despite the different things that have happened over the course of history. I don't believe that the ducks will up and change what their ancestors have been doing for years. They didn't name it the Mississippi flyway for nothing. The Mississippi is the largest river in the country and a few bad years won't change anything. I think all us hunters are too educated and trying to come up with an excuse for the bad seasons. The good seasons will come our way again, we just have to have some patience and wait them out.

bullet wrote: I think all us hunters are too educated and trying to come up with an excuse for the bad seasons. The good seasons will come our way again, we just have to have some patience and wait them out.

Smartest thing anyone has said with respect to this subject in quite some time.