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Reelfoot Lake Duck Hunting
West
Tennessee Duck Hunting Report
2025-26
Fowler's Point
Guide Service
FUTURE OF PINTAIL POPULATION
For the first time in nearly 30 years, duck hunters in the lower 48
states could have the chance to shoot three pintails a day as soon as
the 2025-26 season—a possible outcome of an interim population and
harvest strategy being put into use by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
However, it’s important to note that despite a change in the model, the
daily bag limit for all future seasons still depends on the pintail
populations and habitat conditions on the breeding grounds. The data
will become clearer in August when USFWS releases its annual Waterfowl
Population Status report. So, despite speculation by other media
outlets, there’s no guarantee of a three-pintail bag limit for the
2025-26 season.
Based on a new integrated population model for pintails, the USFWS
Regulations Committee on May 17 adopted an Interim Northern Pintail
Harvest Strategy to guide setting of regulations for the 2025-26
waterfowl season. The new strategy, which was developed based on
banding, population survey, and harvest data, allows four options: Bag
limits could be three pintails daily, two, one, or a closed season for
the Mississippi, Central, and Pacific flyways. The Atlantic Flyway will
have a three-pintail daily limit every season unless the model calls for
a closed season in the other three flyways.
“The new model, the new data is some of the best science we’ve ever had
on pintails,” said Jerome Ford, USFWS assistant director, during the
meeting. “In this application (of the new strategy), we’re trying to
learn. The Service Regulations Committee supports the implementation
moving forward with the Pintail Working Group proposed Interim Harvest
Strategy. The revised strategy addresses stakeholder concerns with the
current strategy, and the important technical updates conform with the
idea of using the best available science to support harvest management
decisions.”
Under Adaptive Harvest Management, which was put into use in 1995 and
updated for pintails in 2010, only three regulatory options for pintails
exist: two birds daily, one, or closed season. Regulations for the
upcoming 2024-25 season are already set: The daily bag limit is one
pintail daily in all four flyways.
The USFWS will use 2024 breeding population survey data obtained this
spring to determine 2025-26 regulations using the new Interim Pintail
Harvest Strategy.
“The biggest difference is the new model factors in the harvest rate,
which is the percentage of the population taken by hunters, rather than
just looking at the total harvest from the prior year as a predictor of
the upcoming season’s harvest,” said Dr. Chris Nicolai, waterfowl
scientist for Delta Waterfowl. “The new model makes predictions based on
the observed proportion of pintails shot, not on the estimated number of
what hunters shot the previous season.”
CHALLENGING DUCK SEASON DRAWS TO A CLOSE
By Steve McCadams
Lots of bumps and bruises. Some success stories. Mostly an uphill
battle.
Ducks hunters hit the home stretch this week as statewide season draws
to a close next Tuesday. The 60-day season opened way back on the
weekend after Thanksgiving for a two-day segment. It resumed the first
week in December for a 58-day straight stretch which offered
waterfowlers a wide window of opportunity.
Turns out dreary duck hunters needed a very wide window as the season
overall was somewhat of a disappointment despite a big dose of frigid
weather last week. As the season was winding down it sort of got
derailed by the Siberian Express.
Brutal cold slipped in the door, dropping temps to zero in many places
of west Tennessee followed by several days of single digits. Weather
like that put ice in lots of places and shortened the season for scores
of disgusted ducksters.
What had already been a very slow season turned into an abbreviated
season as most tossed in the towel during the in-climate weather
stretch. Duck hunters are usually wishing for cold fronts to stimulate
the migration and send ducks winging southward but there are
limitations.
Season began on a warm and dry note. The lion’s share of waterfowlers
spent the vast majority of the season hoping for more rain as most of
west Tennessee and portions of neighboring states suffered drought
conditions that began back in early fall and lingered past Christmas.
From the mighty Mississippi River to all its tributaries across the west
Tennessee such as the Obion, Forked Deer and Hatchie River lowland areas
there were poor water conditions. Normally ducks follow the water up the
river bottoms off the Mississippi River to wintering grounds that offer
ample feeding and resting areas.
Swamps usually fill with abundant shallow backwaters. Private farms full
of harvested grain field flood out, attracting big numbers of ducks to
the region.
Such has been the case for decades. Sometimes weather played tricks but
usually by early winter the areas filled with ducks and geese following
the flooded conditions that produced a Mecca for them during their
winter migration.
Not so this year. A lack of water proved to be a very high hurdle. In
summary, the ducks just didn’t come to this region in adequate numbers.
It hurt the feelings of lots of duck hunters across the five state
region.
From Arkansas and the abundant wetlands across the Bootheel of Missouri
to western Kentucky, Tennessee and portions of Mississippi numbers of
ducks were down. Surveys conducted by several states throughout December
and early January indicated below averages numbers. Mallard numbers have
been especially low all season.
Last week the region saw some influx of waterfowl but in the aftermath
of the drastic weather change came ice that disrupted the short
honeymoon. Most popular hunting areas succumbed to glacier-like
conditions.
Blinds and boat ramps were locked in. Access was denied. Some risked
life and limb attempting to keep spots open as many Reelfoot Lake guides
do whenever the temps go south.
When it gets too cold hunters can win a few battles but eventually lose
the war. Single digit temps and no wind allow even open water areas to
freeze sooner or later.
In the process of it all are torn up boats and motors. Decoy spreads
float away following sheets of ice. Ice eaters help keep some holes open
but sooner or later all the equipment and those that own and operate it
fall victim to the elements.
That was the case last week but it appears the ending of season will
offer a warm up and allow busted up duck hunters to end in style.
Perhaps the crazy cold has moved out and normal highs and lows will at
least allow the final weeks of season to end on a good note.
The trials and tribulations of a bad season can’t be overcome in the
final week. However, ending the season on a positive note would sure
help heal the morale and put a little pep in the step for next year!
SLOW DUCK SEASON LINGERS…HUNTER COMMENT DEADLINE
Unless the Kentucky Lake region and most all of west Tennessee gets a
big push of ducks soon this year’s season may well go down as one of the
worst ever!
A cold front was in progress and waterfowlers were hoping the first week
or two of January would turn things around, perhaps chasing away the
curse that has pretty much plagued southern duck hunters this year.
Locally things have been bad for most hunters regardless of where they
had a blind or tossed out decoys.
There’s been a few positive reports but very few. Most of those came the
first weekend of season. After that it has been slim pickings.
Many veteran hunters are saying they can’t recall seeing it this bad
this late into the season. Tennessee crossed the half-way point New
Year’s Day but hunters everywhere are commenting on the low number of
mallards observed thus far.
From Reelfoot Lake in the northwest corner of the state to Kentucky and
Barkley Lakes, the reports have been pitiful, even for passionate duck
hunters.
Obviously the migration stalled this year courtesy of a long stretch of
warm weather that teamed up with drought conditions. The Mississippi
River has been very low for months and that has a lot of influence on
the migration.
It appears scores of ducks moved west the last two months as the central
flyway has reportedly had good numbers in such states an Oklahoma.
Oddly, places like Missouri and portions of Arkansas had adequate water
from late fall rains in that region but the ducks have not taken their
normal migration route this year. Hunters there have suffered too.
Waterfowl biologists in Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri and other places
scattered across Kentucky and Tennessee indicate states have experienced
low numbers of ducks in what are traditionally popular spots.
At the beginning of season most of the public hunting areas in West
Tennessee were experiencing low water and low duck usage. One exception
was Gin Creek Wildlife Management Area where hunters got off to a great
start but the honeymoon was short. Since then it has been tough there
too.
Popular places such as West Sandy, Big Sandy, Dover and Camden Bottom
WMAs have suffered. Duck hunters have stared into empty skies for the
lion’s share of the season.
Most are asking where the ducks are hiding? Others aren’t too sure
they’re still up north in decent numbers either. A lot of doubt exist
across the waterfowling community these days as to the overall
population.
Are the ducks really there? Will a bad season continue? Is there a
chance some weather could salvage what’s left of a dreary duck season
and perhaps turn the frowns upside down?
Time will tell. Score of hunters are riding it out hoping things change.
However, there are more than a few who have pitched in the towel, giving
in to a duckless season that just hasn’t been enjoyable.
Winter fishermen have done well. Deer season has been good too.
Duck hunters have their fingers crossed. There’s still time to have some
good duck hunting as season will run all the way through January 31.
That window of opportunity, however, is shrinking.
Some cooler temps and overdue rains were arriving as this story was
formulated. We’ll see if the ducks still remember how to get to
Tennessee!
Here is a phone video clip from a Reelfoot Lake youth hunt..."Smokin
Teal"
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