Before the opener of the first split of duck season, north and east Texas had plenty of gadwall, teal and widgeon. Several folks I hunt with reported early flights of pintail. The opener was less than spectacular for most duck hunters, thanks to acres and acres of newly flooded lowlands that tends to scatter the birds. I hunt a duck lease southeast of Dallas that is usually awesome throughout the season but, to date, have only harvest a couple of birds. What was ten acres of water has turned into forty.

 With a much higher than average duck population coming down the flyway this  fall, most veteran duck hunters continue to have high hopes for the second split of the season.  I checked in with outfitter Mike Ladnier at Bay Prairie Outfitters in southeast Texas near Elcampo. Mike reported a much higher than normal number of early arriving geese, mostly specklebellies had arrived to feed on the rice stubble. Snows have also began arriving on the prairies of southeast Texas, along with Ross’ geese. Overall we should have an above average season for ducks and geese, we just need the water to recede a bit and wait for a ‘sure nuff’ blue northern to push the birds south. LC

Listen to Outdoors with Luke Clayton Radio at www.catfishradio.com. Email Luke with fishing and hunting information from your area at lukeclayton@prodigy.net.