Oct. 31 marked the season opener for ducks and quail statewide, and for geese in the East Zone. The East Zone includes real estate east of a line formed by US Highway 287 near Bowie progressing southward along Interstate 35 to Laredo. Everything west of that line is included in West Zone, where goose season will open in unison with the statewide deer season on Nov. 7.
There is no such thing a bad hunting season in Texas. But some are certainly better than others. Here is a synopsis of what waterfowl and quail hunters have to look forward to this year, according to season previews from experts with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department:
Ducks: Water has been a hot topic of discussion as of late. The deluge of rain that has fallen across East Texas and parts of the upper Texas coast recently has resulted in the closure of at least one prime public hunting unit due to flooding, according to TPWD reports. The Guadalupe Delta WMA may be closed beyond opening weekend, said Matt Nelson, TPWD central coast wetland eco-system project leader.
Nelson said the heavy rains that fell across the region in late October were much welcomed. However, the biologist pointed out that the influx of water may not be of much benefit to duck hunters early on in the season, because of a lack of succulent grasses needed to attract and hold migrant waterfowl.
"Unfortunately, we don't have the groceries for the ducks, because we just got the water and vegetation hasn't had a chance to respond," Nelson said.
East Texas' wetlands are offering ducks plenty to eat this year. Problem is, heavy rains have pushed area rivers so far beyond their banks and caused reservoirs to rise so high that it could make it difficult for ducks to get to most of the available food until the water levels recede. East Texas waterfowl biologist Jared Laing said he was seeing fewer ducks than usual leading up to the season opener. Laing added that concentrations of birds were hard to come by.
"We've been checking up and down; the birds just aren't here yet," he said.
Regardless, the stage is set for an outstanding Texas duck season that many feel will be the best in years. Time will tell.
Quail: Forecasters are offering up mixed prospects for quail hunters this year, mainly because the dapper game birds are faring better in some parts of the state than others due to varied range conditions.
Quail do best in years with plentiful rainfall in late winter and early spring, which creates a bounty of food and optimum nesting habitat.
Drought conditions have plagued much of Texas' best quail range this year, which likely resulted in limited reproduction in many areas, especially in deep South Texas and the Gulf Prairies.
Biologists said a bright spot is the Rolling Plains, which received enough rain last winter and summer to boost production in some areas. Factoring in decent carryover of adult birds from the last year, the outlook there is fair to average. The Trans-Pecos region received some welcomed rains in mid-summer and scaled quail populations responded nicely. The outlook is average to good. Though conditions in the Cross Timbers and Edwards Plateau are not pointing to a banner season, some areas could offer some decent opportunities.
