Got pond?
If the answer is affirmative, then you’ve almost certainly got ducks for the 2005 season, which opens Saturday on both sides of the Continental Divide.
“You can expect good local production and a bunch of native birds, most of which will be on shallow water wetlands,” said Todd Sanders, a Fort Collins-based biologist with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. “I expect opening weekend will be excellent.”
The first of three split-season segments for that portion of the state within the Central Flyway will run Oct. 1-23, a period marked by relatively warm temperature and open water. The second split will be Nov. 5-Dec. 4 and the third Dec. 11-Jan. 22, when casual waters have taken on ice with a corresponding change in flight patterns.
In western Colorado, a two-part duck season will run Oct. 1-16 and Nov. 2-Jan. 29.
Specialty goose seasons, each with an Oct. 1-9 duration, also begin Saturday. The most prominent of these will be along the northern Front Range, east of Interstate 25 and north of I-70 to target a growing population of resident geese forming what often are considered nuisance flocks near populated areas.
Similar seasons will be in North Park, South Park and the San Luis Valley. Pacific Flyway goose enthusiasts also will enjoy an early hunt Oct. 1-7.
With minor exceptions, bag limits will mirror last season. These are listed in an accompanying chart.
On a Friday aerial survey along the South Platte River east of Greeley, Sanders counted more than twice as many ducks as a year ago – 22,166 compared with 9,565. This marks the second year of a continuing study to determine waterfowl patterns in the state’s most popular hunting area.
“I’m surprised by the number of large ducks we saw this year,” Sanders said of a preponderance of locally produced mallards. “I don’t know exactly how summer moisture compared to other years, but if the number of ducks I saw is an indication, we had a really good year.”
The biologist reported a fair number of birds on the river itself, but a far greater number on adjacent reservoirs, ponds and wetlands.
“Most of the birds will come off the reservoirs to feed on seasonally flooded wetlands, where most of the food can be found right now.”
This means hunters with access to ponds, sloughs and shallow lakes will enjoy the best of a balmy hunt that, in many respects, can be the best of the year.
“Opening weekend is like no other time in the season. It’s a special opportunity,” Sanders said.
Hunters who prefer the public areas in high mountain valleys will find greatly improved conditions. Both the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge south of Walden and the Alamosa-Monte Vista refuge complex in the San Luis Valley boast the best water levels of this decade, with a corresponding boost in both ducks and geese.
Todd Sanders observed a greater number of geese and better water conditions while participating in a summer goose-banding operation on the Arapaho refuge.
In the San Luis Valley, Bob Sanders, a state biologist for Ducks Unlimited and a resident of Monte Vista, reported a sharp spike in duck numbers, but still fewer than the long-term norm.
“After the lag from drought the past three or four years, we don’t have the base of breeding birds as yet,” he said. “If we can hold our water levels, females will start homing back to their natal area and we can get the numbers back up.”
Bob Sanders said opening day in the San Luis Valley will feature mostly mallards interspersed with good numbers of teal, a mix likely to hold throughout the first split.
With a continuation of mild weather, blue-winged and cinnamon teal remain prominent in eastern Colorado. These early migrators soon will push south, replaced by their green-winged cousins.
Those who use these public federal areas, along with DOW’s many state wildlife areas, should plan ahead to maximize their experience. Reservations are required for weekend hunts on the San Luis refuges, as well as certain state properties.
“Always scout before hand to locate water and get there early to make sure you have a spot,” advised Todd Sanders. “Opening weekend is very busy. There’ll be crowding in certain places. You have to make a special effort to be courteous of other hunters.”
Listen to Charlie Meyers at 9 a.m. each Saturday on “The Fan Outdoors,” KKFN 950 AM. He can be reached at 303-820-1609 or cmeyers@denverpost.com.
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DUCKS
Central Flyway
Regular season: Saturday-Oct. 23, Nov. 5-Dec 4, Dec. 11-Jan. 22. No pintails or canvasbacks may be taken after Nov. 20.
Bag limit: Six ducks, no more than five mallards, of which no more than two can be females; one pintail; one canvasback; two redheads; one mottled duck; two wood ducks; two scaup. Also, five mergansers of which no more than one may be hooded; 15 coots.
Pacific Flyway
Regular season: Saturday-Oct. 16, Nov. 2-Jan. 29. No pintails and canvasbacks may be hunted after Dec. 15.
Bag limit: Seven ducks and mergansers, of which no more than two may be female mallards, one pintail, one canvasback, two redheads, three scaup.
Also: 25 coots.
GEESE
Central Flyway
Early season: Saturday-Oct. 9 upper Front Range, North Park, San Luis Valley, South Park.
Bag limit: Three dark geese, possession six.
Regular season: Nov. 19-Feb. 12.
Pueblo County: Dec. 3-Feb. 12.
Bag limit: Three dark geese, 20 light geese.
Light goose season: Oct. 24-Feb. 12. Daily bag limit 20, no possession limit. Also special conservation order season Feb. 18-April 30 east of Interstate 25.
