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Reelfoot Lake Duck Hunting
West Tennessee Duck Hunting Report
2023-24


Fowler's Point Guide Service

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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