Global Sports: Fall Missouri Waterfowl Hunting Opportunities

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Fall Missouri Waterfowl Hunting Opportunities

By Angelique Larsen


Missouri waterfowl hunting can be a rich and rewarding past time. The Midwest is an inexpensive destination for hunters and the Show Me State offers high bag limits and excellent opportunities with an abundant population of migratory birds.

The Show Me State's fall waterfowl season begins as early as September 10th for teals and October 1st for Canada Geese. Duck season for all other ducks besides teal starts in staggered zones with the northern portion's season beginning on October 29th and the Southern region starting on November 24th.

Hunters can go after multiple species of ducks and geese, including widgeon, teal, shoveler, mallard, snow geese, brant, white-fronted geese and Canada geese.

Snow geese opportunities are especially robust as the state consistently boasts of one of the top annual snow goose harvests in the country. Hundreds of thousands of snow geese congregate in the wetlands from the Northwest to Southeast corners of the state, with the relative abundance by region depending upon the stage of the migration.

The most productive wetlands include the rice growing regions in the Southeastern corner near the Arkansas border, the Northwest's Missouri River floodplain area and the mixed prairie and wetland areas that dot the state's North Central section.

Some of the most popular destinations in the state includes Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and Grand Pass Conservation Area. Each of these locations boast of populations of ducks and geese that number well into the tens of thousands during peak migration.

Out of state visitors should consider hiring a local guide to assist them in locating prime locations and to familiarize them with the rules and regulations of the state. Missouri waterfowl hunting opportunities can vary considerably from year to year, but local guides are usually well informed on the latest seasonal fluctuations in populations and hunting conditions. Read more about: missouri waterfowl hunting




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