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December 15, 2025
Recent weather has been characterized by frigid winter temperatures and snow. Lake effect added another few inches to the growing total in the last few days.
Numbers of ducks and geese appear to be holding, with many new birds in the area both on and off the farm unit. Ducks are mostly hardy mallards with a good number of black ducks mixed in. Birds are mostly Canada geese, with two snow geese also in the area.
Corn cover on sandy ground in Zone 8 is short, and blinds will be highly recommended for the duck opener. Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 all have adequate corn cover for hiding without a blind in various places, but it is still advised to use a blind, as drought-stricken corn is brittle and thin this late in the year. Floodings have frozen and will likely not thaw without a significant warmup. Creeks and drains are mostly open. Snow is fairly deep, so snow covers on blinds are recommended, along with a snow shovel for digging in a hide and in case you get stuck. Roads and parking lots are plowed, and all zones are accessible.
Hunter numbers jumped slightly last week as the end of duck season draws near.
Duck harvest has picked up recently across the farm unit. The last seven to eight days of duck season were the best days of the entire season by a wide margin.
The week will start with very cold temperatures, but a pattern shift will bring warmer conditions and possibly rain toward the end of the week. Scouting will be key to success for the Dec. 20 opener draw, as temperatures and weather may move birds around the region. What you see today in 10-degree weather may be entirely different in two days with a significant warmup.
Goose season draws start Dec. 20. A large number of geese are using the area. Duck season is now closed until the two-day split, which can be hunted by draw both days.
