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October 11–17
This second week of season hosted yet another pattern of quiet weather. Temps started off the week, yet again, well above average with highs in the low 70s. As the week progressed, temps dropped some with highs near 60 midweek. Temps rose again to finish the week out. Winds stayed under 15 mph for most of the week, coming from the west and north. The few hundredths of rain we did receive fell overnight.
Waterfowl numbers grew this week, with the refuge count sitting right around 7,000 birds. Staff observed good numbers of green-winged teal, mallards, pintails, wigeon, gadwall and a few various diver species. Canada goose numbers stayed about the same as last week. There were several comments and staff observations of large groups of sandhill cranes migrating throughout the week. Wood ducks have mostly left the area after last week.
2–3: Corn cover averages 8 feet tall; water depth varies in zone 3 (6–8 inches), zone 2 is dry.
4–6: Corn cover averages 8 feet tall; water depth varies 4–8 inches, zone 4 is driest at the north end.
7: Corn cover 6–8 feet tall; water depth varies from 8–12 inches.
8: Corn cover 5–8 feet tall, planted in two blocks; shortest on north end, water depth varies 6–12 inches.
10–12: Corn cover averages 8 feet tall; zone 10 is mostly dry, zones 11–12 have 8–12 inches of water.
13–15: Corn cover averages 8 feet tall; water depth varies 6–8 inches, zone 13 is dry.
16–18: Corn cover very spotty in zones 16–17; blind available in 16, sheet water on north end, water in 18 varies from 8–10 inches.
19–20: Corn cover averages 7 feet tall; some thin spots throughout, water depth varies 8–12 inches.
21–22: Corn cover averages 6–8 feet tall; some thin spots throughout, water depth varies 4–6 inches, zone 21 is driest at the north end.
23: Corn cover averages 8 feet tall; some thin spots on south end, sheet water at south end.
24: Sparse corn cover 4–7 feet tall; 5 feet tall at blind, no corn south of blind, water depth varies 4–10 inches.
25: Corn cover averages 8 feet tall; some thin spots throughout, water depth varies 4–8 inches.
26: Sparse corn cover 5–8 feet tall; 5 feet tall at blind, no corn south of blind, water depth varies 12–14 inches.
Marshes: The north marsh will remain at low pool or drawn down to complete a winter burn in 2025–26. Water has been added to the east marsh and more will be added after field flooding nears completion. All marshes will be lower than full pool levels due to severe drought and falling Great Lakes water levels.
For the week, we averaged 15 parties per draw, with the highest draws occurring over the weekend (Oct. 11–12). Saturday morning saw 33 parties, and Sunday morning saw 34 parties. For the week, the area had 435 hunter trips, bringing the season total from Sept. 1 through Oct. 17 to 1,138 hunter trips. This is about a 3% decrease in hunter trips over the same week last season.
Hunters harvested 462 ducks and 9 Canada geese this week, with a 33 ducks-per-day average. Despite the mild, uneventful weather, hunting remained consistent throughout the week. The season total from Sept. 1 through Oct. 17 sits at 1,311 ducks and 43 Canada geese. That is 1.15 ducks per hunter trip. This week’s harvest is up about 3% over the same week last year. Mallards made up 40% of the harvest, green-winged teal 19%, pintails 15% and wigeon 9%.
As we start the week, the first real fall storm of the season is in the forecast. Gale watches are already in effect for the weekend, with winds expected to gust into the 40 mph range from the south. Winds will switch to the northwest after the cold front moves through Saturday night. Some much-needed rain is also expected, with models showing the area receiving upwards of 2 inches. That would hopefully ease the drought conditions!
To start the week, temps are once again well above average. Saturday’s high is in the low 70s with warm air pushing out in front of the cold front. For the remainder of the week, temps return to near normal in the mid-50s. Both wind and rain chances are higher this week, with a primarily westerly wind direction expected. All these conditions should help hunter success throughout the week!
It was difficult or nearly impossible to run pumps again this past week with the light wind conditions, but staff were able to add some water to the north field (zones 2–8). Pheasant season opens this Monday (Oct. 20). To hunt pheasants at Nayanquing, hunters must be in their posted corn zone or marsh area, must be wearing hunter orange and must use non-toxic shot. A permit is required to hunt pheasants.
