Week in review
October 10th — October 16th, 2026
Weather
The weather for the week was absolutely gorgeous, but rather poor for waterfowl hunting. The week started off on our usual trend of above average temps for the weekend, that trend continued to start the work week with highs on Monday and Tuesday reaching well into the 80’s. A cold front passed over the area bringing temperatures down, but still above normal average temp. The week ended with another strong cold front passing over the area bringing temps to average levels for the first time this season. Winds ranged from 10 – 20 MPH with gales into the low 40MPH range to end the week. Flows were mainly from the S to SW with N-NW behind the cold fronts. Very little precipitation fell this week with less than .25” recorded at the Nayanquing weather station.
Waterfowl abundance
I saw a substantial increase in waterfowl numbers this week with numbers ranging from 7,500 – 8,000 birds. Notable species increases were green winged teal, mallards, wigeon, several small flocks of both greater and lesser scaup, and ringed necked ducks. Canada goose numbers remained about the same as last week or increased slightly. Some trumpeter swans were also observed in the refuge. Bird distribution was equal across all refuge units, with the cropped refuge being just slightly more populous than the other units.
Hunting conditions
North
2–3 corn cover averages 8 feet tall; zone is mostly dry with flooding in progress
4–6 corn cover averages 8 feet tall; water depth varies 4–8 inches with most of the water in zone 6 and south end of zone 5
7 corn cover 6-8 feet tall; water depth varies from 4-6 inches
8 corn cover 5-8 feet tall; planted in two blocks; shortest on north end, water depth varies 12-14 inches
Middle
10–12 corn cover averages 8 feet tall; zone 10 is driest at the north end of the zone, 8-12 inches in zones 11-12
13–15 corn cover averages 8 feet tall; water depth varies 12-14 inches
16-18 corn cover averages 8 feet tall; water depth varies 12-24 inches
19–20 corn cover averages 8 feet tall; water depth varies 18-24 inches
South
21–22 corn cover averages 8 feet tall; water depth varies 4-12 inches with zone 21 being driest at the north end
23 corn cover averages 8 feet tall; water varies 6-12 inches
24 corn cover 6-8 feet tall; water depth varies 8-24 inches
25 corn cover averages 8 feet tall; water depth varies 4-12 inches
26 sparse corn cover at south end of zone, 5–8 feet tall; water depth varies 12–24 inches
Marshes
The north marsh will remain at low pool or drawn down again this season. A burn was completed during the spring of 2026, but more work is planned for winter 2026 – 2027 and into summer of 2027. Water has been added to the east marsh, and more water will be added after field flooding nears completion. All marshes will be near full pool levels apart from the north marsh.
Hunter numbers
Hunter participation this week was about average with draw sizes ranging from the high of 35 parties on 10/10 AM draw, to low draw of 7 parties on both 10/12 PM and 10/13 PM. We had a total of 449 hunter trips this week which reflects roughly a 3% increase over the 2025 season. We are sitting at 1,164 hunter trips for the season since September 1st.
Waterfowl Harvest
Hunters harvested 300 ducks this week, this reflects a 35% decrease in harvest over the 2025 season. Canada goose harvest for the week was 4 birds; this is a 55% decrease over from the 2025 season. Harvest totals for the season thus far are 1,153 ducks and 30 Canada geese. Mallards, wood ducks, green-winged teal, and pintails made up the majority of the harvest for the week.
What to expect this week
The weather forecast for this week looks rather mundane once again. Temperatures are forecasted to be in the upper 60’s to low 70’s for the duration of the week. Sun is expected most days and winds are forecasted to be on the lighter side for most of the week apart from Sunday where stronger S-SW winds are expected. Little to no precipitation is in the forecast as well. I am hoping for a break in this weather before too long!
Other comments
We will continue to add water to the hunting fields in the coming weeks. The south field (21-26) and middle field (10-20) are near full pool levels. The north field (2-8) is still slightly behind in flooding, but good progress was made this week. There is a youth priority draw coming up on October 24th for the PM draw.