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Oct. 27 – Nov.3
Clear, sunny skies with light winds and high temperatures in the mid-50s. Nighttime lows hovered just above the freezing mark all week.
With stagnant weather conditions, the area hasn’t seen a new influx of birds. The last refuge count on Oct. 29, 2025, recorded around 13,000 birds in the refuge. Mallards were the most abundant at approximately 6,500 birds, followed by 2,500 northern pintail, 1,500 American wigeon, 750 gadwall, 600 black duck, 275 green-winged teal, 300 ring-necked duck, and 850 geese.
Water levels on rivers and access channels within the game area are low but manageable. Short-shaft outboards may have issues in some spots. Water levels within managed units are at prescribed levels for this time of year, and there shouldn’t be any issue motoring access channels within the managed units.
Units 9–14 and 1–4 fields are full of corn, harvested at the end of October. Huntable corn strips in these units vary from 6 to 8 feet in height. Units 9–14 have been flooded and are about 14.5 inches deep. Units 1–4 are currently being flooded.
The 30s were soybeans with strips of planted corn. The soybeans were harvested, and the 30s are now flooded and accessible by boat. Corn in the 30s varies from 6 to 9 feet tall. Water levels vary per zone from 12 to 24 inches.
Zones 6–8 have strips of corn 5.5 to 6.5 feet tall with moist soils in between. Blinds are available in zones 6 and 7. Water levels on the staff gauge for zones 6–8 are 13 inches.
The corn strips in the 40s vary from 5.5 to 8 feet tall, with moist soil between strips. Water in units 39–46 measures 9 inches deep on the north side of 39 and 18 to 24 inches deep in the southern 40s.
North Prior (units 55–60) has corn strips with sorghum on some sides and a mix of moist soils, barley, and buckwheat. Water levels range from 14 to 16 inches depending on the zone. Corn strips range from 5 to 7 feet tall.
South Prior (units 61–66) features corn strips with moist soils. Water levels are 14 to 16 inches depending on the zone. Corn ranges from 5 to 8 feet tall.
Prior Road units had corn damaged early in the growing season and required replanting. Some units had sorghum planted for supplemental cover. The southern portion of South Prior received moist soil disturbance treatment. North Prior had buckwheat and barley planted as well.
Wahl Road Marsh unit water levels are at full pool.
The Rookery (units 137–150) is at full pool levels.
Units 49–50 (Triangle Marsh) water levels are at full pool. Some access lanes through the cattails were widened to accommodate boat travel.
The Flooded Woods (units 77–117) water levels have returned to full pool. Use caution when exiting boats and check water depth before doing so.
Zone 29 had marshmaster mowing before the season to create openings. Water levels are at full pool. The access channel to the southwest pullover for zone 29 has very low water levels. To hunt zone 29, it is recommended that duck hunters pull the dike at the 30s and motor to the 29 pullovers north of zone 36.
Morning draw sizes varied. The largest morning draw occurred on Saturday, Nov. 1, with 33 parties. The lowest was 12 parties on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The average morning draw size was 21 parties.
The largest afternoon draw was 41 parties on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The lowest was 15 parties on Monday, Oct. 27. The average afternoon draw size was 31 parties. Leftover permits for both morning and afternoon draws ranged from zero to six permits issued.
Last week’s harvest included 613 ducks and 47 geese over 407 hunter trips, resulting in 1.62 birds per hunter. Total to date: 3,157 ducks, 557 geese, and 2,241 hunter trips, averaging 1.66 birds per hunter.
Clear, sunny skies with high temperatures in the mid to upper 50s and nightly lows in the upper 30s to low 40s to start the week. Rain is expected Wednesday with highs in the low 60s. Thursday will be clear and sunny. Friday has morning rain ending around noon, with mid-50s temperatures and clearing skies. Saturday will be sunny with highs around 45 degrees. Sunday will see building clouds and highs in the upper 40s with a chance of rain.
Saturday, Nov. 8: The afternoon hunt is a youth priority non-reserved hunt. You must have a youth in your party to be eligible for the priority draw. Ratios include 1 youth to 2 adults, 2 youth to 2 adults, or 1 adult to 3 youth. An after-draw will be held for parties without a youth.
Veterans Day, Nov. 11: Both morning and afternoon draws are non-reserved veterans and active military personnel priority draws. A leftover drawing will be held for parties without a veteran or active military member. Consult the 2025 Waterfowl Digest for eligibility requirements.
Thanksgiving, Nov. 27: Normal draws will be held for both morning and afternoon. The check station will close promptly after the afternoon draw. No self-service registration permits will be available on Thanksgiving Day.
Black Friday, Nov. 28: The check station will be open from 4:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will conduct draws at normal times.
Trapping permits for SRSGA are now available at the check station. Deer hunters drawn for an access permit should review the rules for DMU 273 and be aware of their assigned hunt unit. Please remember to register your deer in the correct DMU.
