Spring Migration in South Dakota

[Dakota Jeff]

My wife Lisa took these photos yesterday morning on her way into work.This is about half a mile from our house in southeastern South Dakota.The sky has been full of ducks and geese here for about a week now.The snow pack in Central and Northern parts of the state are keeping the migration stalled here for lack of food available north of here.Notice photo #3 has 4 images with a Higher point of view.Ive never seen one of them around here before.A couple others you can see a swarm of geese in the distance.Its like this all day lately in any direction. Enjoy, Jeff

[Dakota Jeff]

With all the geese in the area and flying over my place I was finally able to pull one down.My dog Katie didn't get much of a work out as she retrieved my game as I shot this goose just out the back door of my shop not landing 10 ft from us.But at least I kept her clean.The forecast is for some snow here tonight and a winter storm coming in next week for the upper Dakotas with 8-20 inchs of snow possible.They may be here a while yet.Maybe someone could straighten out my picture.I haven't had that happen before.Thanks Jeff.

[Joe from MO]

I know it can never happen, but it'd be cool if they would have a Spring duck season.....

I'd love to have a crack at full plumage Blue wingers, spoonies, etc..... In the fall, at least here in MO, even the drakes are just brown ducks.

[Mike of the Mountain]

8"-20" of snow TONIGHT??? I'm tired of snow after the first dusting in October-November. We have cousins that live in Lead. They show us pics of snowstorms in September. That's why we're visiting them in June this year!!

[Dakota Jeff]

Hi Joe, I've wanted a nice pintail to get mounted for a long time but don't see many around here in the fall.They are thick around here right now and in full plumage.I had many opportunities around my place yesterday.Good thing I have some morals.Mike,I think the big snow is forecast for early next week.I hope it tracks north of us.Im tired of snow too.

[Dakota Jeff]

Just took this from my kitchen window.The're getting kind of close.Have to be careful not to look up when I walk across my yard..

[Steiner]

Originally Posted by Jeff Sweeter

Hi Joe, I've wanted a nice pintail to get mounted for a long time but don't see many around here in the fall.They are thick around here right now and in full plumage.I had many opportunities around my place yesterday.Good thing I have some morals.Mike,I think the big snow is forecast for early next week.I hope it tracks north of us.Im tired of snow too.

The last few years I’ve hunted waterfowl in Oklahoma in late January. Every duck we take is absolutely beautiful. Pin tails, mallards, cans, teal, widgeon are all just stunning. If you’re looking for a Mount I highly recommend the trip.

[Mark Riessen]

I believe that I-29 was closed this AM. Wind and snow.

[Dakota Jeff]

The geese bugged out of my area last Sunday after an inch of snow Saturday night.I was able to scratch a nice blue from the sky Sunday morning right off my deckthough.Now that's the way to hunt.I talked to a farmer friend about 80 miles north of me on Tuesday morning and he had not seen any snows in his area yet just a few honkers flying around.He said the ground there was completely covered with snow yet and I'm sure they got more later that day into Wednesday as I-29 was indeed closed just north of me to North Dakota border.I don't know if the migration is stalled north of me not too far or if they took off and blasted across or moved east across Minnesota.Ive been told it's critical that they reach their nesting area by a certain date so the young geese get big enough to fly back south this fall.Dont know much about that.Its supposed to get warmer than normal for the next week so hopefully things will work out for them.