With October coming to an end, the unseasonably warm days have led to blue bird days here in the wetlands of the Great Salt Lake valley. With the severe storm pattern that brought cold winds and driving rain to the valley just in time for the Youth Hunt, local waterfowlers were given a sense of hope that this would lead to a perfect “Fowl Weather” season.

While early forecasts were boasting of Waterfowl Management Areas holding great numbers of ducks and geese, an early cold snap in September pushed many of the birds out, and given the storms approach and direction of the jet stream, there would be no dramatic temperature change to the north to drive new birds into the valley. The current effects of warm days will have birds loafing through the days, and feeding under clear sky nights. While there has been a few days that have had wind in the decoys, these conditions have no doubt taken it’s toll on the overall success here in the Great Salt Lake region.

Tips To Success
Hunting early morning on blue bird days will have the hunters catching a chance at these fare weathered fowl on their way back from feeding in the grain fields to their loafing areas. With the colder nights, the metabolism of ducks and geese will be on the rise, forcing them to seek out higher portions of carbs in their diets. Early mornings will have them feeding in the grain fields, and returning to the wetlands extremely thirsty and easily deceived. A quick check of the craw will help you to identify your trophies breakfast choice of champions. Once the temperatures begin to drop up north (Canada) fresh birds will begin to trickle down. Once the Great Falls area begins to freeze, the valley will then begin to see the real push of those old red legs of the north.

Mid-season mallards harvested in the company of good friends on a Blue Bird Day.