Iowa Duck Migration Maps and Reports

Iowa Migration Update for 11/7/2021

Iowa’s Southern reporting areas are showing the largest increases in duck counts. Freemont county, located in the Southeastern part of the state along the Mississippi River, has for a second update in a row reported significant increases in birds. They’re holding 46,063 ducks, which is up 177% from 10/30/2021!

During our last report, we mentioned the migration is starting a little slower than it did last season. However, the recent below freezing temperatures have certainly changed that. The statewide reporting area average is 56% higher than it was at this time last year.

An interesting note: The number of big ducks that have moved into the area has increase significantly. For the first time this season mallards are the most prevalent duck in the state. At our last update (10/30/2021), Iowa was reporting 15% of the overall ducks being mallards, that number is now up to 35%.

Weather forecasts over the next week are showing more cold weather on the way. This may mean some of the current birds will move on South, but there are plenty more still up North that could move into the area.

Iowa Migration Update for 10/30/2021

For this week’s Iowa duck count update, we’re seeing reports of another increase in most species (other than wood ducks and blue-winged teal). Green-winged teal are still the most prevalent species, increasing their numbers for a third straight week.

Reporting areas along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers are showing the largest increases in duck counts. Fremont County, in the very Southwestern potion of the state bordering the Missouri River, is reporting an increase of 30% over last week. Jackson and Louisa counties, both on the far Eastern side of the state bordering the Mississippi River, are both showing over 80% increases in ducks since last week!

While all data is pointing to a great start to the migration, it’s interesting to see how this season is comparing to last. Last year at this time, Fremont county was holding the most ducks in Iowa with 50,300. Currently, reports are only showing only 21,180 birds in the county. This is a difference of -58%. Louisa County was holding the second most at 23,400, and is reporting a current duck count of 19,950, which is a -15% difference.

The 7 day national forecast is predicting below freezing temperatures across much of the country. This cool off may be just what’s needed to bring the duck counts up to where they were this time last year.

Iowa Migration Update

Iowa’s continued to see large changes in migration activity over the past week. Many big ducks have moved into the area (mallards and pintails increased by almost 50% each) along with gadwalls (up over 200%) and green-winged teal (up over 60%). Blue-winged teal, which are the first species to begin the duck migration in the Mississippi Flyway, have shown a decrease in counts by a third of what they were a week ago.

Northern areas in the state are showing slight decreases in duck counts, with the Spirit Lake areas in Dickinson County reporting a week over week decrease of 11%. The good news is the large increase in big ducks these areas are seeing. 36% of the total birds reported in Dickenson County were Mallards.

As a whole, reporting areas in the central part of the state are relatively flat. Duck counts per county in the central: Monona County -16%, Guthrie County +21%, and Tama County +5%.

By far the most significant changes in duck numbers have occurred in the Southern areas of Iowa. Appanoose County is reporting 7,840 (+47%), Louisa County 10,675 (+20%), and Fremont County 16,240 which is a 132% increase! These increases can be attributed to: 1. Picking up blue-winged teal that were holding in Northern areas in the state 2. Increases in green-winged teal, gadwalls, and pintails.

Note of interest* Iowa is reporting a more than 300% increase in White-Fronted geese (Specks) since last week. In the past, we’ve seen this as a significant indicator that major migration movements my be coming soon.

Iowa Migration Update

The average number of ducks currently in Iowa per reporting area (which is a better measurement than looking at total duck numbers due to potential counting error) is up 65% since last week. This is in large part thanks to the cooler weather in and north of the state.

Pintails are the most prevalent ducks currently holding in Iowa, with Green Winged Teal coming in as a close second. Mallards, Gadwalls, and Shovelers are also all showing significant increases.

Starting with the Northern section of the state, population surveys are remaining consistent with little change since our last update. Dickinson County is holding 8% fewer ducks than a week ago and Clay County is holding 4% more.

Central areas of the state are showing mixed results. Monona County is reporting increases of 11%, Guthrie County -17%, and Tama County -3%. This brings the average change in the middle zone reporting areas to a combined -3%.

The southern section of Iowa is showing the largest change since our last update. Fremont County is reporting 40% more ducks than they were last week. The vast majority of this increase can be attributed to the large migration of Pintails into the area.

Overall Iowa duck survey counts per reporting area are showing 56% more birds than they were this time last season. This comes as no surprise as the migration got a “kick start” from the cooler temperatures last week. This is great news for Iowa waterfowlers given that all zones in the state are now open!

Iowa Migration Update

The average number of migrating ducks holding in Iowa per reporting area (which we feel is a better gauge than looking at total ducks reported due to potential survey error) is up 13% compared to our 10/1/2021 migration report.

The ducks that were lost were Green-winged and Blue-winged teal which were both down over 25% since our last report. The birds that were picked up were mostly American Widgeons which more than doubled. Pintail, Gadwall, and Mallard populations remained relatively unchanged.

When looking at the Northern zones of Iowa as a whole, duck counts are remaining fairly steady. With a few areas (Dickinson and Clay counties) picking up some birds, and others (Kussuth and Butler counties) losing a few.

The same story goes for the Middle zone. A few areas (Monona and Guthrie counties) are showing more ducks than our last update, and others (Tama county), is showing fewer. Bringing the overall change to the Middle zone to minimal.

The South zone is showing a more significant change in duck counts than the other two, with net positive gains overall. Fremont county alone is up 11% since our last update.

Counts per reporting area are up 26% when compared to this time last year. We find this interesting given the warm weather that’s stuck around later this year. Unless a major weather change occurs, we don’t see this trend continuing as more teal leave the area and big ducks remain up north.

Iowa Migration Update

We’ve seen quite a jump in duck population counts for Iowa over the past 2 weeks. It comes as no surprise that this’s largely due to Northern reporting areas (Dickinson County and others) gaining new birds.

While these numbers aren’t near what we’d consider a major migration push, it’s great to see Green-winged teal numbers have doubled from 2 weeks ago, and Pintail counts have tripled! This’s good news for hunters in the North Zone who will open up their season tomorrow morning. (Good luck, and let us know your successes in the comment section!)

For those hunting the Middle Zone, which opens up next weekend, your areas have also seen increases. Fremont County alone has seen a 329% increase in ducks over the past 2 weeks!

Iowa Migration Update

According to the Iowa DNR website: Previously to this update, Blue winged teal were the most prevalent species of ducks holding in Iowa. This has now shifted to wood ducks due to Blue winged teal numbers being down about 40% since their peak earlier this year.

One thing we find interesting is the increase in percentage of Mallards currently holding in Iowa. 2 weeks ago, 13% of the overall birds present were Mallards, that number is now at 17%. This appears to be across the board, without one particular area over accounting for the shift.

Iowa Migration Update

What a cold snap! With every reporting area in Iowa showing a significant decreases in duck population numbers, it’s safe to say the recent freeze up has caused the birds to move South. This’s actually perfect timing as the Iowa season comes to a close. With duck counts higher in most areas compared to this time last year, it’s good news for hunters located in areas South of here because there’re ducks headed that way and a few more up North yet to come down.

This is our last report for Iowa for this year. We hope you had a great season and look forward to keeping you updated next season!

Iowa Migration Update

Minnesota and Northern Iowa’s subfreezing temperatures over the past 2 weeks have moved several ducks South. Survey counts for the area are showing many of the areas lost half or more of their ducks, with a few in the Southern part of the state picking up a few.

Overall, the average duck population per reporting area is down 3% over the last 2 weeks. With few birds remaining in Minnesota, one more string of bad weather might wrap up the Iowa season.