Duck Tracker’s Tennessee Migration page provides maps, population reports, and hunting outlooks to help you stay up-to-date with the most recent duck migration movements in Tennessee.
Welcome to the 2022 duck season! We hope you all had a great off-season. If you are like us, you are ready for cool mornings in the duck blind. Our hope is that these reports can serve as a quality resource for you this fall. We do our best to make sure our reports are accurate and timely, and hope they lead to more success for you this season. Check back here frequently to get the latest migration updates!
Tennessee Duck Migration Report for 01/10/2021
Tennessee Duck Migration Maps
Previous Duck Population Map (from 12/27/2020)
Current Duck Population Map (for 01/10/2021)
Average Duck Count Change Per Tennessee Reporting Area: -27%
Tennessee Migration Spotlight Maps
Lauderdale Refuge (Lauderdale County)
| Previous Duck Count | 48,950 |
| Most Recent Population Count | 21,000 |
| Change in Duck Population | -57% |
| Compared to this time last year | 21,385(-2%) |
Eagle Lake Refuge (Shelby County)
| Previous Duck Count | 42,551 |
| Most Recent Population Count | 53,972 |
| Change in Duck Population | +27% |
| Compared to this time last year | 9,055(+496%) |
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Tennessee Migration Update
Cold weather throughout the state caused duck numbers to slightly decrease in Tennessee since our last report. Temperatures were lower than expected and seemed to have had an impact on the migration. That said, there are still many ducks around to chase. Below freezing temperatures are expected to continue for the remainder of the season, but it is hard to say what the remaining ducks will do. When looking at last year’s numbers, many of the areas are reporting more ducks than they had last year. This is great news to finish out the season.
This is our last update of the season. Have a great offseason!
Tennessee Duck Hunting Outlook and Forecast
Duck numbers seem to be slowly decreasing throughout the state. The ducks that are still around may have a tough time keeping a hole open with the low temperatures in the forecast. However, their food is not covered by snow, which could be an indication of how long they will stick around. If you have open water or can run an ice eater, get out while they are still around.
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To see Migration reports from other states within the Mississippi Flyway, see out main Duck Migration Page
Click here to leave your own migration report in the comments below, just be sure to mention your approximate location and the date you’re reporting on.
*Data used in reports was gathered from: https://www.tn.gov/twra/hunting/migratory-birds/waterfowl-counts.html
Tennessee Duck Migration Report for 12/27/2020
Tennessee Duck Migration Maps
Previous Map (from 12/13/2020)
Current Map (for 12/27/2020)
Average Duck Count Change Per Tennessee Reporting Area: +148%
Tennessee Migration Update
The subfreezing temperatures up North (specifically in Iowa and Minnesota) have frozen up almost all open water in those areas. Ducks have taken flight and several are now holding in Tennessee. Almost every reporting area in Tennessee along the Mississippi River has twice the number of ducks it did 2 weeks ago!
The only decrease in duck populations we are seeing since our last update are on the eastern side of the state.
Tennessee Migration Spotlight Maps
White Lake Refuge (Dyer County)
| Previous Duck Count | 82,025 |
| Most Recent Population Count | 109,982 |
| Change in Duck Population | +34% |
| Compared to this time last year | 63,279 (+73%) |
Eagle Lake Refuge (Shelby County)
| Previous Duck Count | 23,299 |
| Most Recent Population Count | 42,551 |
| Change in Duck Population | +83% |
| Compared to this time last year | 7,747 (+449%) |
Tennessee Duck Hunting Outlook and Forecast
With the major push of ducks recently, we believe Tennessee is at peak migration numbers throughout the state. This is great news for hunters along the Mississippi River bottoms. Temperatures are supposed to remain steady throughout the state for the foreseeable future. However, snow and freezing temperatures are expected in other parts of the flyway.
Ducks can become stale and pressured this time of year in Tennessee. When out, try to differentiate yourself from other hunting parties. Get them while they are here, things can always change overnight!
To see migration reports from other states within the Mississippi Flyway, see our main Duck Migration Page
Have your own migration report you’d like to share? You can leave it in the comments below, just be sure to mention your approximate location and the date you’re reporting on.
*Data used in reports was gathered from: https://www.tn.gov/twra/hunting/migratory-birds/waterfowl-counts.html
Tennessee Duck Migration Report for 12/13/2020
Since this is our first migration report of the season for Tennessee, we will be taking a look at the current duck populations as well as comparing this data to this time last year. Going forward, the report will include comparisons to this year’s reports as well.
Tennessee Duck Migration Maps
Current Tennessee Duck Population Counts per County (for 12/13/2020)
Since we cannot compare this map to data from earlier in the season, it is difficult to see how the migration has progressed in the state of Tennessee. That said, the largest concentration of ducks within the state is clearly along the Mississippi River. Up to this point, the state has reported mild temperatures and variable wind gusts. Hunters should be prepared for a large push of ducks in the near future.
Tennessee Duck Migration status compared to this time last season
| Area | Current | Last year | Change |
| Dyer County | 82,025 | 23,386 | +251% |
| Shelby County | 23,299 | 22,218 | +5% |
| Lauderdale County | 15,800 | 37,606 | -58% |
| Obion County | 7,900 | 19,000 | -58% |
| Lake County | 1,500 | 58,509 | -97% |
Average difference in duck count per reporting area when compared to this time last year is +57%
When comparing populations from last year at this time, hunters should be happy to see the state is currently holding more ducks. This could be due to a number of factors, but we believe weather and quality of habitat are both things to consider. Although we do not believe these are peak numbers for the state of Tennessee, there are still enough ducks out there to chase!
Tennessee Duck Hunting Outlook and Forecast
Looking forward into the season, hunters should prepare for a push of fresh ducks any day now. Cold weather is in the forecast for states further north in the flyway. Also, snow has covered the majority of the food available near the Canada border. The ducks coming in will be less pressured and have a tendency to decoy well.
Many of the states north of Tennessee are at peak migration numbers, so hopefully that is an indication for how many ducks will be coming into the state soon.
To see migration reports from other states within the Mississippi Flyway, see our main Duck Migration Page
Have your own migration report you’d like to share? You can leave it in the comments below, just be sure to mention your approximate location and the date you’re reporting on.
*Data used in reports was gathered from: https://www.tn.gov/twra/hunting/migratory-birds/waterfowl-counts.html