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The early hunter may get the bird this year.
At least that seems to be the consensus as the waterfowl hunting season opens Saturday at 6:46 a.m. on Utah marshes.
While the number of ducks counted on North American breeding grounds this past year is the highest in 60 years, there is concern that low water in the Great Salt Lake will not keep them in the state as long as most years.
"Ducks use the lake and some of its more remote wetlands as places to escape hunting pressure," said Blair Stringham, migratory bird coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. "The birds rest in these areas. Then, when it's time to feed, they return to the freshwater marshes. This gives hunters another chance to take birds and keeps hunting good through most of the season. Having a place to escape hunting pressure keeps the birds in the the state longer."
The Great Salt Lake is reaching historic lows, a major concern for wildlife managers as well as Utah's 23,000 waterfowl hunters.
Stringham said hunters can expect to see good numbers of cinnamon teal, mallards, green-winged teal, gadwalls and pintails.
Though the Great Salt Lake is low, Stringham said wetland conditions are excellent at almost all of the DWR's waterfowl management areas. The federal Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is a concern, however. It is currently drier than normal, but there is hope that more water will flow into the refuge when the irrigation season ends at the beginning of October.
The dark goose season also opens Saturday, though hunters should check the proclamation for dates and areas. Stringham said good numbers of geese are in the state right now.
Stringham said hunters should enjoy decent success early in the season but he suspects birds will move out in higher numbers sooner than normal this year. By the time the first freeze hits, hunting will be difficult.