Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.

High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Outfitters are shaking their heads at the direction geese have gone. There has been no solid pattern for birds, according to several sources in the Amarillo area. Some days the birds never leave the roost. Snow goose hunting has been tough as well. Duck hunters had a tough time finding open water, and outfitters said many birds moved out of the area to find water. Playa lakes were unhuntable due to ice. Prospects are fair to good.

North Zone Duck: Temperatures in the teens iced shallow ponds, sloughs and bayous. Many hunters said the ice was so thick they drove their ATVs over it without breaking through. The only open water was in coves and creeks of reservoirs, where birds flocked to rafts of ducks. Many reported seeing a limited flight of ducks, probably due to birds leaving with the freeze-up. The good news is warmer weather is in the forecast, and the next southerly breeze should bring birds back. Prospects are fair to good.

South Zone Duck: Ice was a problem on the coastal prairies for duck hunters. Ponds iced over two inches thick in some places made for tough hunting. Few birds moved, according to several outfitters. Many along the coast reported seeing an influx of birds overnight, probably because the area had the most open water. However, coastal hunters on the bays said the bird flight was slim as well, but not for lack of birds. Port O’Connor and Rockport are holding large rafts of divers and pintails. Prairie hunters expect to recoup their birds this week with the return of southerly winds. Goose hunters continue to bang their heads against the wall trying to figure out the white birds. Unless you have weather (fog or wind), snow geese have been unhuntable. The good news is many geese are beginning to feed on green fields, which should make them a bit more gullible. Specklebelly season ended Jan.10, but in reality it ended weeks earlier because most of the specks became fickle to spreads or calling. Lots of sandhills on the prairie - pass-shooting has been the method of harvest. Prospects are fair to good.

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On the Net:

• Hunting Regulations: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/
• Migration Observations: http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/wtrfowl/migration.php
• Submit Your Observations: http://www.ducks.org/migrationmap/