Here's a thumbnail sketch of how the waterfowl opener went around Minnesota, based on DNR reports:
Hunter success near Thief River Falls, Blackduck and Erskine was fair to poor.
Officers reported good success near Moorhead. Some hunters near Detroit Lakes shot limits of ducks, others saw none. At Pelican Rapids, "waterfowl hunters were happy with the ducks seen," said officer Bruce Pfalzgraff.
Hunter success near Fergus Falls ranged from zero birds to about four per hunter. Hunting was fair to poor near Elbow Lake.
The opener near Alexandria was the best conservation officer Mike Shelden had seen in about eight years, with hunters averaging between three and four birds.
"It was also encouraging to see some kids hunting ducks again," Shelden stated.
Hunting was poor in the Morris area -- most went home with fewer than two ducks.
"The waterfowl opener was one of the better in recent history," reported officer Kurt Nelson of Glenwood, where hunters averaged nearly four birds.
Hunting was slow near Longville, with mostly teal taken. And it was poor near Hibbing. Hunters averaged about two birds near Cloquet and two to three birds in the Brainerd area.
There were ducks near Crosby, but few hunters.
"Waterfowl hunters were generally disappointed with the number of birds in the bag," wrote officer Bob Mlynar of Aitkin. Hunting was slow near McGregor and Isle.
But it was good near Pierz and excellent near Long Prairie. Near Mound, most hunters had a few ducks. And success was fair to good near Forest Lake. Some said it was the best opener in 20 years near Marshall and Redwood Falls. But duck numbers were down near Slayton.
Hunters near Willmar averaged two to three birds, and hunting was mostly excellent near New Ulm. Those near Albert Lea averaged one to two ducks. Many hunters on Swan Lake said it was the best opener in memory.
Near Kellogg on the Mississippi River, there were plenty of hunters but they averaged less than one bird apiece. Hunters averaged around three birds near Red Wing and two near La Crescent. Things were pretty slow near Wabasha.
Doug Smith • dsmith@startribune.com
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