Having hunted ducks in North Dakota and Minnesota on successive weekends, the disparity is really quite stunning. In North Dakota, a week ago, there were ducks on every wetland from Valley City to Bismarck and points north and south of the interstate. And when you got up on the coteau that runs from west of Minot southeast to Ashley there were even more ducks.
In Minnesota this past weekend I drove from my home north of Stillwater to west of Alexandria and failed to see a single duck. And a morning-long hunt on a 60-acre slough reinforced the dramatic difference between the two states. I saw exactly one duck all morning – a high-flying mallard hen which wouldn't have been considered fair game anyway.
And this is supposed to be prime time for a Minnesota duck hunter. The late October grand migration; skeins of waterfowl across the sky; ducks that actually turn to calls and decoy; all those yesteryear pipe dreams.
If you are one of the waning number of Minnesota duck hunters who cares enough to buy a license the empty skies are screaming for your help. Find Ducks Unlimited, The Minnesota Waterfowl Association, Delta Waterfowl or any of the newer groups funded by the increased sales tax on the Internet and offer to invest some of your passion for the sport for the sake of your kids and grandkids.
