HUNTING THE HOLDOUTS

Waterfowl have been migrating for eons. Birds vacate harsh northern environs and wing to moderate climates farther south where the weather is more conducive to survival. In the spring, they repeat this process in reverse to return to their breeding grounds.

However, some ducks and geese are realizing that migration isn’t always the best option. Migrating waterfowl face plenty of perils on their journey. These may include severe weather, exposure to increased predation and hunting pressure, encountering degraded habitat, struggling to find quality food sources and not having enough fat in reserve to make the trip. It seems more and more birds decide to stay north each year. Those that choose this path and