Migratory Game Birds
Statewide Overview
Wyoming’s spring weather was inconsistent with numerous spring snow storms and very wet conditions. This often leads to poor production by ground nesting birds such as ducks, but geese tend to fair a little better. Re-nesting efforts by mallards which failed their first attempt at nesting was likely also good due to favorable conditions, however, other species that tend not to renest likely had very little production. Hunters can expect average local populations of ducks across the state. Migration chronology and weather, as well as hunter efforts of scouting for birds and obtaining permission to hunt private land when necessary, will ultimatley influence the success of migratory bird hunters throughout the state.
Ducks
The annual May breeding survey was again conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2019. This year’s results produced high numbers of breeding ducks across the survey area within the Dakota’s and Montana. However, prairie Canada including Alberta where the majortity of Wyoming’s migrating ducks come from was very dry and production will be low. Overall, production and the fall flight are expected to be lower than last year.
Dark Geese
Canada geese harvested in the state come from two populations. The Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) which can be found west of the Continental Divide, in the Wind River and Bighorn River Basins, as well as in western Carbon and Natrona counties. The RMP population decreased in 2019 but is still at the 5th highest count ever. Large geese found in eastern Wyoming belong to the Hi-Line Population (HLP). The HLP also decreased in 2019 but the population is at the fourth highest level ever recorded. Generally, Canada goose numbers across the state are driven by winter conditions, and there should be plenty of geese around should the weather cooperate.
Mourning Doves
Production within the state in 2019 was variable with great numbers in the central portions of the state and lower than average numbers elsewhere. The majority of doves will migrate out of the state with the first cold snap, which usually occurs between late-August and mid-September. Doves from northern areas do migrate through the state in mid-September and good hunting can still be found after the first few days of the season.
Sandhill Cranes
Cranes which migrate through eastern Wyoming (Crane Hunt Area 7) are primarily from the Mid-Continent Population, which has been relatively stable since the early 1980s and exceeds the established objective range of 349,000–472,000. Cranes which breed and stage in central and western Wyoming (Hunt Areas 1-6, and 8) are from the Rocky Mountain Population. The fall pre-migration survey in 2018 counted 21,801 cranes which was above the 2017 count and above the population objective of 17,000-21,000 cranes. However, the 3-year average used to determine harvest allocation decreased, resulting in a reduction of 105 permits available for Wyoming in 2019. Cranes in Areas 4 and 6 tend to roost and feed in the same general locations every year. Roost locations in Hunt Area 4 are Hidden Valley, Riverview Valley, and the south side of Ocean Lake. Roost locations in Hunt Area 6 are located north of Worland, the Otto area, from Powell to Ralston, and Ralston Reservoir. For best success, scout for cranes prior to the season and obtain permission to access the fields they are using.
Wyoming’s spring weather was inconsistent with numerous spring snow storms and very wet conditions. This often leads to poor production by ground nesting birds such as ducks, but geese tend to fair a little better. Re-nesting efforts by mallards which failed their first attempt at nesting was likely also good due to favorable conditions, however, other species that tend not to renest likely had very little production. Hunters can expect average local populations of ducks across the state. Migration chronology and weather, as well as hunter efforts of scouting for birds and obtaining permission to hunt private land when necessary, will ultimatley influence the success of migratory bird hunters throughout the state.
Ducks
The annual May breeding survey was again conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2019. This year’s results produced high numbers of breeding ducks across the survey area within the Dakota’s and Montana. However, prairie Canada including Alberta where the majortity of Wyoming’s migrating ducks come from was very dry and production will be low. Overall, production and the fall flight are expected to be lower than last year.
Dark Geese
Canada geese harvested in the state come from two populations. The Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) which can be found west of the Continental Divide, in the Wind River and Bighorn River Basins, as well as in western Carbon and Natrona counties. The RMP population decreased in 2019 but is still at the 5th highest count ever. Large geese found in eastern Wyoming belong to the Hi-Line Population (HLP). The HLP also decreased in 2019 but the population is at the fourth highest level ever recorded. Generally, Canada goose numbers across the state are driven by winter conditions, and there should be plenty of geese around should the weather cooperate.
Mourning Doves
Production within the state in 2019 was variable with great numbers in the central portions of the state and lower than average numbers elsewhere. The majority of doves will migrate out of the state with the first cold snap, which usually occurs between late-August and mid-September. Doves from northern areas do migrate through the state in mid-September and good hunting can still be found after the first few days of the season.
Sandhill Cranes
Cranes which migrate through eastern Wyoming (Crane Hunt Area 7) are primarily from the Mid-Continent Population, which has been relatively stable since the early 1980s and exceeds the established objective range of 349,000–472,000. Cranes which breed and stage in central and western Wyoming (Hunt Areas 1-6, and 8) are from the Rocky Mountain Population. The fall pre-migration survey in 2018 counted 21,801 cranes which was above the 2017 count and above the population objective of 17,000-21,000 cranes. However, the 3-year average used to determine harvest allocation decreased, resulting in a reduction of 105 permits available for Wyoming in 2019. Cranes in Areas 4 and 6 tend to roost and feed in the same general locations every year. Roost locations in Hunt Area 4 are Hidden Valley, Riverview Valley, and the south side of Ocean Lake. Roost locations in Hunt Area 6 are located north of Worland, the Otto area, from Powell to Ralston, and Ralston Reservoir. For best success, scout for cranes prior to the season and obtain permission to access the fields they are using.