Article – Sports – Weather could affect opening of duck season
The general outlook:Duck numbers are up this year, and most areas anticipate a good morning shoot opening day. The problem could be weather.

The cooler, overcast conditions of the past day or so would be preferable to the “bluebird day” forecast for Saturday. Its expected to be sunny and 92 degrees at the Imperial Wildlife Area.

At the San Jacinto Wildlife Area, the forecast is sunny with a high of 88 degrees.

“If we get the wind with a bluebird warm day, itll still turn out good,” said Tom Trakes at San Jacinto.

He said wind would prompt the ducks on Mystic Lake to seek refuge by flying to ponds and marshes in the area.

A look at the top spots: Weather aside, Trakes is “hoping for the best opener yet” at San Jacinto.

He based his optimism on flooding the wetlands about a month earlier than usual, thus attracting and holding the early migrating ducks.

He estimated 5,000-6,000 ducks in the area, thanks in large part to Mystic Lake, which is 40 percent full.

Trakes expects hunters to average 4-5 ducks.

At the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area, Adolfo Hernandez estimates 12,000-14,000 ducks hanging around, and most are teal and shovelers. He worries about the warm weather, too.

“Thats too nice of weather for duck hunting,” he said.

By the numbers:The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated the overall duck population at 36 million, a 14 percent increase from last years estimate and 9 percent above the average from 1955-2005.

Though the pintail is below historic levels, the survey showed a 32 percent increase from the previous year. Wigeon and scaup, unfortunately, are not enjoying the same positive trend.

The biggest gainer are the northern shovelers, which at 3.7 million are 69 percent above their long-term average.

Precautions advised:The Department of Fish and Game said hunters do not need to be overly concerned with the bird flu it has yet to arrive in North America, but should practice good hygiene as protection nonetheless.

Hunters should wash hands before eating, smoking or drinking and after dressing birds; should use disposable gloves when field dressing; and not handle birds that are obviously sick. For the complete list on what to do, visit www.dfg.ca.gov.

“Im more scared about West Nile than the bird flu,” Trakes said.

“Weve had mosquitos out there at San Jacinto that have already been affected. It was only one mosquito out of 20,000, but its there.”

Trakes plans on providing 20 cans of bug repellant for hunters to spray on themselves before going into the fields.

Whats in the bag:The limit is seven ducks. The restrictions: Hunters can take only one pintail, one canvasback, two redhead, three scaup and up to seven mallards but not more than two hen mallards. The season runs to Jan. 28.

CONTACT US: 714-796-7809 or dstrege@ocregister.com

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