2021 waterfowl forecast

Destination: SOUTH-CENTRAL MONTANA

Duck hunting will be challenging in south central Montana’s major wetlands because of historically dry weather in 2021. While there still may be water to attract ducks, wide mudflats will make it hard for a person to deploy decoys or hunt from shore. Scouting before the season is advised and hunters will need to be adaptable.

For the second year in a row, COVID-19 scuttled annual May duck breeding and habitat surveys that have taken place since 1955. Biologists’ informal predictions, however, suggest that there will be fewer ducks – particularly young ducks – in the migration due to reduced wetlands both in Canada and locally. There still will be some good duck hunting days, depending on weather and migration timing.

Canada goose hunting will be the bright spot for waterfowl hunters as geese remain abundant locally and north of Montana. Also, geese traditionally nest on rivers or larger reservoirs that are not affected as much by drought.