2024-2025 Mississippi Flyway Duck Hunting Forecast
Posted 2024-09-19 by
Check out Duck Hunting Nation’s grades for Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, and more
The Mississippi Flyway is home to several traditional mallard hotspots, such as Arkansas and the Missouri Bootheel. Photo by Austin Ross.
From Northern production states to the far reaches of the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Flyway encompasses the heart and soul of American duck hunting. And based on early indications, 2024-2025 looks promising.
If you plan to travel down the flyway this fall, pre-season info can boost your preparation. Check out our insider info in each state link.
ALABAMA
Other Mississippi Flyway states might get more press, but Alabama is no duck hunting slouch. With the Tennessee River Valley and loads of wildlife management areas, the Yellowhammer State receives high marks.
ARKANSAS
Spoiler: Arkansas rates an A from Duck Hunting Nation. How can it not? Times and flyways might have changed a bit, but the Natural State remains synonymous with duck hunting — specifically mallards.
ILLINOIS
Waterfowling in the Land of Lincoln has evolved in recent years, especially when it comes to goose hunting. And critics point out that Illinois has somewhat limited hunting accessibility in many areas. Yet with a rich duck hunting tradition and the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, it still scores well.
INDIANA
Much of Indiana has fairly limited waterfowl habitat and public access, and it’s a bit off the main migratory flyways. Still, between goose hunting, the Ohio River and Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge, the Hoosier State holds its own.
IOWA
Famous for big deer and colorful roosters, Iowa has some surprisingly good waterfowling options, including the Mississippi and Iowa rivers, plus late-season field hunting for ducks and geese. It earns a solid C from Duck Hunting Nation.
KENTUCKY
The Bluegrass State is sort of a have versus have-not area for duck hunters. Western and southern portions of the state feature good opportunities. Elsewhere? Not so much. But overall, it gets an OK grade.
LOUISIANA
As with Arkansas, the storied duck hunting scene in Louisiana has morphed a bit through the years. And yes, hunters here shoot fewer mallards nowadays. But they do very well on many other types of ducks — enough that the Pelican State retains its A grade.
MICHIGAN
You’d think a state bordered by two great lakes and including Lake St. Clair would be a duck hunting hotspot, and you’re right. When you add inland puddle ducks and geese to the mix, the scene looks rosier. Sure, hunting pressure can be an issue, but the state still gets high marks.
MINNESOTA
The Gopher State isn’t widely regarded as a waterfowling mecca, but it has a long, rich tradition of duck and goose hunting. From the Mississippi River to the Lac Qui Parle region to uncountable wild rice lakes, duck hunters here have great options.
MISSISSIPPI
The Gulf Coast. The Mississippi Delta. Hundreds of thousands of acres of wildlife management areas between. Mississippi remains a major wintering area for millions of waterfowl, and it gets an easy A rating here.
MISSOURI
The Show-Me State has always attracted duck hunters, especially in the rice-rich Bootheel region. But it has garnered more attention in recent years, as migration patterns have shifted somewhat and waterfowlers recognize the extent of opportunities here. As such, it merits an A.
OHIO
As with Kentucky, Ohio waterfowl hunting can be hot and cold. Lake Erie and associated marshes offer great action, although much of it is controlled by private clubs. But the state also has some quality draw hunts and open opportunities at WMAs. Overall, it gets a B.
TENNESSEE
Not to sound like a broken record, but The Volunteer State has excellent opportunities in its western portion and limited action farther east. Still, with fabled Reelfoot Lake, and Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, it maintains a high rating.
WISCONSIN
The Badger State raises loads of ducks and sees major autumn diver and puddler migrations. That’s no surprise, as it’s sandwiched between lakes Michigan and Superior, with the Mississippi River as much of its western border. Oh, there are also tens of thousands of ducky waters inland, and Canada geese swarm here. The only down side? Hunting pressure. That’s the only negative that drops Wisconsin to a B rating.
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