How Temperature Influences Waterfowl

The impact temperature has on waterfowl varies dramatically. At both ends of the scale, extremely warm or extremely cold, waterfowl become very inactive and may move only once during the day to feed and/or they may not feed at all. In the middle of the temperature scale, you find the gray area where temperature may or may not have an influence on waterfowl movement.

Based on our experience, there is a temperature range that can vary from 10 - 15 degrees that requires their energy requirements to move up dramatically. Although this temperature range will and does vary from region to region, its impact can be significant causing both ducks and geese to go into a feeding frenzy. In this temperature range waterfowl will feed a minimum of twice a day and under the right conditions, we have witnessed ducks and geese feeding up to three times per day.

An Example Of The Influence

Hunting in January can always be challenging. On this occasion it was 4 degrees when we put the boat in the water. We had located an area that was holding approximately 2-3,000 ducks and about 2000 Canada geese. As we arrived at the location, the birds slowly got up and proceeded to land approximately 600 yards away. The high temperature that day was 9 degrees and the overnight low was projected to reach 10 - 15 degrees below zero. With over 5000 birds sitting less than 600 yards away from us we never fired a shot that day and here's why. Because the temperature was so low it required more energy for the ducks and geese to go out to feed than they could have recovered had they gone out and fed in the surrounding grain fields. The old myth that ducks and geese feed like crazy the lower temperatures go is simply not true. Now, three days later the temperature warmed up to 45 degrees and both the ducks and geese moved all afternoon long. Five of us shot 29 puddle ducks and 13 Canada geese. There was only one factor that changed during these three days, the temperature.

How To Take Advantage Of The Influence

Use temperature to your advantage by observing how it impacts feeding habits and waterfowl movement. As temperatures change and energy requirements either increase or decrease, waterfowl can be either positively or negatively impacted. Learn to identify patterns of movement and how they are related to temperature. Although this is a much more subtle influencing factor, those of us who know how to use it and the impact it has gain another advantage.

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