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September 2001 Features

" COASTAL BLUE-WINGED TEAL OUTLOOK "

COASTAL BLUE-WINGED TEAL OUTLOOK
A FEATURE ARTICLE FROM September, 2001
BY MIKE THOMPSON
Despite declining numbers, coastal waterfowl hunters can still expect a healthy influx of blue-winged teal to make their annual stopover at various locales along the Gulf Coast.
Swerving nervously through the marsh, the tight bundle of ducks moved effortlessly in uncanny unison. Each of the tiny ducks, with their bright blue wing patches, flew in harmony with the other.
"How could they fly so close together at this speed and not collide?" the hunters wondered.
Suddenly, the lead bird made eye contact with the decoy spread. Next, the entire pack, some 30-strong, made a kamikaze like dive for the decoys. Before the hunters could raise their guns to their shoulders the pack was gone! Gone, but for a moment.
The hunters hardly had the time to choose the proper expletives for their disgust when the group turned back. This time the birds committed to the blocks and chaos ensued. Shotguns blasting, pellets flying, feathers floating through the air -- and the result? -- one lone blue-winged teal lay limp among the decoys.
And so it goes ...
From Florida to Texas, the scene is repeated yearly along the Gulf Coast. I'm referring, of course, to the "special teal season" held during September.
Hunters crouched in weeds, mosquitoes swarming all about the face and mouth, sweat dripping down the back of the neck, oppressive heat etc. Doesn't sound like much fun does it? For scores of hunters along the coast, they wouldn't have it any other way.
The special teal season offers hunters the opportunity to harvest blue-winged teal that would otherwise migrate through the region like ghosts in the night.
Because the majority of the blue-winged teals' ultimate destinations are further south of the Gulf Coast, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service offers hunters the opportunity to harvest the early migrants while they are still in the United States.
TEAL NUMBERS
The numbers on this year's crop of blue-winged teal are down from last year. That might sound like bad news, but the overall picture is still bright.
According to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), blue-winged teal breeding populations are still within accepted levels.
Blue-wings declined by 23 percent, but are still 36 percent above the NAWMP long-range goal for that species. Green-winged teal numbers are down to 2.5 million from 3.2 million last year.
What do these numbers mean to coastal waterfowlers? Probably not a lot.
The majority of blue-wings only stop along the coast to use it as a bed and breakfast on the way to their ultimate destinations in Latin America, the Caribbean and Mexico. Besides the stubborn few who won't migrate until forced to by weather, most blue-wings are gone before the start of traditional duck seasons.

Above photo of Jimmy Matthews with a fine blue teal. Matthews cliped this one at about 50 yards, a clean kill, he used #4 steel shot to do the job.

IDENTIFICATION
With the exception of Florida -- where teal and wood ducks are allowed in a combined bag during the early season -- the special teal season is just that. You are only allowed to harvest teal.
Teal are the earliest of the migrants, but not the only early migrants. Depending on the weather to the north, shovelers, pintails and occasionally gadwalls will make an early migration push coinciding with the special teal season. Hunters must make positive identification of the ducks they shoot to ensure no other nontarget species are taken.
Teal are the smallest of the ducks and should not be mistaken for any other duck. However, their diminutive size is often matched by juvenile ducks on their first migration. Because of this, hunters not totally familiar with the bird's shape, flight habits and movements should wait until the ducks are right over the decoys before taking a shot without positive identification.
WHERE TO FIND TEAL
Teal love to inhabit very shallow places allowing them easy access to foods. Shallow-water ponds, small shallow bays, cow pasture holes, etc., are favorite teal stopovers.
Teal also take up short-term residence on areas with thick vegetation on the surface. Any place where feeding can be done with a minimum of effort is desirable to teal.
Teal will also stack up at the mouths of small drains leading from the marsh. It is here where they can pick up small invertebrates, freshwater shrimp and insects.
THE SETUP
Getting set-up to hunt teal is really quite easy. Find a bank or point close to where the birds are feeding. Use natural cover if possible to blind-in.
Since most of the teal taken will be first-of-the-year birds, they are not too hard to fool. They're not stupid either. Be sure to break up your outline so you will have the element of surprise in your favor.
GEAR
When it comes to gear for teal it really is quite basic. Decoys of most any species will attract the duck., However, after the first week of the season the birds do get a little wary.
At this time it's advisable to add a few teal decoys to the spread for realism. A couple dozen decoys should be plenty in most situations.
Since teal are so small compared to most ducks, shotgun shell size needs to be considered. There is no need to overload on teal. The largest size shot you should consider for teal should be No. 4. This will be plenty for taking teal. Remember, only non-toxic shotshells can be used during early teal season.
Over the years, a hunting partner and I have started using Winchester Express No. 6 steel shot for the lightweight ducks.
We get the advantage of many extra pellets in our patterns. The more pellets, the better chance for a knock-down.
Calling is really overrated for teal. Once the teal draw a bead on your decoys, that's usually all it takes. Once they do start your way, it's best to put down the call and pick up the gun.
A good teal call can be a difference-maker if you are hunting in a crowded situation. Getting the attention of a rambling flight of teal will be to your benefit when competing for birds. A good call to try is the Haydel's Blue-Winged Teal call.

Above photo of Mike Thompson with a fine blue wing drake

HUNTING THE WEATHER
Teal are influenced to migrate by lunar phase and weather. Teal move fast and can really cover some ground. Birds here today can be gone tomorrow.
When a fresh cool front blows through, the ducks will often ride it down to the South. To take advantage of this situation, you must hunt before the front. Otherwise the front may blow all the teal out of your area before you get a crack at them.
Since the Gulf Coast is still in the peak hurricane season during September, hunters should pay special attention to The Weather Channel during teal season.
A tropical depression sitting out in the Gulf may be enough to stall the ducks when they reach the coast.
Like a giant wall, the late summer weather systems can cause teal to slow down their migration until it passes through.
Many years ago, when a hurricane was brewing out in the Gulf, we had an excellent season on teal. High southerly winds backed up water all over the marsh. These newly created shallows allowed teal access to new foods.
There also seemed to be an unusally high number of teal in the area. That year we probably limited out on 80 percent of our hunts.
CONCLUSION
While they might not be as magnificent as mallards or as graceful as gadwalls, blue-winged teal make up for it in spunk, speed and acrobatics.
They also give the waterfowler a short taste of what's to come in fall when the leaves turn brown, the air smells sweeter and the feel of a hunting coat warms more than the body.
Hold on you wacky waterfowlers, the teal are coming to your rescue again this month.