The average waterfowl take for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area for Wednesday jumped upward a good bit as compared to Sunday’s averages. Green Wing Teal took over the first position for most birds taken with Shovelers found in the second spot. The Wister Staff reported that the results for Wednesday, 1/25/23 were as follows:
129 adult and 3 junior hunters came away with 50 Northern Shovelers, 6 Mallards, 44 Gadwall, 7 Widgeon, 37 Pintail, 153 Green Wing Teal, 37 Cinnamon Teal, 1 Canvasback, 2 Ring Necks, 1 Scaup, 12 Bufflehead, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Blue Wing Teal, and 5 Ruddy Ducks. 17 Snow Geese were checked in at Wister on Wednesday. 5 Coots were downed at Wister on Wednesday. This resulted in an average bag of 2.72 Ducks per person or, with the Geese and Coots worked into the total, 2.89 waterfowl per hunter. Out of 104 reservation cards issued 29 arrived on time to claim their hunting spot.
The waterfowl average bag for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area for Saturday ticked up a bit compared to Wednesday’s average. Green Wing Teal retained first place for most birds bagged with Shovelers likewise holding on to second place. The Wister Staff reported that the results for Wister for Saturday, 1/28/23 were as follows:
228 adult and 7 junior hunters harvested 92 Northern Shovelers, 10 Mallards, 57 Gadwall, 21 Widgeon, 80 Pintail, 317 Green Wing Teal, 75 Cinnamon Teal, 2 Blue Wing Teal, 1 Redhead, 1 Ring Neck, 1 Scaup, 25 Bufflehead, and 2 Ruddy Ducks. 1 Snow Goose and 1 Greater White Fronted Goose were harvested at Wister on Saturday. 12 Coots were downed at Wister on Saturday. This came out to an average bag of 2.91 Ducks per person or, with the Geese and Coots included, 2.97 waterfowl per hunter. Out of 104 reservation cards issued 29 showed up in time to get their hunting spot.
The waterfowl average bag for the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area for Sunday slid back downward quite a bit as compared to Saturday’s averages. Green Wing Teal, once again, were in the first spot for most birds taken with Cinnamon Teal taking over the second position. The Wister Staff reported that the results for Wister for Sunday, 1/29/23 were as follows:
113 adult and 2 junior hunters bagged 29 Northern Shovelers, 3 Mallards, 19 Gadwall, 4 Widgeon, 28 Pintail, 58 Green Wing Teal, 42 Cinnamon Teal, 1 Ring Neck, 2 Scaup, 7 Bufflehead, and 4 Ruddy Ducks. No Geese were checked in at Wister on Sunday. 6 Coots were also taken at Wister on Sunday. This worked out to an average take of 1.71 Ducks per gun or, with the Coots added into the total, 1.77 waterfowl per person. Out of 104 reservation cards issued 21 hunters showed on time to claim their spot.
So, the 2022/2023 regular waterfowl season is in the books. Junior hunters have two more chances at the ducks at Wister, next weekend, February 4th and 5th. If you’re a junior hunter or you have a junior hunter in the family you can get in on the Junior Waterfowl hunt on Saturday and Sunday, 2/4 & 2/5/23. If your junior hunter doesn’t have a reservation for the Junior Hunt weekend he or she can still get in on the sweatline drawing, just like any regular hunt day, by showing up at Wister to get in on the drawing by 10:30 PM the night before. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweat line” spots given out after that. For more information, contact the staff at Wister Staff at 760-359-0577.
If you’re a Veteran or an Active Duty Military Member you also have two more chances this season. The after-season Veteran/Active Duty Military hunt will be held on Saturday and Sunday, February 11th and 12th at Wister. Hopefully, our Vets and Active Duty Heroes will take advantage of this opportunity. Here’s hoping our Vets and Active Duty have a great hunt! If you don’t have a reservation for the Vets/Military Hunt you can still get in on the sweatline drawing, just like any regular hunt day, by showing up at Wister to get in on the drawing by 10:30 PM the night before. Reservation spots are given out starting at 3 AM and the “sweat line” spots are given out after that. For more information, contact the staff at Wister Staff at 760-359-0577. And, of course, thanks for your service.
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