The waterfowl veteran said the best times of the season lately have been on opening weekend, through the Christmas holidays, and the last three weeks of the season. He primarily kills mallards, gadwalls, pintails, teal and divers, such as bluebills, ringnecks, redheads and canvasbacks when limits allow. (There is no open season on canvasbacks this year, however, because of recent population declines.)

The best weather patterns he's experienced are cold fronts for the most part, but a warm front during late season from the south can spur waterfowl to head back north, giving Tennessee hunters another chance at them.

Mason offered these tips to beginning waterfowlers and veterans alike. He said learn to call from other hunters who are good callers and then head out to your favorite refuge and watch, listen and learn what the ducks do and say when they are around other waterfowl. Decoy placement can also improve by watching waterfowl in the wild.

"Having seen my sons and other young men who hunt with us become great waterfowl callers and hunters has been one of my greatest lifelong thrills," Mason said. "Never let the number of waterfowl that you kill be the primary goal on your waterfowl hunting agenda, but enjoy each day for the experience."

You can experience duck hunting with Mason by calling him at (731) 593-5429 or (731) 693-7770.

THE INSIDE WORD
Ducks Unlimited's Mike Checkett is one of the most knowledgeable people I've run into when it comes to ducks and their habits. He said the lack of an increase in duck populations is consistent with a delayed spring and decreasing ponds in key duck nesting areas.

The dry conditions will limit this year's reproduction effort, so he expects a fall flight similar or smaller than last year. He added fall flight numbers could be misleading concerning hunter success. Weather and habitat conditions both within the flyway and your state have the greatest influence on hunting opportunity and success.

"I've hunted in restrictive seasons during 1988-93 and had some of the most notable days ever," Checkett said. "The advantage of longer seasons is the possibility of hitting it right sometime during the season increase."

Again, Checkett said, weather and habitat conditions both within the flyway and Tennessee have the greatest effect on hunting opportunity and success. Spring and summer flooding has had a huge influence on habitat conditions in the Midwest and in some Great Lakes states. Most of the Midwest's bottomland will have no corn or crops in general, as spring management has been affected. That includes many private clubs and state and federal management areas.

The unfortunate news for Midwestern farmers and hunters could be good for us. Checkett said cold fronts could push birds out of traditional northern habitats and provide Tennessee with good hunting. But, he added, only Mother Nature knows for sure when the biggest push of ducks will occur.

As for geese, Checkett said resident populations of giant Canada geese should be in good shape this year with at least average production. Overall, it was a late spring in the north country, which generally means poor goose reproduction.

"There should be plenty of ducks to shoot this year if Mother Nature cooperates," reiterated Checkett. "As typical, our hunting success in Tennessee will depend more on timing of weather and fall habitat conditions. Timely cold fronts should still provide us good hunting."

Checkett's main concern is on the future. He's worried about the next few years. He said we took a huge hit (millions of acres) on grassland habitat in the core breeding areas this year and will continue to over the next few years.