Photo by R.E. Ilg.

This is the month we've waited for all year. It's time to kick off another waterfowl season. So grab the dog, some decoys, a hunting buddy or two and get at it!

The first arrival of early-season birds typically includes wood ducks, gadwall and teal. Later comes the contingent of mallards, then black ducks, and finally divers. Our early goose hunting is comprised primarily of resident birds, but then we'll start seeing a few migrants and even some snow geese over in the extreme western portion of the state.

The first part of the season can often be boom or bust, depending on the weather. Even when good numbers of birds arrive in the state, overly wet conditions can spread them out and make for difficult hunting. But when conditions are right, Kentucky waterfowlers can experience some fantastic early-season action.

Numerous locations across the Commonwealth, on both private and public lands, offer great November waterfowling.

Here's a look at picks with great public access, which may offer up some great hunting right now!

WHITE CITY WMA
Waterfowl hunters should find good fortune at this Hopkins County property in western Kentucky. The area is primarily reclaimed surface-mine property and is part of the Peabody Wildlife Management Area (WMA). This area has a great mixture of ponds and final cut lakes, which can be a haven for lots of ducks and geese.

There is also a major shallow-water area on the property, which attracts Canada geese as well as a good many different species of puddle ducks. This area is of decent size, even big enough to accommodate small boats. Of course, landlocked hunters may hunt there, too.

Early in the season, White City sees a fair number of teal and wood ducks. Later comes a heavy influx of mallards, as well as some gadwalls.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) waterfowl biologist Rocky Pritchert says there is also good population of resident geese in the area, and hunters may encounter them at White City as well.

The bird count can vary greatly depending on weather conditions. Last year, during routine periodic waterfowl counts, Slough WMA supervisor Mike Morton flew over the Pond River -- White City WMA in November. He reported a bird count of 67 dabbler ducks and 75 Canada geese. There were no diving ducks seen during this survey.

Personnel at the WMA have done some wetlands enhancement to attract and hold more waterfowl on the property. Enhancements have also been done on adjacent properties and also nearby refuge areas, which helps draw and hold a lot of waterfowl on and around the WMA.

White City gets a fair amount of hunting pressure, especially early in the season. Hunters must be mobile to find areas holding birds and be adaptable to changing conditions and hunting pressure. This is especially true for goose hunters.

As mentioned, this area is good for hunters who use boats or walk in. Temporary blinds may be used as long as materials are removed on a daily basis. If hunting pressure gets too severe in any one area, sportsmen always have the option of spilling over into the other vast units of the Peabody WMA. In all, there are around 60,000 acres. The White City unit comprises some 5,472 acres.

The area requires a special user permit prior to hunting. It costs $15 and may be purchased wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

Waterfowl hunting at White City ceases at 2 p.m. each day. Maps of the area are available from the KDFWR, and also on the Web site. More information may be obtained by calling (270) 273-3568.

Additionally, hunters should be aware that the name of this property might possibly change in the near future.

DALE HOLLOW LAKE
This lake may see some increased waterfowl action this year, due to the lake level being down at Lake Cumberland. Straddling the Kentucky and Tennessee line, Dale Hollow is a somewhat broader and shallower lake than Cumberland. Dale Hollow can offer some decent waterfowl action, if conditions are right.