The drought in the summer and fall of 2007 left many Kentucky duck hunters wondering what the coming season would be like -- especially if things stayed as they were.

It takes water to attract and hold ducks. And last year, heading into the fall season most areas of the Bluegrass State were in severe need of it.

Yet fortunately, as the onset of the December season arrived, the rains returned. Ducks could be found on numerous waterways throughout the commonwealth.

According to last December's aerial surveys of Kentucky's most-used rivers, lakes and wetlands, conditions and habitat were in good shape.

Divers and dabblers will spend some time in our state, feeding and resting until the next weather front moves them along.

But the latest U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) breeding population survey indicates that overall, most of the 10 most abundant duck species in North America will probably be down in numbers from last season.

Irregular weather patterns at crucial times can cause a noticeable fluctuation in year-to-year availability. But the trends for canvasbacks, pintails and scaup remain well below their long-term averages.

Despite efforts by federal and state resource managers to improve their populations, these species are still having a tough time of it.

This season, the overall number of ducks may be off somewhat. But there are still some good hunting opportunities for mallards, blacks, teal and woodies. The USFWS noted that all these species are still above their long-term averages, and in sufficient abundance to provide a decent season. The trick is to hunt the most likely spots -- and to hunt when the weather is most conducive to bringing birds into Kentucky.

Some of the better places for ducks will range from the commonwealth's major reservoirs to wildlife management areas (WMAs) geared to waterfowl, to larger rivers whose waters remain open when cold temperatures ice things over to the north.

Even though the state has water just about anywhere you look, reports last year from biologists who conduct regular inventory surveys on various waterways suggested that hunters are likely to find more ducks using certain areas.

To help increase your chances of success this winter, let's familiarize you with some of these spots.

BOATWRIGHT WMA
Situated along the Ohio River's flood plain in Ballard County, Boatwright WMA's 8,400 acres is one of the best potential places in Kentucky to find winter season ducks.

Named in honor of Mike Boatwright, a long-term Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission member who advocated waterfowl conservation during his tenure, Boatwright WMA is comprised of several larger and smaller management units.

Last season, reports of duck use on this WMA indicated that at the beginning of December, several thousand ducks were present.

And further into the month, their numbers increased as habitat conditions improved. At one point during the season, Boatwright's oxbows, swamps and river bottoms ranked second only to Ballard WMA in the Purchase Region for holding the best numbers of ducks.

Hunters need to check the regulations that apply on Boatwright, as on any wildlife management area. But needless to say, this is one of the state's best spots to find waterfowl.

The major management units -- including Olmstead, Swan Lake and Peal -- all lie four or five miles west of Barlow. Some units serve as refuges, while others are open by advance application or standby hunting. Other areas offer hunting through a daily draw system.