Ducks flock due to flood

Intro: Missouri ducks take refuge elsewhere this fall because large floods fill the wetlands.

Jack Cunningham has more from the State Capitol.

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Missouri waterfowl hunters wanted more rain this year, but Mother Nature gave them more than they bargained for.

Missourians planted corn as bait for ducks but the heavy rain killed it.

Department of Conservation Biologist Tim James says ducks can eat other natural plants, but they might go elsewhere.

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Description: "I don't think it's all gloom and doom this year. Waterfowl are still going to migrate through Missouri. Hunters are still going to have opportunities to have good days. I like how things are looking."

A spokesperson for the wildlife group Ducks Unlimited said ducks will do whatever they need to survive.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Jack Cunningham.

Intro: Missouri duck-hunters group remains optimistic even as prey numbers drop.

Jack Cunningham has more from the State Capitol.

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Waterfowl numbers dropped from last year and it stemmed from a decrease in corn.

Heavy rain killed corn throughout the state.

Missouri duck hunters plant corn to attract and shoot the birds.

Waterfowl hunting group Prairies Edge spokesperson John Mcgraw says it sees little change in the duck population.

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Description: "We got a big push of bigger ducks. We've got quite a few gadwells and whatnot that are on the refuge and sitting in some of the fields and compoundments that have already started pumping."

A spokesperson for the conservation group Ducks Unlimited says sportsmen will notice a difference.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Jack Cunningham.

Intro: Massive Missouri floods fill up wetlands and force ducks out of the water.

Jack Cunningham has more from the State Capitol.

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Ducks and other waterfowl usually flock through Missouri, but a lack of food could alter their route.

Flooding broke down levees and killed corn planted by Missouri hunters to bait the animals.

Ducks Unlimited Conservation Manager Craig Hilburn says the small streams could not handle the downpour.

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Description: "When they receive those heavy rainfalls, they flood out the wetlands and the crops surrounding. They are not able to drain off, because there is nowhere for the water to go. So essentially you have a bathtub that backs up and no place for the water to run off."

A Department of Conservation biologist says good days are on the way for hunters and likes how things look.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Jack Cunningham.