DNR: Minn. duck season gets off to good start

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The weather was nippy on opening weekend, but wildlife managers say Minnesota's duck hunting season is off to good start.

DNR waterfowl specialist Steve Cordts says results varied but hunting was good across most of Minnesota, with blue-winged teal, wood ducks and mallards comprising most of the harvest.

Hunters in north-central Minnesota averaged about 2.7 ducks per hunter on opening day, up from 2.2 last year. One of the better locations was the Mud-Goose Wildlife Management Area, where hunters averaged 3.6 ducks on opening day.

Cordts says the outlook for the rest of the season remains good.

With three duck hunting zones in effect in Minnesota this year, Cordts reminds hunters in the central and south duck zones to be aware of the temporary closure periods that start Oct. 1.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.