It was cold, face-hurting cold. The kind of cold that doesn't require a number to describe it. The frozen willows, ice-encased shores and heavy, smoky-gray breath was evidence enough.

In fact, about 150,000 ducks winter in this region annually, making it a must-stop for eager hunters.

If a cold front is on the way, head out to one of the riverside SWAs in eastern Colorado for some steady duck-hunting action. Photo by Brian K. Strickland.

After tossing in a half-dozen blocks, all I could do was pull my head deeper into my collar and hunker into the riverbank to escape the stiff northwest wind. But it was really no use. My only warmth was the java-filled Thermos lying beside me.

It can be a waiting game on these river ducks. Then again, on miserably cold and windy December days, you can have steady action and get your limit. This morning was no different.

Just after the sun cleared the horizon, a pair of late-season greenheads buzzed my spread. A quick single slapped the water's surface. That set the pace for the next few hours. It wasn't fast and furious, but the singles and doubles came in regularly.

I left those icy shores with a bigger smile than usual. The ducks had done what they were supposed to do, and I had, too. Although these public-water morning forays don't always end like this, when they do, I savor the event all the more.

COLD WEATHER HOTSPOTS
Colorado straddles both the Central and Pacific flyways. That gives quack-heads generous opportunities at migrating ducks. The latest survey compiled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates the total duck population across North America is nearly 38 million, with more than half of them calling the Central and Pacific flyways their migrating turf.

Greg Kernohan, regional biologist for Ducks Unlimited, said the Prairie Pothole Region of southern Alberta, southwest Saskatchewan and the high plains of the Dakotas received fantastic levels of moisture for the most part, and hunters should see the results of that this season.

When nesting cover is in good shape, duck production increases, and that is exactly what we have this year. This northern region harbors Colorado's migrating duck population.

Colorado's waterfowl season started in early October. At that time of year, resident duck opportunities are typically your best bet in the inter-mountain region. However, now that the early season has passed, and Old Man Winter is laying a lid of ice on this marshy habitat, it's time to head to the river bottoms and potholes of the Colorado's eastern plains.

During November and December, cold arctic air pushes millions of migrating ducks through this region. As they stream through, nearly 300,000 take up winter refuge in the South Platte and Arkansas river drainages.

Prime time for hitting the banks of these rivers is when there is early winter flooding during a hard freeze. When an abundance of water spills into the bottomlands, ducks, and especially greenheads, pile in to take advantage of fresh food. No question "misery loves company," and it also means some of the best public-river duck action of the season.

As the cold settles in, the fair-weathered masses stay home, and you'll have the sheltered banks of the rivers nearly all to yourself.

SOUTH PLATTE DRAINAGE
The South Platte River is not only known for plump trout, but farther east, duck hunting is king.

As the river snakes its way east through six northeastern counties, it offers 71,000 acres of wetland habitat. According to Kernohan of DU, this stretch of river is critical wetland habitat and is perhaps the most significant wintering habitat Colorado has to offer for migrating ducks.