Waterfowl hunting in the Potholes Recreation Area has been exciting but clearly unpredictable.

With daytime highs in the mid-40's, the Pacific Flyway waterfowl are not behaving as they normally would in mid-December. I predict that the birds will start acting a little more normal with next week's night time temperatures dropping to below freezing.

The David Ostlie party has been hunting on the lake since 1972. He has also hunted the Eagle Lakes Hunting Area and was a member of the Family Hunting Club. He was an avid hunter and traveled most weekends from his home in the Puget Sound. His love for the hunt and our area now brings him back annually from balmy Florida.

Last year, he experienced sub-zero temperatures on his annual foray. This year, hunting has been more productive and with the un-seasonally warmer temps his body hasn't had the cold shock that accosted him last year.

His party goose hunted with us on Wednesday and between naps in the coffin blind and small flights of ducks and geese we shared many good hunting stories. Now his group will fly back to Florida, migrating just like the birds that he so desires to chase.

Walleye fishing pressure has been light lately. Walleye are showing in the 19 to 21 inch category with more frequency than years past. Dock fishers are catching some perch and crappie with an occasional walleye.