Waterfowl hunters have been out in force this weekend with the opening of the early and high plains duck seasons Saturday.

Overall numbers of ducks on the breeding grounds in the far north may be down some from last year, according to Wildlife and Parks, but the chances for good hunting may be up because the state has a lot more water than it did last year.

An unusually cool, wet summer in most of the state has improved the habitat.

Many waterfowl marshes — both public and private — are improved from last year and should accommodate solid numbers of ducks. Early October rains have enhanced the prospects.

Hunters who don’t want to travel to the Early Zone, which covers portions of central Kansas, won’t have long to wait for their opportunity.

Kansas is divided into three hunting zones, and season dates are divided into two segments in each of the three zones. There is a separate season for pintail and canvasback.

The six-duck daily bag limit may include no more than one pintail (in season), one mottled duck, one canvasback (in season), two wood ducks, two redheads, two scaup or five mallards, of which only one may be a hen.

For a map of the duck zone boundaries, pick up a copy of the Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary at all Wildlife and Parks offices and most license vendors.