Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard wrap the season with a clean, property-by-property breakdown—January numbers, year-over-year changes, species quirks, and the big themes (fog, late rains, road work, king tides) that moved the needle across CWA hunts. Expect straight talk on mallards and pintail, why Staten keeps trending up, and how Goose Lake quietly turned in one of its best mixed-bag years.

January by the numbers

• Staten Island: 4.4 birds/hunter; GWT + specks led.
• Goose Lake (Tulare Basin): 4.2; teal-heavy, strong mixed bags.
• Quimby Island (Delta): 3.4; GWT + mallard.
• Sanborn Slough (Butte Sink): 3.4; deeper water pushed  ...