Duck and goose numbers improved; wetland conditions excellent

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Duck and goose numbers improved; wetland conditions excellent
(Released July 29, 2011)

Minnesota’s 2011 breeding duck and goose populations improved from last year, according to results of the annual Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) spring waterfowl surveys.

The state’s estimated breeding duck population was 687,000 compared with last year’s estimate of 531,000. This year’s estimate is 11 percent above the long-term average of 622,000 breeding ducks.

This year’s mallard breeding population was estimated at 283,000, which was 17 percent higher than last year’s estimate of 242,000 breeding mallards, 3 percent above the recent 10-year average and 26 percent above the long-term average.

The blue-winged teal population was 214,000 this year compared with 132,000 in 2010, and near the long-term average of 219,000 blue-winged teal.   

The combined populations of other ducks, such as wood ducks, ring-necked ducks, gadwalls, northern shovelers, canvasbacks and redheads, was 191,000, which is 22 percent higher than last year and 7 percent above the long-term average.

The estimated number of wetlands (Types II-V) was 360,000, up 33 percent from last year, 44 percent above the long-term average, and the highest wetland count on record.

“When you combine the wet conditions across much of Minnesota last fall, lots of snowpack, and above average spring precipitation, it’s not surprising that we saw record wetland numbers across the survey area this spring,” said Steve Cordts, DNR waterfowl specialist. “With such good wetland conditions, I would expect production, or the number of young ducks hatched, to be good this year.”

The same waterfowl survey has been conducted each May since 1968 to provide an annual index of breeding duck abundance. The survey covers 40 percent of the state that includes much of the best remaining duck breeding habitat in Minnesota. A DNR waterfowl biologist and pilot count all waterfowl and wetlands along established survey routes by flying low-level aerial surveys from a fixed-wing plane. The survey is timed to begin in early May to coincide with peak mallard nesting activity. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides ground crews who also count waterfowl along some of the same survey routes. This data is then used to correct for birds not seen by the aerial crew.

The Canada goose population was estimated at 370,000, which was higher than last year’s estimate of 311,000. The number of breeding Canada geese in the state remains high, but has been relatively stable over the past 10 years. Since 2001, the DNR has conducted a helicopter survey of nesting Canada geese in April. The survey, which includes most of the state except the Twin Cities metro area, counts Canada geese on randomly selected plots in prairie, transition and forested areas.

Although breeding duck numbers increased relative to last year, the goal in the DNR’s Duck Recovery Plan is to attract and hold a breeding population of 1 million ducks while maintaining Minnesota’s rich waterfowling tradition.

“We remain committed to improving breeding and migration habitat for waterfowl in the state as one of our highest priorities,” said Dennis Simon, DNR Wildlife Section chief, “but we also realize it will require the DNR and all our partners to continue to focus our efforts to accomplish that long-term goal.”

The status of breeding duck populations and wetland conditions in other areas of North America is good to excellent. Total breeding duck numbers increased 11 percent from last year and were 35 percent above the long-term average. Mallard breeding populations increased 9 percent from last year and were 22 percent above the long-term average. Wetland habitat conditions in the Dakotas and southern Canada are near record high levels this spring.

The Minnesota waterfowl report can be viewed online at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/waterfowl.

The DNR will announce this fall’s waterfowl hunting regulations in early August

[kenhuntin]

They seem to spin this every year as a good forecast. Minnesotas duck numbers are very poor

[naturalistmn]

They seem to spin this every year as a good forecast. Minnesotas duck numbers are very poor

Yep, almost seems more like a marketing strategy than research.   Anyone who has sat in a duck blind the last several years would know just how few ducks are in the sky.   A lot should be done to help this matter, for starters, lower the dang limit!   Who needs six ducks a day, especially with the population the way its been!?!

[Cody Gruchow]

well the numbers MAY be up, but if theres a cold front a week before the season the birds are gone. and then the hunting sucks. last year was a bad season for me. in all honesty i havent seen the goose numbers i usually see every summer, so thats down to me. ducks have been a fair amount but nothing spectacular. i mostly shoot mallards teal and wood ducks, which are the 3 largest populations in the state. 6 birds is just the right amount i think. plus how many people actually shoot there 6 birds everytime they go out?

[naturalistmn]

That's exactly why 6 birds is too much.   How many people actually shoot their 6 birds?   Not very many at all.   Some people say, well the limit could be 20 for all that matters because no one is filling out.   Let me remind everyone that a limit number suggests there is a population to support that number.    Being able to shoot 6 ducks suggests that we have a bird population that can support a number like that.   We might as well make the deer limit 20 deer a person then.   Most people probably wont shot 20 deer for themselves anyways so it will be ok, right?   A 6 duck limit is complete bullcrap.   Our bird population can not support that.

[Cody Gruchow]

well, its like that with alot of other species as well....i beleive in the dnr to do the right thing. in the metro i can shoot as many does as i want, but i dont. it comes down to the person/hunter to make the right decison in the end.

[kenhuntin]

Duck numbers will not change unless the public offers them at least a 50/50 use of wetlands or shorelines. Keep all the land mowed or farmed to waters edge = no waterfowl. Use 50 feet for lake acess and give the other 50 feet to mother nature you would be amazed of what will happen

[FireRanger]

In my humble .01 opinion... I think the numbers are fine and the limit aswell. There are so many variables that go into duck hunting success and numbers that it is really hard to gauge the numbers on said 'success'. I have seen the numbers go down in my success but this has been limited to when I am available to hunt. As Cody eluded, the weather has everything to do with success during the season since the weather delineates how many, where and when the ducks will be in a certain area. Whether there are 1 million ducks and geese or 50, if your not in the right place at the right time, you may think that there are no ducks left. The simple fact that we've had rain like crazy in a better part of the state and midwest is a good sign that wetlands will be in better shape. What I've noticed over the years is that the migration patterns for certain ducks seem to have changed. In my neck of the woods we have seen the mallard pop. decline. I don't think this is due to hunter success but rather the ducks realizing that food is more readily available in more western areas. The wood ducks seem to come and go depending on the water levels around our area aswell. We still see the rafts of bluebills and flocks of Redheads and all other ducks of course. But as in all years....you just hope to hit the birds in the right place at the right time. Duck hunting as a whole is on the decline in our area. I'm doing my best to get my daughters involved and hopefully pass on the tradition. I do have some trust in the DNR to do the right thing. I don't really have a choice in that matter. But I'll do what I can personally to help. I love duck hunting and love reaping the rewards of a very hard and long days work. Some may not agree but for and my buddy's it works.
I think the only way to guage the numbers from one season to another is to sit in the same spot everyday all season long and count the birds, after 4-5 years average the numbers and then keep doing it year after year. Since this won't happen I just have no choice but to take what the DNR says and smile, nod and do my part.

[naturalistmn]

Waterfowl populations are not measured by hunter success.   That number is titled harvest report.   Populations are based on a brood count after chicks have hatched.   That is how the DNR calculates the population.

You would most definitely know the difference between 1 million ducks and 50 ducks.   We are talking about local birds.   Not migrators.   Being in a situation that involves "the right place, right time" is a push of migrating birds.   Local populations are horrible.   I can remember, in my short time, populations that would make you not want to shoot, just watch.   Waterfowl in Minnesota has gone down the toilet drasticly in the past 10-15 years.   Mainly from habitat loss.

It's not food that the ducks are shifting west for, it's the habitat.   We lose tons of acers every year.   We lost a ton of land when the CRP went up as well.   Wetlands are not the only habitat curcial to waterfowl.   Grasslands are just as important, for this is their preferred nesting habitat.  Yes, wet years mean more surface water but not necessarily more ducks.   Wet springs can make for very poor nesting quality.   Many nests flood with fluctuating water levels.   Ducklings lose body temperature from moisture. I will assure you that our, Minnesota, waterfowl population does not support a 6 duck limit.   What it comes down to is, less habitat means less ducks.

Although we may not have a choice, we do have a voice.   Every single person who loves fowling has a voice that matters.   It is up to us to keep this heritage going so future generations can enjoy it.   If it keeps going the way it is, I'm worried they wont get that opprotunity.   Don't just settle, let your voice be heard.

Waterfowling is my roots.   It all started in the marsh for me.   My grandfather is part duck, I believe.   He has done more for the wetlands and the ducks of Minnesota than any other one man.   He has made over 130 wetlands in Minnesota and has recieved conservation awards.   He has been inducted into the waterfowl hall of fame.   I have been by his side ever since I could walk.   I have duck hunted with my grandmother, duck opener was bigger than Christmas in my family.   If there's one thing I've learned, it's habitat.   Habitat is everything.   Our waterfowl season is vanishing right along with our habitat.   

[FireRanger]

I do agree with yer view to a certain extent and I am aware of all the points you've made. I do believe that we have lost habitat but I also believe that the migration has moved west. Sure the nesting numbers are down, I've noticed that. I just think the ducks found a better place and that's west. So yes, the MN nesting pops. (local's) are down. The migrators I guess is what I'm talking about, I think, are more likely to head down a more western flight. The locals take off within the first week of getting shot at. I would say that after the first weekend, 90% of the ducks I personally shoot are from other areas. So, yes the habitat in MN is dwindling and yes, we do have a voice...etc. Maybe decrease the limit for the first few weeks when locals are present then increase the limits for the migrating ducks later in the fall. IDK, I'm no scientist, I'm just a guy that loves to shoot and eat ducks.