Annual Survey Indicates Improving Waterfowl Numbers

The estimate for total breeding ducks in the traditional survey area was 34 million, a 5% increase from the 2023 estimate of 32.3 million and only 4% below the long-term average (since 1955).

Although it’s exciting to see an increase since last year, overall population levels remain below the long-term average. This reflects the lasting effects of multiple years of drought in the Prairie Pothole Region. Conserving habitats across diverse geographies has revealed its value, though, as breeding areas outside the prairies helped maintain or increase population levels for some species.

“This year’s report suggests that some duck populations had better production last year than expected, with good carryover to spring of this year,” Ducks Unlimited Chief Scientist Dr. Steve Adair said. “While estimates were down in the prairies, population levels were up in northern breeding regions. We heard reports of an early spring, with ducks migrating through when the prairies were still dry and likely overflying to the Boreal Forest. This is a pattern we’ve seen many times before, and it appears to have been the case again this year.”

Here’s a look at how the ten most abundant duck species showed up in the survey over the last two years:

Here’s how seven prominent duck species fared in the eastern survey area:

Although most of the species in the eastern survey saw an increase in numbers, mallards and wood ducks did see a slight decrease. Overall, however, the waterfowl and May pond numbers showed a positive increase in the survey.

The Importance of the Prairie Pothole Region

The prairie pothole region has massive implications on waterfowl numbers. Why? Well, it’s known as the “Duck Factory” for a reason. Each year, the region supports more than half of the continent’s breeding ducks.

“The health of the Prairie Pothole Region is directly reflected in this annual report,” MeatEater’s Director of Conservation Ryan Callaghan said. “Keeping this region productive is tied directly to massive conservation policies like the Clean Water Act and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. These acts are spearheaded by countless conservationists at the federal, state, and non-profit levels, who recognize and continue to fight degradation to this region such as habitat loss, drain tiling, and development.”

So what can you do to help ensure future habitat for healthy waterfowl numbers?

“Be sure to buy your duck stamps and understand where your ducks come from,” Cal said. Getting involved in boots-on-the-ground conservation efforts never hurt either.

In addition to habitat and native grassland loss, drought has plagued the region for the last few years. Luckily, the region saw more precipitation this spring than it has in a while.

“Although pond numbers fluctuated in some regions, rains that fell immediately prior to the survey boosted prairie pond numbers more than many anticipated,” Adair said. “Rains continued well after the surveys were conducted, bringing life-sustaining water to large portions of the prairies. While not fully reflected in the survey results, these improved wetland conditions should have benefitted late-nesting waterfowl, renesting, and brood survival.”

Survey Origins and Hunter Implications

This survey began in 1947 and is recognized as the world's most thorough and accurate wildlife survey effort. Its primary purpose is to provide annual information on spring population size and trajectory for 19 North American duck species (or species groups), Canada geese, and swans and to evaluate prairie breeding habitat conditions by estimating the number of May ponds.

To collect this data, the USFWS and CWS send air and ground crews out every spring into the two-million-acre survey area, which stretches from Alaska’s Seward Peninsula to the shores of Newfoundland and south nearly to the Nebraska-South Dakota border. The Canadian Wildlife Service also operates three helicopter aircrews that survey portions of eastern Canada. For weeks, teams fly, drive, and hike survey routes across vast landscapes and a variety of waterfowl habitats to obtain data.

The data collected from the survey informs hunting regulations in the United States and Canada and provides vital information for researching relationships between waterfowl and their habitats—these are critical to effective conservation planning.

According to the companion Adaptive Harvest Management report released simultaneously with these survey results, the USFWS will again recommend a liberal duck season framework for all four flyways during the 2025–26 season. Additionally, duck hunters may have the opportunity for a three-pintail daily limit next year for the first time since 1997.

With the current estimated population of 4.6 million, the recommended regulation for early teal season in 2025 for the Central, Mississippi, and Atlantic flyways will now be a 9-day season with a 6-bird daily limit. “Production states” in the Central and Mississippi flyways that don’t select an early teal season will be offered 2 “bonus teal” during the first 9 days of the regular season. However, this recommendation doesn’t affect season lengths and bag limits for 2024. Always check your local and state regulations for details before you head out into the field.

To learn more about the Adaptive Harvest Management Report, check out the USFWS website.

To view the full 2024 Waterfowl Population Status Report, click here.

Featured images and charts via Ducks Unlimited.