Photograph by Joe Mac Hudspeth, Jr. · www.southernfocus.com
News and Events
Breeding Duck Populations Increase
Thursday, July 07, 2011
JACKSON - Breeding waterfowl populations have increased from 2010 estimates for eight of the ten duck species surveyed; and overall, duck estimates increased 11 percent from last year to just over 45 million birds. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Service conduct annual waterfowl population surveys on the breeding grounds to monitor waterfowl populations and help set hunting season frameworks.
The 2011 May pond count was 8.1 million ponds, an increase of 22 percent over the 2010 count of 6.6 million ponds. “Last year’s May pond counts held steady with recent years, which were very good. This year’s counts were significantly higher” said Houston Havens, Waterfowl Program Biologist for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP).
Mallard numbers increased 9% from last year to 9.1 million birds. Blue-winged teal populations showed the largest increase (41%) and were estimated at 8.9 million birds, followed by redheads and northern pintails, which increased 27% and 26%, respectively. Gadwall, northern shoveler, and canvasback population estimates showed increases of 9 to 18% while scaup were similar to last year’s estimates (2% increase). Green-winged teal (-17%) and wigeon (-14%) estimates showed the only decreases.
This year’s population estimates and breeding habitat conditions are very encouraging. However, many factors contribute to a good hunting season for Mississippi’s duck hunters. Fall and winter weather conditions play a large role in the migration of ducks. Also, Mississippi’s wetland habitat quality and distribution plays a large role in hunting success.
“With high population estimates, it will be interesting to see if this year’s hunting success shows a similar increase. Last year we observed high duck numbers in the Delta, but a general lack of wetland habitat across the landscape presented a challenge to many duck hunters” said Havens.
“Our Wildlife Management Area staff is working hard to make sure that ducks find quality habitat when they arrive from the north” said Ed Penny, MDWFP Wildlife Bureau Director. “These intensively managed areas give migrating ducks a place to rest and feed early in the year before landscape level habitat conditions improve from natural flooding.”