Most duck hunters shall be completely satisfied to listen to that breeding geese elevated 5 p.c this yr in comparison with 2023, in line with the annual duck counts revealed Tuesday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. With 34 million breeding geese accounted for in 2024, this yr’s survey marks the primary total improve in breeding geese that has been documented since 2015.
That’s the excellent news at a look, and it’s significantly notable given the general decline in habitat circumstances in comparison with 2023 (extra on that in a minute). Understand that the annual duck counts are nonetheless 4 p.c beneath the long-term common, with sure species adapting higher than others to altering habitat and climactic circumstances. This displays “the continued results of a number of years of drought within the Prairie Pothole Area,” in line with Geese Limitless.
Photograph by way of Adobe Inventory
“This yr’s report means that some duck populations had higher manufacturing final yr than anticipated, with good carryover to spring of this yr,” stated Steve Adair, chief scientist for DU. “Whereas estimates have been down within the prairies, inhabitants ranges have been up in northern breeding areas. We heard reviews of an early spring, with geese migrating by when the prairies have been nonetheless dry and sure overflying to the Boreal Forest. This can be a sample we’ve seen many occasions earlier than, and it seems to have been the case once more this yr.”
The USFWS Waterfowl Breeding Inhabitants and Habitat Survey has been carried out (virtually) with out fail since 1955. Though it received’t influence bag limits for this season, its outcomes will assist set laws for the 2025-26 season. So, try this useful reference chart from DU for a fast at-a-glance standing report, and we’ll run by tendencies beneath.
Very first thing’s first: Mallard counts are up a modest 8 p.c over final yr, which suggests there are an estimated 6.6 million mallards within the historic survey space. Much less encouraging is that mallards nonetheless fall 16 p.c beneath the long-term common; the overall mallard depend is without doubt one of the lowest because the early 90s. The examine’s authors additionally included a snapshot of Japanese survey numbers, which mirrored a small dip in mallards (about 4 p.c in comparison with 2023).
In the meantime wigeon, green-winged teal, and bluebill numbers noticed double-digit will increase from final yr at 55 p.c, 20 p.c, and 16 p.c, respectively. The largest species success tales are wigeon and green-winged teal, that are each having fun with elevated populations over the long-term common: wigeon counts are up 12 p.c since 1955 and green-wings have elevated by 38 p.c. Whereas fewer gadwall and redheads have been counted this yr in comparison with final yr, their numbers are additionally up over the long run.
Pintails stay the poster baby for downward-trending species, with an 11 p.c drop over final yr and half as many counted this yr in comparison with the almost 70-year common. Nonetheless, these numbers are sturdy sufficient to probably enable a three-pintail each day restrict subsequent season — the primary time since 1997 — because of a brand new pintail harvest technique that was permitted in June.
Surveyors additionally saved tabs on 23 geese species and tundra swans within the survey, and located “vital downward tendencies” amongst 9 of these species over the past 10 years. Essentially the most notable is a 15 p.c drop in Midcontinent lesser snow geese and 13 p.c decline in Ross’ geese.
Chart courtesy of Dr. Nick Masto by way of Geese Limitless, knowledge courtesy of NOAA and USFWS
On the entire, habitat circumstances throughout the survey vary have been disappointing this yr when in comparison with 2023. The largest declines, in line with USFWS, spanned inside Canadian provinces and the north-central U.S. Whereas winter temperatures throughout the Canadian prairie have been above (and typically well-above) common, winter and early spring precipitation there was low. By the point rainfall lastly arrived in late spring — and many it — it was largely too late to profit preliminary nesting.
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Vivid spots embrace southeastern South Dakota (because of improved winter precipitation), japanese Canada and the Nice Lakes. Minnesota’s circumstances improved whilst Maine’s declined considerably (from wonderful to good). Alaska, British Columbia, and different northern survey areas additionally skilled improved habitat and substantial breeding numbers.