Most duck hunters shall be comfortable to listen to that breeding geese elevated 5 p.c this yr in comparison with 2023, in keeping with the annual duck counts printed 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 general improve in breeding geese that has been documented since 2015.
That’s the excellent news at a look, and it’s notably notable given the general decline in habitat situations in comparison with 2023 (extra on that in a minute). Remember the fact 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 situations. This displays “the continued results of a number of years of drought within the Prairie Pothole Area,” in keeping 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,” mentioned Steve Adair, chief scientist for DU. “Whereas estimates had been down within the prairies, inhabitants ranges had been up in northern breeding areas. We heard reviews of an early spring, with geese migrating by when the prairies had been nonetheless dry and sure overflying to the Boreal Forest. It is a sample we’ve seen many instances earlier than, and it seems to have been the case once more this yr.”
The USFWS Waterfowl Breeding Inhabitants and Habitat Survey has been performed (virtually) with out fail since 1955. Though it gained’t affect bag limits for this season, its outcomes will assist set laws for the 2025-26 season. So, take a look at this useful reference chart from DU for a fast at-a-glance standing report, and we’ll run by developments beneath.
Very first thing’s first: Mallard counts are up a modest 8 p.c over final yr, which implies 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 among the lowest for the reason that early 90s. The research’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 most important 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 had been counted this yr in comparison with final yr, their numbers are additionally up over the long run.
Pintails stay the poster little one for downward-trending species, with an 11 p.c drop over final yr and half as many counted this yr in comparison with the practically 70-year common. Nonetheless, these numbers are robust sufficient to probably permit a three-pintail each day restrict subsequent season — the primary time since 1997 — because of a brand new pintail harvest technique that was authorised in June.
Surveyors additionally stored tabs on 23 geese species and tundra swans within the survey, and located “vital downward developments” 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 situations throughout the survey vary had been disappointing this yr when in comparison with 2023. The most important declines, in keeping with USFWS, spanned inside Canadian provinces and the north-central U.S. Whereas winter temperatures throughout the Canadian prairie had 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 principally too late to learn preliminary nesting.
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Brilliant spots embody southeastern South Dakota (because of improved winter precipitation), jap Canada and the Nice Lakes. Minnesota’s situations 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.
