Based on surveys conducted in May and early June by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service, FWS released its report on 2017 Trends in Duck Breeding Populations.
The report indicates that the overall duck numbers in the survey area remain high. Total populations were estimated at 47.3 million breeding ducks in the traditional survey area, which is similar to last year’s estimate of 48.4 million, and is 34 percent above the 1955-2016 long-term average. In 2015, the estimate was 49.5 million birds. The projected mallard fall flight index is 12.9 million birds, similar to the 2016 estimate of 13.5 million.
Here’s a useful chart showing the species of ducks and the % change from 2016 to 2017:
Hunters should check the rules in their states for final dates and bag limits.
Read the full news release on Ducks.org
Read the complete US FWS report
Original story featured on www.Ducks.org
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