2001 BREEDING DUCK SURVEY

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As released by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife service today.

Tidbits from Survey

* The total breeding duck population declined 14% from last year, but is 9% above the long-term average level.

* Mallards declined 17% from last year, and remain about equal to the long-term average level.

* Pintails increased 13% from last year, but this change is not statistically significant. Pintails were the only primary species to show an increase from last year, but they remain 23% below the long-term average level.

* All of the remaining 8 primary species declined 6-23% from last year.

* All species except pintails, scaup, and wigeon are near or above population goals specified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

* Pond estimates (for May) were up 18% from last year, but remained 6% below long-term average levels.

Breeding Duck Levels

[GulfCoast]

WF: Thanks for posting that data. Looks like we may lose some days.

[DUCKAHOLIC]

The flyway council meets next week and from what I hear we are not going to lose a day were going to lose a duck. Not sure which one but its either a mallard or one from the bag limit so im told.

[BrianB]

hopefully it will be just a hen mallard. I don't think we will lose the 6 duck limit though.

[RedEyed Duck]

Brian, that is an excellent point that you made. I know that I would be totally for loosing the hen mallard either way because this can do nothing but help the numbers in the short and long run. So with 5 or 6 ducks I highly recommend taking the suzie out of the mix..... [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

[Po Monkey Lounger]

In the report that I read in DU magazine, the USF&W scientists were surprised by the results due to the good to excellent breeding conditions. They also admitted that there were problems with the timing of the count this year that could have caused an undercount. This likely undercount was offerred as a possible explanation for the lower numbers. In any event, based upon the formula they use to set the limits, the numbers reported still are enough to keep the liberal limit of 6.

Get ready for a great season! In my experience, when huge record flights are predicted, my hunting results do not seem to increase or come close to expectations. But, in the predicted bad years, my results seem to improve. I guess there are some things in life that just cannot be accurately predicted. The timing of the the migration of ducks is one of those.

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[Headshots]

I agree with RedEye, save Suzie for me, I dated her sister.