Federal survey shows breeding ducks down 7%: What does it mean for hunters this season?

Before the federal duck survey was released last Friday, waterfowl managers were cautiously optimistic that the breeding population would increase in 2023, in large part because of vastly improved wetland conditions in spring 2022 and likely corresponding improved productivity.
But when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2023 Waterfowl Production Status report dropped, the numbers told another story. Despite this year’s disappointing breeding population survey, in which several puddle duck species (mallards, gadwall, American wigeon, blue-winged teal, northern shovelers) showed noticeable declines from last year, waterfowl managers say they see the potential for a silver lining for the upcoming duck season.

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