Another rainy spring in North Dakota has helped keep the state's nursery duck population relatively healthy, although the decline in the duck nursery remains a long-term problem.
The 76th annual spring duck survey conducted in May by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department estimated 3.4 million birds. This is only 1.5% higher than last year, but is 23rd in the last 75 years and 39% above the long-term average.
The number of temporary and seasonal wetlands in North Dakota decreased 26% compared to last year. But the 2022 total was six times more than the previous year, the biggest increase recorded in a single year. And the year's total was 76% above the multi-year average and the seventh wettest on record.
"After last year's modest harvest, duck numbers have remained flat compared to a more common response when the landscape has plenty of water," said Mike Szymanski, director of the Division of Wildlife and Migratory Birds. "In addition, the number of ducks has decreased dramatically." Such sightings may be more distinctive as prospects for large fall flyovers decrease compared with those seen during the 1994-2016 period.
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Total ducks were still above the 75-year average, but 15% below the 1994-2016 average, Szymanski said.
"An increase in the state's duck population to 4 million is unlikely, even in wet years, if our upland nesting sites are not improved," he said. "The Dakota will no longer be able to sustainably grow its mid-continent duck population without the extensive, secure landscape nesting space in the form of perennial grasses that programs like CRP provide."
Federal conservation programs pay landowners to set aside degraded land and create habitats for wildlife. The cultivated area in North Dakota has declined dramatically in recent decades, largely due to changes in farming practices. According to the USDA, the state's CRP area peaked at about 3.4 million acres in 2007 and has since decreased to about 1.1 million.
Spring duck surveys give hunters a first look at the development of the duck population for fall hunting. Estimates for most species have improved from 2022. Mallard numbers are down 9.8% from last year, but are still the 27th highest on record.
The amount of mung beans increased by 71%, mushrooms and mung beans increased by 58% and 47% respectively. Other increases range from 12% for wheel loaders to 19% for canvas. Decreases compared to 2022 were observed for mallards, worms (minus 23%) and otters (minus 4.4%).
A statewide Game and Fish spawning survey in July will evaluate the performance of the ducks during breeding season and provide a better picture of what hunters can expect in the fall.
"The prairie-wetland ecosystem is very dynamic, as evidenced by the alternating wet and dry conditions in recent years," said Szymanski. "Wet or not, the state's waterfowl population continues to decline due to reduced reproductive potential limited to secure nest covers."
According to Game and Fish, the success of the fall hunt is also affected by bird movements before and mid-season, as well as weather conditions during the fall migration. This year, regular duck hunting season for North Dakota residents begins on September 23.
Szymanski added that the estimate of 297,914 Canadian geese in North Dakota at the time of the May survey was 23% below the record 2022 forecast.
"Canadian goose nesting efforts appear to have been diminished and delayed as surveys revealed a small number of Canadian goose chicks and fewer nests than usual," he said. “While surveying the area, many pairs and small groups of Canadian geese were observed. Mating may be delayed, but nest flooding occurs in areas with 10-20 centimeters of rain during the active breeding season in early May.