UplandFeathers

The 2009 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife service estimates the total duck population is about 42 million. This is 13% greater than last year’s estimate and 25% more than the 1955-2008 average, which is great news for waterfowl hunters. Here’s the breakdown of estimated population my duck type:

• Gadwall: 3.1 million and 73% above the long-term average
• Blue-winged Teal: 7.4 million (this population size is the second highest on record) and 60% above long-term average
• Green-winged Teal: 3.4 million and 79% above the long-term average
• Northern Pintails: 3.2 million, 23% more than last year but 20% below the long-term average
• Redheads: 1 million (similar to last year) and 62% above the long-term average
• Canvasback: 662,000, 35% more than last year’s estimate and similar to the long-term average
• Northern Shovelers: 4.4 million, 25% more than last year and 92% above the long-term average
• Lesser and Greater Scaup: 4.2 million, 12% greater than last year but 18% below the long-term average

The survey samples more than 2 million square miles of waterfowl habitat across the north-central and northeastern United States, south-central, eastern, and northern Canada, and Alaska. Overall, habitat conditions for breeding waterfowl in 2009 were better than conditions in 2008. Oil up that 3-1/2 fowling piece and put your lab on a diet. Duck hunters are going to need to be in condition this hunting season.