8/8/2007 – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) annual survey of key nesting areas indicated 41.2 million breeding ducks, 14 percent greater than last year and 24 percent above the 1955-2006 long-term average.

Mallards – The mid-continent mallard fall flight forecast is 11.4 million, 1.5 million higher than last year. The fall flight index predicts 2.3 million young mallards, compared to 1.9 million last year. (Young mallards are generally twice as vulnerable to hunting as adults).

Pintails – The pintail population of 3.3 million is similar to last year and 19 percent below the long-term average. The population is above the threshold of 2.5 million, justifying a full season length based on the USFWS interim pintail harvest strategy.

Canvasbacks – The canvasback population reached a record high of 865,000, 25 percent higher than last year and 53 percent above the long-term average. With the excellent habitat conditions in Prairie Canada, above average production is expected. As a result, the canvasback daily bag limit has been increased to two this year.

Scaup – Scaup population estimates of 3.45 million increased 6 percent over last year but are still 33 percent below the long-term average. The USFWS decreased the daily bag limit from three to two in 2005 because of concerns regarding a decreasing population with an increasing harvest rate for the past several years. The USFWS initially recommended reducing the daily bag limit to one scaup for this season, but approved the Flyway Councils