A Double Dose of Poor News

North Dakota Game and Fish has run a statewide duck survey for 79 years. The news is not good. Ducks and ponds down from last year and ducks fell below the long-term average for the first time in over 30 years. Worst news (IMO) is Blue-wings 27% below the long-term average. We may see the end of special teal seasons. Surprisingly, “greater” blue-wings (aka Shovelers) are still above the long-term average, as are Redheads.

Pilot/biologist field notes that simply describe what the federal crews saw when conducting the larger May surveys were released today (no data until August). That was pretty much more bad news about habitat conditions (dry) from the eastern Dakotas to Alberta. Yuck!

Frank