This fall, North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologists project that duck flights will closely resemble those of 2024, despite an encouraging 28% increase in duck broods observed this year. The annual surveys indicate an 8.7% decrease in the total duck index compared to last year, though overall numbers remain 7% higher than the long-term average since 1948, boosting hope for hunters this season.
Key species such as blue-winged teal and mallards made up the majority of broods noted in the July survey, while redheads have surged to a record high. These mixed survey results highlight the complexity of migratory patterns influenced by weather conditions, further underscored by a mid-September wetland survey aimed at assessing habitat before hunting begins. This crucial data will inform hunters and wildlife enthusiasts about what to expect as the season approaches.
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