What has helped waterfowl the most?

I read an article about how as a whole bird numbers have been declining except waterfowl. Quail have pretty much disappeared, turkey numbers have taken a hard hit recently, but waterfowl numbers seem to be holding strong for the most part.

Why do you think that is? What has helped them the most? Is it the number of lakes and ponds this country has built over the last several decades? The government push of ethanol fuel, so more corn fields being planted for the the subsidies; which equals more food for ducks and geese? Do you think ducks unlimited and delta are really making a difference?

Curious what your thoughts are?

turkeys issue is easy, they need clear cuts and lodging to thrive, NWTF is one of the biggest loggers in the country for that reason. Logging isnt exactly popular conservation topic. Recent 5 years in California says it all. Also they share the same predation issues as Quail.

Quail are still thriving in the thick Stx regions. Ranching practices and grass land programs arent exactly quail friendly now days. Also ground predators are at 20 plus year high thanks to a depressed fur market. Add in aerial predator protections i top of thin cover and quail have a hard time.

corn ethanol grower subs died almost 1.5 decades ago. Even then ethanol mandate brings on only a 2% price increase on corn. For past 10 years US has been pretty steady between 13-15 billion bushels. On top of that CRP acreage is on rise thanks to Trumps farm bill. In a nut shell its not agriculture pushing ducks up or steady. My guess would be nesting land protection and mild winters. Mild winters are probably the biggest reason, they dont have to make same migration distances

Interesting question. Duck numbers are certainly in decline as well. At least the most desirable species. Habitat loss is probably the biggest reason for all birds, then predators from hogs to illegal aliens like fire ants. Maybe waterfowl can overcome some of by having the ability to move great distances.

Yes DU & Delta make a difference and any serious waterfowler should be a member of both.

better long term snap shot, per DU the recent drop is prairie drought

LOL at that graph. If you believe that I know about some ocean front property…Seems DU has been taking notes from the NRA.

No serious duck hunter should give a dime to DU of BHA. Same bunch of hippies.

I would think that graph is pretty doggone accurate. At last it mirrors how my seasons have gone. Especially with mallards.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, it would be impossible for me to disagree more. I will continue to put not only my money but some sweat equity into the ducks through DU and Delta.

Im no DU fan infact I hate them, but that graph is pull directly from USFG.gov numbers, its even cited as such in the graph

you are more then welcome to support cap and trade and carbon sequestering, while building exclusive hunt clubs with your donations and taxes, its your money. Ive got a section in WRP, but that doesnt mean it should of been in WRP or is doing anything different being in WRP, but I am getting paid for it to be in WRP. Down here habitat work just attracts doesnt maintain.

with that said if you are serious about duck hunting and are well off, when in Rhome…, its smart to enlisted deep in to DU so you have first access to the donated property sales, and their program influences to develop them


DU’s lane has changed to much for my support but I dont have any thing against those still all in on them.

Makes sense, the hens can keep their fat reserves up and are in better condition to produce good clutches come spring time.

Boss shells

I PM'd kwood to make sure he chimes in and lets everyone know why

I'd hate to say anything before KWood chimes in, but duck numbers are almost completely controlled by the conditions of the breeding grounds like Bobo mentioned. No other factor comes close.

The only other thing that I'd say about the comparison to turkey and quail is that they are not migratory. We're all seen (or at least those of us that have been hunting for more than 5 years) how patterns shift along with conditions here in TX. IMO that gives dux a big advantage. They can shift to where the food is easily.

kwood said the duck numbers really aren't that bad, they've just all gone nocturnal due to corn monoculture farming.

it's just science really.

Quail is due to fire ants and habitat destruction and the fact that if a bad guy was to shoot one with a 22 the rest of the covey will come check on it and see what happened until they've all been pot shot. At least that's what I've heard.

Turkey decline is due to roosting in dead trees along northeast Texas back roads I'm guessing. Again, allegedly

Duck numbers are up because garrett and Hayraker don't hunt any more, well at least a reason why ringers and spoonies are up...

With most species the answer is habitat. That being said, the popularity of turkey hunting, I think, has had an effect on numbers. Shooting the dominate tom disrupts the breeding process as other males have to redo the pecking order. I'm not saying breeding doesn't get done, even the jakes breed (or try to), but with the dominate tom out, they switch attention to fighting each other and breeding slows down until they work that out. There have been studies that indicate moving the seasons to later would give many hens time to breed.

As always, nest predators take a huge toll on all our ground nesting birds. Racoons, Skunks, feral Cats (a big one), Bobcats and Possum. All of these are furbearers. Better habitat could amielate that issue but short of that those numbers need to come back into line. I had a friend that did intensive quail management on his place. He allowed a farmer to plant beans and such crops on his land for free as long as he left the outer rows unharvested. Did intensive ground predator management and left the coyotes alone. He saw his quail numbers increase steadily, and some of these quail were released birds.


And I'll still gladly shoot ringers, so there's that...

bingo

DU lost me several years back when they fired longtime writer Don Thomas for exposing a Montana, big wig DU doner for trying to keep public sportsman from accessinng a public river access point that ran thru his ranch. Showed their true colors and is just one of several reasons NOT TO SUPPORT THEM

No shame..