LDWF reports very low duck numbers

[Comment Below]

By Ryan Rhodes

Maybe it’s the hurricanes, maybe it’s the election, or maybe your mom scared them all away. Whatever the reason, the duck numbers in Louisiana this November are the lowest on record. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has been surveying the annual duck population since 1969, meaning that this is the fewest amount of ducks that have been in the state in almost 30 years.

In May, the state reported a 9 % decline in duck breeding area in the U.S. The effect of that decline was obvious this year. The estimated November numbers are 958,000 birds; that’s 40 percent lower than the 1.6 million in November 2007 and way below the 30 year average of 2.1 million birds. The biggest decline came in the southwestern parishes, where as the southeastern parishes had similar numbers as they did in 2007.

Most hunters should have no trouble believing this survey after opening weekend. Reports of mixed results were coming in all over the state. A few people managed to limit out, but not without a butt load of effort and a whole lot of luck. Most hunters reported pretty disappointing hunts, especially for opening day.

The only good side to this disappointing opening is that it can only get better. Looking at the conditions for opening day, they were anything buy ideal. It was warmer than normal, there hadn’t been rain for quite some time, and there was very little wind or clouds. Hopefully, things should start changing.

Last week a cold front came through, bringing both rain and cold weather. The rain should help fill up some of those more isolated ponds drawing more migrating ducks in, and the cold weather should help to push the birds further south.

Even if the number of birds makes a late rally, more than likely this will be a tough season for Louisiana duck hunters. Initially duck numbers are usually a good indicator for the rest of the year, and if that’s the case this year than hunters will be lucky to see six ducks a hunt, much less shoot six.

My advice to any duck hunters is when you do get out in the blind, make your shots count. Years ago, you might have been able to afford only downing 1 duck for ever 4 that came in, but that probably won’t cut it this season. You won’t get enough opportunities to afford such a ratio. Practice shooting until you’re convinced you could hit a bottle cap traveling 80 mph, because you don’t want to waste shots with so few ducks coming through.

Originally Published: Issue 713 - November 19, 2008

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