Ok guys, good news is great news when it comes to killing more ducks. One way I always attempt to predict what the upcoming year will be like is to research the years predicted population put out by the fish and wildlife service annually. Although looking into the numbers on your states preserves and refuges is much more detailed and relevant to your area, here are the national averages put out for this year.

• Estimated mallard population of 8.5 million birds, a 10 percent increase over last year and 13 percent above the long-term average;
• Estimated population of 3.1 million gadwall, similar to last year and 73 percent above the long-term average;
• Estimated 7.4 million blue-winged teal, the second highest on record, and green-winged teal numbers at an all-time high of 3.4 million;
• Estimated 3.2 million northern pintails, 23 percent more than last year but still 20 percent below the long-term average;
• Estimated one million redheads, similar to last year and 62 percent above the long-term average.
• Estimated 662,000 canvasback, 35 percent more than last year and similar to the long-term average;
• Estimated 4.4 million northern shovelers, 25 percent more than last year and 92 percent above the long-term average;
• Estimated 4.2 million scaup (lesser and greater combined), 12 percent more than last year but 18 percent below the long-term average; and
• Estimated American black ducks, ring-necked ducks, American wigeon, bufflehead, goldeneyes, and mergansers numbers surveyed in eastern North America are similar to last year as well as their 1990-2008 averages.

The entire report — Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, 1955-2009-can be downloaded from the USFWS website, www.fws.gov/migratorybirds

Related posts:

1. New Gear for the 2009-2010 Duck Killing Season