For all practical purposes, the 2026 delta grain crop, (rice, soybeans, and corn), is out of the field and either in the bin or on a barge headed for destinations across the world. Field preparation, for next year’s crop, is in full swing with hundreds of thousands of acres already on a row, and ready for the planters. Phosphorous, potassium, and residual herbicides have been applied to replace nutrients removed from harvest and prevent noxious weeds from emerging respectively. This is great news for a timely start for the 2027 grain crop. However, to quote Sir Isaac Newton, “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” I’ll explain.
The coming weeks, the 2026 fall waterfowl migration will be in full swing with ducks and geese headed south for the winter. Hunters and bird watchers up and down the flyways, donned in their timeless outdoor apparel, are anxiously waiting for the birds’ arrival. Whether standing in an overlook with binoculars and a hot latte, or standing in flooded timber with calls and shotguns, anticipation is high for the participants. I shudder making the next statement at the risk of being labeled as a “pessimist” or “naysayer,” but the odds are not good for the opportunity to watch thousands of waterfowl over the coming months. Truthfully however, I am a realist, and years of experience qualifies my statements.
If we are fortunate enough to receive rainfall over the next few months, passing waterfowl will cup their wings and settle for rest and food for the winter. However, many ducks and geese will find little to eat in the freshly plowed fields. Any waste grain that has been left behind by our extremely efficient harvest equipment will have long since sprouted offering no benefit to hungry waterfowl. If this is not enough deterrent for ducks to keep moving in search of greener pastures, the total breeding duck numbers according to the 2026 U.S Fish and Wildlife waterfowl survey do not reflect good news either. I will go through the numbers comparing duck numbers from 2025 to 2026, and I will also show the percent change from 2025 and the percent change in the long-term average (LTA). Then, after the numbers are revealed, we will pick back up with the discussion at hand. The numbers are shown above.
As you can see from the table, the numbers speak for themselves. So, what is the culprit regarding declining waterfowl numbers, but more importantly, what can be done about it? Well, the dilemma is more complicated than you think. In a nutshell, habitat is the key. In 2024 ponds in the U.S. and Canada were at all time low levels due to drought. These ponds are critical for successful hatches and brood survival for waterfowl. Additionally, with reduced water sources, ducks are more concentrated which leads to increased competition for nesting sites, and increased predator/duck interaction and higher clutch loss from foxes, coyotes, skunks, birds of prey, and many more. We can’t control the weather, i.e. rainfall, so what positive influence can we manipulate?
Number one, we can adjust our hunting seasons and bag limits to reduce the pressure on the resource. I can already hear my phone blowing up when I mention this. But please, hear me out. We currently have the “liberal” season framework and bag limits in place. I would recommend to our biologists that set our seasons and bag limits to look at each year independently and set seasons and limits based on the duck numbers. In the years that we have good numbers, then keep the liberal seasons and bag limits. When the duck numbers are down, then adjust both season lengths and bag limits to reduce pressure and harvest. It’s not rocket science. Additionally, we should look at having multiple “seasons” within a year. For example, to keep the liberal 60-day framework, there could be 15 four-day seasons. In other words, allow duck hunting on Thursday-Sunday, then close it Monday-Wednesday to allow the ducks to rest. The way it is currently, they get hammered for two months non-stop pushing them out of the country. We could also entertain the concept of stopping hunting at 1 p.m. This would allow the ducks to feed and loaf in the afternoons without harassment. Keep in mind, these are just ideas to think about. One thing is certain, what we are currently doing isn’t working, so keep that in mind.
Recently I attended a waterfowl summit in Jackson. It was stated that Arkansas and Missouri are doing a much better job with leaving flooded crops in the fields that help support waterfowl through the winter than other states are. Of course this takes money, but it is something we could figure out. I know producers/hunters that grow corn and soybeans and never harvest these acres. They are flooded in the fall, and they consistently have huge numbers of ducks on their farms. This takes a significant financial commitment, but they are willing to sacrifice the checkbook, in part, for the benefit of the resource. It was also brought to my attention that many of the wildlife refuges have had huge budget cuts and the habitat in these refuges is not being maintained. This includes infrastructure used to flood fields and timber, and crops are not being planted that entice and hold waterfowl through the winter. This needs to be addressed immediately and some folks need to be held accountable.
Everyone wants to have unlimited ducks in the fields and timber, but to what degree are we willing to take the bull by the horns and make changes that will ensure we have ducks for the future? Are you willing to sacrifice some days afield and/or reduce your harvest to help in this matter? The investment we make today may determine how full the flights will be in the future. To quote Captain Quint in the classic film, Jaws, are we willing to ante up and take care of the ducks, or are we going to play it cheap and be on welfare the entire winter. The choice is ours. Remember, the ducks need habitat, food and water. If they have these staples, they will find them. Build it and they will come. Continuing to do the same thing, expecting a different result is what? I think you know the answer. I invite you to remain open-minded and to think about scenarios that will bring ‘em back like they used to be. I long to hear whistling wings overhead again, I just hope they’ll make it. Until next time, enjoy our woods and waters and remember, let’s leave it better than we found it. jeff.north@northag.net
