The numbers for the central flyway are up 13% this year over last. I am not going to get into all the specifics on each species because getting that detailed isn't all that important for most hunters. The overall numbers is what is going to determine the length of the season and the overall bird limit, which will probably be 60 and 5 but that depends on the options each state decides to take.
Although individiual species numbers can have a big impact on hunters in particular areas that depend on a certain species for the bulk of their bag. Throughout much of the range, particularly the deep south the success is actually more dependent of cold weather freezing up the northern half of the country to push the ducks south.
And although this years duck numbers are up giving hunters high hopes the state of the breeding grounds does lead many to worry what the future may hold. With ethanol demand mandated by the government affecting farmers more and more marginal land is being converted over to agriculture. So although this years numbers look strong the future looks bleak.
Time will tell on this and lower duck numbers in the future is not something that is written in stone. So do what every duck hunter does every year. Pray for ducks and their critical habitat.
