The 2025 duck breeding survey shows steady populations at 34 million, but habitat loss remains a concern.
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Author: Skot Covert (KFSM)
Published: 2:13 PM CDT September 5, 2025
Updated: 2:13 PM CDT September 5, 2025
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Every year, waterfowl hunters, biologists, and conservationists across North America pay close attention to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s breeding population and May pond survey. It is the gold-standard snapshot of duck numbers and habitat conditions, shaping everything from federal hunting regulations to the strategies of conservation organizations.
The 2025 report, released earlier this week, shows total duck populations at roughly 34 million, virtually unchanged from last year. While that figure is still about 35–40% lower than the record highs of the late 2010s, experts say the stability is noteworthy given years of drought across the Prairie Pothole Region, the most critical breeding ground for ducks.
“It’s a story of resilience,” said Dr. Mike Brasher, senior waterfowl biologist with Ducks Unlimited and host of the Ducks Unlimited Podcast. “We’ve seen long-standing drought on the prairies, yet duck populations have essentially held steady the past few years. These birds are finding habitat elsewhere and are able to maintain themselves, even if they can’t grow in numbers without consistent wet conditions.”
Credit: Ducks Unlimited
Why It Matters
The survey covers nearly every species of duck and goose in North America and is the primary dataset used to set hunting regulations. While this fall’s hunting season is based on last year’s numbers, this year’s data will influence the 2026 frameworks.
According to Brasher, the accompanying Adaptive Harvest Management report confirms that hunters can expect liberal seasons across all four flyways again next year, including:
- Continuation of the three-pintail daily bag limit.
- A four-mallard bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway.
- A shortened teal season in some areas due to slightly lower blue-winged teal numbers.
“In large part, regulations will look very similar next year,” Brasher said. “The science supports it, and the collaborative process between the Fish and Wildlife Service and state agencies ensures hunters have opportunity while protecting populations.”
Conservation Challenges
Despite stable numbers, long-term concerns remain. Brasher emphasized that ongoing habitat loss across the prairies — through grassland conversion, reduced CRP acreage, and wetland drainage — threatens future rebounds.
“When the rains return, and they will, we’re all anxious to see how strong the response will be,” Brasher explained. “We know ducks can bounce back, but with less habitat on the landscape than in decades past, recovery may not be as dramatic or as fast.”
Ducks Unlimited, with partners in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, continues to focus on conserving and restoring habitat across the continent. The Prairie Pothole Region remains its top priority, along with the Canadian boreal forest and key wintering grounds in Mexico. Much of this work happens in cooperation with farmers, ranchers, and private landowners.
“Conservation is a team effort,” Brasher said. “Ducks Unlimited doesn’t do this alone. We work alongside agencies, corporations, and especially the people who live and work on the land.”
Looking Ahead
While the numbers may not represent a dramatic rebound, Brasher encourages hunters to see them as evidence of resilience and a reminder of the importance of habitat.
“Mallards, in particular, continue to show their adaptability,” he noted. “They’re stable and widespread, which keeps hunting opportunities strong even during dry years. But for long-term growth, we need wet prairies and healthy grasslands.”
As fall approaches and hunters prepare for another season, the data offers a balanced message: populations are holding steady, opportunities remain strong, and the future of waterfowl depends on continued conservation.
For full survey results and detailed species-by-species breakdowns, visit Ducks Unlimited’s 2025 survey page.Close Ad
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