Peace Garden News

Duck brood numbers in North Dakota increased by 28% compared to last year, but the North Dakota Game and Fish Department expects this fall’s duck flight to be similar to that of 2024. The forecast relies on data from the department’s annual May breeding duck survey and July duck brood survey.

John Palarski, migratory game bird management biologist, said the department’s 78th annual breeding duck survey in May showed the 2025 duck index was the 33rd highest on record. This figure is down 8.7% from last year but remains 7% above the long-term average from 1948 to 2024.

“Spring started off dry, with winter bringing below-average snowfall and above-average temperatures in March. Mallards and pintails were seen moving through North Dakota as early as mid-March, but the lack of meltwater in temporary ponds, coupled with frozen semipermanent wetlands meant that many early migrants simply passed through without stopping,” Palarski said. “This contributed to a lower May index this year, along with a declining midcontinent duck population. Fortunately, we received enough rain in parts of the state to boost production, resulting in a fall flight forecast similar to last year.”

The July brood survey found that while broods observed were up significantly from last year, they were still slightly below (2%) the average recorded between 1965 and 2024. Blue-winged teal and mallards made up most of the broods counted at 31.7% and 21.4%, respectively.