2017–2018 Waterfowl Hunting Outlook

Ducks harvested by Illinois hunters are largely produced in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of the northcentral United States and Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. This important duck production region is part of a larger geographic area known as the traditional survey area, which includes parts of Alaska, Canada and the northcentral United States.

Wet conditions in the PPR continue to sustain large breeding waterfowl populations. This year the breeding population estimate of 47.3 million ducks in the traditional survey area is 2 percent below last year’s estimate of 48.4 million, and 34 percent above the long-term average (1955-2016; 35.2 million).

Mallards are the most commonly harvested species in Illinois, with a population estimate of 10.5 million in the traditional survey area, which is down 11 percent from 2016 but up 34 percent over the long-term average and similar to last year’s numbers. In some years, a fair number of mallards harvested in Illinois originate from nearby Great Lake states (i.e., MN, WI and MI). Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are outside of the traditional survey area, but breeding duck surveys conducted in those states suggest that mallard estimates were similar to last year (MN -14 percent, WI +10 percent and MI +7 percent) and long-term averages (MN -6 percent, WI 0 percent and MI -13 percent).

The other top harvested duck species in Illinois include wood ducks, gadwall and green-winged teal; however, the order of where these species rank in hunters’ bags varies from season to season. The gadwall breeding population estimate in the traditional survey area of 4.2 million is similar to last year’s estimate and 111 percent above the long-term average. In comparison, the green-winged teal estimate of 3.6 million is 70 percent above the long-term average, but slightly down from last year’s estimate of 4.3 million. Wood ducks are difficult to survey due to the habitats they frequent and are not counted on traditional waterfowl breeding population surveys. Instead, Breeding Bird Survey data are used to estimate wood duck population trends. The Mississippi Flyway population has increased about 2 percent from 2007 to 2016.

Due to these high waterfowl populations, duck hunting seasons will remain liberal this year, with 16 days of teal hunting in September (statewide 9–24 September) with a six (6) teal daily bag limit (blue-wings and green-wings allowed) and 60 days of regular duck season varying in timing by zone from mid-October to mid-December in the North Zone to late-November to late-January in the South Zone. Duck bag limits also will remain liberal, with a basic daily limit of six (6) ducks, but species restrictions of four (4) mallards (only 2 hen mallards), three (3) wood ducks, three (3) scaup (bluebills), two (2) redheads, two (2) canvasbacks and two (2) black ducks, which is a change from only one (1) black duck in recent years. The pintail limit will drop from the two (2) birds allowed in recent years to only one (1) this year. Although an infrequent visitor to Illinois, one (1) mottled duck is allowed in the bag.

Most of the Canada geese that occur in Illinois during fall and winter are from two distinct populations, the Mississippi Flyway Interior Population (MFIP) and the Mississippi Flyway Giant Population (MFGP). Canada geese that nest primarily near northwest James Bay and Hudson Bay in northern Ontario are part of the MFIP and represent about half of the Canada geese harvested in Illinois during the regular goose season. In 2016, breeding population surveys used to monitor Mississippi Flyway Interior Canada goose populations (Eastern Prairie Population, Mississippi Valley Population and Southern James Bay Population) were modified and combined into a single MFIP survey. The new survey will provide comparable information on annual changes in MFIP geese in future years.

Giant Canada geese that nest in Illinois make up roughly 24 percent of Illinois’ regular season Canada goose harvest, and about 22 percent of Illinois’ regular Canada goose season harvest consists of giant Canada geese that nest in surrounding states. The 2017 population estimate for giant Canada geese that nests in Illinois (123,350) was 17 percent higher than the number estimated last year (105,150). An early spring resulted in good nesting conditions for many giant Canada geese nesting in Illinois, but repeated flooding during incubation likely destroyed nests along major rivers in several regions of the state and production may be below average in areas where prolonged spring flooding occurred. Illinois will offer 15 days of Canada goose hunting in September (statewide 1–15 September), and additional hunting opportunity opening with duck season in each waterfowl hunting zone. Due to restrictions in the number of goose hunting days allowed, in the central zone a split season is necessary to open with duck season and also offer winter hunting through the end of January.

Snow goose numbers are expected to be comparable to recent averages. A notable exception is that after poor reproduction during the past two years due to severe weather shortly after hatch, preliminary reports indicate this year’s reproductive effort may be more successful, and more juveniles may be seen in this year’s flight.

White-fronted goose (specklebellies) numbers remain strong over the past few years and appear to be spreading into new areas throughout the state. Population estimates for the mid-continent come from surveys conducted during fall on staging areas in Canada. Last year’s estimate was slightly more than 1 million geese, similar to the previous year and 24 percent above the 10-year average.

Waterfowl enthusiasts are reminded that despite abundant waterfowl populations, local conditions can largely determine the number and length of time waterfowl are present in Illinois. Weather events can delay migration or push many species through the state quickly, and local habitat conditions may or may not attract large numbers of waterfowl to specific areas.

Current waterfowl hunting regulations are available in the Digest of Waterfowl Hunting Regulations 2017–2018.

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Randy Smith is the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources’ Wetland Wildlife Program Manager.