As the old saying goes, “If it wasn’t for the weather, most people wouldn’t know how to start a conversation.” The weather here on the Northern Plains impacts everything and everyone directly and for farmers, ranchers, hunters, biologists and wildlife managers, what happened in the past months and years will be felt – good or bad – moving forward.
Few will forget, even if they try, the long winter, slow to arrive spring and delayed summer of 2023. When it comes to waterfowl populations, the habitat and weather are the two biggest factors for ducks and geese in North Dakota and so far, so good fits the initial reports.
Here’s a look at upland game and waterfowl numbers for fall 2023.
Waterfowl
The number of broods observed during the department’s July brood survey was up 79% from 2022, and 88% above the 1965-2022 average index. The average brood size was 6.5 ducklings, down 10% from 2022.
The fall flight is anticipated to be about 23% above last year’s fall flight, based on observations from the annual mid-July duck production survey.
According to Mike Szymanski, migratory game bird management supervisor, the department’s 76th annual breeding duck survey conducted in May indicated the 2023 duck index was the 23rd highest on record, up 1.5% from 2022, and exceeded the 1948-2022 average index by 39%.
While there remains a shortage of upland nesting habitat across the state, Szymanski said overwater nesting species such as canvasbacks, redheads and ring-necked ducks all set records for number of broods observed this year, along with ruddy ducks nearly breaking their previous record.
Upland Game
North Dakota’s roadside surveys conducted in late July and August indicate pheasant, Hungarian partridge and sharp-tailed grouse numbers were up.
Total pheasants observed (65 per 100 miles) are up 61% from last year and broods (7.5) per 100 miles are up 70%. The average brood size (6.3) is up 2%. The final summary is based on 282 survey runs made along 100 brood routes across North Dakota.
Observers in the northwest counted 13.5 broods and 113 pheasants per 100 miles, up from 11 broods and 96 pheasants in 2022. Average brood size was six.
Results from the southeast showed 5.4 broods and 49 pheasants per 100 miles, up from five broods and 29 pheasants in 2022. Average brood size was six.
Statistics from southwestern North Dakota indicated 9.8 broods and 86 pheasants per 100 miles, up from five broods and 48 pheasants in 2022. Average brood size was six chicks.
Sharptails had above average production and have rebounded back to the good years of 2011-15. Sharptails observed per 100 miles are up 116% statewide. Brood survey results show observers recorded 2.6 broods and 29 sharptails per 100 miles. Average brood size was six.
Partridge observed per 100 miles are up 200%. Observers recorded 2.4 broods and 36 partridge per 100 miles. Average brood size was 11.
The grouse and partridge seasons continue through Jan. 7, 2024.
The pheasant season continues through Jan. 7, 2024.
Here’s hoping you have a little time to spend upland game and waterfowl hunting in North Dakota this fall. Again, what the future holds will depend greatly on the weather and habitat.
