U.S. Sen. John Boozman and other lawmakers are urging the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue supporting conservation efforts aimed at recovering duck populations in states along the Mississippi Flyway.
A recent federal report estimates the breeding duck population at about 34 million birds, which is below the long-term average and significantly lower than historical highs.
Zach Fahlberg, co-owner of Duxmen Outfitters, said two major factors are contributing to the decline and impacting duck hunting in Arkansas.
“The first one is obviously there’s not been good breeding conditions up north. There’s been a lot of drought the last couple years and that’s really made the numbers dive,” Fahlberg said. “The second thing is once they get here or if they get here, is we gotta have the weather up north for them to get here.”
Fahlberg said hunting pressure may not be the biggest factor affecting duck populations, noting that other states allow more generous harvest limits.
“They are killing a lot of the ducks before they even get out of the breeding grounds before they get here. They are taking out a lot of the younger ducks and the ones that migrate are typically more smart,” Fahlberg said.
Concerns about declining populations have also raised the possibility of shorter hunting seasons and tighter limits, which Fahlberg said could significantly impact Arkansas’ economy.
“Arkansas tourism generates millions of dollars a day on every single day of duck season. For a 60 day duck season to go down to 50 days or a 45 day season. You can do the math, millions of dollars a day would be lost,” Fahlberg said.
Duck hunters contribute more than $300 million to Arkansas’ economy each year. Nationwide, waterfowl hunting generates about $4 billion in economic activity and supports roughly 57,000 jobs.
Fahlberg said improving duck populations in Arkansas largely depends on favorable weather and water conditions that encourage migrating ducks to move south and remain in the state during the season.
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