The fourth and final MDWFP aerial waterfowl survey of the season was flown January 17 – 23, 2023.
Wetland habitat availability increased slightly from the early January survey, but the Mississippi River and interior Delta river systems have remained below their flood stages and very little overbank flooding has occurred across the state this season. As usual, wetland habitat availability generally increased as survey transects moved further northeast in the Delta region, where multiple landowners and nearby public lands intensively manage a significant number of wetland acres.
Estimates for mallards and other dabbling ducks increased significantly from their early January estimates.
However, estimates for mallards, other dabbling ducks, diving ducks, and total ducks all remained below their respective long-term averages for late January.
Random flight transects did not intersect many aquaculture facilities for this survey, which caused diving duck estimates to be very low (and therefore impacted the total duck estimate). Mallards and other dabblers made up about 95% of all duck observations, while diving duck estimates declined after peaking in early January.
Mallards were by far the most abundant species observed, followed by gadwall and northern shovelers.
Scaup were the most abundant diving duck species observed, but a noteworthy number of canvasbacks were also counted during this survey.
The northeastern portion of the Delta held the greatest abundances of mallards, other dabbling ducks, and total ducks overall while the southeastern portion held the greatest numbers of diving ducks.
The final week of Mississippi’s regular waterfowl hunting season has arrived, with the final day coming on Tuesday, January 31. However, hunters are reminded to take advantage of the additional waterfowling opportunities for youth, veterans, and active military personnel February 4 – 5. Abundant hunting opportunities also remain during the light goose conservation order February 1 – 3 and February 6 – March 31. Local weather conditions are predicted to be a bit warm and rainy to wrap up the regular season.
