We got back in the air for the waterfowl flight on Thursday, November 13, 2025. We have had an increase in duck abundance since our last flight, especially diving ducks! Total duck abundance (384,076) was 5% greater than long-term averages in the Illinois River Valley, thanks largely to every duck not called mallard. Unfortunately, mallard abundance (101,806) was observed 26% below LTA this week on the Illinois River. Green-winged teal (26%), pintail (14%), gadwall (25%), and shoveler (17%) abundances were all greater than LTA this week. We even seemed to have picked up some divers this week, which makes sense, given the harvest reports in our local area.
Outside of the apparent increase in divers, abundance trends along the Mississippi River were drastically different from those observed on the Illinois River this week. Mallard (-64%), pintail (-19%), and green-winged teal (-3%) abundances were all below LTAs along this river system. Other than redheads, scaup, and canvasbacks, all other species were also below LTA this week, ultimately leading to total duck abundance being 22% below LTA this week. Though the divers on pool 19 aren’t necessarily “early,” I wasn’t expecting the number we saw. The rafts took a couple of extra passes to wrap my head around.
I didn’t get to do one last year, so this is my annual tribute to our four-legged companions. Dogs play a vital role in the hunt, if you’re lucky enough to hunt over a good one. I’m thankful that I have been. In the dog community, you’ll often hear “retrievers save game.” Although I don’t need it because I’ve seen it with my own eyes, there is data to support this claim. In fact, data suggests a well-trained retriever can increase recoveries of crippled birds by as much as 40%. Aside from having a much better sense of smell than we do, they can get in and out of places we just can’t as humans. And let’s face it, it’s much more convenient to send a dog to chase a downed bird than trudge through the muck to get to it yourself.
Personally, dogs are an integral part of life. They keep me company on slow hunts, nudge my arm for a retrieve when they know I need a break from the computer, and are a part of my family. We spend a lot of time in the off-season training and, to me, there’s just nothing like watching a dog do its work. A good gundog is never late and is our extra set of eyes in the duck blind. They only want to do their job well for you and won’t rest until they do. They’re irreplaceable. Family.
Another saying in the dog community: the cost of owning a good dog is heartbreak at the end. I don’t need data to know that’s true either. Give ‘em a little extra food, scratch the scruff of their neck, and maybe pat them on the belly a time or two. We don’t deserve dogs, but I’m sure glad He gave ‘em to us.
For more information on the survey and this week’s numbers, visit Aerial Inventories.
