You may have read that there was a decrease in the spring duck population estimate this year, but let’s take a closer look.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual breeding duck survey did indeed estimate that duck numbers have declined slightly, two percent from last year and six-percent below the long-term average. However, we’re still talking a total of nearly 33-1/2 million ducks prior to nesting.

The annual survey has been done for 70 years, and a slight decline in the estimate is certainly within the margin of error.

Puddle ducks showed the biggest decreases, while diving ducks such as canvasbacks, redheads, and scaup all increased.

While down nationally, mallards were up in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, according to spring surveys conducted in each state. Those totals are not part of the mallard estimate in the traditional survey area.

Spring pond counts were down about 10 percent in the U.S. due to drier conditions across the Dakotas and Montana, but there were wetter conditions throughout the Canadian prairie provinces (up 29 percent), which could mean a solid late-season push of “northern birds.”

This year’s northern zone opener is Saturday. Southern zone hunters must wait until Oct. 3, and the open water zone hunt begins Oct. 17.

The daily bag limit statewide is six ducks, including no more than four mallards (only two may be hens); three pintail; three wood ducks; two black ducks; two redheads; and two canvasbacks.

For species of ducks not listed, such as teal and ring necks, the combined total with all others may not exceed six ducks. Hunters are allowed five mergansers, of which two may be hooded mergansers. The northern zone scaup bag is two through Nov. 9, and one starting Nov. 10. It’s the opposite in the southern zone: one scaup daily early, then two a day starting Oct. 23.

Hunters must be properly licensed, and purchase a state waterfowl and federal migratory bird stamp. The federal “duck stamp” costs $25 and can be purchased from duckstamp.com, at a U.S. Post Office location, or via Go Wild or at a DNR license vendor for an additional $3.50 charge.

See all the hunting options available and find a link to rules and regulations at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Hunt.

Hunt & Fish Day

Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing Day, a day to celebrate the hunters, anglers and target shooters that provide millions annually to every state fish and wildlife agency in the country.

Between license fees and excise taxes, the sporting community provides more than $3 billion each year to fish, wildlife and habitat conservation in the United States. That’s roughly 60 to 80 percent of total funding for most fish and wildlife agencies.

In addition, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources collects more than $75 million directly from the sale of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, stamps and permits every year.

The DNR received nearly $37 million this year in fish and wildlife restoration funding from federal excise taxes collected on fishing tackle, firearms, ammunition and bows, as well as taxes on motorboat and small-engine fuels. The money is distributed through grants based on land area and the number of licensed hunters and anglers.

The federal funds don’t just benefit hunters and anglers. The money is also used for public access, habitat management, education and target shooting facilities.

Want a shot at one of 20 Bass Pro Shop gift cards ranging in value from $50 to $500? Take an online pledge (https://nhfday.org/pledge/) promising to introduce someone to fishing, hunting or shooting sports. Then submit a selfie, group photo, or action shot of you enjoying the outdoors.

New U.S. #1 buck

A whitetail buck taken in November, 1991, has surpassed Wisconsin’s famous Jordan Buck as the highest-scoring typical whitetail deer ever killed in the United States.

Sam Aiuppa was on a pheasant hunting trip to LaSalle County, Ill., and swapped his birdshot for slugs later in the day to try deer hunting.

The 13-point buck he shot featured a 6x5 typical frame and two abnormal/non-typical points, including a large drop tine. The gross score was 224 7/8, and the net typical was 207 7/8, surpassing the legendary 1914 Burnett County Jordan Buck — a perfect 5x5 — by 1 6/8 inches.

After bringing his trophy home, Aiuppa mounted the antlers on a plaque and stored them in his basement. They remained there for 32 years until an electrician noticed their extraordinary dimensions, most notably eye-guards more than a foot long.

Antler collector James Martin later acquired the rack and had it measured. It now ranks second worldwide behind Milo Hanson’s 213 5/8-inch world record.

Thanks to a generous donation, the Boone & Crockett Club has waived its $40 entry fee. This removes a key financial barrier to submission, encouraging broader participation.