Senator John Boozman and other lawmakers called on the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue supporting conservation efforts for duck populations in Mississippi Flyway states, according to a statement released Mar. 17.
The issue is significant as a recent federal report estimates the breeding duck population at 34 million, which is below the long-term average and well below historical highs. This decline has raised concerns among hunters, lawmakers, and those who rely on waterfowl hunting for economic activity.
Zach Fahlberg, co-owner of Duxmen Outfitters, said two main factors are contributing to the decline in duck numbers affecting Arkansas hunting. “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.” He also noted that hunting may have less impact than some believe because other states have more generous 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 possible changes such as shorter seasons or stricter limits could significantly affect state and local economies. “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,” he said.
Duck hunters contribute more than $300 million annually to Arkansas’ economy, while waterfowl hunting generates about $4 billion nationwide and supports 57,000 jobs across the country.
Boozman maintains district offices in Arkansas communities to assist constituents, according to the official website. He has helped enact provisions for expanding care for women veterans and modernizing the GI Bill according to his official website. Boozman lives in Rogers, Arkansas with his wife Cathy and their family according to his official website, holds positions on several Senate committees including Appropriations, Veterans’ Affairs, Environment and Public Works, and Rules and Administration according to his official website, and obtained a doctor of optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in 1977 according to his official website.
Fahlberg concluded that improving duck populations will depend on having enough suitable weather conditions during migration.
