Two-thirds of North America's waterfowl spend the winter in DU's Southern Region. Ducks and geese depend on wintering habitat in southern latitudes to feed, rest, and build vital energy reserves. Many species form breeding pair-bonds before beginning their arduous journeys to northern breeding areas. Research has shown that the quality of habitat on the wintering grounds affects winter survival rates and the condition of birds returning north. Better wintering habitat may lead to a more productive nesting season and more ducks flying south again in the fall...  (more)

Highest Priority Habitat Areas

Gulf Coastal Prairie | Mississippi Alluvial Valley

States Within the Southern Region

Alabama | Arkansas | Florida | Georgia | Kansas
Kentucky | Louisiana | Mississippi | Missouri | North Carolina
Oklahoma | South Carolina | Tennessee | New Mexico | Texas

Director's Message

Curtis Hopkins, Ph.D.
October 2009

Using this year’s projected increase in the fall flight, the prospects for southern waterfowl hunters are improved over last season. Waterfowl on the prairies responded to the improved habitat conditions with a strong breeding effort. The total breeding duck estimate in the traditional survey area was 42 million birds—a 13 percent increase from the previous year and the fifth largest since surveys began in 1955. Keep in mind that waterfowl also respond to favorable habitat conditions on the wintering grounds which will vary greatly across the southern region. So, hunters who measure their success by numbers in the bag may not all have the same level of success.

Let’s continue to take the time to remind the waterfowl hunting community (too many do not support DU) that the foresight of hunters in the early 1930’s is largely responsible for the sights and sounds of waterfowl we have today. We must be willing to take action today so that those who follow will enjoy bountiful fall flights forever.