DNREC Online

Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife

Waterfowl Surveys in Delaware

Historically, the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife has conducted four waterfowl surveys each year in order to measure long term trends in duck and goose populations. These surveys are flown in a small plane with a pilot and biologist, with similar routes and techniques each time. Flights are usually done in mid-October, mid-November, mid-December and the second week in January, subject to weather and mechanical delays. The January flight is part of a coast wide effort to survey waterfowl throughout the Atlantic Flyway at approximately the same time. The surveys cover the primary waterfowl habitat in Delaware, approximately the eastern half of the state, and are divided into eleven zones.

Not all ducks and geese can be seen equally well from a plane. The surveys give fairly accurate information about geese, but duck populations like wood ducks and sea ducks are almost impossible to count. The important feature of these counts is that they give long term trends that are useful to measure changes in waterfowl management strategies and the environment. In most cases no single count is especially important in itself, but the collection of counts over the years has shown important changes.

The surveys detected the decline in the migrant population of Canada geese, the loss of duck usage of the Christiana marshes after I-95 was constructed and recent increases in ducks using the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge area after the Refuge accomplished phragmites and water control. Winter counts are used as a measure of black duck abundance and other population changes. Although imperfect, surveys are a useful tool for waterfowl managers.

Are You a Migratory Bird Hunter?

Remember you need to obtain a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number
each year (valid July 1 - June 30) prior to hunting migratory birds.
Your HIP number is free of charge and is available 1-877-DELAHIP
OR
Through the Web - Click Here!

Waterfowl Counts Are Summarized Within The Following Zones:

Zone 1 - (Width of the State) Pennsylvania Line to the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
Zone 2 - (Width of the State) Delaware Memorial Bridge to the C & D Canal.
Zone 3 - (Width of the State) C & D Canal to a Line from Liston Point to Kenton.
Zone 4 - (Width of the State) Liston Point to Route 6 (Smyrna).
Zone 5 - (Width of the State) Route 6 to Route 8 Port Mahon.
Zone 6 - (East of 113) Route 8 to Big Stone Beach.
Zone 7 - (East of Route 1) Big Stone Beach to Broadkill River.
Zone 8 - (East of Route 1) Broadkill River to Bend in Lewis Rehoboth Canal South of Gordon's Pond.
Zone 9 - South of Gordon's Pond and All of Rehoboth Bay.
Zone 10 - All Indian River Bay West to Millsboro and South to Salt Pond.
Zone 11 - Salt Pond South to Maryland Line and West to Route 17.

Historical Waterfowl Survey Data

Season Selection Index

2007-2008 Hunting Season
2006-2007 Hunting Season
2005-2006 Hunting Season
2004-2005 Hunting Season