MN DNR Survey Shows Decrease in Bird Hunting 

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources released results for the 2022-20223 bird seasons and the results have shown a decrease in the number of birds harvested and people hunting. 

According to the survey conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 81,864 state duck stamps were sold, which was 3% below 2021 sales and 8% below the 10-year average. In total 470,300 ducks were harvested in the state which is a 32% decrease when compared to the 10-year average of 693,300. 

This trend continues in the Canada Geese season with a total number of 127,500 geese harvest which is a decrease of 48% compared to the  10-year average of 245,500. The number of hunters also took a massive dip with 27,200. Which is 42% less than the 10-year average. 

The ruffled grouse season didn’t see quite as large of a dip in numbers compared to the geese season with 10% decrease in total birds harvested and a 14% decrease in total hunters. The pheasant harvest did see some success  with 77,448 total pheasant stamps being  sold in 2022, which was similar to 2021 sales and the 10-year average. But there was a decrease in hunters with 52,300, which is down 9% from the 10-year average of 57,500 hunters.
The complete small game hunter survey can be found on the Minnesota DNR website www.dnr.state.mn.us.