Minnesota’s 2023 duck opener among best on record

DULUTH — Reports from conservation officers across the region varied from a “non-event” to fantastic success for northern Minnesota waterfowl hunters on last Saturday’s opening day of duck season.

In the Duluth area, heavy rain likely kept some hunters inside and probably kept ducks from flying as much, but Department of Natural Resources Conservation officer Kipp Duncan said many hunters were still out trying.

Officer Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids area) reported that “the duck opener was a success with nearly everyone getting at least three ducks on opener morning.”

Statewide, some areas saw some of their best duck hunting over the past 20 years of field surveys by DNR staff. Of the nine locations where hunters’ ducks were checked by DNR wildlife staff members, three had the highest opening day count of ducks-per-hunter ever and two more tied or just missed a record.

Steve Cordts, DNR waterfowl specialist, called it “one of the better openers on record,” with blue-winged teal, wood ducks and mallards — in that order — making up most of the ducks harvested.

Conservation Officer Vinny Brown (Northome area) reported that “duck hunters seemed to have a better-than-average harvest on the first day,” while officer Corey Sura (Remer area) said “duck hunters in the Remer area had overall good success over the opener weekend. Birds harvested included primarily blue- winged teal, wood ducks, ring-necks, and a few mallards.”

Officer John Slatinski (Ray area) reported that “waterfowl hunters reported some success, though the number of discussions about mosquitoes and gnats seemed to outnumber the number of ducks and geese harvested.

Officer Troy Fondie (Orr area) reported waterfowl hunting was a non-event. It was the fewest number of hunters he has seen in the field and birds locally. But officer Mike Fairbanks (Deer River area) said “waterfowl hunters in the area did very well” and officer Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids area) reported “the duck opener was a success with nearly everyone getting at least three ducks on opener morning.”

Officer Aaron Larson (Tower area) reported “waterfowl hunters had fairly good success over the opener weekend,” while officer Ben Huener (Roseau area) checked duck hunters at the Roseau River Wildlife Management Area, where he said “hunter success was good overall, with lots of teal and geese in the bag.”

About 61,000 state duck stamps were sold in Minnesota as of opening day, down 3% from last year and far less than half the peak of 50 years ago.

John Myers reports on the outdoors, natural resources and the environment for the Duluth News Tribune. You can reach him at jmyers@duluthnews.com.