What is the limit on black-bellied whistling ducks in Florida?

Black-bellied whistling ducks are a common sight in Florida, especially in the central and southern regions of the state. As their populations have grown substantially in recent decades, hunters and wildlife managers have had to regulate the number that can be legally harvested each year through bag limits and season restrictions.

Background on Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

The black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) is a mid-sized waterfowl species found in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and tropical South America. They get their name from their loud, whistling call and the black feathers on their bellies. Black-bellied whistling ducks thrive in warm environments with abundant water sources and wetland vegetation. They are highly social birds that travel in flocks of 10 to several hundred individuals.

Black-bellied whistling ducks typically nest in tree cavities near water, laying clutches of 8-16 eggs at a time. The young leave the nest shortly after hatching and are able to fly at around 6-7 weeks old. Their diet consists mainly of seeds, grains, aquatic plants, insects, and other aquatic invertebrates. On average, black-bellied whistling ducks live approximately 5-10 years in the wild.

In Florida, black-bellied whistling duck populations are resident year-round, although some seasonal movements do occur. The highest densities are found in the central and southern regions where wetlands, lakes, and marshes provide abundant habitat. Densities are lower in northern Florida due to fewer suitable wetland areas.

Population Trends and Status in Florida

Black-bellied whistling ducks were historically uncommon in Florida, with the population likely numbering in the hundreds or low thousands of birds in the early 1900s. However, populations began increasing substantially in the 1960s and 1970s as habitat conditions improved and more man-made wetlands, rice fields, golf courses, and suburban areas providing habitat were created.

Breeding Bird Survey data collected since 1966 show black-bellied whistling duck populations in Florida increasing at a rate of approximately 10% per year. The North American Breeding Bird Survey estimated Florida’s black-bellied whistling duck breeding population at about 7,000 birds in 1966. By 2019, surveys indicated the state’s breeding population had risen to over 130,000 birds.

The species’ strong population growth led the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to change the black-bellied whistling duck’s status from a “Species of Special Concern” to a “Game Bird” in 1987. This allowed the ducks to be legally hunted during designated seasons.

Table of Breeding Black-bellied Whistling Duck Population Estimates in Florida

Today, black-bellied whistling ducks remain extremely common throughout Florida. They are able to thrive in close proximity to human development, utilizing golf courses, ponds, irrigation canals, and other artificial water sources. Their populations appear to have stabilized at high numbers over the past two decades.

Hunting Regulations and Limits

Since the black-bellied whistling duck was designated as a game species in 1987, hunting has been carefully regulated with conservative bag limits to prevent overharvest. Here are the current hunting regulations for black-bellied whistling ducks in Florida:

• Season: The statewide season runs concurrently with the duck and coot season from early November through January.
• Bag limit: The daily bag limit is 1 bird per person.
• Possession limit: The possession limit is 2 birds total.
• Legal hunting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
• Only non-toxic shot may be used for waterfowl hunting.
• A Florida hunting license and state duck stamp are required (unless exempt).
• Standard duck hunting regulations and zones apply.

These conservative limits of only 1 or 2 birds daily/in possession have allowed recreational harvest opportunity while preventing detrimental impacts to the overall black-bellied whistling duck population. The 1 bird daily limit has been in place since the 1987-88 hunting season when the species was first designated as legal to hunt.

Estimated Annual Harvest in Florida

Hunter survey data over the past 30+ years indicates that between 8,000 – 13,000 black-bellied whistling ducks are harvested annually in Florida. This represents less than 10% of the statewide breeding population, a level that has had no negative impacts on population levels.

Why Are Limits on Black-bellied Whistling Ducks Necessary?

Bag limits and hunting regulations are necessary for black-bellied whistling ducks in Florida for several reasons:

• To prevent overharvest – As a game species, conservative limits prevent recreational hunting from damaging the overall population.
• To manage population growth – Hunting provides a population management tool to limit growth and minimize conflicts.
• To maintain stable populations – Limits help maintain populations at appropriate levels for the available habitat.
• To allow for sustainable harvest – Bag limits allow for continued harvest opportunity in the long-term.
• To reduce nuisance issues – Hunting provides recreation and food while reducing complaints over noise, droppings, etc.
• To regulate take – Clear bag limits give hunters guidance on legal harvest numbers.

In summary, the 1 bird daily bag and 2 bird possession limits on black-bellied whistling ducks have been highly effective at allowing recreational hunting opportunity while preventing excessive take. This has resulted in stable, robust populations of this duck that provide enjoyment for birders and hunters alike.

Potential Changes to Limits in the Future

Florida’s black-bellied whistling duck population has remained consistently strong and high over the past 20 years. Breeding bird survey data indicates their numbers are stable to slightly increasing in Florida.

Given this sustained population strength, small increases to the daily or possession limits could be biologically feasible without putting negative pressure on black-bellied whistling duck numbers statewide. However, major limit increases would not be advisable given that populations peaked between 100,000 to 140,000 birds over the past decade.

Potential moderate limit changes could include:

• Increasing the daily limit to 2 birds per person
• Increasing the possession limit to 4 or 6 birds

More liberal season lengths and shooting hours are not recommended as they could risk overharvest. Overall, the hunting framework has worked well, and major changes do not appear needed to maintain sustainable black-bellied whistling duck populations in Florida.

Any changes to bag or possession limits would need to go through Florida’s standard process. This involves proposals by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, public input, and an eventual final decision by the Commission based on biological data and public opinion. Most waterfowl regulations are also set within the frameworks established under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Florida has maintained a 1 bird daily bag limit on black-bellied whistling ducks since the species was first designated as legal to hunt in 1987. This conservative limit, along with a short season framework, has allowed for sustainable annual harvest of less than 10% of the statewide population. As black-bellied whistling duck numbers have grown exponentially and remained high over the past 20+ years, modest increases to the limits could be biologically warranted. However, major changes do not appear necessary, as the current hunting regulations have resulted in robust, stable populations of this unique duck.

Careful management by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission using conservative hunting limits, monitoring of populations, and responding to changes over time will ensure that black-bellied whistling ducks remain a thriving, enjoyable part of Florida’s landscapes and wetlands for years to come.