Colorado duck hunters either became much better marksmen or enjoyed improved opportunity during the 2006 season.
Statistics released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service based on information gathered through the Harvest Information Program (HIP) show a total bag of 107,800 ducks of all species, a substantial gain from the 99,300 in 2005.
The survey is part of a mandatory system required of everyone who purchases a small-game license. Since hunters were asked to declare their harvest within a range of numbers, the survey has an error factor of about 15 percent.
The largest gain was registered with mallards – 55,111 compared with 48,352 the previous year. Hunter participation increased slightly, 12,400 compared with 12,300 in 2005.
Here are the figures for some of the more popular species, with the 2005 harvest listed first:
Gadwall 11,534/9,844; wigeon 8,326/7,988; green-winged teal 10,006/11,619; blue-winged teal 9,548/8,311; shoveler 3,972/3,389; pintail 99 3/888; redhead 1,680/2,179; ring-necked duck 1,451/3,712.
