State's breeding duck population falls again

Minnesota's breeding duck population declined 31 percent from last year -- falling to an estimated 507,000 birds -- and state officials aren't sure why.

The decline continues a trend: The state's breeding duck population has fallen in four of the past five years. It's the third-lowest estimate in the past 26 years. There's no easy explanation for this year's decline, said Steve Cordts, Department of Natural Resources waterfowl specialist. Wetland conditions weren't bad, he said, though it was dry in east-central and southern survey areas when the agency conducted its annual aerial waterfowl survey.

Duck numbers in those dry areas appeared low, he said, and "in other areas they were pretty good, but not good enough to offset the dry areas.''

The number of wetlands was 318,000, down 2 percent from last year but above the long-term average of 248,000.

The DNR's long-term goal is to have 1 million breeding ducks in the state, a number that is getting more distant, based on recent survey results.

The Minnesota duck situation contrasts sharply with the broader continental view. Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported that the midcontinent breeding duck population increased 13 percent from last year and is 25 percent above the long-term average.

Cordts said excellent water conditions in the Dakotas could have drawn ducks to nest there this spring, instead of Minnesota. But he's not sure how to interpret the overall decline in breeding duck numbers. "I try not to get too concerned for a one-year change, up or down,'' he said. "I look at the survey as more of a trend.''

But the trend, he acknowledged, for the past few years isn't good.

Still, he said the bulk of ducks Minnesota hunters harvest each fall are migrants, and Cordts figures there should be good numbers of birds available this fall, assuming duck production is good in Canada, the Dakotas and Minnesota.

DOUG SMITH

The Minnesota Swarm traded on Tuesday for forward Ryan Benesch, who was the National Lacrosse League rookie of the year in 2007.

The Swarm sent forwards Ryan Ward, Justin Norbraten, Scott Stewart and defenseman Richard Morgan to Edmonton for Benesch, defenseman Scott Self and the ninth overall pick in the 2009 draft.

Minnesota acquired Stewart (third overall) and Morgan (sixth overall) in the dispersal draft of the Portland LumberJax players earlier in the day. The Swarm also selected forward Tim Campeau (14th overall) and defenseman Bruce Alexander (25th overall).

Benesch, 24, had 44 points in 14 games with Edmonton and Toronto in 2009.

• Kelly Hunt hit a two-run single and Nick Blasi homered, leading the Wichita Wingnuts to an 8-7 victory over the visiting Saints. Jake Butler homered for the Saints.

• Former North Dakota State basketball standout Brett Winkelman, a forward from Morris, Minn., has signed a professional contract with a team in Italy. The 6-6, 220-pound Winkelman declined to disclose financial terms of his one-year deal with Pavia of the Italian LegaDue.

• Colton Barrett of St. Paul won the men's 17-18 sprint championship Saturday at the USA Cycling Junior Track National Championships in Carson, Calif.