Pymatuning Waterfowl Expo kicks off duck season

Posted on: September 7, 2017 | Bob Frye | Comments

Mallard populations are doing pretty well these days.

Mallard numbers look pretty good overall, compared to the long-term average. So says the most recent duck survey done by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Bob Frye/Everybody Adventures

The Pymatuning Waterfowl Expo might be bigger than it was last year. It might be better. It will be different.

One thing’s for sure above all others, though.

It’s less expensive.

Admission to the show – set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 at Conneaut Area Senior High School in Crawford County – is free.

That’s a first.

The Pymatuning Waterfowl Expo is celebrating its 36th year.

The annual Pymatuning Waterfowl Expo is coming up.

And this in a year when the waterfowling should be, for most species in most places, another good one. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reporting a total of 47.3 million ducks in its survey area. That’s down a bit from last year, but still 34 percent above the long-term average.

The number of mallards – the No. 1 species in Pennsylvania, per harvest numbers – stands at 10.5 million. That, too, is down a bit from 2016 but up over the long haul.

That’s all encouraging, said Ducks Unlimited chief scientist Tom Moorman.

“This is great news for waterfowlers who can now turn their attention to preparing habitat, tuning up dogs and relentlessly watching the weather forecasts for the onset of fall and winter weather that will push the birds on their annual southward migration,” he said.

Of course, locally, nothing kicks off the season like the Pymatuning Waterfowl Expo, now in its 36th year.

Visitors will find plenty to see and do. The expo will again feature Pennsylvania’s state duck stamp competition, where artists compete to have their painting selected by the Game Commission for its version of the federal duck stamp.

There will be a juried waterfowl carving contest, too, along with a calling a contest for kids, an archery contest for kids and adults, water dog demonstrations and more. The expo will also feature an auction, a 20-gun bash, and a “sportsmen’s night out” banquet.

Saturday morning is also when the commission will award gooses blinds at Pymatuning to hunters who entered the drawing.

There will be lots of vendors on hand, too, and not just peddling waterfowl gear. There will be others focused on predators, turkey, deer, trapping and even fish, said expo spokesman Rich Guiney.

Details on the Pymatuning Waterfowl Expo are available by clicking here.

Hunters will be able to head out after ducks soon after. The season opens as early as Oct. 7 in some parts of the state, and on Oct. 14 and Oct. 30 elsewhere. The Game Commission has full season details.

Waterfowl by the numbers

Here’s a look at waterfowl numbers for this fall, as estimated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

  • Mallards: 10.5 million (11 percent lower than 2016, but 34 percent above the long-term average)
  • Gadwall: 4.2 million (up 13 percent above 2016 and 111 percent overall)
  • American wigeon: 2.8 million (19 percent below last year but 6 percent up overall)
  • Green-winged teal: 3.6 million (16 percent down over 2016, but 70 up compared to the average)
  • Blue-winged teal: 7.9 million (up 18 percent over last year and 57 over the long-term average)
  • Northern shovelers: 4.4 million (up 10 and 69 percent, respectively)
  • Northern pintails: 2.9 million (up 10 perecent over last year, but 27 percent below the long-term average)
  • Redheads: 1.1 million (13 percent below last year but 55 percent up overall)
  • Canvasbacks: 0.7 million (similar to last year and up 25 percent long-term)
  • Scaup: 4.4 million (down 12 percent over last year and 13 percent overall)
  • Black ducks: 0.5 million (similar to 2016 and 12 down overall)

Bob Frye is the everybodyadventures.com editor. Reach him at 412-838-5148 or bfrye@535mediallc.com. See other stories, blogs, videos and more at everybodyadventures.com.

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