Rice breast lower this year?

[Mallardo Man]

Zero

 

[NWh2ofowlr]

Might have been lower this season. I found 6 last season and had 0 this season with rice breast.

 

[Jabird]

0 of the 5 ducks I shot had rice breast

 

[ducknutz]

Only 2, both in the first month of the season. The sick and dying geese seemed to disappear too. Never did notice any ducks with the flu.

 

[pintails]

I had a few with rice breast this year. Couple spoons, a sprig, and the first time I’ve seen it in a green wing teal.

 

[Tejas]

If there is a reduction in small carnivores, or exposure to their feces, that should reduce the possibility of ducks being infected. I don’t think the infection is something that gets reduced or contracted in noticeable form over night. Probably population trends in skunks, foxes, etc… and the amount of water. Widespread flooding where small carnivores are forced to retreat from wetlands or things like distemper or rabies probably play a role. Interesting question anyway. My purely anecdotal results were zero this year. My worst day was a seven bird limit and 3 were infected probably 8 or 10 years ago.

 

[David O]

One Northern Shoveler.

David

 

[Sweatliner]

Not one this year

 

[shovelerslayer]

Had 4 early in year 3 mallards and a pintail. None after about December 15.

 

[Phytoplankton]

None this year, but I usually only get one or two every few years.