The number of rounds fired by duck hunters increased from 54.7 million in 1994 to an annual average of 105 million rounds during the years 1997-01. (See Gunning Pressure: How Intense Is It? June 30, 2004.)

The following tables estimate the number of rounds fired by duck hunters in each state for the same time periods. The year 1994 marked the return of water to the prairies and the resumption of what used to be known as “liberal” regulations. The years 1997-01 mark the introduction and establishment, either wholly or partly, of ultra-liberal regulations – longer hunting seasons, larger bag limits, earlier opening season dates in the north, later closing dates in the south and the widespread use of spinning wing decoys.

The number of rounds fired per duck killed is estimated to be 6.6, according to an Iowa study. The number of rounds fired is determined by multiplying the regular season, all-duck kill per state by 6.6. Harvest data is from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In the tables below, the first column identifies the state, the second shows the number of rounds fired during the 1994 waterfowl hunting season, the third lists the average number of rounds fired per season from1997-01, and the fourth shows the percentage change between the two totals.

Atlantic Flyway

Mississippi Flyway

Central Flyway

Pacific Flyway