Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Conduct High-Flying Surveys Impacting Wildlife Harvest

Iconic duck hunts, such as the timber duck hunting in Arkansas, offer waterfowlers unforgettable experiences characterized by the dramatic scenes of ducks flying through flooded timber and the lively, all-at-once duck calling. In Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Parks personnel use helicopters to conduct vital wildlife surveys, including tracking Sandhill Cranes, to support conservation and hunting efforts, highlighting the importance of habitat monitoring amid urban development. Meanwhile, long-time hunters like Jerry Christopherson in Minnesota continue to embrace waterfowl hunting traditions, emphasizing multi-generational participation despite challenges. Additionally, the Federal Duck Stamp Contest engages experts in wildlife art, contributing to conservation funding, as demonstrated by a judge's personal experience with the 2025 contest. Together, these facets illustrate the cultural, scientific, and conservation dimensions of waterfowl hunting in the United States.