U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has introduced new legislation aimed at addressing the decline in duck populations by enhancing breeding habitats. The Habitat Enhancement Now (HEN) Act, or S.2315, seeks to improve nesting success for hen ducks through various incentives.
The bill comes as a response to several years of below-average duck flights in Mississippi and other areas, prompting concern among hunters. U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) will sponsor a companion bill in the House.
“Effective reproduction rates are essential to the long-term sustainability of any species, especially ducks,” said Hyde-Smith. “Populations will continue to decline if hens continue to lose their nests to predation and/or lack of adequate habitat. We have to reverse this trend.”
The HEN Act proposes that the Secretary of the Interior issue grants for conservation efforts such as constructing hen houses and restoring brood ponds in primary nesting grounds across North America.
Duck population declines have been attributed to factors like wetland loss, drought, and predation. Recent surveys from North Dakota Game and Fish reported a 26 percent drop in mallard breeding populations, marking the lowest estimates since the early 1990s.
Research indicates that hen houses can significantly increase nest success rates compared to ground-nesting mallards. If fully implemented, the HEN Act could potentially produce an additional 100,000 mallards annually.
Delta Waterfowl supports the measure, with CEO Jason Tharpe stating: “We greatly appreciate Senator Hyde-Smith’s leadership and introduction of the HEN Act as an additional tool to increase duck production for the benefit of duck hunters in Mississippi and all across the United States.”
This initiative is part of Hyde-Smith’s continued advocacy for hunting rights. In 2019, she successfully extended duck hunting seasons through legislation signed by President Trump.
“Waterfowl hunting has a tremendous economic impact nationwide,” added Hyde-Smith. “Mississippi has a strong hunting tradition that’s been handed down for generations… We won’t be able to continue enjoying this luxury if we don’t take action now to sustain strong duck populations.”
