Brookings County Banded Chapter of Delta Waterfowl

09/03/2026

The time has come — 2026 breeding population survey results are out!

According to the USFWS Annual Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, this year's estimated breeding duck population is 33.44 million, a 2% decline from last year and 6% below the long-term average dating back to 1955. The report shows that while dabbling duck populations have decreased, diving duck populations have increased over the past year.

Total pond counts increased 14% from 2025, notably 29% in Canada; however, U.S. wetlands were down 10%.

Get Delta's full review of the USFWS's report here: https://deltawaterfowl.org/whats-new/news/delta-waterfowl-reports-usfws-annual-waterfowl-survey-estimates-3344-million-ducks/.

The Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey and the Waterfowl Status Report are the result of a collaborative effort conducted annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canadian Wildlife Service, and the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils.

This report is presented by our friends at Jahpoo.

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

Come join us for our free youth hunt September 12th and 13th! We still have spots open. Hunters must have their hunter safety card. Hunters under 14 need to have a mentor. Mandatory safety and education meeting on September, 11th. Please email [email protected] or call or text Andrew at 605-595-8632 for more information or to sign up.

08/13/2026

We will have a special guest looking for a new home at the banquet on August 22nd. Tickets still available: https://deltawaterfowl.org/events/events-folder/brookings-county-banded-chapter/

08/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EvTMsMVV1/

Over the past two weeks, many of you have been following the discussion surrounding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's review of drainage tile setbacks on protected wetland easements in the Prairie Pothole Region.

Thousands of duck hunters have spoken up because they care deeply about the future of these wetlands. We appreciate every hunter who has taken the time to make their voice heard.

Delta Waterfowl has been engaged from the very beginning.

Since this issue first surfaced, Delta has:

• Worked directly with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service leadership, the Department of the Interior and members of Congress.

• Helped unite 31 hunting and conservation organizations representing millions of hunters and conservationists in support of protecting wetland easements.

• Mobilized 220 Delta chapters across 44 states to demonstrate nationwide support for these critical wetlands.

• Engaged state legislative leaders through the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses.

• Submitted Delta Waterfowl's official comments into the public record.

Delta’s responsibility is to ensure that science, conservation expertise, and the voice of duck hunters are heard by the people making decisions that affect ducks and duck habitat. Throughout this process, that has remained the focus of our policy team.

It is the work Delta has done for more than a century—and it remains our commitment today.

Delta Waterfowl CEO Jason Tharpe has prepared a message explaining the issue, why these easements matter to duck hunters, what Delta has been doing on your behalf, and where the process goes from here.
We encourage you to read the complete letter.

https://deltawaterfowl.org/whats-new/news/delta-waterfowl-outlines-recent-work-on-behalf-of-wetlands-and-duck-hunters/

Thank you to every hunter who has stood up for prairie wetlands. Protecting ducks takes all of us, and Delta is proud to stand alongside the hunters, chapters, and conservation organizations working toward that shared goal.

07/31/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DUnmYviDw/

07/06/2026

Want to get involved with Brookings County Delta Waterfowl? Chapter meeting is this Wednesday @ 7pm.
DM us for info.

06/16/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/18uK5kMTCQ/

06/11/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DD62qTb9e/

The 2026 North Dakota Breeding Duck Survey results are in.

North Dakota’s breeding duck population declined 9.5% from 2025, while the state’s water index showed slightly drier conditions across the prairie pothole region. Blue-winged teal numbers dropped, while mallards and pintails increased over last spring.

The survey highlights continued dry conditions across key duck-producing habitat and the importance of wetland conservation heading into brood-rearing season.

🔗 Read more: https://deltawaterfowl.org/whats-new/news/north-dakota-breeding-waterfowl-survey-reveals-slightly-drier-conditions-fewer-ducks/

05/19/2026

Congratulations Seniors!
https://www.facebook.com/share/18gGJN1VEJ/

🎓🗞We'd like to send Best Wishes and Congratulations to our 2 Seniors as they Graduate today from SV. 🗞🎓

🥏Abby Axtell
4 years Shooting Clays

Other High school or community activities: Softball, National Honor Society, FCCLA, Choir

Favorite memory from shooting or SV or SV Trap: Barthlow Brothers clinic

Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t be afraid to try new things

Future Plans: Attend Stewart’s for esthetics and cosmetology

A Fun Fact: "I've never broken a bone!"
✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

🥏Name: Gavin Loy
5-6 years Trap/Skeet

Other High school or community activities: Golf

Favorite memory from shooting or SV or SV Trap:
Shooting 25 straight

Advice for Underclassmen: Don't rush life

Future Plans: Powerline construction and maintenance

If Gavin could have a Super Power it would be:
Focus would be my super power
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥