In Pennsylvania, deer get all the attention, but they are not the only game that Commonwealth hunters pursue. Some of us like to chase waterfowl as well, especially ducks. But one of the reasons waterfowl do not get as much attention is that much of what controls their future is outside Pennsylvania’s control.

The federal authorities control seasons and bag limits. Much of the breeding takes place in other states, and no one controls the weather. But there is a possible solution that will benefit all waterfowl hunters, including those in Pennsylvania.

On July 16, Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (Minnesota) introduced the Habitat Enhancement Now Act, which would authorize $3.5 million of grant funding during each of the next five years to support construction, installation and maintenance of duck hen houses throughout the country. The goal is to add up to 20,000 such devices to the waterfowl breeding areas, significantly increasing the number of ducks that not only successfully breed but also join the multiple flyway populations. U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (Mississippi) introduced a companion bill in the Senate on July 18.

These bills are a direct response to a steady decline in fall flight numbers in multiple flyways, including those covering the East Coast and Pennsylvania. A June survey by the North Dakota Game & Fish showed mallard breeding down by an estimated 26%. This is the lowest number since the early 1990s.

It has long been known that such declines are tied to a decrease in successful breeding. Two of the significant problems breeding hens face are predation and loss of habitat. The HEN Act aims to reverse these losses by providing hen houses, secure breeding locations that protect against predators and create breeding sites in otherwise unsuitable habitats.

Hen houses are round nesting devices installed in traditional waterfowl breeding areas, such as prairie potholes, to provide protected breeding areas. Studies indicate that up to 60% of these devices will be used annually, with an 80% rate of nesting success. Keep in mind that traditional ground next often has a success rate of less than 10%. If fully implemented, the HEN Act could result in as many as 100,000 ducks per year, and those additions to the population would not end after the initial five years of funding.

If the HEN Act is successfully passed, the funds would be available to state and local governments, nonprofit organizations and NGOs. By making funds available to a wide range of government and nongovernmental organizations, the supporters hope to ensure the grants are awarded to those in the best position to access essential breeding grounds and provide continuous maintenance of the hen houses. Although the most likely organizations to benefit directly from this proposed funding will be in other jurisdictions, the results will be felt across the nation.