PORT ARTHUR — Last year’s 45.6 million estimated breeding duck estimate excited waterfowlers throughout the country.

This year’s 48.6 million county should leave them ecstatic, especially since U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) officials said it is 43 percent above the long-term average.

Highlights from the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (Survey) includes the following according to Service officials:

• Mallard abundance is 10.6 million, a 15 percent increase over 2011 and a 39 percent increase over the long-term average of 7.6 million.

• Gadwall abundance is 10 percent above the 2011 estimate, and 96 percent above the long-term average.

• American wigeon abundance increased 3 percent from 2011, but remains 17 percent below the long-term average.

• Abundance of green-winged teal and blue-winged teal were 3.5 million and 9.2 million, which were 20 percent and 3 percent above their 2011 numbers. Both species continue to remain well above their long-term averages by 74 percent and 94 percent, respectively.

• Abundance for northern shovelers is 5.0 million, which is 8 percent above 2011, and 111 percent above their long-term average.

• Northern pintails are at 3.5 million, which is 22 percent below the 2011 estimate, and 14 percent below the long-term average.

• Redhead abundance was unchanged from last year but 89 percent above the long-term average.

• Canvasback abundance was 0.8 million, which was 10 percent above last year’s estimate and 33 percent above their long-term average

• The combined lesser and greater scaup abundance estimate was 5.2 million, which was 21 percent above the 2011 estimate and 4 percent above the long-term average.

Service officials said habitat conditions observed across the survey areas were characterized by average to below-average moisture, especially in the southern portions; due primarily to a mild winter and an early spring.

“The 2012 Survey’s estimate of ponds for the north-central U.S. was 1.7 million, which was 49 percent below the 2011 estimate of 3.2 million, and similar to the long-term average.”

While it is great to have a huge population estimates, there are other factors that contribute to Texas’ hunting success.

Habitat conditions here are crucial and currently there is a major problem in the mid-coast area for example with the Lower Colorado River Authority essentially eliminating water for duck leases.

Weather is also a huge factor.

If there is a mild winter, fewer ducks will make it down. If it is harsh, then chances of a big fall flight are better.

We will have super detailed articles on duck hunting conditions beginning next month and throughout the season. Gauging local habitat conditions, weather prediction models and of course looking at season dates are frameworks will be a priority.

We are excited to bring you the very best waterfowl coverage.

(To contact Chester Moore, e-mail him at cmooreoutdoors@yahoo.com. You can hear him on "Moore Outdoors" Fridays from 6-7 p.m. on Newstalk AM 560 KLVI. you can find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/extremewildlife.)