Duck populations are strong, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service "2013 Report on Trends in Duck Breeding Populations". The preliminary estimate of total duck populations from the traditional survey area (north-central United States, south-central and northern Canada, and Alaska) is 45.6 million birds. This estimate represents a 6 percent decrease from last year's estimate of 48.6 million birds but is still 33 percent above the long-term average. The total duck estimate excludes scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks, mergansers and wood ducks. Blue-winged teal estimated abundance is 7.7 million. Although this is 16 percent below the 2012 estimate of 9.2 million, the blue-wing population is 60 percent above the long-term average. Similarly, the green-winged teal estimate of 3.1 million is 12 percent below last year but still 51 percent above their long-term average. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a six-teal bag limit for early teal season and a possession limit for all seasons equivalent to three daily bag limits. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife has not yet issued its limits for the little duck. Current limits are a four-teal daily bag during the special season and a possession limit of two daily bag limits. Despite a delayed spring throughout most of the traditional survey area, habitat conditions in the prairie pothole region have generally been described as wet and favorable. Above average precipitation for the last several years laid the foundation for excellent nesting success. "Ducks Unlimited is always pleased to see increased opportunities for waterfowl hunting," said DU Chief Scientist Dale Humburg. "Harvest regulations are biologically based, and teal population trends have certainly been favorable in recent years."