One of the most abundant wild rice crops in many years is expected for harvesters and waterfowl hunters throughout northern Minnesota this season. Wild rice plant growth in wetlands and shallow lakes should be abundant despite storms and frequent rain events, according to Rod Ustipak, Ducks Unlimited’s wild rice lake management coordinator.
“Wild rice coverage appears widespread and evenly distributed throughout the rice range in Minnesota this year,” Ustipak said. “All parts of northern Minnesota appear to have some good to excellent stands of wild rice.”
Waterfowl should find good foraging opportunities in most wetland areas of wild rice in northern Minnesota. The regular waterfowl season opens Sept. 26.
Wild rice hand harvesters will find good conditions in August and September, though the size of the crop could still be affected by severe weather and wind. But the quality, abundance and height of the wild rice stands observed thus far appear excellent for hand-harvesting from canoes. Rice appears to be ripening a bit early, so the harvest should now be in full swing and could go into late September, depending on weather.
Ducks Unlimited helps ensure healthy stands of wild rice for ducks and humans through a cooperative partnership with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Under contract with Ducks Unlimited and with the support of Minnesota DNR Section of Wildlife field staff, Ustipak and his assistants manage outlets of more than 100 wild rice lakes involving nearly 30,000 acres throughout central and northern Minnesota to keep them free-flowing.
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 13 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org. Connect with us on our Facebook page at facebook.com/DucksUnlimited, follow our tweets at twitter.com/DucksUnlimited and watch DU videos at youtube.com/DucksUnlimitedInc.