Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, along with Senator John Boozman of Arkansas and five other Republican senators, has urged Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to address the decline in North America’s waterfowl population. The senators expressed concern that this trend is negatively affecting hunting seasons and rural economies in states along the Mississippi Flyway, including Louisiana.
The lawmakers pointed to droughts in the Prairie Pothole Region of the Great Plains as a major cause for the downturn. “We are . . . increasingly concerned about continued declines in duck populations and strongly urge continued stewardship of the National Wildlife Refuge System—particularly USFWS conservation easements in the Prairie Pothole Region—as the foundation for long-term population recovery,” they wrote in a letter to Secretary Burgum.
Citing data from wildlife officials, they noted, “The USFWS 2025 Waterfowl Population Status Report estimates 34 million breeding ducks, a figure below the long-term average and well below highs.” They added, “This decline can be attributed to drought conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region, where pond counts have fallen below average in three of the last four years.”
The senators warned that if these conditions persist, hunters may see shorter seasons and reduced bag limits. “If these conditions persist, hunters could face shorter seasons and reduced limits. These outcomes would diminish hunting opportunities and harm rural economies, especially in Mississippi Flyway states such as Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi,” they said.
They also highlighted longstanding investments by hunters and conservationists. “For generations, hunters and conservationists have invested in the National Wildlife Refuge System to sustain waterfowl populations and preserve America’s hunting heritage. As Secretary of the Interior and Chair of the MBCC, we encourage you to continue stewarding these investments—particularly Prairie Pothole Region easements—to support waterfowl, rural economies, and the future of duck hunting,” their letter concluded.
Senators Bill Cassidy (Louisiana), Tom Cotton (Arkansas), Cindy Hyde-Smith (Mississippi), Roger Wicker (Mississippi), and Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee) also signed on.
Senator Kennedy has previously advocated for Louisiana’s hunters. In January 2026, he called on federal officials to examine how certain legal baiting practices might be impacting states like Louisiana.
According to his official website, Senator Kennedy has engaged with constituents through newsletters, town halls, public events and operates district offices across several cities including Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport. He has advanced policies supporting veterans, farmers, small businesses and national security. Kennedy chairs the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs while serving on other key committees such as Appropriations, Budget and Energy and Natural Resources. He represents all of Louisiana at a federal level.
