The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released the 2024 small game survey, providing hunters and wildlife managers with a detailed snapshot of participation, harvests, and success rates across the state. The results show a mixed picture. Some species such as ruffed grouse and pheasants saw stronger harvests compared to long-term averages, while waterfowl continued a troubling decline in both participation and take. In 2024, the state sold 228,661 small game licenses. While still a significant number, it was slightly lower than in 2023 and about five percent below the 10-year average of 240,812. Despite this modest decline in overall licenses, hunters who did take to the field often enjoyed favorable conditions. Success rates for major small game categoriesincluding ducks, pheasants, and grouseremained steady or improved, suggesting that those still participating benefitted from strong wildlife numbers and favorable hunting conditions. Waterfowl hunting showed the sharpest decline. Canada goose hunters fell to 28,037, a steep 32 percent drop compared to the 10-year average. Harvest totals followed the same downward trend, with an estimated 121,028 geese taken45 percent below the average of 219,817. Duck hunters experienced similar declines. Participation stood at 46,028 hunters, which was 28 percent below the long-term benchmark. Total harvest was estimated at 485,000 ducks, a 24 percent decrease compared to the decade average. Despite these declines in participation, hunter success remained strong, with 86 percent of duck hunters harvesting birds and averaging over a dozen ducks eachslightly above historical norms. The story was far more positive for upland game. Pheasant hunters purchased 77,135 pheasant stamps, a number consistent with 2023 and slightly above the long-term average. Approximately 50,935 hunters pursued pheasants, which was slightly lower than historic levels, but they reported strong harvests. An estimated 235,000 roosters were taken, representing a 17 percent increase compared to the 10-year average. Individual hunter success was also solid, with participants averaging 6.7 roosters each, well above the long-term norm of 5.4. Ruffed grouse hunting exceeded expectations. The DNR estimated 75,390 grouse hunters in 2024, marking a seven percent increase compared to the 10-year average. Harvest numbers were even more impressive, with 335,000 grouse taken statewidea 29 percent increase over the long-term figure. Success rates rose as well: 72 percent of hunters harvested grouse, and those who did averaged 6.1 birds each, more than a full bird higher than typical historic results. The survey also pointed to an interesting trend in license and stamp sales versus actual hunter activity. While license sales remain fairly strong, the number of active hunters for specific species is often lower than stamp sales would suggest. This may indicate that some older or inactive hunters continue purchasing stamps to support conservation programs even if they no longer hunt actively. The discrepancy is most visible in waterfowl, where duck stamp sales remain steady while participation in duck hunting continues to decline. To address these trends, the Minnesota DNR has committed to recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts. These include digital marketing campaigns, outdoor skills training, and learn-to-hunt programs designed to attract younger participants. Public lands remain central to these strategies, with initiatives such as ruffed grouse management areas, Walk-In Access lands, and wildlife management areas providing accessible opportunities for new hunters to get involved. For wildlife managers, these survey results highlight the challenges of balancing tradition with changing participation levels. Declines in waterfowl hunting may affect conservation funding and cultural continuity, while strong upland results point to resilient bird populations and steady interest among hunters. The mixed outcomes reinforce the importance of continued monitoring and flexible management approaches.