Limited information is available about the population dynamics of ducks in the boreal forest. We conducted an analysis of recovery data from 5 species of ducks banded in the boreal forest of Alaska, USA, during 1959–1966, and records of 3 species of ducks banded during 1989–2000, with the objective of examining sources of variation in survival and sampling probability and to complement recent studies of the breeding ecology of ducks in the boreal forest. Survival of ducks during 1959–1966 was species- and year-specific. During 1989–2000, survival of northern pintail (Anas acuta) was age-, sex-, and year-specific. Age-class by sex interaction, without year-specificity, however, best-described survival of mallard (A. platyrhynchos) and green-winged teal (A. crecca). Annual survival of male ducks from the Alaska boreal forest was generally similar to annual survival of the same species banded in the midcontinent. Survival probability of female ducks from the Alaska boreal forest, however, was generally higher than survival of female ducks from midcontinent regions. Sampling probability during 1989–2000 was lower for females than males, and increased after 1996, concurrent with the initiation of electronic band reporting. Our results suggest that patterns of duck survival differ between the boreal forest and the midcontinent, especially for after-hatch-year females. Regional variation in survival and reproduction and the factors affecting these parameters should continue to be monitored and considered in continental management plans.