Delta Waterfowl Foundation Top Stories

Delta Welcomes New Associate Editor

Fri 25 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Delta Waterfowl is proud to announce the appointment of Lisa Kabasin as its new Associate Editor. Kabasin, a Niagara University alumnus, graduated at the top of her class, receiving a BA in English, summa cum laude.

Delta Studying Mottled Ducks in Louisiana

Tue 15 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Delta Waterfowl magazine editor Paul Wait spent two days on the Atchafalaya River with Rohwer last week. Look for an in-depth story on the status of mottled ducks and Delta Waterfowl's research in the Summer issue.

Reflections from the Cockpit

Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

If you're a waterfowl hunter, John Solberg has likely influenced your hunt. For more than 20 years, he conducted spring aerial surveys for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. His survey work helped set hunting regulations across the continent. From the seat of an airplane, he developed a unique perspective on the many factors that influence annual breeding conditions.

Average Breeding Conditions in North Dakota

Fri, 04 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Retired flyway biologist John Solberg says wetland conditions and duck numbers north of Bismarck, North Dakota are 'average'. Solberg made the observation after a morning flight yesterday over the prairie pothole region.

Earth Day Celebrated With Installation of Delta Hen Houses

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Manitoba's Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister, Gord Mackintosh, announced Friday new measures to renew urban duck habitat in Winnipeg's St. Vital Park.

Delta Praises Decision to Increase Funding to Breeding Grounds

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Delta Waterfowl applauds the recent decision by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (MBCC) to increase the percentage of duck stamp dollars going to the prairie breeding grounds for habitat conservation in 2012.

Delta Opposes Management of Wild Horses in Currituck

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Delta Waterfowl is urging members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to oppose proposed legislation H.R. 306 that would mandate the management of wild horses in Currituck National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina.

Sawing and Sanding for Ducks - Chicago students turn scrap wood into bird housing

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Cecilia Figueroa and several classmates sawed, sanded, drilled and nailed wood duck boxes together under the direction of a Frank Lagodny, an instructor of Construction Technology at Prosser, a public vocational high school in Chicago.

Born for the Bay - Chessies Remain Top Dog for the Chesapeake

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The Chessie family tree can be traced back to a pair of Newfoundland pups rescued from a capsized English brig off the coast of Maryland in 1807. The male, Sailor, and the female, Canton, went to separate owners on opposite sides of Chesapeake Bay. Each dog was crossed with native working retrievers, and the progeny became the foundation for the new breed.

Age Ratios Point to Good Production

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

State, federal and other biologists recently hunkered over tables full of duck wings and goose tails submitted by waterfowl hunters across all four flyways in the annual Wing Bee's. The preliminary age ratios from the 2011-12 hunting season showed a higher percentage of young mallards in the bag this year.

Melee the Marsh - Hen House Challenge Movie

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Waterfowlers rise to the occasion in Delta Waterfowl's first Hen House Challenge - a.k.a. 'The Melee in the Marsh' sponsored by the Minnedosa Duck Club.

The W. Garfield Weston Foundation Supports Major Growth Of Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS)

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Delta Waterfowl is pleased to announce a leading donation from The W. Garfield Weston Foundation in support of the Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program. With the Foundation's gift of $1.46 million, Delta Waterfowl will create two centres of operations, or hubs, to support the national expansion of the ALUS program.

Conditions Update - Warm Temps Spur Migration

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

With temperatures hitting the low 70's Saturday in Bismarck ND, the spring migration has kicked off.

The Hen House Challenge Movie - Coming Soon

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Waterfowlers rise to the occasion in Delta Waterfowl's first Hen House Challenge - a.k.a. 'The Melee in the Marsh' sponsored by the Minnedosa Duck Club. Delta staff from the USA and Canada faced off to see who would be the first to install 25 Hen Houses in the prairie pothole region of Manitoba. After a hard fought day in the wetlands, with 50 new nest structures installed, the American team of Matt Chouinard and Joel Brice narrowly defeated Team Canada's Rob Olson and Jim Fisher by nine minutes. Check out a video preview of all the action here.

Melee in the Marsh - Delta Waterfowl's Hen House Challenge

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

In the first event of its kind in Delta Waterfowl history, two teams will compete to erect a total of 50 hen houses in a single day. Hen houses are highly successful nesting structures installed over water and used primarily by mallards.

Delta Continues Hen House Effort in Minnesota

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Delta Waterfowl and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will continue a Hen House program partnership in 2012 for a fifth consecutive year.

Delta Member Wins Calling Title

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Dan Goetz, the son of the Gateway Chapter chairman Mike Goetz, won the Intermediate Division of the 2011 World's Championship Duck Calling Contest in November at Stuttgart, AR.

Delta's Tips for Preparing, Cooking Ducks and Geese - Just Get'em Out of the Freezer

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Like many hunters this time of year, Delta Waterfowl President Rob Olson has some ducks and geese in the freezer poised for the pot. He encourages other waterfowlers to prepare their birds and share them with family and friends.

U.S. House Passes E-Duck Stamp Bill

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a measure that, if approved by the U.S. Senate, would allow waterfowlers and others to purchase federal duck stamps online in all 50 states.

New National Survey to Shed Light on U.S. Waterfowler Participation

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

In November, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will release its newest national survey, with preliminary estimates available by the end of June. The survey is conducted every five years and is designed to provide data on hunting, fishing and other wildlife-related recreational activities.

Canadian Waterfowler Numbers Highest Since 2001

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

In an era of declining participation, Canadian waterfowl-hunter numbers have increased to their highest level since 2001, according to the Canadian Wildlife Service. In 2010, 152,678 resident waterfowl permits were sold, the largest number since 2001, when Canadian waterfowlers purchased 158,111 permits.

Delta Welcomes New COO

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Delta Waterfowl is pleased to announce Nick Pinizzotto has joined the organization as chief operating officer. Pinizzotto, 37, of Indiana, Pennsylvania, is an avid outdoorsman and committed conservationist who spent the last 15 years developing and managing several highly successful watershed conservation programs.

Saskatchewan Launches New Conservation Program

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Four rural municipalities in the Wascana Creek and Qu'Appelle River watersheds announced today they will introduce the Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) conservation program.

'Duck Man' Jones Wins Stuttgart's Celebrated Calling Contest

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Antonio (Duck Man) Jones of White Hall, Arkansas won the 76th annual World's Championship Duck Calling contest Saturday in Stuttgart.

Delta Hires New Regional Director

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMT

New Delta Waterfowl regional director Jeremey Stephens is no stranger to Delta Waterfowl and its programs. Three years ago, feeling the itch to get more involved in waterfowl conservation, Stephens founded the Howard County Delta Waterfowl chapter in New Franklin, Mo., about 25 miles west of Columbia.

Rohwer: Intensive Management May be Required Down the Road

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Dr. Frank Rohwer has a warning for duck hunters: The conditions that produced the remarkable fall flights of recent years won't last forever, and that means fewer ducks down the road. Fortunately Rohwer, who doubles as director of Delta Waterfowl's scientific research program, believes he has the answer: intensive management techniques like predator management, artificial nesting structures and conservation programs that protect small wetlands.

Al Hochbaum: How He Created the First Duck Research Facility

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMT

In 1938 a promising young graduate student named Hans Albert Hochbaum traveled at Manitoba's Delta Marsh to face the challenge that would ultimately define his life and shape the field of waterfowl management.

Hautman Wins Fourth Duck Stamp Contest

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Minnesota wildlife artist and Delta Waterfowl member Joe Hautman recently won his fourth federal duck stamp contest. Hautman's acrylic painting of a drake wood duck will be made into the 2012-2013 federal duck stamp. His painting was chosen over 189 entries from artists nationwide.

Delta's Top Ten Tips for Introducing Kids to Waterfowl Hunting

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:00:00 GMT

In many jurisdictions across North America, there are age restrictions on when kids can start hunting waterfowl. Restrictions or not, there is nothing stopping you from bringing the little ones along for a hunt. Our advice is to just do it. You can't imagine how rewarding the experience will be—for you and the kids.

The Evolution of Steel Shot - Modern Waterfowl Ammunition Packs a Lethal Punch

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Steel shotshells have advanced nicely since the advent of lead being banned for waterfowl hunting. Improved wad systems and better propellants produce faster muzzle velocity and consistent patterns, which results in reliable ammunition that cleanly kills ducks and geese at reasonable ranges.

Canadian Long-Gun Registry To Be Scrapped

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:00:00 GMT

The Conservative Party of Canada kept one of its' election promises today by introducing legislation to scrap the controversial long-gun registry. The proposed legislation, introduced in the House of Commons by Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, would eliminate the registry and all information currently contained in it.

Faces of Freedom - Wounded Veterans' Hunt Gives New Hope

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Canadian and American veterans will be introduced to waterfowl hunting in Manitoba's renowned 'pot hole' country. It's a rare opportunity for soldiers from two countries, who fought in the same conflict, to help each other deal with personal challenges back home.