Duck Blind Licensing For Waterfront Property Owners Opens

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Annapolis, MD --(AmmoLand.com)- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service announced that shoreline license applications are now being accepted from riparian (waterfront) property owners.

Anyone owning riparian property, or persons who have the permission of the riparian property owner, may license their shoreline for the purpose of establishing stationary blinds or blind sites for hunting waterfowl, or to prevent others from licensing the shoreline at a later date.

All applications and fees must be submitted by mail or in person and received by the close of business June 1, 2010. Riparian property owners may now license their shoreline for a period of one year ($20) or three years ($60). Landowners who miss the June 1 deadline may participate in the “open” licensing process that begins August 3.

Applications and information on laws related to shoreline licensing for riparian property owners are available at the DNR website www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/riparian.html or by calling the Wildlife and Heritage Service at 410-260-8540, toll free at 1-877-620-8DNR (8367).

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 467,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland’s forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland’s effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state’s number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov

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Duck Blind Licensing For Waterfront Property Owners Opens

Final Approach Gunners Club

Overland Park, KS. --(AmmoLand.com)- The new updated Final Approach website is up and running with a host of new features including the new FA Gunners members’ section.

FA Gunners was created to give waterfowl hunting enthusiasts and fans of the Final Approach brand a place to actively share information and photos through blogs and forums.

The FA Gunners forums are a great place to swap tips and stories, find hunting partners and discuss gear.

The members only blog section has exclusive insider information directly from FA Gunners field pros and staff.

The new Big Dog Brag Board gives FA Gunners members a place to showcase their dog’s accomplishments. By nominating their dog for a Mallard or Merganser award, members become eligible to win a FA Mutt Hut II.

By signing up for FA Gunners, participants are automatically entered for an all expense paid dream waterfowl hunt with professional hunter and world champion goose caller Sean Mann.

For more information, visit www.fabrand.com or call consumer inquiries at 800-423-3537.

Bushnell Outdoor Products is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer products based in Overland Park, Kansas. Bushnell Outdoor Products sells its products worldwide under the Bushnell®, Tasco®, Serengeti®, Bollé®, Cébé®, Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement®, Stoney Point®, Hoppe’s®, Butler Creek®, Millett®, Uncle Mike’s®, Final Approach® and Simmons® brand names. For information about any of these brands or products, please contact Bushnell Public Relations at (913) 752-6105.

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Final Approach Launches New FA Gunners Club For Dedicated Waterfowl Hunters

Map depicting ducks banded in Saskatchewan and harvested in Iowa from 1923-2008.

Ducks Unlimited

DES MOINES, Iowa –-(AmmoLand.com)- Since 1973, Iowa duck hunters have harvested 8.3 million ducks, most of which according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates originated from the Prairie Pothole Region.

Throughout this 37-year period, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has contributed over $1.1 million to support the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, which provides vital funding for habitat conservation work in Canada, a primary source of Iowa’s ducks.

“We commend the Iowa DNR for their commitment and significant contributions to conserve quality habitat in key areas of Canada. These areas provide critical breeding habitat for waterfowl that migrate through the state each year,” said Eric Lindstrom, Ducks Unlimited regional biologist.

The DNR’s investments are matched two-to-one by Ducks Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited Canada and leveraged with additional funding from North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants. With this international partnership, each dollar invested by Iowans is leveraged into over $5 of habitat conservation work in Canada.

“It is imperative to understand the importance of prairie Canada to waterfowl migration,” said Greg Drees, chair of Iowa DNR’s Natural Resource Commission. “When waterfowl grace Iowa wetlands each spring and autumn during their grand passage, many of these birds are bound for, or arriving from, life-giving Canadian sites. The Iowa DNR and many of its partners are committed to help sustain invaluable habitat conservation efforts in Canada.”

In January, the Iowa DNR renewed its commitment to keeping Iowa’s duck hunting heritage alive by committing $36,000 to DU’s state grants program that is working to conserve waterfowl habitat in the Lightning Creek region of Saskatchewan. These funds are derived from roughly 15 percent of Iowa’s migratory bird stamp sales. The state grants program represents a unique international funding partnership that preserves critical waterfowl habitat in Saskatchewan and other parts of Canada, while working towards achieving the goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

Recognized as a continentally important waterfowl breeding and staging area, Lightning Creek is comprised of 2.9 million acres including 31,000 acres of conserved habitat on over 200 DU Canada projects. Waterfowl harvest and band recovery data complied from 1923-2008 confirms that Saskatchewan, and the Lightning Creek region in particular, are the primary source of ducks harvested in Iowa (see map). The area averaged 250,000 individual wetland basins in May, which supported an estimated 603,909 breeding duck pairs in 2009.

Due to a lack of strong federal and provincial wetland protection policies, however, wetlands across Canada remain at risk of future drainage and degradation. “The future recovery of species of concern, like northern pintail, hinges greatly on our ability to protect and restore large contiguous blocks of grassland and wetland habitat and help advance positive agricultural policies throughout the region that benefit both producers and ducks,” Lindstrom said.

Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved nearly 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.

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Iowa DNR Conserves Critical Habitat North Of The Border

West Virginia’s Mid-winter Waterfowl Survey

West Virginia DNR

West Virginia --(AmmoLand.com)- Wildlife biologists counted 2,868 ducks and 7,789 Canada geese during the annual mid-winter waterfowl survey in early January, according to Steve Wilson, Waterfowl Biologist for the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

“The numbers of both ducks and geese were higher than 2009, with ducks up 41 percent and geese up 138 percent,” Wilson said. “The real value of this survey is analysis of long-term data across broad geographic areas, rather than annual fluctuations within individual states.”

Weather conditions during and immediately prior to the survey strongly influences waterfowl movement. When snow cover and frozen waterways force birds to move south and congregate on larger rivers and lakes that are not frozen-over, waterfowl counts in West Virginia usually increase.

Canada geese, mallards and black ducks, as usual, were the most commonly observed species in the 2010 survey. Other observed waterfowl include: canvasback, scaup, ring-necked duck, gadwall, bufflehead, goldeneye, mergansers and tundra swan. Eleven bald eagles and one golden eagle were also observed.

The survey was conducted on January, 5, 8 and 11, 2010 and included portions of the Kanawha, Ohio, Shenandoah and New rivers as well as Tygart and Bluestone Lakes.

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Duck and Geese Numbers Up from 2009

Pintail Ducks

Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Maine - -(AmmoLand.com)- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife conducted its annual mid-winter waterfowl survey early in January 2010 and recorded numbers identical to or lower than 10-year-average figures.

The mid-winter waterfowl survey is conducted at the same time each winter in every state in the Atlantic Flyway. MDIFW wildlife biologists Brad Allen and Kelsey Sullivan and U.S. Geological Survey biologist Dan McAuley flew with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pilot John Bidwell for nearly 40 hours to conduct the low-level survey between January 4 and January 16.

This year, the team counted slightly more than 56,000 ducks and geese, a figure significantly lower than the latest 10-year average count of 69,000.

According to Brad Allen, leader of MDIFW’s bird group, this year’s count likely was low because of the relatively mild, ice-free coastal conditions encountered during the survey. In years when the survey is preceded by cold, harsh weather conditions, waterfowl become concentrated along the coast and are more likely to be counted. In years when the weather is mild, waterfowl are either along the coast or are dispersed in freshwater sites near the coast that remain ice free. These inland areas are not searched by the survey team.

Despite the mild conditions, a relatively good number of black ducks were recorded at 16,388 birds. This figure is nearly identical to the latest 10-year average for this species.

The most disappointing numbers recorded this year were for the sea ducks, according to Allen. Fewer than 1,000 scoters were encountered during the survey. Long-tailed duck numbers also were low at 1,253. Common eider numbers were the lowest ever recorded during mid-winter waterfowl survey flights. The survey team tallied fewer than 15,000 eiders, well below the latest 10-year average of 26,500 for this species.

Other numbers recorded for waterfowl in Maine in early January 2010 were as follows:

• Mallards: 2,778
• Scaup: 232
• Goldeneyes: 7,549
• Buffleheads: 6,561
• Mergansers: 2,613
• Ruddy ducks: 107
• Harlequin ducks: 24
• Canada geese: 3,286

While Maine’s numbers were relatively low this year, the overall status of winter populations cannot be determined until Maine’s data are pooled with the other state’s numbers from Maine to Florida. Collectively, these data provide a relative index to the abundance of all waterfowl species and their distribution within the flyway.

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Annual Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey Completed

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas –-(AmmoLand.com)- Rapidly changing weather conditions have been the rule this duck season, and the final days of the 2009-2010 season will be no exception.

After a season of heavy rainfall, up-and-down temperatures and other sundry weather changes, Arkansas waterfowl hunters will get a shot of winter weather and sub-freezing temperatures over the final days of the season.

Winter storm warnings went into effect Wednesday for the state’s four northwestern counties, and the rest of the northern half of the state was under a winter storm watch as of Wednesday morning. Forecasts call for rain changing to freezing rain, sleet and snow over the next 48 hours across wide swaths of the state. Even southern counties could be affected by a wintry mix of precipitation by Friday.

Nighttime temperatures for central Arkansas are forecast to drop into the low 20s on Friday and Saturday night, with daytime highs in the mid 30s to low 40s through the weekend.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists took to the skies last week for the 2009-2010 season’s final aerial waterfowl surveys, with observers counting an estimated 3.1 million ducks in the state’s Delta region. The Delta total included roughly 2 million mallards. In western Arkansas, AGFC observers counted roughly 36,000 ducks, including close to 20,000 mallards, in the southwest Arkansas survey region, and roughly 20,000 total ducks and more than 14,000 mallards in the northwest Arkansas survey area.

AGFC observers reported a general northward shift of waterfowl across the Delta region.

Maps showing relative duck densities around the Delta region point to three main “hot spots.” One area of higher concentrations is along the White River in an area that includes eastern White County, western Woodruff County and northern Prairie County. Another area of high density includes southeast Jefferson and western Arkansas counties, and the third high-density area includes southern portions of Lonoke and Prairie counties.

For a list of links, visit http://tiny.cc/duckhunting .

This waterfowl report provides capsule information from agency staff in all corners of Arkansas and is updated each Wednesday throughout waterfowl season.

Information on river levels can be found at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/ or http://water.usgs.gov/realtime.html. Sunrise/sunset tables are available at: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html and in the Arkansas Waterfowl Regulations Guide.

About:
The mission of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is to wisely manage all the
fish and wildlife resources of Arkansas while providing maximum enjoyment for the people. Visit: www.agfc.state.ar.us

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Final Days Of Waterfowl Season To See Wintry Weather, Cold Temps

Final Approach Layout Blind Bag

Final Approach

Overland Park, KS. — -(AmmoLand.com)- Hunting from a layout blind can be very effective, but keeping your gear organized and accessible can be a problem. Often shells and other necessities end up rolling around the floor of the blind and you can’t get to them when you need them.

The Large Layout Blind Bag from Final Approach offers a great solution to the problem.

The bag looks like a typical gear bag, but has the unique feature of quickly opening up to form a rectangular bag that fits perfectly between a hunter and the side of a layout blind.

The folded size is 8”H x 15.5”W x 10”D. When open, the bag measures 6”H x 31”W x 5”D.

The Final Approach Layout Blind Bag holds up to 6 boxes of shells with a convenient storage pocket to hold loose shells. It also has outside elastic straps to hold garments or wet gloves, a pocket in top to hold a game strap or long flute calls, a drink holder and a zippered license/wallet pocket.

The bag is constructed of rugged 600D Poly-Dacron with a protective double polyurethane waterproof coating. It also has an adjustable padded shoulder strap with a non-slip pad and is available in Mossy Oak Duck Blind or RealTree Max-4 camouflage patterns.

For more information, visit www.fabrand.com or call consumer inquiries at 800-423-3537.

Bushnell Outdoor Products is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer products based in Overland Park, Kansas. Bushnell Outdoor Products sells its products worldwide under the Bushnell®, Tasco®, Serengeti®, Bollé®, Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement®, Stoney Point®, Hoppe’s®, Butler Creek®, Cébé ®, Uncle Mike’s®, Final Approach®, Simmons® and Millett® brand names. For information about any of these brands or products, please contact Bushnell Public Relations at (913) 752-6105.

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Large Layout Blind Bag From Final Approach

Final Approach Pack-N-Go S.U.B. Layout Blind

Final Approach

Overland Park, KS. — -(AmmoLand.com)-The new Pack-N-Go Sport Utility Blind from Final Approach is the perfect layout blind for hunters who don’t have a pickup, or are short on storage space. The S.U.B Blind has all of the great features of the Original S.U.B. but quickly and easily collapses and compresses into a package small enough to fit into the trunk of a compact car, while retaining its structural integrity.

The lightweight rust-free aluminum frame is rugged and built to stand up to years of hard use.

The blind comes with backpack straps and a built-in scabbard to make it easy to carry both the blind and your gun into the field in one trip.

The S.U.B Blind is covered in durable rot-resistant 600D poly fabric with a waterproof backing. It has the original Stubble Straps attached for adding local vegetation for extra concealment.

The S.U.B. Blind measures a roomy 36”W x 85”L x 18” H. It has a padded head rest and gun rest. The blind collapses flat to 18”W x 44”L.

For more information, visit www.fabrand.com or call consumer inquiries at 800-423-3537.

Bushnell Outdoor Products is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer products based in Overland Park, Kansas. Bushnell Outdoor Products sells its products worldwide under the Bushnell®, Tasco®, Serengeti®, Bollé®, Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement®, Stoney Point®, Hoppe’s®, Butler Creek®, Cébé ®, Uncle Mike’s®, Final Approach®, Simmons® and Millett® brand names. For information about any of these brands or products, please contact Bushnell Public Relations at (913) 752-6105.

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New Final Approach Pack-N-Go S.U.B. Layout Blind Is The Perfect Solution For Hunters

Final Approach New Duck Decoys For 2010

Final Approach

Overland Park, KS. — -(AmmoLand.com)-Final Approach is adding three new popular duck decoys to its line for 2010. New models available in the FA Gunners HD line include Green Winged Teal, Canvasback floaters and Field Mallard Shells.

All Final Approach duck decoys are designed by nationally acclaimed working decoy artist Mary Hanson. Marty’s designs feature flawless anatomy with rich intricate detail and feather texture that is unequaled in the industry. The decoys have custom quality paint schemes that are both highly visible and durable.

The Green winged Teal and Canvasback floaters are of one-piece design, including the head and keel. They each come in a 6-pack with three drakes and three hens.

The Field Mallard Shells are available in a 12-pack of upright decoys with 4 different head positions, or a 12-pack of feeder decoys with 5 different head positions. All the Field Mallard Shells come with motion stakes and feature the Dura-ConnectTM head attachment system.

For more information, visit www.fabrand.com or call consumer inquiries at 800-423-3537.

Bushnell Outdoor Products is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer products based in Overland Park, Kansas. Bushnell Outdoor Products sells its products worldwide under the Bushnell®, Tasco®, Serengeti®, Bollé®, Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement®, Stoney Point®, Hoppe’s®, Butler Creek®, Cébé ®, Uncle Mike’s®, Final Approach®, Simmons® and Millett® brand names. For information about any of these brands or products, please contact Bushnell Public Relations at (913) 752-6105.

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Final Approach Introduces Three New Duck Decoys For 2010

Argentina Duck Season Looking to Open Strong

www.SportingD.com

Argentina - -(AmmoLand.com)- Duck season in Chaco, Argentina will open in March and shooting on rice fields is now open all year with no limit.

The flooding is making this a very good season for ducks. They are already nesting in great numbers in the area.

Next week I will have an update on Corrientes province plans for the season.

About:
John Airala has guided in Argentina since 1987 and lived there since 1985 since age 20. Visit: www.SportingD.com to read more about our bird hunts.

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Argentine Duck Season Looking to Open Strong

Deltawaterfowl.org

Bismarck, N.D.—-(AmmoLand.com)- It’s easy to get lost in the alphabet soup of federal conservation programs, but if you’re a duck hunter and care about the future of our heritage, there’s one acronym you simply cannot forget — CRP.

CRP is the Conservation Reserve Program, arguably the most sweepingly beneficial, voluntary private lands conservation initiative ever hatched by the federal government. But the Cadillac of Conservation programs, it seems, is loosing its luster and support. The political class in Washington D.C., among others, is debating its importance and usefulness in this age of bio-fuels and alternative energy.

Translation: The scalpel has been unsheathed and cuts are likely on the horizon.

In fact, in September at a CRP “listening session” in Washington state, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency announced that one of its “policy options” is to cut program acres nationwide from roughly 32 to 24 million. The “listening session” was part of nine public meetings across the country by the USDA to calibrate public opinion on CRP.

Conservation Reserve Program

Buckle up: CRP as we hunters know it is likely going to change, and perhaps radically so.

The aforementioned “policy option” doesn’t, of course, take into consideration what’s actually happening on the ground right now.

Here’s what we know for certain as for this writing: Conservation Reserve Program acres, especially in the all-important duck-producing Prairie Pothole Region, are being lost at an alarmingly high rate—a rate that common sense (to say nothing of scientific modeling) says will cut duck production (not to mention the production of other bird species, game and nongame) in the years ahead. Bottom line: More than 4.2 million CRP acres nationwide have been lost since 2005 (many hundreds of thousands in the PPR, and I’m not even taking into account the modern-day sod-busting of native prairie across the Dakotas), but that’s not the worst of it. In next five years, contracts on 21 million acres are expiring, millions of acres of which slated for the breeding ground states of the Dakotas, Montana and parts of Minnesota.

The last thing CRP needs is more cuts, especially to its national enrollment. Reasonable people can debate if the current program needs to be augmented to better accommodate the daily needs of farmers and ranchers. What isn’t debatable is that CRP is wholly good for wildlife, the environment, farming, local economies and the public at large.

Some CRP detractors have told me, in syntax salty enough to send their blood pressure soaring, that farmers and ranchers simply don’t like CRP and that the program had its day “in the sun” but has now outlived its “usefulness.”

Let me just say, diplomatically, that I beg to differ.

Most CRP detractors (and I’m not talking about farmers here) have a very narrow, vested interest in seeing that CRP and its advocates go away. And one could argue (and many have) that groups like Delta Waterfowl have a very narrow, vested interest in keeping CRP alive and kicking.

The problem for CRP detractors is that the program cuts a wide swathe; its benefits are cross-cultural, borderless and many. As a policy option, CRP has numerous tangible (and intangible) “public” benefits—even for its detractors, whether they admit it or not.

In a delicious (yet sad) bit of irony, the USDA’s own analysis makes the case for keeping CRP a viable, healthy national program:

• CRP reduces the annual cropland soil loss by about 450 million tons—enough to fill approximately 37.5 million dump trucks and improving our nation’s water quality immeasurably.
• CRP has restored more than 2 million acres of wetlands and adjacent buffers—wetlands that clean our water, mitigate flooding, provide habitat for wildlife and fish, and more.
• CRP has protected more than 170 thousand miles of streams—yet another public benefit
• CRP sequesters 48 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.
• CRP produces 15 million pheasants annually.
• CRP produces 2.2 million ducks per year in the Prairie Pothole Region, sending ducks to duck hunters in nearly every U.S. state.

This is to say nothing of the economic benefits that have sprouted up organically from CRP being on the landscape for last 20-plus years. Ask the owner of some mom-and-pop greasy spoon in the hinterlands of North Dakota, or South Dakota, or Montana, or any other state, for that matter, if he or she does better when wildlife populations (ducks, pheasants, deer, etc.) populations are high or low.

The answer is obvious, and can be linked in most cases to the many direct benefits of CRP. In fact, I’ve seen entire underground economies rise up like a Phoenix thanks in good part to CRP (I once profiled a South Dakota woman who cleaned pheasants, a population buoyed by CRP, for outofstate hunters to buy Christmas presents for her family and the needy; she literally cleaned hundreds of birds and knew that smart conservation policy benefited more than just hunters).

What’s more, my reporting over the last decade suggests that the vast majority of farmers support CRP and its guaranteed income stream. They still do, too. Like I said before, many would like to see the program have more flexibility (let’s shelve that important debate for another day; stay tuned), but in sum they appreciate the fact that CRP, in part, inoculates them for the temperamental whims of global commodity markets and keeps them on the land. They’ve also benefited from CRP’s dynamic recreational economy.

Where do Delta members and other hunter-conservationists fit into this debate? In the final installment of Delta Waterfowl’s series called the Vanishing Hunter, my editor, Dan Nelson, and I argued that the continued loss of hunters (waterfowl hunter numbers dropped 27 percent from 2001 to 2006, according to the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation) means that fewer will have to do more.

We wrote: “Waterfowler numbers are contracting at a time when we desperately need more, not less, support for conservation measures, and a louder, more active voice in Washington. There will be fewer of us in the future, and that will put additional demands on those who remain. Given these demographic realities, the resource needs hunters so engaged they can pick up the slack for those they’ll be asked to replace. Call them “super-hunters”. The waterfowler of tomorrow must be capable of raising the money to fund conservation, defending hunting against its critics, influencing Congress on vital issues and nurturing the next generation of hunters.”

Indeed, we need super-hunters to protect and support the conservation programs that make the most sense for ducks and other wildlife and benefit the most people. CRP is one such program, and its time that hunter-conservationists—super-hunters, if you will—to step up and protect our turf. Contact your elected officials. Write letters to your hometown newspapers. Get engaged. One person can make a difference.

After all, and to dip my ladle into the alphabet soup of conservation-program acronyms, CRP needs a little CPR and TLC so it isn’t KIA.

Tori J. McCormick is associate editor of Delta Waterfowl Magazine. This column appeared in its winter 2009 issue.

About:
Delta Waterfowl provides knowledge, leaders and science-based solutions that efficiently conserve waterfowl and secure the future for waterfowl hunting. Visit: www.deltawaterfowl.org

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CRP – Is the Cadillac of Conservation Programs on Life Support?

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

OLYMPIA, WA --(AmmoLand.com)- Brant goose numbers in Skagit County are high enough to allow an eight-day hunt later this month, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Brant hunting is scheduled Jan. 16, 17, 20, 23, 24, 27, 30 and 31 with a bag limit of two geese per day.

The hunting season was adopted after 6,002 brant were counted Thursday during an aerial survey of Fidalgo, Padilla and Samish bays, said Don Kraege, waterfowl section manager for WDFW. At least 6,000 brant must be counted in Skagit County before hunting is allowed.

“Numbers of brant wintering in Skagit County are down this year, but expected harvest rates during the eight-day season are still within our management objectives,” said Kraege.

Last year, WDFW wildlife biologists counted about 16,200 brant – the largest count in 14 years. About 9,200 brant, which is slightly above the long-term average, were counted during aerial surveys in 2008 and about 6,100 the previous year.

“The drop in the number of birds in Skagit County from last year is likely the result of a shift in winter distribution,” Kraege said. “Significant numbers of brant have been seen elsewhere in northern Puget Sound, including nearby Whatcom County, where we counted an additional 4,000 birds during the aerial survey.”

To participate in the Skagit County brant season, hunters must have prior written authorization and a harvest information card from WDFW. After taking a brant, hunters are required to record their harvest information immediately, and report their harvest to WDFW by Feb. 15. Hunters who fail to report by Feb. 15 will be ineligible to hunt brant in the 2010-2011 season.

Hunters who harvest a brant implanted with a radio transmitter should call Kraege at (360) 902-2522. WDFW biologists would like to retrieve the transmitters, which are used to track the migration pattern of the birds.

Hunters who harvest a brant fitted with a colored leg band should also report the leg band’s numbers and color to WDFW. Birds fitted with metal leg bands can be reported by calling 1-800-327-BAND or at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl . The leg bands help biologists identify and track the birds.

More information on brant-hunting requirements is available in WDFW’s Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons hunting pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm .

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Brant Goose Numbers Strong Enough For Skagit, Wa Hunt

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

PRATT, KS —-(AmmoLand.com)- The hunting seasons may be winding down, but many waterfowl hunters are still enjoying late-season hunting. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) reminds hunters who did not purchase a Harvest Information Program (HIP) stamp during the fall of 2009 that certification is still required for all migratory bird hunting. Any hunter who is required to have a hunting license must also purchase a HIP stamp to hunt ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, doves, rails, woodcock, snipe, and sandhill cranes. HIP is an annual program in which hunters provide information that helps biologists manage North America’s migratory game bird populations.

HIP is based on a voluntary survey of selected migratory bird hunters in the United States. When HIP stamps are purchased, state wildlife agencies collect information from hunters, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) randomly selects a sample of those hunters and asks them to provide information on the kind and number of migratory birds they harvest during the hunting season. Those hunters’ reports are then used to develop reliable estimates of the total harvest of all migratory birds throughout the country. In this way, hunters serve as biologists’ eyes and ears in the field, helping to improve wildlife conservation efforts and protect the hunting heritage.

To comply with HIP, hunters must identify themselves as migratory bird hunters and provide name, address, and date of birth when they purchase licenses — something most hunters do already. They must do this in every state in which they hunt migratory birds. Hunters are also asked to voluntarily answer several questions about their hunting experience during the previous year’s season. Answers to these questions are not used to compile harvest estimates but help the USFWS select hunters to survey.

Kansas relies on hunting license vendors to collect this information when selling HIP stamps. Therefore, migratory bird hunters need to make sure that their vendors get them signed up for HIP when they purchase their licenses. When a hunter is properly signed up, KDWP provides proof of participation. Hunters must carry proof of their participation in HIP wherever they hunt migratory birds. Hunters who hunt migratory birds without proof of participation in the HIP program can be ticketed or fined.

A Kansas HIP stamp costs $2.50, to cover administrative costs. USFWS receives no income from this program. USFWS uses names and addresses provided by hunters for survey purposes only, and all contact information is destroyed immediately after processing each year.

A 2010 Kansas hunting license, in addition to state and federal waterfowl stamps and the HIP stamp, is required to hunt waterfowl in the remaining seasons this winter. Waterfowl and HIP stamps purchased for these seasons expire June 30, 2010. Remaining seasons include the following:

Ducks

• High Plains Zone (west of U.S. 283) — Jan. 23-31; and
• Late Zone — Jan. 23-31, 2010.

Geese

• Canada geese — Nov. 11-Feb. 14 (daily bag three);
• White-fronted geese — Feb. 6-14 (daily bag two);
• Light geese —Nov. 11-Feb. 14 (daily bag 20);
• Light Goose Conservation Order — Feb. 15-April 30 (no bag or possession limits).

Shooting hours for all species are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. For complete hunting regulation information, consult the 2009 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary, available wherever licenses are sold or online at www.kdwp.state.ks.us.

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Migratory Bird Hunters Get Your HIP

Snow Goose Migration Routes

New Jersey Fish and Game

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The NJ DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife plans to implement a Conservation Order (CO) for light geese in 2010.

This will be the second consecutive year that a CO has been authorized in New Jersey.

The CO time frame is February 16 through April 10, 2010. Under the CO, light geese can be taken with no bag limits outside of the traditional hunting period, while also allowing the use of electronic calls and shotguns loaded with up to seven shells.

A Conservation Order is a special management action authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that is needed to control certain wildlife populations when traditional management programs are unsuccessful in preventing overabundance of that population. This action is granted under the authority of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The intent of the CO is to reduce and/or stabilize North American “light” (greater and lesser snow geese as well as Ross’s geese are collectively referred to as “light” geese) goose populations that are above population objectives. In the Atlantic Flyway, greater snow geese are the most abundant light goose population.

Why we need a Second Special Snow Goose Season!

For more information on the Conservation Order, including license, permit and reporting requirements, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2010/snowgeese10.htm on the division’s website.

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New Jersey Ordered to Conduct No Limit Spring Snow Goose Hunt

Why we need a Second Special Snow Goose Season!

Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG, PA –-(AmmoLand.com)- Pennsylvania Game Commission officials are set to offer hunters the opportunity to participate in the second snow goose conservation hunt designed to help stem the growth of continental snow goose populations.

Hunters must obtain a free snow goose conservation hunt permit and report cards from the agency to participate in the season, which will be held from Feb. 20 through April 3. To do so, hunters can access the “Snow Goose Conservation Season” page by clicking on the appropriate icon in the center of the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and then following the instructions. By completing the application online, hunters will be able to print off the permit and report cards and will not have to wait for the package to be mailed.

For those individuals with no online access, permits and the required report cards can be obtained by calling the Game Commission at the Harrisburg headquarters (717-787-4250) and asking for the Bureau of Wildlife Management. However, this process will require mailing the permit and report cards to the applicant, so allow a minimum of one week for processing and mail delivery to obtain a permit.

“Snow goose populations have reached levels that are causing extensive and possibly irreversible damage to their, as well as other nesting birds’, arctic and sub-arctic breeding grounds,” pointed out John Dunn, Game Commission waterfowl biologist. “For some populations of snow geese their nesting habitats can no longer support these large numbers. What’s more, these geese are beginning to impact fragile coastal marsh habitats and crops in Mid-Atlantic States and Quebec.

“It’s likely that North America has never had as many snow geese as it does now. The current population of greater snow geese that inhabits the Atlantic Flyway is estimated at more than one million birds, more than double the management goal of 500,000. They have become a huge and unexpected problem for themselves and other wildlife that shares the wintering and breeding grounds these waterfowl occupy.”

The quickest and probably most effective way for wildlife managers to respond to the problem is to allow additional hunting days – and new hunting methods – to reduce and stabilize snow goose populations. That’s why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service first offered states the opportunity to allow hunters to take snow geese at a time when all other waterfowl seasons are closed. This will include an option to allow hunting hours for this special snow goose season to extend one-half hour after sunset. Currently, all waterfowl shooting hours close at sundown, except for the September Canada goose season.

Hunters participating in the snow goose conservation hunt may use electronic calls. The daily bag limit during the conservation hunt is 15 daily with no possession limit.

“The regular snow goose season began Nov. 6 and ends on Feb. 19, with a daily limit of 15 birds,” Dunn said. “However, the use of electronic calls during the regular snow goose season is not permitted.”

Participating states are required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor and assess hunting activity and harvest. That is why the Game Commission has created the free Snow Goose Conservation Hunt Permit.

“Along with this snow goose conservation hunt permit, hunters must possess a general hunting license, migratory game bird license and a federal duck stamp (for those 16 or older),” Dunn said. “The permit holder will be required to maintain records specifying hunting activity and daily harvest. All permit holders must submit a report, even if they did not hunt or harvest any birds, to the Game Commission no later than May 3. Failure to report by May 3 may result in loss of eligibility to participate in next year’s snow goose conservation hunt.”

For more information on the snow goose conservation hunt, including hunting tips, visit the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on the “Snow Goose Conservation Season” icon in the center of the homepage, then click on “Special Snow Goose Conservation Season – Spring 2010.”

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Pa Game Commission Prepares For Second Special Snow Goose Hunting Season

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

LITTLE ROCK, AR –-(AmmoLand.com)- Reports from around the state point to hit-or-miss duck hunting for many Arkansas waterfowlers. Good hunting reports have been matched by poor reports, with duck numbers and hunting success scattered.

Field reports indicate a movement of ducks into the state following last week’s frigid weather across the central and northern U.S., but ducks appear to be concentrated in a few areas and not widespread across much of the state. While most ducks have left the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa and northern Missouri, there still appear to be many ducks in central Missouri and other mid-latitude states.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists are flying aerial waterfowl surveys this week, and current waterfowl population estimates for Arkansas should be available next week.

Weather conditions should be favorable for hunters over the next week, with high temperatures ranging from the lower 50s Thursday through the lower 40s over the weekend. Low temperatures are predicted to hover around the freezing mark or below it for the next several days.

To assist hunters in tracking ducks, AGFC has created several Web links with maps and information about recent waterfowl movements and aerial survey reports.

For a list of links, visit http://www.agfc.com/hunting/huntingseasons/waterfowl-migratory-birds/waterfowl-locations.aspx.

This waterfowl report provides capsule information from agency staff in all corners of Arkansas and is updated each Wednesday throughout waterfowl season.

Information on river levels can be found at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/ or http://water.usgs.gov/realtime.html. Sunrise/sunset tables are available at: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html and in the Arkansas Waterfowl Regulations Guide.

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Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Weekly Waterfowl Report

Ducks Unlimited

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla –-(AmmoLand.com)- For over 15 years, Ducks Unlimited has worked with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to secure the future of waterfowl habitat and Oklahoma’s hunting heritage.

Soon to be completed improvements on Waurika Wildlife Management Area make it the tenth WMA to benefit from the partnership. The completed project will allow area managers to provide quality hunting opportunities on over 120 acres of seasonal wetlands.

“Improvements to the Beaver Creek Wetland Development Unit at the Waurika WMA are wrapping up and should be completed soon,” said DU Manager of Conservation Programs Eric Held. “Ducks Unlimited, Inc. and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation have worked together to ensure this area will continue to provide waterfowl hunting opportunities for Oklahoma’s sportsmen for years to come.”

This is the 10th state WMA in Oklahoma on which Ducks Unlimited’s engineers and biologists have provided the professional services required to complete wetland habitat improvements.

“DU’s expertise has been invaluable, and their engineering and financial support have played a critical role in restoring and enhancing habitat on our publicly-managed wetland projects,” said Alan Peoples, chief of wildlife for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Since 1995, improvements have been made to nearly 8,000 acres of wetland habitat at the Copan, Eufaula, Fort Cobb, Hackberry, McClellan-Kerr, Mountain Park, Oologah, Red Slough, Waurika and Wister Wildlife Management Areas.

Ducks Unlimited conservation staff is able to provide professional services as a result of the support garnered by its many volunteers and members, at a direct cost of more than $675,000.

“Ducks Unlimited’s many supporters throughout Oklahoma have provided the funding that allows these projects to take place” stated Charles Hurlburt, DU State Chairman. “Seven additional wetland projects are underway and being led by DU engineers and biologists.”

Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved nearly 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.

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Long-Term Partnership Conserves Oklahoma Wetlands

Ducks Unlimited

Memphis, Tennessee --(AmmoLand.com)- Every organization looks for stability during tough times, and it’s reassuring for a nonprofit organization to remain strong through tremulous economic times. While these economic conditions were felt by everyone, including Ducks Unlimited, our science-based decisions have steered the course, and our conservation mission has continued. The organization was founded during tough economic conditions, and today, as we look across the horizon for what the future may bring—we know we are standing on solid ground.

The 2009 Annual Report provides insight into the organization’s heartbeat, our people. Their stories share with us the importance of building relationships with partners, talking conservation in a duck blind, and leaving a legacy for future generations of outdoorsmen and women.

The chant “we are making a difference” could be heard across the country at DU events. Our strongest supporters continue to be those who give freely of their time and treasure to DU. In 2009 DU supporters contributed more than $200 million for our conservation mission and helped us maintain our 80 percent efficiency rating. In fact, DU saw 86 percent of every dollar invested in our conservation work and added another 197,000 acres to those we have protected and restored over the years. With nearly 13 million acres conserved to date, DU supporters are improving the landscape for wetlands, waterfowl and people.

Our Wetlands for Tomorrow (WFT) campaign continues to provide solid results for our continental work. WFT reached a milestone of $1.5 billion this year. For instance, we saw great success under WFT with a specialized campaign called “Rescue the Duck Factory” that has helped conserve 67,000 acres in the U.S. prairies. While we celebrate our accomplishments, we understand there is still more to do.

To remain on solid ground, we must continue to focus on three basic principles:

• We must conserve key priority habitats critical to waterfowl.
• We must expand our commitment to science to guide efficient, effective conservation.
• We must increase our capacity to influence policy, because policy is increasingly influencing conservation.

In addition we must continue to recruit outdoorsmen and women—those who have historically and consistently funded conservation through the years. Whether it’s a handshake in a duck blind or a meeting in a board room, our passion for waterfowl and conserving the habitat should be shared with as many people as possible.

We thank everyone for their work in making DU the world’s leader in wetland conservation. While we are confident in the science directing us, we understand that it’s the passion from the people within DU that makes everything work.

Passion puts us on solid ground.

P.S. If you haven’t made your year-end, tax-deductible gift this year, please click here to make a secure online donation today!

About:
Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved nearly 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.

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Solid Ground: 2009 Ducks Unlimited Annual Report

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

LITTLE ROCK, AR –-(AmmoLand.com)- Arkansas’s special youth waterfowl season will take place Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6, and weather conditions are forecast to be much more like typical duck hunting weather than they were during the first segment of the regular season.

The special youth waterfowl season is open to youths 15 and younger. They may hunt ducks, in-season geese, coots and mergansers. Youths who have completed a hunter education course must be accompanied by a mentor who is 18 or older. Youths who haven’t completed hunter education must be accompanied by a mentor who is 21 or older. Mentors may not hunt ducks, coots or mergansers, but they may call waterfowl and hunt other in-season game. Shooting hours and bag limits are the same as regular duck season, except all-day youth hunting is allowed on AGFC wildlife management areas and shotshell restrictions on certain WMAs are not in force for the special youth season.

Youth hunters likely will find frigid conditions on opening morning of the special season. Temperatures are predicted to be in the mid- to upper-20s Saturday morning, with high temperatures climbing to around 50 degrees in most parts of the state.

The second segment of Arkansas’s regular duck season opens Dec. 10 and closes Dec. 23.

Recent rainfall has likely flooded some fields that had been drained by farmers in recent weeks. Because of record rainfall in October, many farmers allowed most water to run off in an attempt to salvage late crops. Many of the state’s river bottoms, as well as AGFC wildlife management areas, still are holding abundant water.

In the two weeks since AGFC biologists conducted the season’s first aerial waterfowl surveys, two strong cold fronts have pushed through the state, and several new concentrations of ducks have been reported.

To assist hunters in tracking ducks, AGFC has created several Web links with maps and information about recent waterfowl movements and aerial survey reports.

For a list of links, visit http://www.agfc.com/hunting/huntingseasons/waterfowl-migratory-birds/waterfowl-locations.aspx.

Information on river levels can be found at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/ or http://water.usgs.gov/realtime.html. Sunrise/sunset tables are available at: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html and in the Arkansas Waterfowl Regulations Guide.

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Colder Weather On Tap For Youth Waterfowl Hunt

Arkansas Duck Concentration Maps

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

LITTLE ROCK AR --(AmmoLand.com)- Biologists with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recently completed the first aerial waterfowl survey of the 2009-2010 duck season, marking a new era in Arkansas duck counts. AGFC has changed its aerial survey method for the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (the Delta) to more reliably estimate duck numbers in the region.

Instead of the “cruise” surveys of the past, in which biologists fly over traditional waterfowl hot spots to count ducks, AGFC will now use a “transect” method. The cruise method is inherently biased because observers can’t account for unsampled areas during each survey. While no method allows biologists to generate a number for absolute abundance, the transect method allows for more standardized sampling and more reliable counts.

The transect method entails flying a randomly selected portion of transects – west-east lines drawn across the Delta at 500-meter intervals – and counting all ducks seen along those lines and using those counts to calculate an estimate of duck numbers across the entire Delta. AGFC’s effort is part of a partnership with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture to generate reliable estimates across a large portion of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley over time.

AGFC completed the November 2009 estimates earlier this week, and they seem to match much of the anecdotal observations over the past several weeks. There aren’t many mallards in the Delta right now, but observers did see good numbers of other dabbling ducks, including pintails, northern shovelers and gadwalls. Duck distribution appeared to be spotty, with large concentrations here and there across the Delta but without good numbers of ducks scattered throughout the region.

Observers were somewhat surprised by the absence of water in many areas in light of the severe flooding that occurred in late October. While many areas, especially along river corridors, remained flooded, it appeared that many farmers had allowed much of the water to drain in an attempt to salvage harvestable crops.

November population estimates for the Arkansas Delta were 124,065 mallards, 522,662 other dabbling ducks and 147,678 diving ducks for a total of 794,405 ducks. Because of the change in survey methods, these numbers should not be compared with past counts. This count should be considered the first point in a developing collection of Delta duck counts.

Population estimates for western Arkansas, which are still being conducted by the cruise method because of limited waterfowl habitat in that portion of the state, were 20,105 total ducks (5,480 mallards) in southwest Arkansas and 31,000 total ducks (11,000 mallards) in northwest Arkansas.

In addition to the recent aerial waterfowl survey data, AGFC encourages hunters to take advantage of several other new tools to track waterfowl numbers and migration.

AGFC has recently developed duck density maps. The maps, one for relative density of all ducks and the other for relative mallard density, use results from aerial surveys and spatial data models to reflect relative densities of ducks in the Delta region. While the maps are helpful, hunters should understand the maps represent relative density for a given survey period and not absolute duck numbers. For example, it’s reasonable to assume that what appears as a high-density mallard area in November will likely correspond to a lower absolute number than in early January because mallard numbers typically peak in early January. The maps are available at http://www.agfc.com/pdfs/waterfowl/Nov09DuckDensity.pdf and http://www.agfc.com/pdfs/waterfowl/Nov09MallardDensity.pdf.

Since AGFC and Mississippi waterfowl managers conduct counts using the same methods and at approximately the same times, hunters may seek additional information on Mississippi’s Web site at http://home.mdwfp.com/ContentManagement/Html/htmldownload.aspx?id=327. Combined with Arkansas’s counts, that information may provide a more complete picture of waterfowl distribution across a larger portion of the Delta.

Other tools that may be helpful for hunters include a new weather severity index developed by Mississippi State University researchers. The index is an attempt to forecast potential waterfowl migration movements based on weather data throughout the Mississippi Flyway. The index is available at http://www.cfr.msstate.edu/kennedychair/weather.asp.

The Missouri Department of Conservation, in cooperation with Arkansas and several other state and federal agencies, has developed a mallard migration map that can be viewed at http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/wtrfowl/migration.php.

Information on river levels can be found at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/ or http://water.usgs.gov/realtime.html. Sunrise/sunset tables are available at: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html and in the Arkansas Waterfowl Regulations Guide.

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Arkansas Completes First Aerial Duck Surveys

Youth Waterfowl Hunting

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

ARKANSAS CITY, AR --(AmmoLand.com)-
Beginning Dec. 19, the Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA and Deer Research Area West Unit will be open for permit youth waterfowl hunts each Saturday for the remainder of waterfowl season. There will be five online permits drawn for each Saturday the area is open to waterfowl hunting.

Only youths 15 and under may apply and a valid hunter education certificate is required. Each successful applicant may bring up to three additional youth hunters and must be accompanied by at least one supervising adult.

The deadline to apply for the December hunts has passed, but the application period for the Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 hunts is underway with a Dec. 26 deadline. The successful hunter will receive email notification and that email will serve as the successful applicant’s entry permit. A printed copy is required to enter any flooded or inundated area during the waterfowl season.

To apply for a youth permit, go to https://www.ark.org/agfc/waterfowl/index.php. Computer drawn permit holders should pick up an area map at the WMA headquarters that will denote duck hole locations along with directions to the individual duck holes. Signs will be in place to direct hunting parties to the appropriate duck hole. ATVs may be used for travel to duck holes and back from parking lot access only.

Waterfowl hunters may not enter inundated areas before 4 a.m. and must stop hunting by 12 noon and off the WMA by 1 p.m. No boat motors allowed. Airboats may not be operated on waters within the Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA and Deer Research Area (both units, excluding the Mississippi River) during duck season.

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Youth Waterfowl Hunts Begin Dec. 19 on Arkansas WMA’s

Remington Wingmaster HD Ammunition

Remington Arms Company

Madison, NC --(AmmoLand.com)- Seriously stretch your killzone this season and reach for Wingmaster HD®.

Absolutely no shotshell on the market can touch Wingmaster HD at long range.

All of its revolutionary characteristics – Tungsten-Bronze shot is 56% denser than steel, The ultimate extended-range payload,

The most devastating, high density patterns, Wetproof™ steel primers and mouth assures performance in harsh, wet conditions – come together on game with an unmatched level of deadly force. Now at its lowest price ever.

Listen to radio spots playing in your area on the Wingmaster HD Product Page

About Remington Arms Company, Inc.
Remington Arms Company, Inc., headquartered in Madison, N.C., designs, produces and sells sporting goods products for the hunting and shooting sports markets, as well as solutions to the military, government and law enforcement markets. Founded in 1816 in upstate New York, the Company is one of the nation’s oldest continuously operating manufacturers. Remington is the only U.S. manufacturer of both firearms and ammunition products and one of the largest domestic producers of shotguns and rifles. The Company distributes its products throughout the U.S. and in over 65 foreign countries. More information about the Company can be found at www.remington.com.

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Remington Wingmaster HD Shot Shells

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

LITTLE ROCK, AR –-(AmmoLand.com)- Biologists from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are taking to the skies this week as part of their periodic aerial waterfowl surveys.

The AGFC is surveying Arkansas’s waterfowl habitats to size up the state’s waterfowl population for this weekend’s opening.

With all of the water in the state, duck concentrations are widely scattered.

Wetland conditions across the entire state are much better than last year. The heavy rains over the past few months kept many farmers out of the fields, AGFC waterfowl program coordinator Luke Naylor said. “Some farmers have allowed water to drain from fields and are trying to catch up on the soybean harvest, for others, crops are a lost cause. Many duck clubs have already captured water and many fields are ready for the season opener,” Naylor said.

Nearly all public areas in the state are at or above target flooding levels. As far as duck numbers are concerned, there are widely scattered reports of concentrations of ducks around the state, Naylor said. “Due to all of the water in the state, ducks have a lot of options to choose from, so we might see ducks in large concentrations in isolated areas,” he said. “They’re probably hoping from hot spot to hot spot,” he added.

Large concentrations of mallards are not being reported in the state at this time, but large numbers of mallards are being reported in South Dakota, Naylor said. “States to the north of Arkansas were flooded as part of the same weather systems that moved through here. There are still lots of flooded fields in other states that are holding ducks to the north of Arkansas,” he explained. Naylor said the additional duck habitat to the north of Arkansas may slow the migration into the state. “A minor migration may have occurred in the last few days, but there’s not a large migration entering the state as they take advantage of that habitat,” he said.

As soon as waterfowl survey results are collected, the information will be available at www.agfc.com.

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Waterfowl Habitat Best In Years

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Annapolis, Maryland --(AmmoLand.com)- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that Maryland’s Atlantic Population Canada goose hunting season will kick off next week. These geese can be hunted November 21 through November 27 and December 17 through January 30, 2010. The daily bag limit is two Canada geese.

“The Atlantic Population is the largest Canada goose population in North America,” said DNR Waterfowl Project Leader Larry Hindman. “However, prolonged snow and ice cover due to cold spring temperatures resulted in few young being produced. Nevertheless, Hunters and non-hunters alike can look forward to seeing large numbers of Canada geese returning to Maryland this year.”

Information on waterfowl hunting and a detailed map of the Canada goose hunting zones is online at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/lwfchart.asp. The 2009-2010 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons flier is also available online and at most licensing agents.

Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling toll-free 1-800-327-BAND (2263). For added convenience, banded migratory birds may also be reported online at www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/call800.htm

Contact: Josh Davidsburg
410-260-8002 office 410-507-7526 cell
jdavidsburg@dnr.state.md.us

About:
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland’s forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland’s effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state’s number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov

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Maryland Canada Goose Season Opens November 21

New Jersey Brandt Duck Stamp

National Duck Stamp Collectors Society

Trenton, NJ --(AmmoLand.com)- The state Division of Fish and Wildlife has discontinued the sale of paper waterfowl stamps and prints, a decision that makes former state Division of Fish and Game Director George Howard is just a little melancholy.

Howard, currently the conservation director for the state Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, said selling the beautiful paper stamps and prints helped the division preserve a lot of waterfowl habitat during the past quarter century.

“I own quite a few myself,” said Howard. “It was a very good program.”

The stamps and artwork were hugely popular for many years but recently sales declined. This year, waterfowl hunters are required to buy “certifications” instead of paper stamps. The certifications, available from hunting license agents or on the division’s website, cost the same as did the duck stamps: $5 for residents and $10 for nonresidents. “The artwork and the paper stamp were discontinued as cost saving measures,” explained the division in a statement announcing the change.

The division is still selling prints of the 2008 duck stamp featuring canvasback ducks painted by Rob Leslie Duck stamps and collectible prints depicted ducks, hunting dogs and other waterfowl-related images painted by the nation’s best outdoors artists. They were first sold in New Jersey in 1984 and their sales combined raised about $4.2 million. The money was used to preserve more than 13,000 acres of prime waterfowl habitat, according to the division.

Howard noted that money from the sale of the waterfowl certifications will still be earmarked for habitat preservation. As for the future value of the collector prints, Howard is optimistic but uncertain.

“They still have value,” he said, noting that one print of particular interest depicts an American brant but has “brant” mistakenly spelled “brandt.”

For more information on the state waterfowl stamps, including how to purchase the final collector stamps and prints, visit njfishandwildlife.com/prod_stamps.htm.  Orders must be postmarked by December 31, 2009.

Editors note: And why does our headline read “foolishly?” Because New Jersey has chosen to throw away the collector dollar. Each duck stamp collector who purchased a set of New Jersey stamps contributed an additional $15 to the waterfowl fund that the state will now not receive. Collectors who also collect hunter-type stamps doubled that number, contributing $30 to the fund without ever setting foot in a marsh.

If you wish to comment to the state, you can send an email to: njfishandwildlife@dep.state.nj.us.

About:
National Duck Stamp Collectors Society: The primary purpose of the National Duck Stamp Collectors Society (NDSCS) is to promote and encourage the collecting and study of migratory waterfowl hunting and conservation stamps. The NDSCS is the only stamp collecting society devoted exclusively to duck stamps

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New Jersey Foolishly Discontinues Duck Stamp

California Outdoor Heritage Alliance

Sacramento, CA - -(AmmoLand.com)- After more than 3 years of lobbying efforts, the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) has succeeded in including $110 million for waterfowl and wetland habitat conservation efforts in a statewide bond measure that, with the Governor’s expected signature, will appear on the November 2, 2010 ballot.

COHA was pleased to work with its founding member, California Waterfowl, as well as its conservation partners, Ducks Unlimited and the Grasslands Water District, to include this important funding as part of an overall $11.14 billion water bond package.

The measure, entitled the “Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2010″, includes language COHA helped draft which calls for “at least $100 million” to be allocated to the Wildlife Conservation Board for the purchase of water rights and water conveyance infrastructure for wildlife refuges and habitat areas under the federal Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA). These waterfowl habitat areas include Central Valley National Wildlife Refuges, state Wildlife Management Areas and private duck clubs within the Grasslands Resource Conservation District in Merced County – areas which provide significant hunting opportunity for waterfowl, pheasant and other game birds.

The measure also includes COHA written language which would provide an additional $10 million for private lands wetland conservation programs administered by the Department of Fish and Game – including the California Waterfowl Habitat Program (i.e. Presley Program) – that offer financial incentives to duck clubs and other private landowners to protect and enhance the wildlife values of their property.

COHA wishes to thank Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Fresno), the author of the bond measure, as well as Senator Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assembly Members Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) and Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto), for their considerable efforts to include our funding provisions. To take effect, the measure must be approved by the California electorate on November 2010 statewide ballot.

About:
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance is a 501(c) 4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated solely to the promotion of wildlife and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA professional staff is active at the California State Legislature, Congress, State Fish and Game Commission, State and Federal resource agencies and all other political arenas where decisions are made which may impact wildlife management, habitat conservation, wildlife program funding, hunting access and opportunity, and your ability to purchase and possess sporting arms and munitions. COHA was created in early 2006 by the California Waterfowl Association. For more information on COHA and its efforts, visit their website at www.outdoorheritage.org

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$110 Million For Waterfowl Included In Water Bond Ballot Measure

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

PRATT, KS —-(AmmoLand.com)- Twelve endangered whooping cranes were spotted by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) staff at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, near Great Bend, the evening of Nov. 4. Central Kansas is one of the most popular annual stopover points for migrating whooping cranes. In addition to the 12 birds reported from the Cheyenne Bottoms office, and another three were spotted on The Nature Conservancy property nearby.

In response to the sightings, Bottoms staff have closed the goose firing line. Pool 1B, where the birds are staying, is a refuge area. However, waterfowl hunters should be aware that other pools may be closed if the birds move.

At Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, about 30 miles south and east of Cheyenne Bottoms, another 14 whoopers were spotted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff. In response, the entire refuge is closed to hunting until further notice. For daily updates on Quivira’s whooper status, go online to www.fws.gov/quivira.

Although most whooping cranes usually have migrated through the Kansas by the opening of sandhill crane season — Nov. 11 this year — whoopers are sometimes sighted into early December. Sandhill crane hunters — and all migratory bird hunters — should expect to see whooping cranes throughout central Kansas and be sure of their targets before shooting. All sandhill crane hunters are required to take an online crane identification test before purchasing a sandhill crane permit. The test may be found by going to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, and typing “sandhill crane” in the search box at the top of the home page.

Hunters who see a whooping crane are asked to report it to the nearest KDWP office. All hunters should check with public hunting areas before planning a hunt. The Cheyenne Bottoms phone number is 620-793-3066, and the Quivira number is 620-486-2393.

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Whooping Cranes Spotted At Kansas WMA

Beretta USA

ACCOKEEK, MD --(AmmoLand.com)- Beretta USA is offering two great deals with the purchase of a new Xtrema2 shotgun.

Beretta has extended its Xtrema2 Gear Promotion through December 31st. Now through the end of the year purchase any new Beretta Xtrema2 shotgun with Kick-Off ® and receive $300 Xtrema Gear package for free, or buy a new Xtrema2 without Kick-Off® and receive the Kick-Off unit for free. The gear package includes game bag, field bag, hunting pack with stool, and a leather trimmed Beretta cap.

“With this promotion everyone can experience the advantage of the best waterfowling shotgun on the planet,” said Mike Vrooman, Beretta’s Shotgun Marketing Manager. “Combine the patented Beretta Gas Operating System, which is the most reliable system you can buy, with our exclusive waterproofing Aqua-Technology® and you can be sure that your Xtrema2 will work no matter what the conditions.”

For additional information on the Xtrema2 promotion, visit www.berettausa.com. To take advantage of this promotion, visit a Beretta dealer.

About:
Beretta, established in 1526, is the oldest industrial dynasty in the world tracing its roots through 16 generations of continuous family ownership. Firearms bearing the Beretta name have been sold for almost 500 years. Beretta USA Corp. was founded in 1977 and supplies the standard sidearm to the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, Beretta manufactures, distributes and markets a complete line of firearms, accessories and apparel. Beretta also owns and operates six retail Beretta Gallery stores worldwide. For additional information, visit www.berettausa.com.

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Beretta Offers Waterfowlers Two Great Bonuses with Purchase of Xtrema2 Shotgun

Ducks Unlimited Migration Map

Ducks Unlimited

MEMPHIS, Tenn –-(AmmoLand.com)- Ducks Unlimited members and waterfowl hunters throughout the U.S. are utilizing DU’s Migration Map in unprecedented numbers.

Surpassing more than 1.5 million page views within the site’s first two months is allowing waterfowl hunters to utilize the migration map to improve their success in the field.

“We have created the ‘ultimate waterfowl hunter’s resource’ with Opening Day-First Flight,” says Anthony Jones, director of internet services for DU.

“The migration map is only successful when hunters post detailed reports of the migration they are personally witnessing while they are in the field. Our numbers are showing that not only are visitors utilizing the map, but the feedback we are getting shows that hunters are using the site’s many aspects as tools within every flyway.”

Opening Day
First Flight offers constantly changing articles, video, gear features and several interactive maps for waterfowl hunters to utilize throughout the season. It offers everything from state agency sites to get licenses to detailed weather maps in conjunction with the Zip Code they plan to waterfowl hunt; it’s the most comprehensive waterfowl hunting site on the web.

“We have continually built interactive applications for the site and the Migration Map,” Jones says. “With the video contest, member photo application and the constantly updated content, it’s not surprising that we have been able to reach 1.5 million page views in the first two months.”

Opening Day-First Flight site and DU’s Migration Map went live Sept. 1, 2009, and will be live until Jan. 31, 2010. Understanding that waterfowl hunters are the foundation of wetland conservation in North America, DU has worked to help improve waterfowl populations since its inception in 1937. The Opening Day-First Flight site is a testament to the passion waterfowl hunters embody and their commitment to the resource. Visit openingday.ducks.org for the experience.

About:
Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved nearly 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.

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DU Migration Map Tops More Than 1.5 Million Page Views

Ducks Unlimited

RICHMOND, Tx –-(AmmoLand.com)- Limited water resources in the Highland Lakes are driving the Lower Colorado River Authority to propose reductions in “interruptible” water, the lifeblood of rice farmers and other producers that rely on LCRA’s irrigation districts in Matagorda, Colorado and Wharton counties. Ducks Unlimited (DU) representatives expressed their concern over the proposed restrictions at a public meeting on October 20 in Matagorda.pintails depend on rice fields for winter foraging

“Ducks Unlimited is sensitive to the issue of water availability within the Colorado River watershed and realizes that there are many competing interests for water, but we urge the LCRA to recognize the importance of this water to agriculture and waterfowl conservation efforts on the Texas Coast,” Todd Merendino, manager of conservation programs, said.

Rice growers and other producers depending on that water for irrigation and waterfowl conservationists depending on it to provide crucial wintering habitat await the LCRA decision and the impacts it will have on families, economies, communities, and the wildlife that depend on LCRA’s irrigation system.

The Texas Gulf Coast provides critically important wetland habitat for millions of migrating and wintering waterfowl, waterbirds, and shorebirds, including resident species like the mottled duck, which is in a long-term decline due to loss of wetland habitat.

In 1991, with the assistance of private landowners, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, DU launched the Texas Prairie Wetlands Project. TPWP is a cost-share program for private landowners to restore and enhance wetlands on their properties along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Collectively, TPWP has restored and enhanced over 43,000 acres of wetland habitat with over 14,000 acres in Colorado, Wharton and Matagorda counties. Approximately one third of these acres rely on canal water from the LCRA irrigation system.

“Without the availability of canal water, our conservation programs are severely hamstrung, and rice production, the breadbasket of food and habitat for waterfowl, is also lost,” Merendino said. “This loss of rice production will wipe out 20 years of conservation efforts by DU, private landowners, TPWD, USFWS, NRCS, and our many other partners.”

To date in the three counties, private landowners have invested $1.1 million in conservation projects, and DU and partners have invested another $2.7 million.

Current waterfowl habitat sustainability estimates provide an already gloomy picture for waterfowl, projecting a 150,000-acre deficit of habitat on the Texas mid-coast. Without rice production, approximately 50,000 additional acres will be lost, pushing the deficit to 200,000 acres.

“That is additional habitat loss for waterfowl and crop losses for rice producers that neither can afford,” Merendino said.

Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved nearly 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.

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Water Restrictions Threaten Waterfowl

California Waterfowl

Anderson, CA –-(AmmoLand.com)- Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) and California Waterfowl today announced that SPI has signed an agreement with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to place a conservation easement on 2,870 acres of wetlands, commonly called White Horse Flat Reservoir, in Sisikyou and Modoc Counties.

The agreement is intended to restore wetlands to improve wildlife habitat and provide other environmental benefits. Under the agreement, timber harvesting, grazing, and other land uses will be curtailed or limited during the 30-year life of the easement.

Sierra Pacific spokesman Mark Pawlicki said “The purpose of this easement is to restore, manage, maintain, and enhance the functional values of wetlands and other lands, and for the conservation of natural values.” He added that “this includes benefits for fish and wildlife and their habitat, water quality improvement, flood water retention, groundwater recharge, open space, aesthetic values, and environmental education.”

California Waterfowl Vice President of Conservation Programs Jake Messerli stated that the conservation easement will offer a significant enhancement to waterfowl habitat in California.

“This project will benefit spring and fall staging habitat for waterfowl and is an excellent demonstration of how cooperative efforts between private landowners, conservation organizations, and the government can benefit wildlife, water quality, and outdoor education,” noted Messerli.

The NRCS has prepared a conservation plan for restoration activities that will occur in the first two years of the agreement. The area, which is approximately

20 miles North of Fall River Mills, will be fenced to help manage grazing. “We are very pleased to be able to work cooperatively with SPI on this project” said NRCS spokesperson Jessica Groves. “We believe it is a key wetland area that will provide tremendous benefits to waterfowl and other wildlife for the next 30 years” Groves said.

Sierra Pacific Industries is a third-generation family-owned forest products company based in Anderson, California. The firm owns and manages nearly 1.9 million acres of timberland in California and Washington, and is the second largest lumber producer in the U.S. Sierra Pacific is committed to managing its lands in a responsible and sustainable manner to protect the environment while providing quality wood products for consumers. For more information, please visit www.spi-ind.com

About:
California Waterfowl is an award winning nonprofit, hunter-supported conservation organization with a mission to conserve the state’s waterfowl, wetlands, and hunting heritage. In the last 20 years, we’ve completed more than 700 individual projects to protect, restore, and enhance more than 360,000 acres, providing habitat for millions of birds and animals. Our Youth and Education Programs have reached more than 250,000 children and young adults to help to create a better understanding of biology, conservation, and outdoor heritage. All efforts are supported largely by donations and the work of over 1,500 dedicated and tireless volunteers.

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SPI and California Waterfowl Announce Wetland Conservation Easement Agreement with NRCS

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Nebraska waterfowl hunters have another type of nontoxic shot available to them, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved, effective immediately, the use of tungsten-iron-polymer shot for hunting waterfowl and coots.

It is unlawful to use or possess shotgun shells loaded with or containing shot other than nontoxic shot while hunting, taking or attempting to take waterfowl in Nebraska.

Nontoxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting on federal waterfowl production areas and national wildlife refuges and, as posted, on some state wildlife management areas.

The following is a list of legal nontoxic shot:

• bismuth-tin
• steel
• iron-tungsten
• iron-tungsten-nickel
• tungsten-bronze
• tungsten-iron-copper-nickel
• tungsten-matrix
• tungsten-polymer
• tungsten-tin-iron
• tungsten-tin-bismuth
• tungsten-tin-iron-nickel,
• tungsten-iron-polymer

Research has shown that ingested spent lead, or toxic, shot caused significant numbers of migratory bird deaths. Lead shot was banned nationwide in 1991 for use in hunting waterfowl and coots.

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New Type of Nontoxic Shot Approved for Waterfowl Hunting

RICHLAND, Tx.–-(AmmoLand.com)- Texas landowners had the opportunity last week to hear from a variety of experts on sustainable agriculture. Staff representing Syngenta, Texas Prairie Wetlands Project (TPWP), and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conducted workshops to increase awareness of and participation in sustainable agricultural programs and practices.

Almost 100 private landowners and rice producers attended the workshops, held successively in Winnie, El Campo and Eagle Lake October 6th, 7th, and 8th, respectively. The objective of these workshops was to present area landowners with information regarding conservation opportunities as well as the latest in crop protection products from Syngenta.

“Landowner workshops are a great way to provide a diverse group of stakeholders with information on available products and services,” Matt Kaminski, TPWP Coordinator said. “These workshops stimulate questions and give us the opportunity to address a variety of concerns landowners may have.”

Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the USDA NRCS partnered to create the Texas Prairie Wetlands Project in 1991.

The TPWP provides cost-share assistance to private landowners for habitat enhancement, levee construction, and the installation of water control structures. It also provides biological and engineering assistance and a detailed management plan to private landowners.

The primary goal of TPWP is to restore, enhance, and protect shallow, seasonal wetland habitat on private lands within a 28-county focus area along the Texas Gulf Coast. Each year, these projects provide critical staging and wintering habitat for thousands of waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds and other wetland dependent species.

The TPWP works closely with rice producers to improve fields and infrastructure for water conservation, production, and habitat management. Recently, piggy-backing TPWP with USDA Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) has provided great incentives to producers to bring retired fields back into production. Adding Syngenta to that partnership was a logical step to increase effort and success.

Syngenta provided funding for the workshops, and new TPWP participants will be eligible for a rebate on Syngenta crop protection products Quadris and Quilt.

“This partnership creates a win-win situation for everyone,” Kaminski said. “An increase in rice production will increase waterfowl habitat on the Texas Gulf Coast.”

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Texas Landowners And Sustainable Agriculture

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Hunters in the area of Lake McConaughy had an excellent opening day of the duck season on Oct. 10, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

According to conservation officer reports, hunting pressure was heavy around McConaughy and nearby Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and most checked hunters got their limit of birds.

Among the birds checked by officers in the Panhandle and western Sandhills were mallards, pintails, redheads, scaup, wood ducks, gadwall, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, and shovelers.

Southwest duck hunters had decent success, especially at Sacramento-Wilcox WMA and along the Platte River from North Platte to Sarben. A variety of ducks were harvested, including teal, mallards, scaup, and wigeon.

In south-central Nebraska, the opener was productive in areas where hunters found water, which was difficult to come by.

Conservation officers reported checking one to four birds per hunter. Most of those birds were teal, but there were good numbers of gadwall, as well as some wood ducks, mallards and a ring-necked drake.

While the number of hunters in the region was down, prospects should improve as some basins will have water pumped into them and more birds arrive.

The success rate was good to excellent in the southeast, with many hunters taking their limit Saturday. Hunting pressure was lower Sunday and hunters had fair to good success.

Saunders and Lancaster counties were busy, with at least 20 vehicles parked at Jack Sinn Memorial WMA. Memphis WMA was among the other lakes that had good numbers of hunters. Most of the birds in the bag were teal, gadwall and wood ducks, with a few pintail and wigeon also bagged.

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Duck Hunters Successful on Opening Day

Nick Brichacek Wins Nebraska State Duck Calling Contest

Hunter's Specialties

La Vista, Nebraska --(AmmoLand.com)- Hunter’s Specialties Pro Staff member Nick Brichacek took first place in a field of 12 top callers in the Nebraska State Duck Calling contest, which was held September 19, 2009 in La Vista, Nebraska.

The win qualifies Nick to compete at the World Duck Calling Championships in Stuttgart, Arkansas in November, representing his home state of Nebraska.

This is Nick’s 6th contest championship, including the Nebraska State Hunter’s in 2003, WCA Finals Junior Duck in 2004, the Nebraska Ducks Unlimited State meet, Battle on the Ohio Deadduck 2-man duck and Nebraska State Duck Calling Championship, all in 2005.

“I’m excited about the win and the chance to compete in Arkansas,” said Brichacek. “I was using a new prototype contest quality call that is a modified version of the Neckbreaker single reed call. It has been a great experience joining the Hunter’s Specialties team and having the opportunity to work on product development and show people just how good Hunter’s Specialties’ calls sound.”

For more information, log onto the Hunter’s Specialties website at www.hunterspec.com, write to 6000 Huntington Court NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402, or call a Consumer Service Specialist at 319-395-0321.

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Hunter’s Specialties Pro Staff Member Nick Brichacek Wins Nebraska State Duck Calling Contest

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

Cache River, Arkansas --(AmmoLand.com)- Click here to go to the Cache River NWR web site. AUGUSTA – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge will be holding a special youth only waterfowl hunt and program. The refuge recently acquired 1,180 acres along Bayou DeView in Woodruff County and will designate this area as a Special Youth Only Waterfowl Hunt Area.

Arkansas Special Youth Waterfowl Hunts

Youth (ages 15 and younger) can apply for permits to occupy one of five designated blinds. The will be allowed to hunt waterfowl on drawn weekend dates during the regular duck season. A successfully drawn hunter will also be allowed to invite one youth (age 15 or younger) as a guest to participate in the hunt. At least one adult, not less than 21 years old, must supervise the youth hunters, but will not be allowed to hunt.

Volunteer mentors will be available (with advanced notice) to supervise any youths that may need assistance to participate in the hunt.

Cache River NWR to hold special youth waterfowl hunt Permits will be selected by random drawing. To apply, submit an index card or postcard with the full name (first, middle, last), mailing address and telephone number of the youth hunter. The drawing will take place on Monday, Nov. 2. The entry must be mailed early enough so that it is received before Nov. 2. Duplicate, unclear or incomplete entries will not be accepted. Send the cards to:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Central Arkansas Refuges
26320 Hwy 33 South
Augusta, AR 72006

Drawn hunters will be placed in the first available weekend dates as drawn.

Persons selected will be notified by mail and provided a blind permit (no fee) with a full list of refuge regulations and a map identifying the blind/hunt area.

Blind permits are non-transferable and valid only for the youth whose name appears on the permit and their guest. For more information, go to: http://www.fws.gov/cacheriver/youthwaterfowl.html or call Karen Graves at (870) 347-2614 or email at: karen_graves@fws.gov.

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Cache River NWR To Hold Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt

Waterfowl ammunition maker offers new site where members can post updates to a message board, get and post hunting tips, videos and photos and track the duck migration.

BlackCloud Storm Chasers Network

ANOKA, Minn. --(AmmoLand.com)- Federal Premium® Black Cloud® ammunition announces a new social media website to get and post all the essentials for waterfowl hunting. The Stormchasers Network is now live and allows members to call out for or give tips, strategize, stay up-to-date on the duck migration and earn points to win Black Cloud ammo. www.stormchasersnetwork.com

Member-driven content scores points for those who post
The Stormchasers Network is the newest place to score big before bagging more ducks. Those who join can build points by posting photos and videos, starting a discussion on the message board, crafting an individual profile and recruiting new members. Active members can engage in a one-of-a-kind online community and earn points toward prizes.

“We’re excited to host an online community space where waterfowl hunters can interact,” said Rick Stoeckel, Ammunition Brand Manager. “Our new social media site is a great place to go whether you’re looking for tips, funny videos or want to create a little friendly competition with your buddies. With so many contests and a waterfowl tracking map there’s an interactive element for everyone.” View migration map

Website motivates members to get involved

• • Join: Follow and participate in the 2009/2010 season. Earn points that go towards ammo and other prizes
• • Contests: Submit photos and videos for a chance at winning one of several prizes. Or, enter to win a duck hunt for two
• • Photos: Upload photos to show other avid hunters or submit a photo to any of the many contests
• • Videos: Submit an original Black Cloud commercial or upload a favorite field/hunting/camp video
• • Interactive Map: Track the migration to find out when birds are headed to the slough

Join the chatter: Go to Stormchasers Network

For more information on Black Cloud visit www.blackcloudammo.com

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Black Cloud Launches Stormchasers Social Media Site

Ohio Division of Wildlife

COLUMBUS, OH --(AmmoLand.com)- Ohio waterfowl hunters should have good opportunities to take some of the most popular species of waterfowl, based on the findings of biologists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The spring pond index for the prairie pothole region of North America (Kansas to central Saskatchewan) and breeding duck surveys indicate an above average reproduction year for most duck species. Ponds are housing above average numbers and good production has been noted from most of the primary breeding range.

Closer to home, the Upper Great Lakes states showed above average conditions and good production of mallards this year. The Upper Great Lakes are the primary breeding range for mallards harvested in Ohio. Mallards are Ohio’s number one harvested duck and can be found throughout the state.

Wood ducks, the second most important duck to Ohio hunters and the state’s number one breeding duck, appear to have had a fair production year. Late summer dry conditions may concentrate birds, but a variety of hunting locations should be available for Ohio hunters.

Canada geese are the most harvested waterfowl in Ohio and can be found in good numbers everywhere. Locally raised giant Canada geese had the fourth highest population estimate this spring and all indications are there was fair to good production across Ohio. Migrant interior populations (Southern James Bay and Mississippi Valley) of Canada geese have also had good production. With proper weather, the hunting outlook is good to very good.

With good habitat conditions, Ohio hunters will enjoy a liberal 60-day hunting season once again this year. Pintail showed a large increase in population which will permit a full season. Scaup showed a slight increase in population which will allow a two-bird bag for the whole season. The canvasback population showed a large increase which will allow an open season in 2009.

The success of Ohio waterfowl hunters has more to do with weather conditions and choice of hunting location than available ducks. Hunters should be scouting their territories now and securing landowner permission where needed. State wildlife areas are in good condition with excellent fall food potential. Heavy rains early in the summer followed by an extended drought permitted considerable growth in moist-soil plants in many traditional wetlands. A flooding of those areas by early fall rains should provide additional waterfowl habitat. Hunters should not only check out their traditional spots, but also more marginal haunts for food production and water quantity.

Details of the waterfowl and all other hunting seasons can be found in the Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations and in Ohio Waterfowl Hunting Seasons. Hunters can also review seasons and regulations online at wildohio.com

Hunters are reminded that the 2009-2010 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.

About:
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

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State Wildlife Biologists Predict Good Waterfowl Hunting in Ohio

BlackCloud Storm Chasers Network

Anoka MN --(AmmoLand.com)-Get news as you prepare for duck season. Black Cloud® welcomes the Stormchasers Network as the newest place to score big before you bag more ducks.

No need to scout far for the latest scoop on Black Cloud or duck hunting. Stormchasers is the perfect site to get and post all things waterfowling.

Find The Best Strategies And Score Big
Call out for or give tips, strategize, stay up-to-date on duck migrations, and get pumped for the 2009/2010 waterfowl hunting season. Become a member, craft your own profile and interact with other members. Whether you post videos, messages or photos, you can engage in a one-of-a-kind online community.

With so many interactive features you’re sure to find your own way to take part in duck season.

Join Black Cloud’s Duck Hunting Buzz
Join Stormchasers Network and earn points that can go towards free ammo. Or, participate in contests by posting content about your experience using Black Cloud® and being an avid duck hunter. Join: www.stormchasersnetwork.com.

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Black Cloud Launches Social Media Site for Waterfowlers

Robert Steiner Pintail Duck Stamp

Outdoor Alabama

Alabama --(AmmoLand.com Firearms News)-Alabama artists can celebrate the New Year by entering the 2009 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp art contest, which opens January 1, 2010.

According to Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Director M. N. Pugh, the winning artwork will be used as the design of the 2011-2012 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp.

The competition is open to resident Alabama artists only. Entries will be accepted from January 1 until the February 16 contest deadline.

Display of all entries, to which the public will be invited, will be held February 26, 2009, at the Richard Beard Building in Montgomery.

Following the showing, three judges from the fields of art, ornithology and wildlife conservation will select the winning waterfowl art.

Contest coordinator David C. Hayden, Assistant Chief of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries’ Wildlife Section, advises artists that entries must not exceed 9 by 12 inches (15 by 18 inches matted).

Only original horizontal artworks depicting a species of North American migratory duck or goose will be eligible. The Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck and Pintail—depicted in the winning artwork of three previous year’s contests—are not eligible as the subject for the 2011-2012 Waterfowl Stamp.

Hayden says judging criteria will emphasize uncluttered design suitable for printing as a stamp, anatomical accuracy of the illustrated species, and artistic rendering. Close attention must be given to tone and detail, since those aspects are prerequisites for printing artwork as a stamp. Wing and feather construction must be particularly well defined. Entrants may submit a painting or drawing; past contest entries have included works in oil, watercolor, acrylic and mixed media, all of which are eligible.

For contest information and entry forms, contact David Hayden, Alabama Wildlife and Fisheries Division, 64 North Union Street, Room 584, Montgomery, Alabama 36130 (334/242-3469).

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Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest Announced