Nesting project a learning experience (Posted April 12, 2006)

A less than stellar nesting structure use rate certainly didn't diminish the rewards of an outdoor experience - especially with kids involved.

Consider a recent project by the Bismarck Puddle Jumpers chapter of Delta Waterfowl.

Members, along with some of their children, spent time doing upkeep on waterfowl nesting structures. Whether goose tubs, wood duck boxes or henhouses, the nesting devices are elevated; that puts eggs and the later broods high enough off the ground to keep predators at bay.

Some of the maintenance was done on wood duck boxes and henhouses that the Puddle Jumpers and Scouts set up last spring in the McKenzie Slough area. Other work was aimed at structures on wildlife management areas and at Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

"It was truly an enjoyable experience, allowing the youth to get involved with this project," chapter President Steve Weiland wrote in an e-mail. "All of the youth that participated didn't know a whole lot about what we were doing, but toward the end of the day, they understood a small piece of conservation and waterfowl production."

Over two days, the nine adults and four kids, ages 14 and under, did the upkeep needed on 70 assorted nest structures to make them shipshape for the upcoming nesting season.

Seventeen of the structures showed evidence of use last spring: three wood duck boxes, one henhouse and 13 goose tubs.

"The youth would follow us through the cattails and observe many different signs of nature that included pheasant tracks, deer tracks, successful and unsuccessful hatched eggs, and feathers that gave evidence a goose or a duck had set up housekeeping in a nesting structure," Weiland wrote.

And it's always fun to see what occupied the various structures, added Scott Terning, Delta Waterfowl's regional director for North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

"You see what happened, put the pieces in place and see how they raised their young," Terning said. "It was the youths' chance to really have an understanding. It was a learning experience, and the best part is that it was hands-on."

The single henhouse is better news than it might appear to be.

"A hen mallard will lay her nest within feet of where she hatched. With brood success, the use rate goes up," Terning said.

"First, a mallard hen must have a successful clutch and have the brood survive with no predation," he added. "Then, if they make it through the fall hunting season, the odds they they will go back are better."

Creating density is the way Terning explained it.

"If the wetland is big enough for more than one henhouse, then the odds of another nesting structure being used will increase and over a period of time will create a mallard density," Weiland added.

But an equally good part is mixing kids with the outdoors.

"They saw a side of conservation they had never experienced," Terning said.

(Reach outdoor writer Richard Hinton at 250-8256 or richard.hinton@;bismarcktribune.com.)

Bismarck ND Puddle Jumpers Banquet a Success (Posted August 18, 2004)

Pictured at the “High-Low” raffle table is 12 year old and eventual raffle winner Davis Becker (in red).  Along with many other goodies Davis won a Marlin .17 caliber Predator Special.	Committee Member Erika Foley is all smiles as she greeted and helped many during the course of the Bismarck Banquet.

Banquet Committee Member Hal Peterson contemplates submitting a bid of his own at one of the “Silent Auction” tables.

In addition, Bank Center First Vice President and committee member Kevin Becker gave a summary of how the local chapter used their Wildlife Heritage Funds to help local youth and to foster the mission of Delta Waterfowl Foundation.

Thanks to Presidential Circle sponsor MDU Resources Foundation, along with 40 Canvasback-level sponsors and various underwriters, there were plenty of prizes and gifts.  According to Chapter Chairman Scott Terning “we were loaded”! A Canvasback sponsorship enables businesses and individuals to have a 1-in-5 chance at winning a shotgun and this proved to be a very enticing opportunity. 

The Puddle Jumpers youth table was a booming success as all kids 16 and under received a complimentary duck call.  Lucky ticket buyers bore wide smiles of happiness as the youngsters ran to the table to collect their prizes. 

Scott thanked all of the sponsors and committee members along with emcee Terry Fleck and auctioneer Dale Pahlke, for their hard work and effort as the Bismarck chapter built on the successes of the 2003 banquet to make the 2004 a special event.