Delta President Rob Olson on Let's Go Outdoors Radio

Delta President Rob Olson recently spoke with Michael Short of Let's Go Outdoors Radio on the state of the breeding grounds, spring snow goose hunting, and the current opportunity for a hunting renaissance.

Olson is projecting a good fall flight, however he warned that there are still a number of variables that could limit prospects for a strong fall flight.

"It could be a duck explosion in many areas this year," said Olson, "but a lot still has to happen between now and the fall to have a good fall flight."

Duck Production in a Changing World - Hope for Duck Hunters

John Devney's 4-part series, Duck Production in a Changing World, identifies that the greatest challenge for ducks is on the breeding grounds. He also explains how Delta's programs are tailored to address those problems in the short-term and the long-term.

Part I: The Problem is on the Breeding Grounds
Part II: Declining Duck Production on the Breeding Grounds
Part III: ALUS - A New Approach to Duck Production
Part IV: New Tools to Increase Duck Production

Funding Increase for ALUS from the Province of PEI

The provincial government of Prince Edward Island (PEI) has increased its annual funding for Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) from $750,000 to one million dollars. This was announced during the 2009 Provincial Budget Address in PEI on April 16, 2009.

Read more about the announcement

Hen House Success Story - Duckling Returns Home

In 2008, a mallard hen was found incubating a clutch of ten eggs in the very same Hen House where she had hatched the previous year. Hen House 33 located in Sheakleyville, Mercer County, Pennsylvania has hatched four clutches of mallard ducklings in a three-year life span.

Hen Houses are one of the most cost-effective tools for providing mallards with a safe place to nest. Hen Houses can be an easy do-it-yourself project and can be installed in your own backyard provided you have a small wetland. Learn more about building & installing your own hen house.

Delta wants to share your Hen House stories, so please send us your story along with pictures.

Petition to Scrap the Long Gun Registry

An online petition to abolish the long gun registry has been created by Ontario Federation of Hunters & Anglers and is strongly supported by organizations like Delta Waterfowl. Over 20,000 signatures have been gathered and more are needed, if you haven't signed, do so now and forward this petition on to all of your contacts.

Through the Canadian Outdoors Network, Delta Waterfowl and its many partner organizations, have been working to abolish the Long Gun Registry. Dr. Bob Bailey, Vice-President of Delta Waterfowl and National Coordinator of the Canadian Outdoors Network, urges individuals to sign this petition and show your support to end the registry. "We need to send a strong message that we are not the criminals and that all parties need to get rid of this expensive and useless gun registry" says Dr. Bailey. "You can help us accomplish our goal by signing this petition".

5th North American Duck Symposium and Workshop

Waterfowl conservation and management today face significant challenges that result from key scientific uncertainties about the effects of important drivers of duck population change in fast-changing ecological and social arenas. Like the waterfowl that pass through the Great Lakes region twice yearly, the field of waterfowl ecology, conservation and management is in transition.

Long Point Waterfowl and the University of Guelph are co-hosting the 5th North American Duck Symposium and Workshop which will be held at the Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre in Mississauga, Ontario from 17 - 21 August, 2009. The overarching theme of the symposium will be "Duck Ecology and Management in a Changing World". This theme will provide the foundation for several plenary talks about current, key issues relating to ecology, conservation and management of ducks in North America and beyond.

Be sure to check the NADS5 website at www.northamericanducksymposium.org for more information about the symposium, including the scientific program, accommodations, registration, conference tours and deadlines for abstract submission.

New Delta Chapters

Greenville, MS | chair: Jay Janous (662) 207-2682
Yarmouth, NS | chair: Julien d'Eon (902) 749-1528
Big Lake, MN | chair: Dain Sauer (612) 839-1511
Spicer, MN | chair: Mike Gerke (320) 290-9289
New Bern, NC | chair: Michael D. Galloway

For more information on starting or joining a Delta Waterfowl Chapter in your area please call Delta's Bismarck North Dakota office at 888-987-3695 or visit Delta's Chapter page.