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The Fourth Annual Progress Report:

Delta Waterfowl's Efforts to Secure The Future of Hunting in Canada

Hunt ReportIntroduction

Delta Waterfowl continues to lead the defense and promotion of waterfowl hunting in Canada and 2009 was another successful year for our national Waterfowling Initiative. Delta, along with our partner organizations and volunteers, launched a variety of exciting new projects in 2009. This, our fourth annual hunt report will highlight many program successes over the past year and outline our goals for 2010.

Key highlights from 2009

● Ongoing operation and leadership of the largest waterfowl hunter recruitment effort in North America, that lead to the delivery of over 40 events in Canada, involving over 700 participants nationwide;

● Further expansion of the largest network of waterfowling mentors and recruitment hunt volunteers in North America;

● The expansion of the recruitment partnership to include many new groups, including Ducks Unlimited Canada;

● 2009 marks the fourth year of Delta’s Dr.Bob Bailey successfully coordinating the Outdoors Network - Canada’s first and only national hunting advocacy coalition;

● The award winning Outdoor Network tackled a wide range of issues throughout the last year including: the campaign to stop the national gun registry, animal rights legislation, the ongoing struggle to maintain the Canadian Wildlife Service migratory birds programming, to name a few;

● The creation of an international business plan to increase engagement of new financial supporters from the sporting industry, government and hunters; and,

● As part of our new business plan, the blueprint for North America’s first-ever online, DVD and hunting-manual resource package covering all necessary waterfowling skills for new hunters. This resource package will provide volunteers with the necessary support to start and sustain waterfowl recruitment hunts that lead to the creation of new waterfowlers.

Delta would like to acknowledge our partner organizations, which include: Canada’s provincial wildlife federations, Hunting for Tomorrow, AHEIA, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Long Point Waterfowl, trapping organizations, shooting sports organizations, outdoor retailers and manufactures, provincial and federal wildlife departments across the country, as well as Delta’s hundreds of chapter members and other volunteers.

Without the support and hard work of our hundreds of outstanding volunteers, our mentored hunt and advocacy initiatives would not be possible. Last but not least, the support of many individual, private supporters across Canada make our essential and unique work to maintain our waterfowling heritage possible.

Mentored Hunt Review for 2009

We feel that 2009 has been the most successful year of Delta’s mentored hunt program since the inception of the programming in 2000. We are very pleased with the continued growth of the program and look forward to the ongoing growth and development of our national campaign to secure the future of our waterfowling heritage in Canada.

In the delivery of recruitment hunts since 2000, we have the unique expertise to expand the program but we fully realize that further growth will be dependent on increased financial support for this Initiative. To that end, we have developed an exciting new business plan and proposal aimed at growing our capacity.

For newcomers to this report, please refer to Appendix I at the end of this document for detailed information about what a mentored hunt is, how they operate and some history regarding the initial launch of these programs.

Youth Recruitment

Mentored HuntsDelta Waterfowl’s mentored hunt program has grown significantly over the last decade, from a single hunt location in MB with 13 youth participants to the first and only national program of its kind with 40 locations and over 700 participants. We are proud to report that today, there are Delta sponsored youth events in every province.

Under Delta Waterfowl’s leadership, this program has become far and away, the largest waterfowl hunter recruitment program in North America. Growth of this program is only limited by Delta’s ability to bring the concept to more communities in Canada, which at the moment, is limited solely by our ability to raise more support for the initiative. The excitement has spilled over into Delta Waterfowl’s U.S. chapters where there were another 70 youth and adult recruitment events held in 2009.

Hunt ParticipantsWaterfowl hunter numbers actually increased in 2009 across Canada for the first time in decades. Hats off to all the groups and volunteers who have worked so hard to stop the decline of waterfowling in Canada; perhaps our collective efforts are paying off.

Adult Recruitment

In spite of ongoing urbanization, hunting continues to be a curiosity for countless Canadians. There is clear value in recruiting youth hunters but there are many adults in Canadian society that wish to try hunting but have not yet had the opportunity. Without friends or family to introduce them to the skills, locations and equipment required to hunt, the activity becomes inaccessible. Delta’s Waterfowling Initiative is providing many of these people with the opportunity.

In 2007 Delta launched first-ever adult recruitment initiatives including Canada’s first University mentored hunt as well as our country’s first ladies-only hunt event. Not only were these first events highly successful, they showed the huge value in diversifying our efforts to include adults. We found that adults often embraced hunting immediately and because they had the wherewithall (money, vehicle, independence), they routinely continued hunting successfully and safely on their own, as opposed to youth who require many more years of training before they could hunt independently. Training new adults to hunt waterfowl was likened by volunteers and staff to planting full-grown trees.

We are proud to report that interest in these adult oriented initiatives continue to grow across Canada and through our many partners and volunteers, more University and Ladies hunts are being conducted at various locations across Canada. We are setting goals to grow these events substantially as we are able to raise new funds to support these activities.

Summer Waterfowling Youth Camps: Retention and Ongoing Mentorship

CampsObviously, there are many components to waterfowling that cannot be covered in detail in just 2 days at a fall hunt event. We recognize that while a one-time hunt event is a great start, the process to create an independent hunter (especially with youth) is a longer process.

Therefore Delta contributed to a variety of multi-day waterfowl hunter education youth camps across Canada, designed to enhance awareness of the depth of waterfowling culture and skills, as well as career opportunities in wildlife management. Two multi-day camps were hosted in 2009; one in Port Rowan, Ontario and another at Oak Hammock, Manitoba.

We believe there is tremendous potential to create many more of these worthwhile events across Canada. Plans for expansion of these programs are currently being drawn for the summer of 2010.

Evening Hunter Education Workshops

We successfully tested an exciting new initiative at select 2009 Manitoba recruitment hunts where we held evening workshops designed to introduce hunters to new types of hunting. This provides an opportunity to expose waterfowl hunt participants to big game hunting , turkey hunting or trapping, for example. Delta believes that these workshops will help provide the information for existing hunters to expand their interest and will lead to increased hunter opportunity. We hope to introduce this new idea at other recruitment hunts across Canada in 2010.

Going Forward - Waterfowler Recruitment Program objectives for 2010

● Continued growth and development of youth and adult recruitment initiatives in terms of number and type of hunts, as well as the number of participants;

● Launch of Delta’s FIRST HUNT PROGRAM. First Hunt - ‘Creating Lifelong Waterfowlers’ is an international initiative that combines Delta’s existing mentored hunt program with new tools (one-of-a-kind instructional DVDs, online services, hard copy manuals) and program structure (from Delta staff) to create new waterfowlers for life. First Hunt tools will include the production of the following resources:

  1. A “How to host a successful and sustainable mentored hunt” manual (in production, online and hard copy) aimed at volunteers hosting recruitment hunts,
  2. Instructional DVD (in production) with comprehensive and unique video-based presentations (safety, shooting, bird cleaning, etc) to be shown at hunts (and online) for new hunters. This DVD will also include steps on how to host a successful mentored hunt aimed at the volunteers,
  3. A ‘How to Hunt Waterfowl’ Booklet for hunt participants (in production), and
  4. One-of-a-kind on-line resources including: blog and community chat forums for kids and new adult hunters, lesson plans for volunteers, and unique video-based educational resources for new duck hunters;

● The ongoing development and execution of a new Waterfowling Initiative business plan that will lead to increased support from the outdoor industry, philanthropic Canadian hunters, and government;

● Delta now has 10 years of hunter recruitment participant data. We will seek to analyze this data to evaluate and adjust our program structure based on results; and

● Delta Waterfowl field station site renewal - A funding proposal will be drafted in 2010 for the support of a sight renewal project at the Delta Marsh - Delta’s original research station. Delta sees the Delta Marsh Research Station as an international center of excellence for waterfowling and conservation education, and a testing ground for new ideas pertaining to holding successful youth education and hunting events.

Canadian National Hunting Advocacy - The Award Winning Outdoors Network

Bob BaileyIn 2006, the Liberal Party tabled a resolution (Resolution 42), that aimed to ban semi-automatic firearms in Canada. Like many Canadian hunters, Delta’s Dr.Bob Bailey was frustrated and concerned by the lack of a coordinated, national effort to address this kind of troublesome and misguided political policy. Dr.Bailey called a national conference call to attempt to create a campaign to stop Resolution 42 and the Canadian hunting and shooting community responded immediately. It turned out many groups were simply looking for someone to take the lead in setting up a process to coordinate efforts.

Pressure from the fledgling Outdoor Network resulted in Resolution 42 being dropped by the Liberal Party, and in the process, Canada’s first-ever coordinated national advocacy working group - The Outdoors Network - was essentially formed.

The ongoing successful defense and promotion of hunting in our increasingly ur

anized Canadian society will require an effective, public and coordinated national advocacy and public relations campaign on behalf of hunters, which, until the creation of the Outdoors Network, had not existed in a substantive form in Canada. For the first time, this coalition is actively and publicly advocating on behalf of all Canadian hunters on tough issues such as gun ownership and many others. Since 2006, Dr.Bailey and Delta Waterfowl have been recognized by outdoor organizations across the country for his groundbreaking work in creating the much needed Outdoors Network. Since inception, the Network has grown to include a combined grassroots membership of over 500,000 Canadians who are represented by the following progressive organizations:

The Outdoors Network (the Network) is tackling a wide variety of issues that affect the rights of Canadian hunters, fishers, trappers and gun owners, including the following (for more information on the status of these issues please contact Dr. Bob Bailey at Delta’s Canadian Head Office):

● Dismantling of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) - Ongoing - there are proposed changes by the current government that would drastically reduce Canada’s waterfowl management capabilities. This is a significant issue of concern for the future of waterfowl and waterfowl hunting in Canada. The Network continues to stay abreast of developments and to communicate with government on the needs of the resource and the hunting community.

● Wildlife Habitat Canada - Federal Duck Stamp - Completed and Successful - Proposed changes could have seen Federal Duck Stamp revenue’s flow into Environment Canada’s general budget or elsewhere. An active effort by the Network, lead by Delta Waterfowl, successfully contributed to the preservation of this successful waterfowl program.

● Successful Passage of Animal Rights Bill S-203. Passage of this Bill S-203, increases substantially the fines and punishments for individuals who deliberately and maliciously mistreat animals while not affecting the rights of hunters, trappers and fishermen. An alternative and dangerous version of this Bill was defeated by a coordinated effort of Network members, lead in particular by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.

● Proposed amendments to the Navigable Waters Protection Act - Ongoing - The Network believes that proposed changes by the Conservative government to this Act could severely restrict access to traditional hunting, fishing and trapping areas. The Network and its members are actively working to ensure this Act does not stop hunters and anglers from accessing traditional areas, such as small streams and creeks.

● National Firearms Registry - Ongoing - the Network continues to work in a coordinated way in a unique campaign to ensure key MPs (especially rural Liberal and NDP MPs) understand the wishes of hunters on this issue: to dismantle the costly and ineffective gun registry. The Registry has cost Canadians billions of dollars and is seen as a roadblock to hunter recruitment and retention with little benefit to solving ongoing issues of urban crime in large centers such as Toronto and Montreal.

From this brief sub-set of issues the Outdoors Network is currently working on, it is clear that Canada’s outdoors enthusiasts need a strong voice to influence government policy that affects our lifestyles. The strength of this working group comes from the coordination of efforts of all 24 organizations and the strategic combined lobby that can now be accomplished in Canada for the first time. Delta thanks all the organizations and the individuals who actively participate from each organization for their talent and dedication.

Delta hosts the regular conference calls and coordinates letters to MPs on behalf of all Network members nationally. As part of Delta’s new business plan for our Waterfowling Initiative, we are seeking to raise new funding to expand the capabilities of the Outdoor Network.

Help Us Secure the Future of Hunting in Canada

Delta Waterfowl continues to take a leadership role in tackling the key issues facing hunters nationwide. Our work in encouraging recruitment hunts, coordinating national hunting advocacy and weighing in at the local level when waterfowl hunting is threatened, is essential to ensure that there is a bright future for hunting in Canada. While there are many organizations doing tremendous work in conserving waterfowl habitat, there is one group - Delta Waterfowl - that is uniquely focused on publicly promoting waterfowl hunting on behalf of all Canadian waterfowl hunters.

Delta Waterfowl created the first-ever youth hunting program in Canada, we started the first ladies-only waterfowl hunting program, the first program aimed at University students, the first all-inclusive national advocacy effort and the first plan and program to defend the access of waterfowl hunters at the local level. On the strength of the demonstration of these good ideas, new efforts have arisen from coast to coast, through the efforts of volunteers and partnering organizations.

All organizations doing good work on behalf of hunters deserve your support but if you are a Canadian duck or goose hunter, an upland bird hunter, in fact, a hunter of any type - Delta Waterfowl needs your support to continue our critical work on behalf of us all. If you are already part our team, please tell a friend. Get involved with our efforts at the local level through our chapter network.

Most of all - THANKS - in advance for helping us secure the future of hunting in Canada.

Future of Hunting

Appendix I

Background Information on Delta’s Waterfowler Recruitment Programming

Waterfowler numbers peaked in the late 1970’s at over 500,000 hunters (based on federal permits sold). From that record high number of licenses, sales decreased dramatically to an all time low of fewer than 135,000 in 2005. Reasons for the historic decline of waterfowl hunters are numerous and our research tells us many factors are involved including the following:

In year one of our mentored hunt program, we hosted a single mentored hunt in Manitoba with the help of Manitoba Conservation and the Manitoba Wildlife Federation and introduced 13 youths to waterfowl hunting. Since 2000, Delta has worked tirelessly to expand mentored waterfowl hunt opportunities across the country. Despite dramatic , historic declines, hunter numbers appear to have stabilized, and with over 40 recruitment events across the country and an extensive portfolio of advocacy work, we believe the future for our hunting heritage has never looked better.

Our partnerships have increased to include provincial non-government organizations like Ducks Unlimited Canada, Long Point Waterfowl, AHEIA/HFT, wildlife federations, new government agencies and new funding sources in the form of the outdoor industry and individual philanthropists. Together, and with Delta’s leadership and passion, we are creating the programs and regulatory changes that allow all Canadians the opportunity to learn how to hunt waterfowl safely and ethically.

Delta Waterfowl was founded by conservation minded hunters and continues to be managed and directed by a passionate group of duck hunters. Hunting lies at the core of our mission so we are proud to be the recognized as a leading and unique voice of Canadian waterfowlers today. We consider the historic decline of waterfowl hunting as a conservation crisis and are fully and uniquely committed to leading the way with new programs that increase bird hunting participation in all forms across Canada.

Waterfowling Initiative: Delta’s Solutions

Delta’s Waterfowling Initiative was launched in 2003. The program has three focus areas :

  1. Recruiting and retaining waterfowl hunters. Our mentored hunt program focuses on this area.
  2. Defending waterfowl hunting through public and political advocacy on key issues affecting waterfowl hunters. Addressing hunting access and regulatory issues and firearm ownership through Chairing Canada’s Outdoor’s Network is the focus here.
  3. Promoting waterfowl hunting publicly and positively on behalf of hunters and training the next generation of hunters to be positive advocates for the resource.

Background on Mentored hunts

A Mentored Hunt is designed to be a low cost, volunteer driven event that provides a thorough introduction to the skills, concepts and regulations associated with waterfowl hunting. A typical Delta Waterfowl recruitment hunt is a two-day event with instructional seminars held on Day 1 and the hunt on day Day 2. Here is a more detailed description of the Mentored Hunt events:

Day 1 - Education

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Click to view an image from a Delta Waterfowl Mentored Hunt

All participants must have completed a provincial hunter safety certification prior to attendance. Safety concepts and familiarity with their firearms are reinforced to ensure a safe enjoyable experience on Day 2 - which includes the hunt. New hunters are paired up with experienced mentors who guide them safely through their first hunt.

Day 2 - The Hunt

On the day of the hunt everything from shotguns and shells to chest waders and decoys are generously loaned to the new hunters (if they don’t have their own) by mentors . They also leave with a handsome kit of equipment including: recipe books, duck calls, duck ID charts and more. Provincial government and non-government partners and groups such as Ducks Unlimited Canada generously provide resource materials for the hunters. Most importantly new hunters are exposed to a way of life that Canadians have embraced for generations and the opportunity of a lifestyle that provides a deep connection to the land and their food.

Many Delta Waterfowl chapters are hosting annual waterfowler education seminars instead of, or in addition to, mentored hunts. These events, often held in the off-season, are designed to educate youth and adults about the many aspects of waterfowl hunting such as shooting, decoys, calling and dog work. They also serve as an opportunity to recruit new hunters and mentors for Mentored Hunts in the fall. Without our dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers and partner organizations the mentored hunt concept would never have become reality. Again, we thank everyone involved.