Migration Update – May 10, 2010 The May breeding surveys are underway across the U.S. and Canada. In many areas of the U.S., the first broods of resident Canada Geese can be seen on many ponds and the mating chase flights of mallards can be witnessed. While the off-season continues, it is hardly a slumbering hibernation for duck or duck hunter -- it is merely a change in activities that lead up to the fast approaching season. Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com. The results of the May Breeding Surveys are the foundation of opportunity for each duck-hunting season. Thanks to advances in Internet based communication, the process that determines the season length and bag limits has never been more accessible to the avid waterfowl hunter. Waterfowler.com encourages our members to visit Flyways.us over the next few weeks to follow the flight logs (link below) of survey crews as they monitor breeding conditions on the continent’s primary waterfowl nesting grounds. The updated logs are more than a testament of your tax dollars at work. These flight reports offer you the opportunity to take a virtual ride in the cockpit with aerial survey teams and experience the process of waterfowl management in action. As we track the breeding conditions with the crews over the next month, Waterfowler.com would like to remind our readers that the off-season is the perfect time to consider how you and your fellow duck hunters can give back to the resource and strengthen the future of waterfowl and waterfowl hunting. In addition to annual memberships and donations to your favorite conservation organization, WFC encourages our members to join or create a Delta Waterfowl Chapter in their area. For more information on Delta Waterfowl Foundation, visit Deltawaterfowl.org today. For members that have already begun planning for the coming season, the classified ad section of Waterfowler.com is a great tool to find deals on everything from leases and guides to dogs and decoys. Whether you are buying a boat or selling an outboard motor, WFC classifieds will put you in touch with the buyers and sellers of everything duck hunting. Be sure and post or shop the WFC classifieds when planning. Until our next report, hope to see you at the virtual Online Lodge in Second Life ~ where the duck season is always open and clay target shooting is free. Photo Credit: USFWS Supportive research on this topic is available at the following links: http://flyways.us/status-of-waterfowl/pilot-reports http://www.deltawaterfowl.org/chapters/faq.php

Posted: 2010-05-10 0:00