Newsroom
The Latest in Upland Bird and Waterfowl Information
Weather Patterns and Moisture Play the Part of Spoiler for Many Waterfowlers—DU Biologists Provide Some Accounts from the Field
Governments stumble as poultry industry reels: New Zealand's $507 million poultry industry could see pressure to ramp up exports as avian flu sweeps through Asia -- if the highly centralised local industry itself survives the growing risk of contamination.
116k PDF file. Adobe
Acrobat Reader required (free download).
80k PDF file. Adobe
Acrobat Reader required (free download).
Wintry weather chases waterfowl south, says USFWS
Even though snow and cold temperatures have chased most ducks and geese out of North Dakota, a few good hunting opportunities can still be found. However, the final weekly report of the season from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service managers and biologists notes that those opportunities will be very limited, and may not last long.
Southeastern North Dakota is one of the few bright spots. Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge project leader Doug Staller says hunters need to set up between harvested corn fields and open water. He reports good numbers of mallards and diving ducks, as well as some Canada geese and white-fronted geese. Staller is steering hunters toward large bodies of water such as Kraft Slough near Oakes.
Hunters who can find open water and food supplies in southeast-central North Dakota could encounter some concentrations of waterfowl. But Bob Vanden Berge of the Kulm Wetland Management District says those isolated pockets of waterfowl could disappear quickly. He adds that the amount of snow on the ground is already making feeding difficult for waterfowl, and they will leave the area when the remaining open water freezes over.
Some of the larger wetlands in Barnes County still have open water, and they could hold waterfowl briefly. Kory Richardson of the Valley City Wetland Management District says a lot of ducks and geese moved through the area on Sunday and Monday.
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge near Pingree is almost 100 percent frozen over. Biologist Paulette Scherr says a small patch of open water was holding about 200 Canada geese and a few mallards on Wednesday, and she saw a small flock of snow geese going out to feed on Tuesday.
A few of the large wetlands in northwestern Stutsman County still had open water early this week. Dave Bolin of the Chase Lake Prairie Project says there were some snow geese and sandhill cranes in that area, but most of the ducks had left.
A few waterfowl were still seen at mid-week at Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot. Project leader Dean Knauer says Lake Darling and the Souris River are almost entirely frozen over, but some diving ducks are huddled in a couple remaining open areas.
Heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures drove most waterfowl out of north-central North Dakota. Bob Howard of J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge believes there may be a few mallards in the occasional open spot on the river, but their food sources are all covered, so the ducks won't stay long.
Most snow geese left Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge near Kenmare before last weekend. Assistant project leader Dan Severson says a few hardy Canada geese and mallards were keeping a small hole in the lake open on Tuesday, but those birds were not expected to remain much longer.
Northern Lake Sakakawea may still be holding some waterfowl, but the rest of Mountrail County is frozen over and snow-covered. Todd Frerichs of the Lostwood Wetland Management District reports most birds pulled out last Thursday.
A major migration out of Canada took place last Thursday and Friday. Tim Kessler of the Crosby Wetland Management District says most of those waterfowl overflew northwestern North Dakota.
Audubon National Wildlife Refuge near Coleharbor still held 5,000 to 10,000 Canada geese on Wednesday. Project leader Mike McEnroe adds that the east end of Lake Sakakawea had some snow geese on Tuesday, and the Washburn area had fair numbers of Canada geese along the river. Other areas of McLean and Sheridan counties lost nearly all their ducks and geese by last weekend.
Only a few large, deep wetlands remain open in central and northern Burleigh and Kidder counties. Gregg Knutsen of Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge says some of those wetlands still held large concentrations of snow geese and mallards plus some Canada geese and white-fronts on Tuesday. Most of the waterfowl at the refuge, except for about 6,500 snow geese, 1,500 Canada geese and 4,000 mallards, pulled out on Wednesday morning. Knutsen reports the lake is completely frozen over except for a couple small pockets on the western third of the refuge.
Most waterfowl had departed the Devils Lake area by last weekend. Aaron Mize of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District says even Lake Alice is mostly frozen over, and hunting opportunities will be mainly limited to diving ducks on Devils Lake.
The snow goose population at Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Aberdeen, S.D. peaked at 210,000 on Sunday and Monday, but dropped to about 135,000 on Wednesday. Biologist Bill Schultze says most area lakes are frozen over, and the remaining ducks and geese are either standing on the ice or using small areas of open water. Duck numbers plummeted from 150,000 on Sunday to about 40,000.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages 1,100 Waterfowl Production Areas in North Dakota. These public areas are open to hunting, and are marked with the familiar green and white WPA sign. Funds to acquire these areas come from Federal Duck Stamp sales to the nation's waterfowl hunters.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible
for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their
habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information,
log on to http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov.
160k PDF file. Adobe
Acrobat Reader required (free download).
Weather Bringing Waterfowl; Could Move Them Through, Says USFWS
Cold weather is moving more ducks and geese into North Dakota, but the weekly report from managers and biologists of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service warns that the birds could move through quickly if wetlands freeze over and food supplies are covered by snow.
Waterfowl populations are increasing at Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge near Kenmare. Assistant project leader Dan Severson says snow geese have been moving in since late last week, and totaled 65,000 on Tuesday. The refuge also held 3,000 Canada geese, 15,000 mallards and 450 tundra swans. Severson believes those numbers will be increasing, but could also drop quickly depending on the weather.
Hunter success remains limited in northwestern North Dakota. Biologist Monte Ellingson of the Crosby Wetland Management District reports the Crosby area still had about 5,000 snow geese early this week, but very few new birds had arrived. He says hunters willing to do a lot of scouting occasionally find scattered flocks of mallards.
A few snow geese are arriving in Mountrail County, but Lostwood Wetland Management District manager Todd Frerichs says the area doesn't have enough water to hold them. He reports seeing a few more field-feeding mallards plus a good concentration of tundra swans. Frerichs suggests hunters try the Shell Lake area for snow geese and lesser Canada geese.
Snow geese have been moving onto Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge near Minot. Deputy refuge manager Tom Pabian estimated 50,000 snow geese scattered throughout the refuge at mid-week. He reported no major movement of ducks or Canada geese.
J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge had attracted more than 100,000 snow geese by mid-week. Project leader Bob Howard says most of the snow geese are on the southern part of the refuge, but are scattered throughout. He reports seeing flocks of feeding snow geese in the Willow City and Rugby areas, and suggests that any large wetlands which normally attract snow geese may have them now. Howard notes that the refuge's populations of dabbling ducks, Canada geese, sandhill cranes and tundra swans have dropped, but more scaup and other diving ducks have arrived.
The Devils Lake area is in the middle of the waterfowl migration. Biologist Mark Fisher of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District says tens of thousands of snow geese had moved into the Webster and Cando areas by mid-week, and large numbers of ducks are being seen around Lakota, with additional flocks scattered across several counties. He adds that lots of migrating Canada geese have reached the area. Fisher notes that scouting is still necessary, and he warns boat hunters to keep a close eye on the weather, and wear a personal floatation device.
In central North Dakota, large flocks of lesser Canada geese are on the move. Mike McEnroe of Audubon National Wildlife Refuge says the refuge held about 25,000 Canada geese and 10,000 ducks at mid-week. Refuge staff reported hearing large flocks of migrating snow geese moving through. The area's duck population is now almost exclusively mallards and diving ducks. McEnroe adds that the Goodrich area held more sandhill cranes than waterfowl early this week.
The large numbers of shovelers and gadwalls at Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Moffit were joined early this week by a few migrant diving ducks. Biologist Cheryl Jacobs says the refuge is also holding a couple thousand Canada geese, and some small groups of snow geese have been seen on or near the refuge, but sandhill crane numbers had dropped off substantially by mid-week. Jacobs reports several thousand sandhill cranes in central Kidder County, and scattered flocks of snow geese in northern Kidder and Burleigh counties. She says, even with more birds in the area, scouting is still necessary.
Waterfowl hunters in southeast-central North Dakota have been having a difficult time lately, but Bob Vanden Berge of the Kulm Wetland Management District says the situation could improve if the weather cooperates. He reports no appreciable migration by mid-week, except for a few Canada geese and a few scaup, and he warns that migrating waterfowl could avoid the area because of the dry conditions.
Very few migrating mallards had reached Wells and western Stutsman counties early this week. Chris Flann of the Chase Lake Prairie Project says more diving ducks have moved in, quite a few sandhill cranes remain, and some resident Canada geese can still be found. He reports the northern part of the area has better water conditions.
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge has picked up quite a few mallards. Biologist Paulette Scherr estimated 20,000 mallards early this week, plus a few gadwalls, pintails, shovelers and green-winged teal, but not many diving ducks. The refuge also held about 5,000 Canada geese, with about 90 percent of them being lessers, and fewer than 500 snow geese.
A few flocks of snow geese were reported near Alice and Sanborn early this week, but no major movement yet. Justin Wanzek of the Valley City Wetland Management District says duck migration has been slow.
It's shaping up to be the best weekend of the waterfowl season in southeastern North Dakota. Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge biologist Kristine Askerooth says lots of migrating ducks are moving into the area, along with good numbers of Canada geese, some snow geese and some tundra swans.
Snow geese began arriving late last week at Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Aberdeen, S.D. Biologist Bill Schultze says the refuge now has about 8,500 snow geese. The duck population has jumped to 135,000, and Canada geese number 3,000. Schultze adds that pintails have increased in the past few days, lots of canvasbacks remain and lesser scaup have moved in. Increasing numbers of mallards are being seen feeding in fields near the refuge, and about 360 tundra swans are using northern Sand Lake and southern Mud Lake.
Hunters are reminded that November 4 is the final day to hunt canvasback and pintail ducks, and boats and other equipment must be removed daily from public lands managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages 1,100 Waterfowl Production Areas in North Dakota. These public areas are open to hunting, and are marked with the familiar green and white WPA sign. Funds to acquire them come from Federal Duck Stamp sales to the nation's waterfowl hunters.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, log on to http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov
Not Much Waterfowl Movement; Hunting Slow, Says USFWS
Balmy temperatures and poor water conditions are making waterfowl hunting difficult in North Dakota. The weekly survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, compiled from observations made Oct. 18-22, shows only slight increases in the populations of dabbling and diving ducks, snow geese and lesser Canada geese.
At Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge near Kenmare, manager Dan Severson reports the snow goose population has grown to 20,000 from 5,000 last week. He says most of the snow geese are on the north half of the refuge, with more arriving regularly early this week. The 2,500 Canada geese are mostly on the south portions of the refuge. Mallard numbers are up to 15,000 from 5,000 last week, and they are scattered over the entire refuge. Severson says the presence of 6,000 diving ducks indicates that ducks are starting to migrate out of Canada. He adds that the refuge is also holding about 350 tundra swans.
In Mountrail County, hunters may find small pockets of mallards and sandhill cranes, but the warm temperatures and dry conditions are limiting hunter success. Todd Frerichs of the Lostwood Wetland Management District says a few more tundra swans have arrived, but he has seen very few snow geese.
Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge near Minot held about 2,000 snow geese at mid-week, along with about 5,000 Canada geese and 10,000 ducks. Spokesperson Darla Leslie says the snow geese were mostly on the south end of the refuge, the Canada geese were on the north end, and the ducks were scattered, with virtually no migration.
Water levels continue to drop in northwestern North Dakota. Tim Kessler of the Crosby Wetland Management District says very few ducks are being reported, but about 5,000 snow geese have reached the Crosby area and a few scattered flocks of Canada geese can still be found.
Duck numbers are down, but more snow geese are being seen at J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge in north-central North Dakota. Project leader Bob Howard says the Westhope area is holding up to 60,000 snow geese, with other flocks near Kramer and Upham. He adds that some sandhill cranes left the area early this week, and he saw flocks of lesser Canada geese moving through late last week. However, Howard estimates the refuge has up to 4,000 tundra swans.
Some snow geese are trickling into northeastern North Dakota, but there hasn't been much other movement. Biologist Aaron Mize of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District says hunting has become very difficult. He reports the combination of drying wetlands, warm temperatures and heavy hunter pressure has reduced success to what some say is the poorest in recent years. Mize notes that neither ducks nor geese are decoying well, and ducks seem hesitant to leave the water.
More waterfowl are moving into central North Dakota. Audubon National Wildlife Refuge project leader Mike McEnroe says the movement includes lesser Canada geese, a few flocks of 50 to 200 snow geese, good numbers of sandhill cranes and some ducks. He says hunters should expect to do some scouting.
There has been a slight increase in the number of lesser Canada geese at Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Moffit. Biologist Cheryl Jacobs also reports a small gain in the sandhill crane population at the refuge. She says the refuge still has lots of gadwalls and shovelers, but there hasn't been much movement of ducks. Jacobs notes northern Kidder County has the best water conditions, but hunters will still have to spend some time scouting.
The population of Canada geese on Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge has increased quite a bit. Biologist Paulette Scherr says the north end of the refuge and the south end each held about 1,500 Canada geese early this week. Most of the 3,000 ducks on the north end are dabbling ducks? with mallards making up about half the total. Scherr also reports seeing flocks of 20 to 70 Canada geese feeding in harvested fields in southeastern Foster County, and she adds that most wetlands still containing water have at least a few ducks.
Ducks and geese are hard to find, but sandhill cranes are plentiful around the Chase Lake Prairie Project. Operations specialist Dave Bolin says hunters are reporting the most cranes in recent years. He notes that the local ducks have been pushed out of the area and no migrants have arrived to replace them. Bolin says hunters have told him they are having a hard time finding birds, but a few small flocks of Canada geese are scattered throughout the area.
Most of the local ducks are gone, but good numbers of resident Canada geese remain in southeast-central North Dakota. Operations specialist Ed Meendering of the Kulm Wetland Management District says the combination of heavy hunter pressure, warm temperatures and calm winds has made hunting difficult.
Very little migration is reported in east-central North Dakota. Operations specialist Stacy Hoehn of the Valley City Wetland Management District says there are very few hunters. She says the best water conditions are in the northern part of the five counties.
Migrating waterfowl are showing up at Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern North Dakota. Biologist Kristine Askerooth says the refuge has up to 15,000 gadwalls, wigeon and mallards, but not many diving ducks yet. About 5,000 snow geese have reached the area, along with up to 8,000 lesser Canada geese, although most of the greater Canada geese have departed.
Duck numbers continue to increase at Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Aberdeen, S.D., but not much else has changed. Biologist Bill Schultze says the refuge is holding about 125,000 ducks, but the Canada goose population is steady at 2,100. He says a few small flocks of snow geese have been reported in the area, and flocks of mallards are beginning to feed in some of the harvested fields surrounding the refuge.
Hunters transporting harvested waterfowl are reminded they must leave either the head or a fully-feathered wing intact.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages 1,100 Waterfowl Production Areas in North Dakota. These public areas are open to hunting, and are marked with the familiar green and white WPA sign. Funds to acquire them come from Federal Duck Stamp sales to the nation's waterfowl hunters.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible
for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their
habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information,
log on to www.fws.gov.
North Dakota Field Report
By Bill Stein, Stillwater, Minn.
Just got back from the SE area of North Dakota. Four day duck hunt around
Kulm. Dry but still successful. Harder work than in past several
years. They lost many locals to SD because of the non-res gun pressure.
Bob Vanden
Berg, the local USF&W officer in Kulm told me that the Sand Lake refuge
in northern SD held 10K duck before the ND non-res opener and 60K
on the Monday following. Far too much gun pressure in the area. And increasingly
boorish behavior. Eg. the younger hunters are now using ATV's to
trespass.
They park vehicles a couple of miles away and trespass with ATV's.
When chased, they go cross country to their trucks.
Also much shooting from
vehicles according to Vanden Berg. I was
turned down at three farms. A new experience for me. The local
ranchers are fed up with trespassers and just say no.
Many non-res
hunters were quitting early and returning home. Dry. Fewer ducks.
Angry landowners. I think the over pressure
will fix
itself thanks to landowners.
The ducks we shot were mallards
and gadwall. Saw fewer widgeon, pintails. More greenwing teal.
But few of the non-res I talked
to are willing to ante up the extra $100.
Warm weather slows waterfowl migration, dries wetlands
Warm temperatures continue to dry up wetlands and keep waterfowl from migrating into North Dakota. A survey of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service managers and biologists shows very little change in duck and goose populations this week.
A few more ducks and geese have arrived at Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge near Kenmare, but manager Dan Severson says populations are still low. The refuge is holding about 5,000 ducks, fewer than 1,000 lesser Canada geese and snow geese, plus a few white-fronts. Severson believes the unseasonably warm weather has drastically slowed the migration out of Canada.
Water conditions remain very poor in extreme northwestern North Dakota. Tim Kessler of the Crosby Wetland Management District says he has seen a few snow geese between Noonan and Crosby, and some sandhill cranes south of Lignite, but duck populations consist mainly of local gadwalls and shovelers.
In Mountrail County, some of the larger wetlands have a few mallards, Shell Lake was holding a few geese and sandhill cranes early this week, and some snow geese were reported at Van Hook Arm of Lake Sakakawea. Todd Frerichs of the Lostwood Wetland Management District says the sandhill cranes seem to be more scattered than normal, but they are in huntable numbers.
Waterfowl populations remain low at Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge near Minot. Manager Dean Knauer says there has been very little movement this week, and the refuge continues to hold about 5,000 ducks, about 1,000 Canada geese and 500 snow geese.
Dry conditions and warm temperatures combine for difficult hunting around
J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge at Upham. Assistant manager Gary Erickson
says the geese aren't coming down from Canada, and local ducks seem hesitant
to leave the refuge. He reports a few snow geese and some sandhill cranes in
the area, but overall a "quiet" situation.
Wetlands are vanishing in northeastern North Dakota. Biologist Mark Fisher of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District says the warm weather has slowed migration to almost nothing, and the ducks already here don't need to go out and feed much. He reports heavy pressure on public lands in the area, but notes the best opportunities are near Lake Alice, Lakota and on the main body of Devils Lake.
Central North Dakota has more waterfowl, many more hunters, much more posted land and much less water than last year, so everything is concentrated. Audubon National Wildlife Refuge project leader Mike McEnroe says the refuge has about 6,000 Canada geese and up to 10,000 ducks, with another 2,000 to 3,000 Canada geese at nearby Lake Nettie refuge.
Waterfowl and sandhill crane populations are holding steady at Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Moffit. Biologist Gregg Knutsen estimates the refuge is holding about 1,500 Canada geese, almost 5,500 sandhill cranes and large numbers of shovelers and gadwalls. He says the best water conditions continue to be found in northern Burleigh and Kidder counties.
The warm temperatures have kept some blue-winged teal around Stutsman and Wells counties. Dave Bolin of the Chase Lake Prairie Project believes there hasn't been much migration in or out. He says no migrant diving ducks have arrived yet, and some mallards have moved out because of hunter pressure. Bolin also reports fair numbers of sandhill cranes west of Woodworth.
The Canada goose population at Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge north of Jamestown has doubled to more than 2,000. Biologist Paulette Scherr estimates a similar number in the surrounding area. The refuge also has up to 10,000 ducks? mostly mallards, gadwalls and shovelers. Also in the area early this week were some small flocks of scaup and canvasbacks, plus about 100 tundra swans. A survey of the area from Kensal through eastern Foster and Eddy counties revealed better water conditions and fewer large concentrations of ducks, but a good increase in the Canada goose numbers, with flock sizes from 100 to over 400 birds.
Wetlands in southeast-central North Dakota continue to dry up at a rapid pace. Bob Vanden Berge of the Kulm Wetland Management District says many of the duck concentrations have been broken up, and he believes more of them will be found in the southern part of his district and possibly into South Dakota. He predicts only fair to poor opportunities for waterfowl hunters this weekend, but notes that pheasant populations are better than in recent years.
Most large bodies of water in Barnes, Griggs and Eddy counties have ducks. Kory Richardson of the Valley City Wetland Management District says good concentrations of mallards and pintails were found on bigger water in the Wimbledon area over the weekend, and Hobart Lake held some mallards and Canada geese. He says scouting remains vital, because not every wetland has water or ducks.
A few more Canada geese have reached southeastern North Dakota. Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge biologist Kristine Askerooth suggests hunters try waterfowl production areas south of Hankinson and Lidgerwood that have large bodies of water, but she warns that the fire danger is very high.
In northeastern South Dakota, Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is holding about 60,000 ducks, 1,500 Canada geese and 35 tundra swans, but no snow geese. Biologist Bill Schultze says the duck population, an increase of 15,000 from last week, is mostly shovelers, gadwalls, mallards and green-winged teal, although more wigeon have arrived.
Those pursuing sandhill cranes should note that whooping cranes have been reported in the state in the past few days. The rare, protected whoopers commonly travel with sandhill cranes, and pass through North Dakota each spring and fall. Any sightings of whooping cranes should be promptly reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 387-4397 or the N.D. Game and Fish Department at 328-6300.
Hunters are reminded that the daily limit of ducks can only include one canvasback and one pintail through November 4, when the season closes for those two species. Also, nonresidents cannot hunt any game from October 11 through October 17 on state-controlled land, which includes wildlife management areas and Conservation P.L.O.T.S.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages 1,100 waterfowl production areas in North Dakota. These public areas are open to hunting, and are marked with the familiar green and white WPA sign. Funds to acquire them come from Federal Duck Stamp sales to the nation's waterfowl hunters.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, log on to www.fws.gov
Texas To Host Hunting Heritage Symposium
HOUSTON - In Texas, like many rural states, hunting is more than a sport and a management tool - it's a way of life. And gathering around a campfire to celebrate the hunt, honor the game animal and make future plans is an integral part of hunting.
That tradition continues on a grand scale here Dec. 3-6 at the 7th Governor's Symposium on North America's Hunting Heritage.
"Hunting has been an important part of Texas' heritage," said Governor Rick Perry. "Through this symposium, hunting enthusiasts from across North America will share ideas and opinions that will foster a better understanding of the role hunting has played in our culture and its continued role in habitat conservation."
The first Governor's Symposium on North America's Hunting Heritage was in Montana in 1992, and participation has increased at other sites at each subsequent gathering. This year's symposium is expected to draw more than 600 people from Canada, Mexico and the United States to work on "taking action to secure the future of hunting in North America," (which is the theme of this year's conference).
Attendees are expected to ratify a hunting accord created during the 2000 symposium in Ottawa, Canada, that established the following:
* Hunting is a sustainable activity with deep cultural and social roots and tremendous economic impact.
* The hunting communities and governmental agencies have created hunter
safety and education programs that have made hunting safer than most other
outdoor activities.
* Hunting has generated billions of dollars that support
habitat conservation and enhancement that benefit all wildlife, including
game animals.
* The hunting community is dedicated to using science-based information
to manage wildlife populations and habitat.
The hunting accord works to articulate and teach ethical principles of hunting and to develop good relations between hunting groups and governmental agencies that regulate hunting and work for wildlife conservation.
This year's symposium will also focus upon the recruitment and retention of hunters, with the goal of finding efficient, action-oriented programs that government wildlife agencies and hunting organizations can implement. The findings of the recently completed Future of Hunting in Texas strategic plan will help guide attendees.
"For several reasons, including access limitations and cost and time constraints, the number of hunters nationally has declined in recent years," according to Robert L. Cook, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department executive director. "A continued drop in hunter participation could be devastating to wildlife conservation efforts because hunters do so much economically and socially to maintain and improve wildlife habitat."
Topics of discussion at the symposium that planners hope will shed light upon possible solutions to this problem include presentations about the financial impact of hunting, hunting and landowner relations, and hunting ethics and the media. Guest speakers include Steve Williams, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Doug Painter, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Rollin Sparrowe, president of the Wildlife Management Institute, Don Young, executive director of Ducks Unlimited and Rob Keck, executive director of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
A reception on Wednesday evening, Dec. 3, kicks off three days of seminars, workshops and panel discussions with a banquet Saturday evening. Hunters and members of hunting organizations are encouraged to attend.
Registration for the event is $300, (or $265 before Oct. 31) and includes attendance at all meetings, the opening and closing banquets, exhibits, displays, meals and transportation to a participatory shooting event. For registration information, visit the Web site, or call (512) 389-4979.
> Back to top
|
