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How Cold is Too Cold for Hunters?

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FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Global warming may be a hot topic in the news, but for millions of Americans, this past winter has been anything but warm. Wintery weather has blanketed many parts of the country in snow and ice with everything from Augusta, GA, to Augusta ME, feeling the impact. But for hunters, traditionally considered a hearty crowd for their perceived ability to rough bad winter weather, how cold is too cold to keep hunting? According to a recent HunterSurvey.com poll, the majority of hunters are still willing to hit the woods even as temps plunge into the single digits. But when it drops below zero, most agree, it’s time to call it quits.

The survey divided hunters into six regional groups: Great Lakes States, Northeast States, Northern Plains States, South Central States, Southeast States and Western States in order to best gauge how hunters in different parts of the country to react to cold weather. Hunters polled were asked “at what temperature did it become too cold to hunt”. The findings were interesting. Continue reading

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Migration Update – January 27, 2014

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Member Photo Credit – Dukguy

The general waterfowl season will go out with a bang this week in Deep South as yet another arctic blast barrels south – all the way to the Gulf Coast.  A wintery mix of snow, ice and rain will attack the south from Texas all the way to Georgia and South Carolina.   As hunters hang the last few ducks on the lanyard, they can expect a flurry of activity and memorable hunts before the season goes out.

Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.

The 2013 – 2014 waterfowl season was wrought with extreme weather conditions from coast to coast.  In the far west, drought and mild temperatures prevailed and for many, it was the worst season they could have expected.   In the central and Mississippi Flyways, the ongoing blasts of arctic air resulted extreme weather conditions that shortened the season in many areas and limited late season opportunity as geese migrated far to the south of normal wintering grounds to escape the abundance of snow and ice. Continue reading

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DOA Decoys – Damaged Box Sale

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Use Member Coupon Code: WFSDSLE

Use Member Coupon Code: WFSDSLE

Kick off your New Year savings with the DOA Decoys’ “Damaged Box” sale at just $199.99 per 6-pack.  WFC members should use coupon code WFSDSLE at checkout to receive this special discount.

Fueled by the visions of master carvers Victor Paroyan and Glenn Ladenberger, DOA Decoys relied upon their artistic skills to create gunning-decoys that present all the realism and body-attitude required to decoy even the wariest geese.

With a rugged, one-piece construction made from soft vulcanized plastic for superior durability, these decoys are as tough as they are good looking. Continue reading

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Autumn Wings Introduces the Series 72 Working Decoy.

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All new, Series 72 from Autumn Wings Decoys

All New – Series 72 from Autumn Wings Decoys

Dayton, Minnesota – Manufacturer of duck decoys, Autumn Wings, is expanding their product assortment to include a new working decoy line, the Autumn Wings Series 72, a burlap wrapped foam decoy modeled after the discontinued Model 72 ™ (Herter’s Model 72 is a trademark of Cabela’s).  While the product is modeled after this popular discontinued model, Autumn Wings takes burlap wrapped foam decoys to a new level of excellence.  Order information, pricing and details about the product will appear on www.autumnwings.com in October, and shipping in November.

In the interest of efficiency, Autumn Wings is starting the Series 72 line with one diver body shape and paint scheme, the Series 72 Bluebill, and one puddler body shape and paint scheme, the Series 72 Mallard. With market interest, Autumn Wings plans to introduce more species. Continue reading

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Migration Update – January 6, 2014

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Member photo credit: Clickster.

If you are a follower of sunspots and tidal charts, like the folks at Farmer’s Almanac, the bitter cold winter we’ve been experiencing thus far should come as no surprise.  If you are a modern day meteorologist, who has succumbed to naming winter storms for branding purposes, the series of artic fronts are “shocking” news and good for ratings.  If you are a dyed-in-the-wool duck hunter, it’s just weather – the kind of weather that moves ducks and geese in a big way.

Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.

Without a doubt, the extreme cold that was induced by the polar vortex the past week moved ducks and geese south.  While the extremely low temperatures played a role in the migration activity, snow accumulation in the north played a much larger role in the event.   In short, when the snow is too deep for ducks and geese to forage under, the head south in search of food and open water. Continue reading

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New Franchi Website Provides Visitors With An Instinctive Experience

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ACCOKEEK, MD (December 19, 2013) – Franchi’s new website not only gives visitors all the product information they want and need, but it’s accessible from any digital device. The new site affords an engaging experience whether the user accesses the site on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone (Android, iOS and Windows devices are supported).

Franchi’s website makes browsing firearms by type simple and easy with shooting interests covered from waterfowl to upland. Additional features include social sharing and a dealer locator tool which helps you find the nearest authorized Franchi dealer. An online store provides secure shopping for factory parts and accessories. Read product reviews, participate in forum discussions, or sign up to receive product updates by email. It’s all at your fingertips on Franchi’s new website. Continue reading

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Senate bill introduced to raise price of Federal Duck Stamp

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The price of the federal duck stamp has been raised only seven times in the program's history.

The price of the federal duck stamp has been raised only seven times in the program’s history.

WASHINGTON – Dec. 19, 2013 – A bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate today to increase the price of the federal duck stampto $25. The current price of $15 was set more than 20 years ago, in 1991.

“We appreciate the introduction of a federal duck stamp increase bill by Senators Begich, Baucus, Coons and Tester to meet very real on-the-ground wetland habitat conservation needs. We are committed to seeing this legislation signed into law and look forward to working with Senators on both sides of the aisle to enact this,” said DU CEO Dale Hall.
Since its enactment in 1934, the federal duck stamp program has protected more than 6 million acres of wetlands – an area the size of Vermont – through expenditures of more than $750 million. This has contributed to the conservation of more than 2.5 million acres in the Prairie Pothole Region, including the protection of 7,000 waterfowl production areas totaling 675,000 acres. Continue reading
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Scot Storm named 2014 Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year

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Storm’s painting Tranquil Waters catapulted him into his 2nd Artist of the Year title for DU

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Jan. 2, 2013 – Wildlife artist Scot Storm, of Freeport, Minn., has been named as the Ducks Unlimited (DU) 2014 Artist of the Year. Storm’s painting Tranquil Waters catapulted him into his second Artist of the Year title for DU.

A full-time wildlife artist since 1999, Storm won the 2004-2005 Federal Duck Stamp Contest and was also named DU’s Artist of the Year in 2005. His Tranquil Waters painting, which depicts a trio of wood ducks, took top honors in this year’s DU art contest.

“That painting actually came from a pond on our homestead,” Storm said. “I spend a lot of time out there taking photographs with my friend Tom Martin, especially in the spring. We had some cool morning sun coming through, which created the glow reflecting off the ducks.” Continue reading