Speaking of fireworks, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission last week set off a round of their own by voting unanimously to ban commercial guiding operations on all State run Wildlife Management Areas. Public concern over crowding and other issues led the commission to expand the guiding ban that had been previously restricted to only a few of the more heavily impacted state owned hunting areas.
In other access related news, the Congressional Sportsmen\’s Foundation has published an online survey to gather information from hunters regarding access to federal lands. The CSF hopes to use the information gathered from the survey to identify recommendations and develop potential solutions that will aid Congress, federal agencies and the hunting/conservation community to improve hunter access to federal public lands.
Minnesota was the top state in waterfowl news this week. On the 26th the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources gave waterfowlers some good news when it released its Spring Waterfowl Population Survey. Mallard populations in the state showed a 14% increase and Blue-winged teal numbers skyrocketed by 217%, 94% above the long term average. However, some of the increase in teal numbers could be a bit distorted. According to MN DNR official Jeff Lawrence “While many of these birds will settle and breed in the state, part of the increase was due to the delayed migration and displaced birds from dryer areas elsewhere.”
Federal Duck Stamps are the only “waterfowl” making migrations this week, from the printers to post offices and in to the hands of waterfowers.
With the 4th coming up this week, many of us will be spending a few days away from the office and perhaps on one of our favorite waterways. Food, family and fireworks will be the order of the day as we mark off another holiday from the calendar on our return to hunting season. And when the skyrockets report during the festivities retrievers across the country will look to there owners with the expression in their eyes their human counterparts know so well. But with summer underway and this years Duck Stamp now bought and signed in anticipation of the return of the fall, perhaps we could all use a pat on the head and some words to ease the longing. “Soon boy, soon.”
