With spring in full force across most of the US, the light goose migration is crossing the border and moving into Canada. While the white wave moves back to the tundra, ducks and geese are settling in for the breeding season all across the U.S. and Canada. Spring is here and all eyes are on The Duck Factory hoping timely rains make for a bumper crop of ducks and geese.
Hello folks, and as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
Waterfowl and wetland conservation has been a hot topic in the press for the past few weeks. News from conservation organizations and private business topped the list of duck buzz.
Wal-Mart announced a conservation partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation last week. Under Wal-Mart’s new “Acres for America” program, the retailer has pledged to permanently conserve at least one acre of priority wildlife habitat for every acre developed for Wal-Mart Stores.
With $35 million dollars committed to the program over the next ten years, the “Acres for America” program is one of the largest ever public-private conservation partnerships. Based on current store development, footprints, and projected growth over the next ten years, the program will conserve a minimum of 138,000 acres of habitat across the country.
"Wal-Mart is the first corporation to commit to offsetting its entire
developed land use for conservation," said Max Chapman, Jr., National Fish and Wildlife Foundation chairman. "We introduced the concept of the offset program to Wal-Mart last year," he said. "They were quick to say yes, and Wal-Mart’s leadership is
raising the bar in conservation."
To learn more about the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Acres for America program visit www.nfwf.org.
In other conservation news,
PROSHOP NEW S – 2004 Model Clearout Sale from Higdon Decoys. For a limited time Waterfowler.com members and guests will have the opportunity to buy the last of the 2004 model Higdon Full-Body and Stackable Canada Goose decoys at a price that can’t be beat. Be sure to stop by the ProShop today to get this great deal on these fantastic products Higdon Decoys. This is a limited time offer and good only for remaining 2004 models in stock. Decoys come with the standard Higdon warranty but are not available for exchange with the 2005 model decoys.
New Product News – Old Waterfowling Tales – Volume III is now available in the WFC ProShop. Collected and edited by Worth Mathewson, these stories transport the reader back through time to illuminate the world of wildfowling and sporting journalism as it once was. From Swans on Sauvie Island to Illinois Crane hunting, the collection paints a vivid picture the wildfowler’s world at the turn of the twentieth century. Stop by the WFC ProShop today to purchase your copy.
And now, on to the Migration Report.
Well, spring has at last taken hold across most of the US. By and large, the return migration of light geese has made its way to the very northern portions of the country and moved well into Canada. Scattered reports of light goose flocks are still coming in from locations south of the U.S/Canadian border, but the best bet for any last minute snow goose action will require a trip to visit our neighbors to the north.
As the breeding season ramps up, the Migration Report will give way to the Breeding Ground Report. In order to keep everyone up to date on the latest conditions on the all-important waterfowl breeding grounds, WFC has added a list of links to the WFC home page. Located in the top right navigation menu are links to drought monitors, precipitation maps and more.
As news of our web-footed friends comes in, Waterfowler.com will pass it along to the dedicated men and women of waterfowling whose efforts both in season and out are so crucial to the long term preservation of North America’s Wetlands and Waterfowl and this great tradition we share.
