waterfowl & wetlands - summer 2012

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WWW WWW. scWa scWa . org org FEATURES: - WOOD DUCK P RODUCTION OUTLOOK - 2011-2012 WATERFOWL HARVEST S URVEY FEATURES: - WOOD DUCK P RODUCTION OUTLOOK - 2011-2012 WATERFOWL HARVEST S URVEY

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Page 1: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

w w ww w w.. s c was c wa .. o r go r g

FEATURES:- WOOD DUCK PRODUCTION OUTLOOK

- 2011-2012 WATERFOWL HARVEST SURVEY

FEATURES:- WOOD DUCK PRODUCTION OUTLOOK

- 2011-2012 WATERFOWL HARVEST SURVEY

Page 2: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012
Page 3: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

7

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suMMer issueDEParTMENTs

The direCTor’s desKUS Farm Bill, Feast or Famine

5

in The neWs

16

on The Cover:Wildlife PhoTograPher doug gardner shoT ThisiMage of a Wood duCK draKe in a loWCounTrysWaMP early This sPring.

WaTerfoWl uPdaTe2011-2012 WATERFOWL HARVEST SURVEYMALLARD PROJECT UPDATEWOOD DUCK PRODUCTION OUTLOOK

6

Wood duCK ProduCTion ProjeCT16

drought Monitors - North America & CanadaSC Jr. Duck Stamp Winner

ProduCT & ouTfiTTer revieWsDuck Commander Sunglasses

26

ChaPTer neWsBanquets Finish Strong

10

28

Wildlife Restoration Act Funds Rise with the Farm Bill Farm Bill Update

29

by D

oug G

ardn

er

by Doug Gardner.com

CaMP leoPold uPdaTe4

WaTerfoWl ManageMenT“DUCK USE DAYS”

17

CorPoraTe sPonsors19CaMP Woodie 2012 uPdaTe22

delTa WaTerfoWl neWs30CrP 4 Million aCres added31Cholera Kills Thousands of WaTerfoWl32Efforts BEnEfit fromExcisE taxEs33

Page 4: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

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Board of DirectorsPresident

James H. WalkerSenior Vice President

Philip L. Horn, Jr.Secretary/Treasurer

Philip H. Horn Jr.

Gary W. DietrichDelbert E. EggertMarshall J. Collins, JrStan LuthiJohn N. McCarter

Charles C. Rountree III

John Stroud

John W. Williamson, III

SOUTH CAROLINAWATERFOWLASSOCIATION

Direct all SCWA and magazine inquiries to:9833 Old River RoadPinewood, S.C. 29125

(803) 452-6001 Fax: (803) 452-6032www.scwa.org

Waterfowl & Wetlands Magazine is the of fi cialquar ter ly publication of the South Carolina Wa ter fowlAssociation. SCWA is a state-wide, non-profit, wa ter -fowl and wet land con ser va tion or ga ni za tion based inRimini, SC. All money raised by SCWA is spent withinSouth Carolina on wa ter fowl and wetland ed u ca tion,man age ment and research pro grams, and leg is la tiveed u ca tion. All donations to SCWA beyond the retailvalue of the mer chan dise acquired are fully taxdeductible un der section 501 (c) (3) of the InternalRevenue Service Code.

Executive Director / Head BiologistDavid J. Wielicki

Chapter DevelopmentMac Bagnal

ControllerTom Ratkovsky

Data EntryThomasyne Hipp

Fundraising CoordinatorJennifer McNeely

Camp DirectorEd Paul

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association has done it! Our SCWA teamalong with all of our much appreciated donors has made the dream of develop-ing a world class school year natural resource conservation camp for 3rd through7th graders a reality.   Since last October 107  3rd-7th grade educators from allover the state of South Carolina came to tour the SCWA Wildlife EducationCenter (WEC) and attend the SCWA Camp Leopold teacher workshop. Whileattending these workshops the educators were able to dive into the curriculum,and take part in hands-on outdoor education experiences at the WEC's 410 acreclassroom.

Everyone who supports SCWA will be excited to know that every singleeducator who attended was thoroughly impressed with the program and thefacilities that you helped build!   Camp Leopold is named after Aldo Leopold the"Father of Wildlife Ecology and Management".  Camp Leopold opens the eyes ofyouth to the great outdoors and reconnects them to the land.  The curriculumfocuses on the wise use of our natural resources.  Educators and students learnhow the land can provide fish and wildlife habitat while also providing food,fiber, energy and recreation for mankind on a sustainable basis.   Aldo Leopoldbelieved that if each of us were connected to the land and had a better under-standing of the life it can sustain with responsible management that we will allbecome better stewards of our environment.

We are proud to say that we are established and ready for the school yearof 2012-2013!  We look forward to hosting thousands of students and educators inthe coming year.  Most of you know about our pilot camp we had back in Octoberof 2011 with Buist Academy; if not check it out atwww.wildlifeedcenter.org.  Educators, parents and students all agreed it was agreat success. To add to the success of our Leopold program Dorchester Academyattended Camp Leopold at the end of April. Rebecca Dantzler, a great educatorwith a passion and respect for God’s creation brought her class out for a 2.5 dayfield trip, and had a fabulous time.   The program received excellent reviews fromDorchester Academy educators, parents and students.  They have alreadybooked for next year.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors and donors who have madethis program an up and running success!  Thanks to your support, thousands ofyouth each year across South Carolina will become reconnected to the land whilelearning about the wise use of our natural resources. Camp Leopold is all about

camp Leopold Charging Forward!

continued on page 12...

Queries for story and photo submissions should besent directly to the editor. Photos must be released bythe pho tog ra pher prior to publication. SCWA assumesno re spon si bil i ty for unsolicited material.

Page 5: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

ust when you think things are going well forduck populations, think again.  Since 1995 NorthAmerican duck hunters have been blessed with

healthy duck populations resulting in liberal waterfowlseason lengths and bag limits.  Increased duck num-bers have been the result of an extended wet cycle inthe US and Canadian prairies and improved wetlandand upland habitat conditions in the US prairies thatare a direct result of the conservation provisions of theUS Farm Bill.

The most important of these conservation pro-visions for ducks include the Conservation ReserveProgram (CRP) and the Swampbuster and Sodbusterprovisions of the Farm Bill.   All of these programs arethreatened in the upcoming farm bill.

In the prairie pothole region, the CRP programpays farmers an annual fee under a ten year contract toconvert erodable farmland into grasslands.    Thisreduces soil erosion, helps to prevent flooding,improves air and water quality and provides valuablenesting cover for waterfowl, upland birds and song-birds.   The US prairie pothole region has over 10 mil-lion acres of CRP grasslands that provide critical nest-ing cover for waterfowl.  Since the establishment ofthe CRP program in the Dakotas duck nesting popula-tion numbers have more than doubled and even tripledin some wet years over pre-CRP program populationnumbers.

The CRP program is facing two threats.Balancing the Federal budget is sure to result in cuts tothe CRP program.  In addition, high grain prices havecaused farm land values and farm rental rates to rise.CRP contracts and annual payments must competewith farm rental rates in the upcoming farm bill or mil-lions of acres of grassland waterfowl nesting habitatwill be lost.

The Swampbuster provision of the Farm Billensures that farmers who receive farm subsidy pay-ments will lose their subsidies if they drain wetlands.According to the US Fish and Wildlife ServiceSwampbuster provides the primary protection for over69% of the US prairie pothole wetlands.  TheSodbuster provision ensures that farmers who receivesubsidy payments will lose all or part of their subsidiesif they plow grasslands that have remained intact for atleast 20 years.  However farmers who drain wetlandsor plow grasslands are still eligible for crop insurancebenefits.

Due to budget cuts, farm subsidies could bewaTErFowL wETLaNDs5

THE DIrEcTor’s DEsK BY DaVID J. wIELIcKI, scwa EXEcUTIVE DIrEcTor

US Farm Bill - Feast Could Turn to Famine for Duck Populations

J greatly reduced or eliminated in the upcoming farmbill.  If this happens, farmers will use crop insurance astheir primary source of risk management.  If congressdecides to eliminate farm subsidies it must linkSwampbuster and Sodbuster provisions to federal cropinsurance eligibility.  If this does not happen millionsof acres of grasslands and wetlands will be convertedto farm land.  This will have a devastating impact onwaterfowl populations.  It will also cost society bil-lions of dollars as a result of the cost of reduced waterquality, increased soil erosion and increased flooddamage.

The farm bill is currently being debated in con-gress and your voice should be heard.  To contact yourlegislators in support of CRP and the Swampbusterand Sodbuster provisions of the farm bill go towww.contactingthecongress.org.    Budget cuts areneeded to balance the federal budget but it does notmake sense to cut programs like CRP, Swampbusterand Sodbuster that enhance our environment whilealso saving taxpayer dollars.

• Dogs in training and dogs being tested at field trials and hunt tests.

• Private sittings at your place, at a hunt test, or in Edgefield, SC, (Birds provided)

• Gun dog portraits. • Pet and wildlife photography. • Great gift idea for all gun dog owners.• Call for your appointment today.• Shipping free on all orders.

GUN DOG PHOTOGRAPHYPAMELA O. KADLEC

Just Ducky Kennel & Spaniel Training Academy Edgefield, SC 29824

803- 637-2007 • cell 803-341-0541 www.boykinspaniel.com • www.justducky.photoreflect.com

Page 6: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

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SCDNR WMA 2011-12 Waterfowl Harvest Survey

Waterfowl Update

he waterfowl harvest on South CarolinaDepartment of Natural Resources (SCD-NR) wildlife management areas (WMA)for the 2011-2012 season totaled 4080

birds.  This number was down from the 2010-2011 waterfowl season harvest total of 6,441.The lower harvest was due to a mild winter,reduced habitat quality and low water levels onmany WMA's.

Applications for draw hunts will be avail-able in September from SCDNR.  The tablebelow gives you a good idea of the most commonspecies of ducks that are harvested on the differ-ent SCDNR WMA's.  Don't forget to apply inSeptember.

TThe SCWA mallard

release project is off to agreat start for 2012.  Thisyear project cooperatorswill release approximately40,000 mallards acrossSouth Carolina.  Bandingdata shows that 50% ofthese ducks are harvestedaway from the properties where they werereleased providing hunting opportunity forduck hunters across the state.  SCWA only rec-ommends the release of Frost Waterfowl mal-lards due to their superior genetic quality andhealth certification.

The SCWA program continues to workwith landowners to create waterfowl habitat.Since 1994 mallard project cooperators havecreated and enhanced over 20,000 acres of win-tering waterfowl habitat.  If you are interestedin the mallard project contact David Wielicki atthe SCWA office at 803-452-6001.

mallard ProjectUpdate

by Doug Gardner.com

Page 7: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

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outh Carolina and Atlantic FlywayWood Duck production will bedown for 2012.   Moderate toextreme drought conditions acrossSouth Carolina, the Southeast and

Atlantic states has greatly reduced the quan-tity and quality of wetlands available fornesting wood ducks.  Low water levels inbeaver swamps, Carolina bays and otherfreshwater wetlands will greatly reducewood duck nesting effort and brood survivalfor the 2012 nesting season.

It is important to note that althoughdrought reduces the amount and quality ofnesting and wintering wetland habitat avail-able to waterfowl, dry periods are essentialto keeping wetlands productive for water-fowl and other species.  During dry periodswetland soils are allowed to dry out and oxi-dize releasing an abundance of nutrients for

new plant growth.  During these dryperiods wetland vegetation isallowed to reestablish itself.  Whenrainfall returns and floods these wet-lands an abundance of moist soilseeds and aquatic insects that areimportant to wintering and breedingducks become available.   Decayingplant matter and phytoplanktonblooms provide food for an abun-dance of aquatic insects.   Theseaquatic insects are rich in proteinand fat and provide quality nutritionto nesting ducks which is essentialfor egg production.   These aquaticinsects are also the primary foodsource for growing ducklings.

Wood duck and other waterfowlpopulations have always declinedduring periods of drought.  When

water returns wood duck populations willrebound.   This year wintering wood ducknumbers in South Carolina will depend onthe quality of wintering habitat and weath-er.  One thing is certain; an abundance ofrainfall will be needed to reverse the currentdrought.

2012 south carolina WoodDuck Production outlook

sby Doug Gardner.com

by Doug Gardner.com

Page 8: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

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Page 9: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

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$10 Woodie membership(up to 16 years of age) Pin & decal

$25 regular membership SCWA magazine & decal

$50 contributing membershipSCWA magazine, decal & hat pin.

$100 Donor membershipSCWA magazine, donor decal, hat & hat pin$250 sponsor membershipSCWA sponsor gift, hat, hat pin, magazine, sponsor decal, local chapter banquets couples ticket, &invitation to local sponsor events.

Amount Enclosed: $__________________ __Visa __ MasterCard __American Express__Discover(#____________________________________) Expiration Date____

________________________________________________________________Name________________________________________________________________Address

________________________________________________________________City, State, Zip

________________________________________________________________County Telephone (Home) (Work)

$10 Woodie Membership$25 Regular Membership $50 Contributing Membership

Please sign me up as a member!it’s easy to join!

for more information call us at (803) 452-6001 or check out our website at www.scwa.org.

$100 Donor Membership$250 Sponsor Membership

You are a member of scWa, but how about some of your buddies?

You know scWa is a quality organization, your recommendation is the best advertisingwe have. so, pass this membership application to a buddy and help grow scWa along

with perpetuating our waterfowl heritage.Just fill out the membership form below and mail it to: SCWA, 9833 Old River Rd. Pinewood, SC 29125

now Hiring!We are currently recruiting new volunteers for our local chapter

committees to serve in various positions including the following:chapter chairmanBanquet chairmansponsor chairmanticket/membership chairmanWood Duck chairmanYouth chairman

if you are interested in participating on your local scWa commit-tee please contact the local chairman or me. if you would likestart

a new chapter please feel free to contact me as well.mac Bagnal803-452-6001803-938-3145

[email protected]

Page 10: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

e are gearing up for a great summer at CampWoodie. Our chapter volunteers are onceagain helping to make this summer the best

summer possible.  They have accomplished this in sev-eral different ways.  Most chapters sell cups at theirevents and use that money to send local youth to camp.Our Four Holes Chapter raised enough to send fivelocal kids this summer.  We have several chapters doinggolf tournaments and using that money to send kids tocamp.  Our Georgetown chapter is sending 15 kids tocamp this summer from the money raised at their annu-al Marlowe Golf Tournament.  Just because ourFundraising season is over don’t mean that our chaptersjust sit idle.  They are hosting sponsor events, kid days,skeet shoots, planning event dates, lining up caterersand working on business plans to make their local eventbe the best it can be.

We are entering the “Down Time” for our chapters,but we are going to need everyone’s help to make thenext banquet season the best it can be starting in Augustwith the Midlands event in Columbia on August 10th.

We also have a new Goose Creek chapter scheduled forAugust 25th. As of the last meeting I attended theyalready had 15 paid sponsors which is huge for theirfirst year and still have three more months to prepareand raise additional funds for their inaugural event. Ifyou are in the area for any of our events please feel freeto come and attend.  Please try to get involved in yourlocal chapter and help us perpetuate our waterfowl her-itage.  If you are interested, please call me at 803-452-6001.  Thanks again for all of the hard work of our com-mittee members, sponsors, donors and everyone whohelps us here at SCWA.Thanks,Mac Bagnal

waTErFowL wETLaNDs110

SCWA Chapter News

For further information, please cal l Mac Bagnal , Chapter Developement Director at (803) 452-6001 ext .108 or Jennifer McNeely, Coordinator ext .109 or vis i t our web s ite at www.scwa.org

SCWA Industry Sponsors

Agridrain www.agridrain.com 800-232-4742Cypress Knee Chufa www.cypruskneechufa.com 252-539-4434Proline www.prolineboots.com 800-334-4612Remington www.remington.com 336-548-8560Shady Grove Kennels www.shadygrovekennels.com 803-892-5797Sportsman’s Warehouse www.sportmanswarehouse.com 803-731-3000Hevi-Shot www.hevishot.com 541- 367-3522Columbia Sportswear www.columbia.comFederal Premium www.federalpremium.com

2012 – 2013 Chapter EventsAs of June 25th, 2012

08/10/12 Midlands Conservation Dinner – Seawell’s Banquet Center08/25/12 Berkeley Kick Off Event - Moncks Corner Railroad Depot08/25/12 Goose Creek Conservation Dinner – Immaculate Conception Church08/25/12 Summerville Conservation Dinner – Dorchester Senior Center09/20/12 Greater Piedmont Conservation Dinner - Baxter Hood Center09/21/12 Anderson Conservation Dinner -09/28/12 Spartanburg Conservation Dinner - CCC Family Room10/06/12 Kingstree Conservation Dinner - Recreational Department10/11/12 Greater Wateree Conservation Dinner - Camden Shrine Club10/13/12 Clarendon Conservation Dinner - The Cypress Center10/20/12 Berkeley Conservation Dinner - Shrine Club10/25/12 Laurens Conservation Dinner - Lakeside Country Club10/26/12 Charleston Conservation Dinner - The Lighthouse on the Creek11/03/12 Francis Marion Conservation Dinner - SiMT Building11/08/12 Sumter Conservation Dinner - Sumter County American Legion11/15/12 Georgetown Conservation Dinner - National Guard Armory11/16/12 “Fowl” 1st Season Kick Off Dinner & Auction - SCWA Wildlife Ed. Center11/29/12 Greenville Conservation Dinner - St. George Greek Orthodox11/30/12 Horry Conservation Dinner – The Boathouse12/07/12 “Fowl” 2nd Season Kick Off Dinner & Auction - SCWA Wildlife Ed  Center12/08/12 Barnwell Conservation Dinner - National Guard Armory01/19/13 Walterboro Conservation Dinner - National Guard Armory01/25/13 Black Creek Conservation Dinner - Prestwood Country Club01/26/13 Orangeburg Conservation Dinner - The Garden Room02/01/13 Newberry Conservation Dinner - Newberry Shrine Club02/15-16 Sportsman’s Ball - Duck Shuck - Omar Shrine Center in Mt Pleasant03/01/13 Pee Dee / Marlboro Conservation Dinner - Community CenterTBD:Beaufort Conservation Dinner, Greenwood Conservation Dinner, Four Holes ConservationDinner, CSRA Conservation Dinner, Leadership Meeting

CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT BY DIRECTOR MAC BAGNAL

Wsummer – no time to stop Working!

Page 11: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

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CHAPTER EVENTS

Banquets finish strong!

Pee Dee Marlboro CommitteeOur 2011 – 2012 Fundraising season finished

off strong with our last two events held in Holly Hilland Bennettsville being huge successes.  Thanksagain to the committee members, sponsors, donorsand members who make all of our functions acrossSouth Carolina a success. Without their support ourorganization would not be possible!

Our Pee Dee chapter had the first event inover eight years on March 23rd thanks in part to Mr.Jimmy Jones, father of long time and well knownCamp Director Brad Jones.   Despite not being pre-sent for quite some time, the people in the communi-ty welcomed SCWA back into their town showingtheir support with over 300 people in attendance thathelped raise over $30k and net over $10k for CampWoodie and our conservation efforts.  I can’t thankJimmy and his committee enough for a job well doneand of course, Brad himself was their working hard

to promote Camp Woodie and SCWA which he hassuch a passion for.  As a matter of fact, Brad will beattending camp each week this summer to do a snakepresentation for the children.

On April 14th our Four Holes chapter official-ly ended the season with its annual banquet at theUtopia Club in Holly Hill.  They had 300 people inattendance that joined together to raise over $35k andnet over $14K for Camp Woodie and our conserva-tion efforts.  Once again, we want to thank KevinWeatherford and his committee for their hard workand determination which ultimately spelled successfor their chapter!

All of our chapters are working hard to con-tinue our mission here at SCWA and we are lookingforward to a great 2012 – 2013 fundraising seasonstarting with our Midlands chapter annual banqueton August 10th.  Please come join us!

Four Holes Committee

In Memory OfBubba Hightower

We are sad to report the SCWA family has lost one of its great-est supporters, SCWA Life Member, William "Bubba" CooperHightower.  Bubba was one of the best liked people in the Lowcountry.Everyone knew Bubba.  He was a dedicated husband and father and anavid duck hunter and golfer.  During the early years of SCWA Bubbawas instrumental in establishing the Berkeley chapter of SCWA as thenumber one chapter for several years.  As chapter sponsor chairman hissponsor programs had over 100 sponsors during each year of his lead-ership.  Bubba and Billy Cato would get in the truck and ride for threedays each year visiting people and collecting sponsor checks.  Nobodycould say no to Bubba when he came asking for support for SCWA.  Inthe entire history of SCWA we have never had a more devoted Sponsorchairman.  His strong fund raising efforts were critical to the early suc-cess of SCWA's programs.      SCWA would like to extend our condo-lences to Bubba's wife Libby and his entire family.   He will be greatlymissed by the entire SCWA family.

Page 12: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

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oPErationGamE tHiEf

DO YOUR PART TO PROTECT SOUTH CAROLINA’S NATURAL RESOURCES.

Report Violators . . .

1-800-922-5431OR DIAL* OR # OGT

making this world a better place for future generations.We are waiting on you! Don’t let your child or class

miss out on this amazing outdoor adventure!  Visit theCamp Leopold web site at www.wildlifeedcenter.org tosign up for a teacher workshop or Camp Leopold session.

If you have any questions about our program or

booking your class for a 2.5 or 1 day field trip please contactme at 803-600-8977 or email: [email protected] PaulDirector of camp Woodie "summer Program" & camp Leopold "school Year Program"office: 803-452-6001 ext 106 cell: 803-600-8977

camp Leopold....continued

Page 13: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

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DO YOUR PART TO PROTECT SOUTH CAROLINA’S NATURAL RESOURCES.

Page 14: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

Saw five bucks today over 180″, 2 pushing 200″, two stalks made but got busted. Unbelievable country and mammoth mule deer, I’m in Heaven!

– John N., Montana

My first hunt with Jim Riley was an elk/mule deer hunt and besides filling my tags, I had a great time and made great friends. Since booking more hunts through Into the Wild I have the utmost confidence that he can help me make the right choice  saving time and money by making one phone call to Jim, trusting his vast experience and knowledge.

– Tom C., Kentucky

ITWA is my go to source for my next hunting adventure! Jim knows the latest hotspots. I have hunted from Argentina to Africa using his knowledge as my guide!

– Ryan M., Iowa

ITW-1-Page-Flyer.indd 1 2/7/12 4:09 PM

Page 15: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

Saw five bucks today over 180″, 2 pushing 200″, two stalks made but got busted. Unbelievable country and mammoth mule deer, I’m in Heaven!

– John N., Montana

My first hunt with Jim Riley was an elk/mule deer hunt and besides filling my tags, I had a great time and made great friends. Since booking more hunts through Into the Wild I have the utmost confidence that he can help me make the right choice  saving time and money by making one phone call to Jim, trusting his vast experience and knowledge.

– Tom C., Kentucky

ITWA is my go to source for my next hunting adventure! Jim knows the latest hotspots. I have hunted from Argentina to Africa using his knowledge as my guide!

– Ryan M., Iowa

ITW-1-Page-Flyer.indd 1 2/7/12 4:09 PM

Page 16: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

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Wood Duck Nesting Program

he SCWA wood duck production pro-ject was initiated in 1987.  Since thattime over 21,000 wood duck nest boxeshave been distributed and installedacross South Carolina and over 875,000

wood ducks have hatched from SCWA nest boxes.SCWA would like to send a special thanks

to three corporations who have assisted SCWA byproviding low cost materials to construct 250wood duck nest box units for 2012.  Marshall AirSystems provided reduced cost metal and the freeuse of a computerized laser cutting machine toproduce 250 predator guards.  Culp Lumber pro-vided 250 treated 4x4 posts while A&K Mulchprovided cypress lumber at half price.

This year SCWA will employ two wildlifetechnicians who will be installing and maintain-ing wood duck nest boxes across SouthCarolina.  Nest box maintenance and installationswill begin in July.  SCWA staff will focus on main-taining larger wood duck projects (15 nest boxes

or more) which produce more ducks per dollar ofeffort.   Due to the high cost of fuel, labor andequipment we are encouraging more landownershelp fund project maintenance or to maintain theirown wood duck nest boxes.  If you are interestedin having SCWA install or maintain wood ducknest box units please contact the SCWA office at803-452-6001.

tscWa Wood Duck Production Project Update

Wood Duck Project VolunteersMaking a Difference

In 2009, Bob Lynch and Don Cooperinstalled 41 SCWA wood duck nest boxes alongthe Savannah River Drainage near Jackson, SC.With a little coaching from SCWA biologists thesetwo duck production volunteers went to work tocreate a very productive nest box project that justkeeps getting better every year.  Wood duck pro-duction has climbed from 117 ducklings in 2009 to192 ducklings hatched in 2011.  In addition, thesenest boxes are producing prothonotary warblers,Carolina wrens, tufted titmice, screech owls andhooded mergansers.

Bob and Don donate their time and equip-ment to make a difference for wood duck popula-tions in their own area and they have a great timedoing it.  SCWA and our local Central SavannahRiver Chapter provided the wood duck nest boxunits and SCWA biologists provided Bob and Donwith the technical advice needed to ensure the

proper installation and maintenance of the nestboxes.

SCWA is looking for more wood duck nestbox project volunteers who are willing to make adifference for wood duck populations.  If you areinterested in starting a volunteer nest box projectgive us a call at the SCWA office.

Page 17: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

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Waterfowl Ecology and Management -Duck Use Days

This waterfowl biology term is defined as the number of days in which one mallard can feed onan acre of a particular habitat type, or the number of mallards which can be fed for one day on theseeds or grains provided in each type of habitat.   Here are some numbers for different types of habi-tat:flooded Habitat type                                                                              Duck Use Days Per acreBottomland Hardwoods (70% red oaks)                                                              234Moist soil wetland vegetation                                                        1,387Harvested soybean field                                                                       121Harvested corn field                                                                               970Japanese Millet                                                                                                       3,293Unharvested Grain (corn, rice, sorghum)                                           17,000 plusUnharvested Chufa                                                                                                 17,000 plus

As you can see unharvested grain and chufa provide the highest number of duck use days.Acorns, moist soil seeds and grain provide the bulk of carbohydrates needed for wintering waterfowl.During cold weather mallards and other duck species will seek these high carbohydrate foods to meettheir energy needs.

However, it is important to note that mallards and other ducks also consume a significant num-ber of aquatic insects during the wintering period.  These insects contain a high percentage of proteinand fat which is important for a healthy diet.    Flooded moist soil wetlands and bottomland hard-woods provide more aquatic insects than flooded grain fields.

When designing a waterfowl managementplan for a particular piece of property it is impor-tant to have a diversity of habitats in order to meetthe nutritional requirements of wintering water-fowl.    Flooded grain fields help to meet carbohy-drate needs but moist soil and bottomland hard-wood wetlands should also be part of any soundwaterfowl management plan.   Ducks can't live ongrain alone.   If you need help creating or improv-ing your waterfowl habitat contact SCWA.

WATERFOWL MANAGEMENTby David wielicki, scwa Executive Director/waterfowl Biologist

by Doug Gardner.com

Page 18: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

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waTErFowL wETLaNDs18

Duck Hunt Central North Carolina

Carolina WaterFowlerGuide Service

Experience the Best Duck Hunting in Louisiana,”Private Marsh Hunting, No Pressure, 2 per Blind”. Fees include Lodging, 3

Meals a day (You Know how Good That Cajun Food is), Guided Boat Transportation to and from the Blinds, Decoys, Pirogues. Caring of

Game, Gun Cleaning Equipment, Rods and Reels for PM Fishing and fullyEquipped Dog Kennels!

Experience the Best Duck Hunting in Louisiana,”Private Marsh Hunting, No Pressure, 2 per Blind”. Fees include Lodging, 3

Meals a day (You Know how Good That Cajun Food is), Guided Boat Transportation to and from the Blinds, Decoys, Pirogues. Caring of

Game, Gun Cleaning Equipment, Rods and Reels for PM Fishing and fullyEquipped Dog Kennels!

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$21,000 - $30,000Defender Services, Inc.

$10,000 - $20,999SCANABlanchard Machinery Co.C. N. Brown Plastics & Chemicals,Inc.Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.Super Sod

$5,000 - $9,999North Shore at Lake MarionRemington Arms Company, Inc.Sportsman’s Warehouse

$2,500 - $4,999AAA Well Drilling, Inc.Adam JacksonDick’s Sporting GoodsEnterprise Car SalesNucor Steel – DarlingtonNumzaan SafarisPiggly Wiggly of SumterShi-Awela SafarisTideland Utilities, Inc.Waste Management, Inc.

$1,000 - $2,499Billy’s Lawn and GardenBoone Hall PlantationBuck’s Building Supply, LLCCarolina Fresh Farms – MountPleasantCarolina Fresh Farms – Rock HillCarolina Paint & BodyCarolina Pole, Inc.Carrol JoseyCharles R. SnowCJ’s Convenience StoreCMA Financial ServicesCoastal Pond SolutionsD & S Heating & CoolingDilmar Oil Co., Inc.Dorchester Logistics, Inc.Duraclean Systems, Inc.Exit RealtyFirst Citizens Bank - SummertonGeorge O. BrittleGreg MyersGuns-N-ThingsJ. C. Witherspoon, Jr., Inc.J. M. LawhonJack Oliver Pools & SpasKent Porth Nature PhotographyL & S Farms

Linda BushMartin MariettaMattress ExpressMcLain & Lee, LLCPort Royal Gun & PawnPrincipal Financial GroupProthro ChevroletReal Art - Helen BoneRhodia, Inc.Shady Grove KennelsSteelwater Gun SafesThe Alpine RestaurantThe Wm. Powell Co./Starflo Corp.Trash GurlTyler BrothersWeeks Department Store

$500 - $999A & S Auto SalesAbsolute Home ServicesAmerican Forest ManagementAnderson Brothers BankAtlantic Game & TackleATP Gun ShopB & B Body ShopBlack River Hunt ClubBobby MartinBrent and Carson CogdillCarlton WallCarolina Orthopedic SpecialistsCarter ConstructionCharles McFaddinCircle M FarmsCoastal Electric CooperativeComplete Lawn ServiceConway Auto PartsCrossroads ArcheryDarrell J. McAulyDavid HarrelsonDavid StanleyDoc's Gun ExchangeEastern ElectricEastern Sales Co.Estes SpecializedFarmers Telephone Coop.Frank FelthamFranklin GandyFred HolsebergGlasscock Co, Inc.Glenn A. DurantGregg SennGrice HuntH & D SupplyHaier America Refrigerators Co.,LTDHarry’s Equipment Center

Hemingway Wood Forest ProductsHill Plumbing & Electric Co., Inc.Holcim, Inc.Holly Hill ServicesIndigo Gun ClubJason DandridgeJennifer MixonJeremy WallJesse & Jennifer WeeksJim Hudson LexusKELPROKing Feed LLCLaFarge CementLamar KennedyLandscapes by MEWLarry AvinsLibby WilliamsLimehouse & Sons, Inc.Manning IGAMark WardMcCutcheon's WeldingMichael KnightMicky Finn’sMid Carolina Pipe & MaintenanceMitch Johnson Construction Co.,Inc.Norman WilcoxPalmetto Rural Telephone Co-op,IncPigweed PlantationRance BoozerRay Clepper BoatingRenn Tech GraphicsRepublic ServicesRiverbend Sportsman’s ResortRobert BowersRobert E. MeadRocks Pond, Inc.Russell HightowerRyan MartinSchmoyer & Co., LLC, CPA’sSilver Lakes PlantationSouthern Welders SupplySparrow & Kennedy TractorSteven C. GambleStevie ThompsonThe Tobacco MarketThomas Auto & TowingTriangle Construction Co.Unlimited Electric Co.W. P. Law, Inc.Waste-Pro

Corporate Sponsors as of 6/1/12

Corporate Sponsors

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For over 30 years, Doug and Mary Sonnier have been helping huntersenjoy some of the nation’s finest waterfowling. From this experience hasgrown Doug’s Hunting Lodge, a full-service camp that’s sure to satisfyeven the most seasoned hunter. Spanning thousands of acres of primehabitat, Doug’s prairies and marshflats are strategically spread through-out the heart of America’s greatest wintering grounds. When the birdsmove, Doug’s hunters move with them, led by the best guide staff in theState of Louisiana. Whether it’s a fun hunt with family and friends or acorporate excursion with big business on the line, Doug’s Hunting Lodgecan make your next outing your most exciting and memorable. Hundredsof serious wingshooters throughout the nation make their annual pilgrim-ages here to experience some of the world’s best hunting and hospitality.We hope you’ll join us.

337-536-7902 or 1-800-888-0960 email: [email protected] website: www.dougshuntinglodge.com

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camP WooDiE 2012 UPDatECAMP WOODIE ED PAUL - CAMP DIRECTOR

HOME VISIT SPECIALThe program works like this: a person

or family serves as a host to their friends andtheir kids that are interested in learning moreabout Camp Woodie. I will come to the hosthouse to explain the activities and goalsbehind Camp Woodie. All questions will beanswered and a slide show will be presented.Contact Camp Woodie.

803-452-6001

For more information on Camp Woodie call the office at (803) 452-6001 or visit our website at www.scwa.org.South Carolina Waterfowl Association please reserve space at Camp Woodie for:

Camper’s name __________________________________male _____female_____ age Birth date

Week of Choice ___________________________________ Parent’s Name

Address City

State/zip Phone EMail________________________________________Payment type (circle one):Check MC Visa Amex Discover Name on Card________________________________credit card # expiration date

Mail this form to: SCWA Camp Woodie, 9833 Old River Road, Pinewood, SC 29125 Fax: (803) 452-6032 PH: (803) 452-6001 web site: www.scwa.org

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camP WooDiE 2012 UPDatEWeek 1 - June 3 - June 7 - Level 1 - 8-11Week 2 - June 10 -June 14 - Level 1 - 8-11Week 3 - June 17 - June 21 - Level 2 - 12-16Week 4 - June 24 - June 28 - Level 1 - 8-11Week 5 - July 1 - July 5 - Level 1 - 12-16Week 6 - July 8 - July 12 - Level 2 - 12-16Week 7 - July 15 - July 19 - Level 1 - 8-11Week 8 - July 22 - July 26 - Level 1 - 8-11Week 9 - July 29 - August 2 - Level 2 - 12-16Level 1 - $420 - Level 2 - $575 - All Weeks are Co-ed!

camP DatEs 2012

R U Puzzled?

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FastFastFood!! !Food!! !

by Doug Gardner.com

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NEWS

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canada Drought monitorsAccumulated Precipitation (National)September 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012

< 25 mm25 - 50 mm50 - 75 mm75 - 100 mm100 - 150 mm150 - 200 mm200 - 300 mm300 - 400 mm400 - 500 mm500 - 600 mm600 - 700 mm700 - 800 mm800 - 900 mm900 - 1000 mm1000 - 1250 mm1250 - 1500 mm1500 - 2000 mm> 2000 mmExtent of Agricultural Land

Produced using near real-time data that hasundergone initial quality control. The mapmay not be accurate for all regions due to dataavailability and data errors.

Prepared by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s National Agroclimate Information Service (NAIS). Data provided through partnership withEnvironment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and many Provincial agencies. www.agr.gc.ca/drought

Copyright © 2012 Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada

Created: 06/12/12

Female mallard drawing by Lilian AluriLilian Aluri,a high school student from Aluri Home School of Columbia,SC, won “Best of Show” in South Carolina’s 2012 JuniorDuck Stamp Contest with her pencil and tortillon drawingof a female mallard.On January 19, more than 300 entries created by students ingrades K- 12 from all over the state were judged in the 2012South Carolina Junior Duck Stamp Contest.

Sponsored by South Carolina Ducks Unlimited,SEWE partnered with SCDNR and USFWS this year toassume the coordination of the South Carolina Junior DuckStamp Art Contest, a federal contest with a big prize: a com-memorated special edition U.S. stamp.

Lilian Aluri, a 15 year old high school student, won“Best of Show” in the 2012 South Carolina Junior DuckStamp Art Contest with her pencil and tortillon drawing of afemale Mallard, titled “Searching for a Snack.” Aluri’s workwill go on to represent South Carolina in the 2012 NationalJunior Duck Stamp Contest later this year, where it will com-pete with winning entrants from all 50 states to become the2013 collective Federal Junior Duck Stamp.

Based on the national program created by the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service, the Junior Duck Stamp Art

Contest is a dynamic educational program using conserva-tion and design principles to teach wetland habitat andwaterfowl biology to children, K-12. Open to public, private,and home-schooled South Carolina students, participantscompeted in four gradegroups (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12)to create visually compellingand biologically accuratedrawings or paintings of eli-gible North American water-fowl species.

Previously managedby SCDNR, the SC JuniorDuck Stamp program became at risk of being discontinueddue to budget cuts, and other sources of funding had to befound. To ensure the program’s continuation, SEWE part-nered with SCDNR to assume the administration.

Ducks Unlimited, the world leader in wetlands andwaterfowl conservation, came on as the sponsor helping tokeep the program available to more than 710,000 students inSouth Carolina.Article contributed by Southeastern Wildlife Exposition /Published by The Columbia Star

Home school student Winner of 2012 sc Jr. Duck stamp art contest

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As the next Farm Bill is developed, a core issue willbe inclusion of conservation compliance language, accord-ing to the Wildlife Management institute. First established inthe 1980’s, conservation compliance is the application of aset of minimum conservation practices that farmers mustimplement on sensitive lands in order to participate in somefederal farm subsidy programs.

Between 1985 and 1996, the federal crop insuranceprogram required conservation compliance before provid-ing funds to farmers. However, in the 1996 Farm Bill it wasdropped as a requirement from the crop insurance programto attract more producers to participate. Conservation com-pliance was then tied to the direct payment subsidies tofarmers that were initiated in the 1996 Farm Bill.

During this Farm Bill debate, direct payments toproducers are almost certain to be eliminated in an effort tohelp rein in the federal deficit.  If this happens, crop insur-ance will very likely become the centerpiece of the farmsafety net for the immediate future. With this shift, a fiercedebate is likely to occur over the reattachment of insurancepayments to conservation compliance.

Many major crop commodity groups have statedtheir opposition to reattaching conservation compliance tofederal crop insurance stating that the additional require-ments will result in lower participation in the insurance pro-gram. On the other hand, those in the conservation commu-nity point out that this drop in participation is unlikely to bemuch of an issue as over 80 percent of producers are cur-rently enrolled in the federal crop insurance program. TheCongressional Budget Office estimates that subsidizing cropinsurance could cost taxpayers as much as $90 billion over

the next ten years.  With such a large investment in thesesubsidies, conservation groups argue that taxpayers shouldreceive the environmental benefits associated with requir-ing conservation compliance.

There is not much argumentthat conservation compliance hasbeen an important conservation toolsince its inception.  It is estimatedthat conservation compliancereduces soil erosion by nearly 300million tons each year and has savedthousands of acres of ecologicallyimportant wetlands from conver-sion to other uses. The debate overwhether and how it will be includedin federal farm subsidies will unfoldin coming months as members of Congress release draftFarm Bill legislation. (pmr)Article provided by the Wildlife Management Institute

conservation compliance: a Key component of the farm Bill

Pittman-robertson Wildlife restoration act funds

Expected to increase for 2012 fiscal Year

In the 2011 fiscal year the South CarolinaDepartment of Natural Resources received$5,260,829 from the Federal Pittman-RobertsonWildlife Restoration Act Fund.  $3,647,647 went tosupport SCDNR wildlife restoration and manage-ment efforts and $1,613,182 was earmarked forSCDNR hunter education programs.

This money comes directly from sportsmenand women through the collection of Federalexcise taxes collected by the federal governmenton firearms, ammunitions, archery equipmentand arrow components.  Each state is allocatedfunds based on the land area of the state and thenumber of licensed hunters.  Tax collections overthe past year were up 14% which will increase theavailability of wildlife conservation funding for2012.

in memory ofJohn manning Harper, Jr. - 84

BY DAVID J. WIELICKII am very sad to report that my good friend

John M. Harper, Jr. passed away on May 24, 2012.John was a good friend, hunting companion and men-tor and will be greatly missed by the entire SCWAfamily.  John was a true gentleman and a great out-doorsman.  I spent many days in the duck blind withJohn Harper and enjoyed every minute of our fellow-ship in the outdoors.  John had a great respect for hisfellow man and for god's creation.  He was a joy tospend time with.

John was a past Board member of SCWA, a lifemember and a major supporter of SCWA conservationand education programs for 25 years.   The entireSCWA family wishes to extend our condolences to hiswife Clyde Virginia Douglass Harper and the entirefamily.

A donation to SCWA was received in memoryof John Manning Harper, Jr. from Mr. and Mrs. F.M.Perry, Jr.

John Harper, Jr. one of my favorite hunting companions,on the boat ride back to the lodge, the smile says every-thing about the great time we had duck hunting that day.

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NEWS

Increasing funding for waterfowl conservation onthe prairie  breeding grounds is critical to the long-termfuture of duck hunting. Bismarck, N.D.—Delta Waterfowlapplauds the recent decision by the Migratory BirdConservation Commission (MBCC) to increase the per-centage of duck stamp dollars going to the prairie breed-ing grounds for habitat conservation in 2012. 

The commission's decision calls for an increase ofthe Migratory Bird Conservation Fund (MBCF) dollars forthe prairie pothole states (Region 6 and Region 3). Themajority of increased funding will be used for taking per-petual voluntary wetland and grassland easements, par-ticularly in North Dakota and South Dakota, which attractthe vast majority of ducks nesting annually in the UnitedStates. 

"This is a historic decision, spearheaded by direc-tor Dan Ashe of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and hedeserves enormous praise for his vision and leadership onthis issue," said John Devney, director of U.S policy forDelta Waterfowl, which for years has publically supportedincreased funding to the prairie breeding grounds. "In anera of tight budgets and scare resources, director Ashe fol-lowed the science and made the best decision for thefuture of ducks and duck hunters everywhere. Weapplaud this move wholeheartedly." 

Long recognized as North America's "duck facto-ry", the grasslands of the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) pro-duce roughly 50 percent of the continent's ducks on anaverage year and up to 70 percent when water and grassare abundant, according to the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService (USFWS). 

The commission's decision will reallocateupwards of 70 percent (nearly $30 million) of the MBCF tobreeding grounds, with roughly $20 million going toNorth Dakota and South Dakota. In 2011, the PPR statesreceived $17 million. The MBCF receives revenues fromfederal duck stamp sales, important duties on guns andammunition, among several other sources. 

Devney says increasing funding for waterfowlconservation on the prairie breeding grounds is critical tothe long-term future of duck hunting. 

"The duck factory is in trouble," said Devney. "Thewetland and grassland resources here are at greater riskthan they have been in decades. Every region in the coun-try has pressing needs, but these are duck stamp dollars,and right now the greatest need for ducks is on the breed-ing grounds." 

Devney says roughly 6.2 million acres ofConservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts will expirein September nationwide, and few expect those acres to berenewed, thanks in large part to high commodity prices,high land values and higher cash rents. 

"CRP habitat, particularly in the Dakotas andparts of Montana, has been a boon for prairie-nestingducks, but those acres are disappearing more and more

every year, which makes the funding reallocation to thebreeding grounds all the more important," said Devney. 

North Dakota currently has 2.5 million CRP acres(down from more than 3 million), but contracts on roughly800,000 acres will expire in September. In South Dakota, con-tracts on 200,000 acres will expire this year as well, droppingits total CRP allotment to 900,000 acres. 

"When you factor in all the native prairie we're alsolosing in the Dakotas each year, the amount of grasslandhabitat loss in the duck factory is staggering," said Devney,noting an estimated 50,000 acres of native prairie in SouthDakota is broken each year for agricultural production. "Therich wetland base of the Dakotas is also at risk. There's aburgeoning interest in tiling and draining as producers lookfor increased tillable acreage and higher yields." 

The good news is that demand for landowner ease-ments across the PPR remains high, including "the best ofthe best duck habitat" in the Dakotas the USFWS is target-ing. 

Said one USFWS official, "We still have a sizeablewaiting list of willing landowners. I hope demand stayshigh. I believe it will. But there's no getting around the factthere are a lot of economic forces working against duck con-servation on the breeding grounds." 

Delta Waterfowl Scientific Director Dr. FrankRohwer, who is also a professor at Louisiana StateUniversity's School of Renewable Natural Resources, saysincreased investments on the prairies are important towaterfowlers across the U.S. 

"The science is clear," said Dr. Rohwer, who regular-ly hunts Louisiana's coastal marshes. "The greatest biologi-cal need for habitat conservation is on the breeding grounds.If we don't protect key habitats on the prairies, our ability toraise ducks for hunters everywhere will be greatly dimin-ished." 

Devney says Delta Waterfowl supports increasedfunding to the breeding grounds beyond 2012. He says thateffort could be bolstered by increasing the price of the feder-al duck stamp. The stamp, required by all hunters who huntmigratory birds, has cost $15 for the past two decades—thelongest period without an increase since the stamp's incep-tion in 1934. 

President Obama's latest budget proposal would increasethe price to $25 in 2013, the same proposal made by formerPresident George W. Bush in 2008, and which Congressdeclined. 

"Inflation has greatly diminished the purchasingpower since the last duck stamp increase in 1991," saidDevney. "An increase would greatly improve our efforts topreserve critical duck-nesting habitat for years to come.Delta Waterfowl supports the increase because it's the bestinvestment in habitat conservation available for ducks andduck hunters alike."

Delta Praises Decision to increase funding to Breeding Grounds

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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack  todayannounced that the U.S. Department ofAgriculture (USDA) will accept 3.9 million acresoffered under the 43rd Conservation ReserveProgram (CRP) general sign-up. During theextended five-week signup, the Departmentreceived nearly 48,000 offers on more than 4.5 mil-lion acres of land, demonstrating demand for CRPas our nation’s most successful voluntary pro-gram for conserving land and improving our soil,water, air and wildlife habitat resources.

USDA selected offers for enrollment basedon an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) com-prised of five environmental factors plus cost. Thefive environmental factors are: (1) wildlifeenhancement, (2) water quality, (3) soil erosion, (4)enduring benefits, and (5) air quality. The minimalacceptable EBI level for this sign-up was 209. Theaverage rental rate per acre for this sign-up is$51.24.

“On one hand, we are pleased to see such asubstantial number of offers from this spring’sCRP general signup, considering external factorssuch as record high land values and commodityprices,” said Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever’sVice President of Governmental Affairs.

Nomsen added, “On the other hand, weare concerned about the significant decline of CRPacres across the Northern Plains states. In total,the Northern Plains will lose in excess of one mil-lion acres of CRP through the 2012 re-enrollmentprocess. The continued loss of CRP from thisregion will have far reaching wildlife and environ-mental ramifications. These acres representAmerica’s pheasant and duck factories, as well asthe starting point for the Mississippi and MissouriRiver watersheds impacting water quality all theway to the Gulf of Mexico.”

While  Pheasants Forever is concernedabout the current status of CRP, Nomsen didaddress opportunities to work toward in the com-ing months. “Recent USDA announcements fornew CRP initiatives focusing on 750,000 acres ofhighly erodible, or HEL lands, and for 1 millionacres of targeted CRP buffer practices may be veryhelpful to address resource concerns from areasexperiencing loss of overall CRP. In addition,Congress can address these habitat and natural

resource concerns by quicklypassing a 2012 Farm Bill witha strong overall conservationtitle including CRP, and newpolicies like the Sodsaverprovisions that will help pro-tect valuable native prairiegrasslands.”

CRP is a voluntaryprogram designed to helpfarmers, ranchers and otheragricultural producers protect their environmen-tally sensitive land. Eligible landowners receiveannual rental payments and cost-share assistanceto establish long-term, resource conserving coverson eligible farmland throughout the duration of10 to 15 year contracts.

CRP has a 25-year legacy of successfullyprotecting the nation's natural resources throughvoluntary participation, while providing signifi-cant economic and environmental benefits to ruralcommunities across the United States. Under CRP,farmers and ranchers plant grasses and trees incrop fields and along streams or rivers. The plant-ings prevent soil and nutrients from washing intowaterways, reduce soil erosion that may other-wise contribute to poor air and water quality, andprovide valuable habitat for wildlife. Plant coverestablished on the acreage accepted into the CRPwill reduce nutrient and sediment runoff in ournation’s rivers and streams. In 2011, as a result ofCRP, nitrogen and phosphorous losses from farmfields were reduced by 623 million pounds and124 million pounds respectively. The CRP hasrestored more than two million acres of wetlandsand associated buffers and reduces soil erosion bymore than 300 million tons per year. CRP also pro-vides $1.8 billion annually to landowners—dol-lars that make their way into local economies,supporting small businesses and creating jobs. Inaddition, CRP is the largest private lands carbonsequestration program in the country. By placingvulnerable cropland into conservation, CRPsequesters carbon in plants and soil, and reducesboth fuel and fertilizer usage. In 2010, CRP result-ed in carbon sequestration equal to taking almost10 million cars off the road.

85% crP acceptance rate Leads to nearly 4million acres of Habitat

Pheasants Forever concerned about massive habitat losses in Northern Plains

Page 32: Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012

NEWS

An outbreak of avian cholera has killed 10,000 to15,000 ducks and geese in the [http://www.fws.gov/kla-mathbasinrefuges/] Klamath Basin National WildlifeRefuge complex, reports the Wildlife Management Institute.Most of the affected species are snow and Ross’ geese, pin-tail ducks, and coots. While cholera outbreaks are notunusual and are not significant in populations exceeding 2million birds, this is the worst die-off in the last 10 to 15years, caused largely by not having enough water to pro-vide adequate wetland habitat for the number of birds thatmove through the region. President Theodore Rooseveltestablished the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in1908, largely as a result of market hunting of birds in theregion. The Clear Lake, Upper Klamath, Tule Lake, BearValley and Klamath Marsh Refuges were established overthe next 70 years. The area is known as a critical point formigrating waterfowl along the Pacific Flyway - at least halfof all waterfowl and 80 percent of the pintails that winter inCalifornia spend several weeks in the spring improvingbody condition for breeding and continued migration.

The Klamath Basin has been a hotbed in the debateover water use for many years. Because the Refuges do not have a legislated purpose underthe[http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Klamath+Project] Klamath

Restoration Project, the delivery of water throughproject infrastructure is a low priority. As a result, Refugesreceive only what water remains after it is allocated for agri-culture and for maintaining adequate water levels forendangered fish. With lower than normal rain and snowfallthrough this past winter, the Refuges had not had waterreleased to them since December, flooding less than half ofthe Lower Klamath NWR’s 31,000 acres of marsh. “We wereabout 50 percent of normal of what we would hope to havefor wetlands flooded at this time of year,” commented RonCole, Refuge Manager for the Lower Klamath NationalWildlife Refuge in an interview with National Public Radio.“That concentrated the birds. When they are concentratedthey tend to spread the disease more quickly.” Significantrainfall in March eased the dry conditions and the Refugereceived some of its water allocation, but only enough toflood about 4,000 more acres.

Historically, the Klamath Basin in NorthernCalifornia and Southern Oregon had an estimated 350,000acres of wetlands. In 1905, the Klamath Restoration Projectwas initiated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to convertthe lakes and wetlands in the area for agricultural purposes.Today there is less than 25 percent of the historic wetlandacreage in the region and the conflict over using waterresources has escalated in recent years.

In 2010, the [http://klamathrestoration.gov/home]Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA) and KlamathHydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA) were signedby over 30 partner agencies and organizations in an effort to

develop solutions to the constant conflict over water alloca-tions. The goals of the KBRA are to restore and sustain nat-ural fish production and provide for full participation inocean and river harvest opportunities of fish speciesthroughout the Klamath Basin; establish reliable water andpower supplies which sustain agricultural uses, communi-ties, and National Wildlife Refuges; and contribute to thepublic welfare and the sustainability of all Klamath Basincommunities. There are numerous recommendationswithin the agreement including the removal of four private-ly owned dams on the Klamath River.

Some components of the agreement can be initiatedadministratively including impact analyses by managementagencies. In mid-2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servicereleased their review “[http://www.fws.gov/klamathbas-inrefuges/KBRA%20Effects%20to%20Refuges%20Final%20Report.pdf] Effects of the Klamath Basin RestorationAgreement to Lower Klamath, Tule Lake and UpperKlamath National Wildlife Refuges.” The assessment showsa general improvement in wetlands acreage and waterfowluse, particular for the Lower Klamath NWR, should theKBRA be implemented. In addition, the U.S. Department of Interior released a [http://klamath-restoration.gov/sites/klamathrestoration.gov/files/DDDD.SDOR.Full.1.24.12.pdf]

Draft Klamath Overview Report and[http://klamathrestoration.gov/sites/klamathrestoration.gov/files/FINAL%20March%202012%20Klamath%20Peer%20Review.pdf] peer review of the overview in recentmonths. According to their analysis, the removal of the fourdams on the Klamath River would create more than 4,600jobs in the basin, including hundreds of jobs in fishing andagriculture, while restoring historical habitat for salmon,steelhead and other fish and wildlife. However, Congressmust act to fully authorize the agreements and so far theyhave not done so. In November 2011, Senator Jeff Merkley(D-OR) and Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA-1) introduced the [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.3398:] Klamath Basin EconomicRecovery Act (H.R. 3398 and S. 1851) that would approveand implement both the KBRA and the KHSA. The bill alsoauthorizes the U.S. Department of Interior to take thenecessary steps to move the agreement forward, changes orestablishes federal policy to assist implementation of theagreements, and establishes a process to plan for and imple-ment dam removal.

“The reports tell us that removal of the dams has thepotential to support thousands of additional jobs in theKlamath Basin, including new fishing and recreationalopportunities, while providing increased water delivery cer-tainty to Basin farmers and wildlife refuges and wouldincrease the harvest opportunity for salmon and steelheadin the river,” commented Secretary of the Interior KenSalazar. “We will continue our collaboration with states,

cholera Kills thousands of Waterfowl in Klamath

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tribes and local communities to finalize the scientific studiesand environmental analysis, and we will continue to workwith Congress on legislation that would authorize a deci-sion to be made.”

Dependable water allocations are essential to main-taining the critical migratory bird resources in the KlamathBasin. But with ongoing battles over finalimplementation of potential solutions such as the KBRA andKHSA continuing the unpredictable water flows, it is likely that more situations like the current avian choleraoutbreak will occur in low water years. "Securing a guaran-teed water delivery to refuge wetlands will require federallegislation, and must be done in a way that does not impactdeliveries to agricultural lands or needed water for listedfish species. Not an easy task," noted Bill Gaines, presidentof the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA). "Butthe wetlands on the Klamath Refuge Complex provide someof the most important waterfowl habitat in North America.We must do all possible to secure this habitat a reliableannual water supply." (jas)Article provided by the Wildlife Management Institute

conservation Efforts Benefit from record 2011 Excise taxes

UP 27% IN FOURTH QUARTER . . . Wildlife con-servation efforts got a boost in 2011 thanks to excise taxespaid by America's firearms and ammunition industry.Excise tax obligations for firearms and ammunition manu-facturers were up 27 percent in the fourth quarter and up14 percent for the 2011 calendar year when compared tothe same periods the previous year. Obligations for the full2011 calendar year were the highest for a calendar year todate. Excise tax collections are a key economic indicator forthe industry. These 10 to 11 percent excise tax dollars, col-lected since 1937 under the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aidin Wildlife Restoration Act, are specifically designated tobe used by state wildlife agencies for conservation.Collectively, purchasers of firearms and ammunition andhunters are thesingle-largest source of wildlife conservation funding.NSSF members can access full historical quarterly break-outs by category by logging in at[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001qo0uHZP5FsqZcCRMKEFcX3dKD5zOGyfmfPGPlHAT2YA8e1UN9Fm1syT9V0KC9kKDetZFlQr4ejRvcruK5tqxeGhDId212k8ZdRdWAED3FmtOG_F6jC9zg==]nssf.org/members and clicking "NSSFIndustry Research" then "Quarterly FAET/Excise TaxData." Additional research can be found at:[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001qo0uHZP5FsqOM94LKXvhSjCvLckudhJE2miCcN8TRIEiOsMm1gjS6wF0lr-n8roM_4ZJgREFt7p3q11F65k9xYhMt88c6oHdTZjWE38irkdH95ObUWOy6g==]nssf.org/research.

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waTErFowL wETLaNDs634

Puzzle answer

Dick’s Sporting GoodsProud Sponsor of

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association

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