ORDER FEDERAL DUCK STAMPS ONLINE

Before you order your stamps, a quick message from California Waterfowl's President, John Carlson, Jr.:

Well I can’t believe it, but I have been President of California Waterfowl for just over a year now, and what a year it has been! As I look forward to this duck season, I have to reflect on all of the hard work the California Waterfowl staff, our many volunteers and our members have accomplished. Even in these tough economic times California Waterfowl has remained strong in our efforts to conserve our waterfowl, wetlands and hunting heritage. Our numerous programs are geared towards the hunter-conservationists — both seasoned veterans and those just starting to the enjoy the awesome world of wetland stewardship and duck hunting. Here are some highlights:

• Our very successful Hunt Program offered over 180 quality hunting opportunities, all on private and exclusive lands!
• In the last 20+ years, we’ve completed more than 875 individual projects to protect, restore and enhance more than 400,000 acres, providing habitat for millions of waterfowl!
• Our Youth and Education Programs have reached more than 250,000 children, young adults and families to help to create a better understanding of biology, conservation and outdoor heritage.
• Our Wood Duck Program has hatched more than 580,000 ducklings, while our Banding Programs have marked more than 204,000 birds.

I am excited to share with you the great news about the duck populations we are expecting this fall. When that first opening day sunrise in October comes, we can all be proud of the wetland habitats we have protected or restored as hunters, the country’s original conservationists. The following information put out by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows the incredible improvements in breeding ducks and habitats in 2011:

In addition to the wonderful breeding conditions in Canada we have also seen the following positives here in California:

• The local mallard hatch this year is impressive! The entire state was wet this spring providing excellent breeding and brood habitat.
• California Waterfowl biologists documented the highest nesting effort at Grizzly Island WA since 1997!
• Our banding crews are capturing plenty of young mallards; your chance to shoot a banded bird has never been better!
• California reservoirs are full, ensuring plenty of water for fall flood up this season!
• Pintail breeding populations have not been this high since 1980!
• Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, the wood duck hatch could be the highest on record!

As we prepare for this waterfowl season, I ask for your support and to contribute to what I believe is the finest state waterfowl organization around. Please help California Waterfowl work on your behalf to conserve wetland habitats and solidify the future of waterfowl conservation, hunting and wetland management in California with a tax deductible donation.

I look forward to continuing to lead California Waterfowl into the battles we will face in advancing our mission to conserve and protect California’s waterfowl, wetlands and outdoor heritage. Thank you so much for your support.

Sincerely,

John Carlson Jr.
President

Don't forget! As a special thank you, if you make a donation of $50 or more, you will receive a high-quality California Waterfowl camouflage travel bag specially made for us by Tanglefree. Please send your donation today!.

To order Duck Stamps Securely Online, click here>>

The California Waterfowl Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and our tax ID number for donation purposes is 94-1149574.