A couple of months ago I titled my column manuscript “The Beginning of the End.” That column was based on critical changes proposed on the method used to distribute the money generated from the sale of Canadian Duck Stamps. The program used since 1984 had come under fire and some groups, including at least one non-profit waterfowl group, had wanted the distribution system changed.

After reading through the original press release Delta Waterfowl had sent to me, titled “Delta Waterfowl Opposes Proposals To Kill Canadian Duck Stamp”, I was appalled by the proposal on the table. I guess the title of that column spoke of how I felt about the proposal and the affect it would/could have had on our waterfowl seasons in the United States. At best, adopting the proposed changes would have been devastating to some of the programs offered to Canadians and put the money right in the hands of large corporate conservation interests.

I felt it was a time for waterfowler hunters to come to the front lines and speak out. To support Delta Waterfowl, in a united effort, and head off the actions backed by some of the large corporate conservation interests and it paid off. While I’m almost certain there were other organizations that stood up in the fight against the proposed changes, to the best of my knowledge, Delta Waterfowl was the only waterfowl organization that sent out the press releases warning of the changes and opposing them. Since the proposals have been turned down, I would venture to say some other organizations would be jumping on the bandwagon … looking for credit. Nevertheless, we as waterfowl hunters have Delta Waterfowl to thank for standing up for what was in the best interest of their members.

Here’s the press release I just received from Delta Waterfowl, in it’s entirety, explaining the victory:

No Changes to Canadian Duck Stamp Program -  Delta Waterfowl Pleased  

with Outcome

WINNIPEG, December 12, 2007 – Canada’s Environment Minister John

 Baird  

today confirmed to Delta Waterfowl that Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC), 

an independent, nonprofit organization, will continue to manage the  

Canadian duck stamp program for another three years.  The program has  

been in place since 1984.

Since 1984, Wildlife Habitat Canada has invested $52 million in  

habitat conservation, restoration and enhancement, particularly in  

wetlands and wetland-associated species.  About $32 million was  

generated by duck stamp sales.

“This is welcome news for duck hunters and the future of waterfowl  

conservation in Canada,” said Delta Waterfowl President Rob Olson.  

Delta officially opposed proposals by Environment Canada that would  

have effectively stopped the duck stamp program and radically altered  

waterfowl management in Canada. Delta Waterfowl wrote a letter to  

Minister John Baird requesting him to leave the duck stamp program  

intact.

“Waterfowl hunters, stamp collectors, and outdoors enthusiasts all  

supported the program” said David Brackett, President of WHC.  

“Environment Canada received over 150 submissions in response to it 

public consultation, with over 97 percent strongly in favour of  

continuing the existing stamp program and arrangement between EC and  

WHC.”

  “This issue illustrates what hunter- conservationists can do when  

they make their voices heard and get out front on an important

 issue,”  

said Bob Bailey, Delta’s Vice President of Policy for Canada, “it was the combined efforts 
of 27 provincial wildlife federations and outdoor 

groups that provided the national push to make sure the duck stamp  

remained intact.”

“We met recently with Minister Baird and impressed upon him the  

importance of the Canadian duck stamp program to wetland  

conservation,” said Greg Farrant, Ontario Federation of Anglers and  

Hunters’ Manager of Government Relations and Communications.  “We

are pleased to see the Minister recognize the role hunters play in  

supporting this vital conservation program,” he added.

Bailey and Farrant agree that keeping WHC and the duck stamp program  

intact is a great first step, but there is more work to do.  In a  

September 23 letter to Minister Baird, 27 national, provincial,  

territorial and regional outdoor organizations proposed a “new and  

improved” WHC that would include more hunters on the WHC board, a  

wetland priority for habitat work, promotion of the contributions  

hunters make to habitat conservation under the duck stamp and a  

guarantee of public access to areas secured or improved with WHC funds.

“We are committed to ensuring that these new proposals for WHC are  

implemented”, said Olson. “We hope this is a signal by Environment 

Canada that it is going to put its management focus back on waterfowl  

and waterfowl habitat.”

In the most recent year, 40 percent of WHC grants went to North  

American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) partners, including the  

Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, Delta Waterfowl’s partner on  

Adopt a Pothole, the largest wetland easement program in Canada.

For more information, contact Delta President Rob Olson at

 204-956-7766.

Delta Waterfowl (www.deltawaterfowl.org) is dedicated to the future of 

waterfowl and waterfowl hunting.

         
No matter how you look at it, the distribution system wasn’t broken and while it may not have been perfect, we have seen the liberal season framework for several consecutive years. With duck numbers up again, something is working and working well.  With your help and support, Delta managed to come to the front lines and stood up for us again. “Delta Waterfowl Made A Difference” and with your support they can keep on doing what they do best … representing the best interest of waterfowl “hunters” throughout North America.

Charles “HammerTime” Snapp

Snapp1@sbcglobal.net 
www.arkansaswaterfowl.com