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| Northern shovelers taking flight |
For starters, the prairie wetlands of the upper Great Plains are currently on the “wet” side of the natural “wet-dry” cycle. Also, we have seen gains in the amount of land entered into CRP (Conservation Reservation Program) much of which is used as upland nesting cover for waterfowl. Geese have also benefited from several things, namely milder climates, an abundance of waste agricultural grains, and establishment of refuges.
Waterfowl hunters of today are living out the “glory days” of waterfowl hunting. We have witnessed greater bird density in the past 18 years than we have seen in the last century. With an amazing set of circumstances like these, you’d expect to see a rise in waterfowl hunter numbers right? Instead, we’ve actually seen a decrease.
The decline in annual sales of the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Conservation Stamps (simply known as the Duck Stamp to many) has signaled the decrease in hunter numbers. Since every person age 16 and older must purchase one each year before hunting waterfowl, it is a reasonable way to measure annual hunter numbers. Ninety-eight percent of each $15 federal Duck stamp goes directly to buy or lease waterfowl habitat. This drop in hunter numbers (36% from the 1970s to 2008) means a loss of funding to habitat conservation. The 36% drop means a loss of funding to the tune of around $9 million annually, or around $126 million in revenue from 1995-2008. That’s a substantial loss of funding that will affect the habitats of not only waterfowl, but also other wildlife species who use the same type of habitat as waterfowl to nest in, such as sharp-tailed grouse.
Historically, hunter numbers and waterfowl numbers have corresponded over the years. If the number of waterfowl decreases, then so do the number of hunters, and vice versa. However, this time the number of ducks and geese are increasing while the number of hunters decreases. Fewer hunters could result in a loss of our nation’s hunting heritage, consequently reducing the political capital that hunters generate for conservation. If we lose the current hunter-dependent, user-pay system, the future for waterfowl habitat and waterfowl looks bleak. As expansions occur in oil and mineral extractions, grain commodity prices increase, conversions of uplands to croplands continues, loss of wetland protection, and a loss of lands being enrolled in CRP programs, it is now more important than ever to address the issue of maintaining interest in waterfowl hunting. If we can’t retain and recruit waterfowl hunters in the near future, some ways to lessen the loss of revenue could include increasing Duck Stamp prices, revising existing hunting regulations to encourage new individuals to try waterfowl hunting, requiring all individuals who enter a National Wildlife Refuge or Waterfowl Production Area to purchase a Duck Stamp, or encourage greater public support through education. Developing the capacity to address and adapt to the changing social landscape will be necessary for long-term waterfowl conservation.
Much of the information in this article came from an article in the Wildlife Society News. Visit the Ducks Unlimited website to see other ways you can help besides buying a Duck Stamp.
Looking for a place to hunt? Visit the TPWD Public Hunting website or Private Lease-Listing Websites.