News Release May 4, 2005 Contact: Jerry Davis, CEO 
Phone 256.259.2969 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AWA TO RELEASE OVER 3,000 WILD MALLARDS IN ALABAMA May 4, 2005

Pictures from AWA Release - Saturday May 7, 2005

Saturday May 7, 2005 Alabama's mallard duck population will rise by more than 3,000 when volunteers of the Alabama Waterfowl Association (AWA) will band and release that number of 35 day old wild mallard ducks . A leg band will be installed on each duck to identify this as the year 2005 and will indicate a web site of http://www.bandreturns.com. This release will mark a milestone of over 80,000 mallards that AWA has released in Alabama since 1988. Recruitment is taking place, because it is not uncommon to see broods of wild mallards , especially in the Tennessee River Valley of Alabama. Several volunteers will come to the AWA Mallard Rearing Facility near North Sauty Waterfowl Refuge and help catch, band and release the mallards. For more information and directions check the AWA web site at http://www.alabamawaterfowl.org or call AWA at 256.259.2969. 

AWA is the Alabama distributor for Frost Waterfowl Trust mallards. Only mother nature can raise a duck better than these ducks. Great care is given to keep human imprinting from taming the wild genetics of these mallards. Automatic feeders, lights for a mother's warmth and electronic environmental controls ensure these ducks are reared to the highest standards and suitable for release in the wild. After thousand of band reports and interviews with sportsmen that have harvested these mallards in 16 different states and three Canadian Providence's. AWA has proved this wild mallard release project is a viable waterfowl enhancement project, and over 82 percent of the mallards are harvested within 50 miles of their release site. 

This mallard project is funded through private donations from a program called Mallard Restoration Project (MRP). This is where private landowners pledges a donation to AWA's mallard project and in return agree to furnish these ducks a suitable habitat until the ducks decide to fly away. AWA band data indicates that the mallard harvest has increased tremendously in duck release counties because of the MRP commitment to conservation with his donation and participation in AWA's MRP program. Chris Clay one of the MRP participants stated "he has never harvested blue wing teal on his land near the Paint Rock River until he started the mallard release program". This year Chris increased the release numbers from 200 to 500 mallards. Our study also, proves just because the ducks are placed on private land does not mean the public hunters do not benefit, band reports from sportsmen indicate about 50 percent of ducks released are harvested on public lands. 

Benefits of Mallard Release Project
� Directly increases in harvest opportunity. It is well known that if you increase harvest opportunity the private sector will be inspired to develop and conserve habitat to enjoy watching and hunting waterfowl.

� Decoys over-flying migrating waterfowl to enjoy the lush habitat of the TRV.

� The mallard release and yearly recruitment has increased watching and hunting opportunity, this increases tourism in Alabama, adding to the state and local economy.

� AWA involves youngsters to help raise, band and release the mallard ducks. This involves the youngsters and adults in a hands-on experience on conservation practices. This is an educational outreach tool.

� The band data AWA has collected is forwarded to the ADCNR and has shown that the state of 

� Indiana's Coal Reclamation projects are where many of the ducks that frequent the TRV of Alabama stage to replenish there diet and strength to continue their journey south.