ALABAMA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION, INC. (AWA)TM
1346 COUNTY ROAD #11
SCOTTSBORO, ALABAMA 35768�������� �
� PHONE 256 259-2969�
http://www.alabamawaterfowl.org
Conservation Blog Spring of 2009��������� Contact: Jerry Davis, CEO Phone 256.259.2969
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IT IS TIME TO PLACE YOUR �ORDER FOR �2009 MALLARDS
MALLARD ORDER FORM AT END OF THIS MESSAGE
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 this donation and participation in AWA�s MRP program. 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.
If you do not have a place to release ducks AWA would like to invite you to send a donation for the MRP project. Since we do not charge any membership fee AWA would like to invite you to donate to the MRP. For every $6.00 you donate a mallard will be banded and released in Alabama.
AWA is again happy to announce that AWA will subsidize program to ensure no price increase this year 2009.� As all of you know the price of feed, has gone up substantially, even though fuel has come down some right now. The thing we do not know is how long fuel will be this price.�
The banding program is so helpful in researching where and when the big push of mallards will arrive in Alabama.� AWA can trend where most of the mallards that winter in the Tennessee River Valley stages and the time they will most likely migrate south to our area. This year if you go to http://bandreturns.com and view bands by banders and drill down to the Alabama Waterfowl Association, you will see that on January 4th and 5th, 2009 that right before the big cold front that several previous year releases of AWA birds were being taken just north of Alabama in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana.� This told us that the big polar front coming on January 8th would push mallards into our area and it did. ��This wealth of� information is unprecedented by any other waterfowl organization or wildlife agency.
Hope all you had a good duck season, this years youth hunt is February 7th� and 8th .
Take a kid or women duck hunting, duck hunting and hunting in general is a dying culture, we need to keep the tradition alive.� Just think what would happen to our environment, wildlife and our quality of life if it was not for hunting.
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Order Form for 2009 Mallard Restoration Project
___________ 1 to 199� �4 week old mallard $7.00
__________ 200 and over 4 week old mallard $6.00
AWA will furnish bands.
To order email [email protected] and send check and number to:
Alabama Waterfowl Association, Inc.
Mallard Restoration Project
1346 County Road 11
Scottsboro, Alabama 35768
All orders has to be in by March 15, 2009
You will be sent a notice when to pick up your ducks at the AWA rearing facility near North Sauty Refuge in Scottsboro, Alabama.
ALL ORDERS HAS TO BE PAID FOR IN FULL BEFORE DUCKS WILL BE ORDERED.
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.