ALABAMA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION, INC. (AWA)TM
1346 COUNTY ROAD #11
SCOTTSBORO, ALABAMA 35768�������� �
� PHONE 256 259-2969�
http://www.alabamawaterfowl.org
ALABAMA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION, INC. (AWA)TM
1346 COUNTY ROAD #11
SCOTTSBORO, ALABAMA 35768 PHONE 256 259-2969
http://www.alabamawaterfowl.org
2009-2010 DUCK SEASON: DID THE FEDS COOK THE DUCK NUMBER BOOKS?
MALLARD RESTORATION PROJECT 2010 (Time to Order)
I would like to know where all the millions of more ducks are, that the USFWS said we had coming down the flyway this year. I know the mallards loved the woods this season, much more than in past years. Maybe all the water and a bountiful acorn crop set the table for the ducks to use the woods.
I know northeast Arkansas was low on ducks and around North Sautee the ducks seemed to target certain areas and would not move around like they have in the past. Even the release ducks did not get harvested according to our band reports on
http://bandreturns.com. Right now we only have 4 of the Don Weir Memorial bands reported and only about a dozen more other band reports this year. I hope all that harvested the bands will take the time to report any AWA bands they get on the AWA website.I talked to Ladd Johnson, a wildlife consultant in Cambridge, Maryland near Chesapeake Bay and he said "the ducks were not here this year; I don't know where they are. I think the Feds are wrong on the numbers, if it had not been for our released ducks, we would not have any duck season at all."
It may be time to re-energize AWA and get more pro-active in the Mallard Restoration Project this spring. I think this is the best way for the Tennessee River Valley (TRV) to ensure us having a decent duck season. I would like for AWA to have a fund raiser just for mallards and reactivate our day old mallard rearing project. This would take some volunteers to mod the AWA mallard rearing facility and gear up for a big raising, banding and release of mallards again. In 1997 we raised and released over 4,000 ducks, mostly in the TRV.
Please email [email protected] if you would be willing to volunteer to raise funds and help develop a large mallard release program.
MALLARD RESTORATION PROJECT 2010
Order Form below
___________ 1 to 199 4 week old mallard $8.00
__________ 200 and over 4 week old mallard $6.00
Personalized bands are $.50 each. Example: Coon Creek Farm
AWA will furnish numeric bands,
To order send check and this form to:
Alabama Waterfowl Association, Inc.
Mallard Restoration Project
1346 County Road 11
Scottsboro, Alabama 35768
Name_________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________
State ____________________________Zip____________________
Phone home _______________________ Cell____________________ All orders has to be in by March 1, 2008 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 CAN BE PICKED UP.
Great care is given to keep human imprinting from taming the wild genetics of the mallards to be released. 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. .
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 to stage and replenish their strength to continue their journey south on their migration.