Summer Newsletter
CONSERVATION ALABAMA
June 13, 2003
Conservation Alabama is an article written by Jerry D. Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Alabama Waterfowl Association.
1500 DAY-OLD MALLARDS FLY INTO ALABAMA
AWA is again raising ducks from day-old wild mallard ducklings. This is the first time in three years that AWA has chosen this method of obtaining ducks to release; for several years AWA has used the
Frost Waterfowl genetics. AWA obtained its ducks from another vendor this year in order to introduce a different set of genetics.
1500 day-old wild mallards flew into Alabama from up north. The only thing unusual about this is that they arrived via a jet liner. These ducks will be raised by Alabama Waterfowl Association members and released here in the state. Over 400 of them are going to south Alabama to help supplement the wild flock. Hopefully recruitment of native ducks will follow and already new habitat is being developed for this project. As you well know, in north Alabama where this release program has been ongoing for many years, it is not uncommon to now see a brood of mallards or mallards flying around in June and July.
Volunteers readied the mallard rearing facility on May 31 at the Caney Creek Farm. The
swimming pan was designed and installed by Mr. Leroy Heston. Leroy Heston -- Mr. Mallard -- has been a tireless volunteer with AWA throughout the years, always willing to help out. On July 12, 2003 the Boy Scouts of America and other volunteers will band and release the ducks. These efforts carry out the AWA Doctrine of "Increase the mallard harvest and bird watching opportunity, and the private sector will respond and develop habitat to help all wildlife and our human environment."
Lets go back to 1988 when AWA's Founder and CEO Jerry Davis obtained advice and a book from the Max McGraw Foundation on "The Role of Hand Reared Mallard in Waterfowl Management" from Mr. David Hayden with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This is where AWA learned of the Frost Waterfowl Trust mallards and obtained the technical know-how to raise a mallard for release into the wild. AWA read all information available from the duck guru, the late Mr. Jack Frost. Jerry had the pleasure of talking and obtaining valuable knowledge from Jack and Mrs. Frost. To our regret Jack passed away in 1996, but passed on his knowledge and farm to his wife. Mr. Jim Hills and Kim Lund bought the Frost Waterfowl Trust and is carrying on the legend.
In 1993 Mr. David Wielicki of South Carolina Waterfowl Association started their mallard release program releasing Frost Waterfowl Trust genetics. This was a complete turn around for David, who grew up in Athens and Arab, Alabama. David obtained his Biology degree at Auburn University. David was dead-set against the AWA mallard release project from the first time Jerry met him in 1991. Now David, with the South Carolina Waterfowl Association, is releasing over 20,000 Frost mallards per year. This has sure been a boon to the mallard harvest in South Carolina as it has been here in Alabama. The banding data obtained by AWA is like gold, when trying to find out where the ducks that come to the Tennessee River valley comes from and track their journey south on their migration. AWA has had band reports from 14 different states and 3 Canadian Provinces.
For more information check AWA's website http://www.alabamawaterfowl.org
For AWA band return information check http://www.bandreturns.com
