Conservation by definition means, “the careful utilization of a natural resource in order to prevent depletion.”

      For that cause, hunters have been at the forefront contributing billions toward habitat management, research and law enforcement. We have done so not only to ensure populations of the game we pursue are at levels high enough to justify hunting but also for it to be at equilibrium with its habitat.

     Much of this funding comes from license fees, permits and excise taxes on sporting goods voluntarily accepted by the sport hunting community to give wildlife a fighting chance in the face of modern man’s expansion and innovations.

      Billions more come from voluntary donations along with millions of volunteer hours committed to raise those funds, restore habitat and promote interest in the sport.

      In regards to this, I have on more than one occasion been asked, “Why Waterfowl?”

      What these people really mean is, “Why do you do think it is important to do so much for ducks and geese when there are so many other game species like deer, turkey, elk, quail, sheep, pheasant and bear?”

      This is not a simple question to answer but the reasons are clear, concise and convincing to anyone willing to listen with an open mind.

    Out of all game pursued in North America waterfowl are the most vulnerable. They are highly migratory, traveling through multiple states with some species visiting multiple countries and this poses a number of issues.

    Pintails for example are a species well below their long-term population average and they are being hit on both ends. Changes in agriculture in Canada have greatly decreased nesting success while the loss of rice in Texas may be contributing to the late migration of birds back north and their overall poor health.

    Waterfowl species are not as secure since the vast majority nest in the prairie pothole and boreal forest regions of the U.S. and Canada. Their breeding numbers are concentrated in these areas and a drought that affects one species will affect them all.

      Ditto for changes in land usage.

      Waterfowl are not very adaptable whereas species like whitetail deer can literally live and breed successfully in large metropolitan areas. Waterfowl need native grasslands and other highly specialized habitat to survive. Deer can live in the shadow of the largest cities in the face of change while waterfowl are highly susceptible to man’s environmental tinkering.

      Perhaps more importantly, the conservation of waterfowl equals the conservation of many species. Water is the source of life and it is the key element in duck production. Take away water, you have no ducks or roseate spoonbills, or bald eagles or muskrats or otters or mink or hundreds of other organisms.

      While conservation efforts directed toward many species are specific to them, efforts to conserver waterfowl kind of like a shotgun approach. What benefits the mallard also benefits dozens of other species ranging from birds to reptiles, amphibians and mammals as well. Dollars spent conserving ducks conserve just about everything in need of clean water, healthy marshes, sprawling grasslands and mature forests.

      A final reason for waterfowl conservation is the public.