Waterfowl & Wetlands - Summer 2012 by South Carolina Waterfowl

w w w. s c wa . o r g

FEATURES:

- WOOD DUCK PRODUCTION OUTLOOK - 2011-2012 WATERFOWL HARVEST SURVEY

suMMer issue

DEParTMENTs 4

The direCTor’s desK US Farm Bill, Feast or Famine

ChaPTer neWs Banquets Finish Strong

CaMP leoPold uPdaTe

WaTerfoWl uPdaTe 2011-2012 WATERFOWL HARVEST SURVEY MALLARD PROJECT UPDATE WOOD DUCK PRODUCTION OUTLOOK

Wood duCK ProduCTion ProjeCT WaTerfoWl ManageMenT “DUCK USE DAYS”

19 CorPoraTe sPonsors

by Doug Gardner.com

22 CaMP Woodie 2012 uPdaTe 26

ProduCT & ouTfiTTer revieWs Duck Commander Sunglasses

in The neWs

28 drought Monitors - North America & Canada SC Jr. Duck Stamp Winner

29 Wildlife Restoration Act Funds Rise with the Farm Bill 30 delTa WaTerfoWl neWs

31 CrP 4 Million aCres added

32 Cholera Kills Thousands of WaTerfoWl

33 E fforts B EnEfit f rom E xcisE taxEs

on The Cover:

W ildlife PhoTograPher d oug g ardner shoT This iMage of a W ood d uCK draKe in a loWCounTry sWaMP early This sPring .

16 by Doug Gardner

Farm Bill Update

camp Leopold Charging Forward!

SOUTH CAROLINA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION Board of Directors

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association has done it! Our SCWA team along with all of our much appreciated donors has made the dream of developing a world class school year natural resource conservation camp for 3rd through 7th graders a reality. Since last October 107 3rd-7th grade educators from all over the state of South Carolina came to tour the SCWA Wildlife Education Center (WEC) and attend the SCWA Camp Leopold teacher workshop. While attending these workshops the educators were able to dive into the curriculum, and take part in hands-on outdoor education experiences at the WEC's 410 acre classroom. Everyone who supports SCWA will be excited to know that every single educator who attended was thoroughly impressed with the program and the facilities that you helped build! Camp Leopold is named after Aldo Leopold the "Father of Wildlife Ecology and Management". Camp Leopold opens the eyes of youth to the great outdoors and reconnects them to the land. The curriculum focuses on the wise use of our natural resources. Educators and students learn how the land can provide fish and wildlife habitat while also providing food, fiber, energy and recreation for mankind on a sustainable basis. Aldo Leopold believed that if each of us were connected to the land and had a better understanding of the life it can sustain with responsible management that we will all become better stewards of our environment. We are proud to say that we are established and ready for the school year of 2012-2013! We look forward to hosting thousands of students and educators in the coming year. Most of you know about our pilot camp we had back in October of 2011 with Buist Academy; if not check it out at www.wildlifeedcenter.org. Educators, parents and students all agreed it was a great success. To add to the success of our Leopold program Dorchester Academy attended Camp Leopold at the end of April. Rebecca Dantzler, a great educator with a passion and respect for God’s creation brought her class out for a 2.5 day field trip, and had a fabulous time. The program received excellent reviews from Dorchester Academy educators, parents and students. They have already booked for next year. We would like to thank all of our sponsors and donors who have made this program an up and running success! Thanks to your support, thousands of youth each year across South Carolina will become reconnected to the land while learning about the wise use of our natural resources. Camp Leopold is all about continued on page 12...

President James H. Walker Senior Vice President Philip L. Horn, Jr. Secretary/Treasurer Philip H. Horn Jr.

Gary W. Dietrich Delbert E. Eggert Marshall J. Collins, Jr Stan Luthi John N. McCarter

Charles C. Rountree III

John Stroud

John W. Williamson, III

Executive Director / Head Biologist David J. Wielicki Chapter Development Mac Bagnal Controller Tom Ratkovsky

Data Entry Thomasyne Hipp

Fundraising Coordinator Jennifer McNeely Camp Director Ed Paul

Waterfowl & Wetlands Magazine is the official quarterly publication of the South Carolina Waterfowl Association. SCWA is a state-wide, non-profit, waterfowl and wetland conservation organization based in Rimini, SC. All money raised by SCWA is spent within South Carolina on waterfowl and wetland education, management and research programs, and legislative education. All donations to SCWA beyond the retail value of the merchandise acquired are fully tax deductible under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Direct all SCWA and magazine inquiries to: 9833 Old River Road Pinewood, S.C. 29125 (803) 452-6001 Fax: (803) 452-6032 www.scwa.org

Queries for story and photo submissions should be sent directly to the editor. Photos must be released by the photographer prior to publication. SCWA assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material.

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US Farm Bill - Feast Could Turn to Famine for Duck Populations

THE DIrEcTor’s DEsK

BY DaVID J. wIELIcKI, scwa EXEcUTIVE DIrEcTor

ust when you think things are going well for duck populations, think again. Since 1995 North American duck hunters have been blessed with healthy duck populations resulting in liberal waterfowl season lengths and bag limits. Increased duck numbers have been the result of an extended wet cycle in the US and Canadian prairies and improved wetland and upland habitat conditions in the US prairies that are a direct result of the conservation provisions of the US Farm Bill. The most important of these conservation provisions for ducks include the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Swampbuster and Sodbuster provisions of the Farm Bill. All of these programs are threatened in the upcoming farm bill. In the prairie pothole region, the CRP program pays farmers an annual fee under a ten year contract to convert erodable farmland into grasslands. This reduces soil erosion, helps to prevent flooding, improves air and water quality and provides valuable nesting cover for waterfowl, upland birds and songbirds. The US prairie pothole region has over 10 million acres of CRP grasslands that provide critical nesting cover for waterfowl. Since the establishment of the CRP program in the Dakotas duck nesting population numbers have more than doubled and even tripled in some wet years over pre-CRP program population numbers. The CRP program is facing two threats. Balancing the Federal budget is sure to result in cuts to the CRP program. In addition, high grain prices have caused farm land values and farm rental rates to rise. CRP contracts and annual payments must compete with farm rental rates in the upcoming farm bill or millions of acres of grassland waterfowl nesting habitat will be lost. The Swampbuster provision of the Farm Bill ensures that farmers who receive farm subsidy payments will lose their subsidies if they drain wetlands. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service Swampbuster provides the primary protection for over 69% of the US prairie pothole wetlands. The Sodbuster provision ensures that farmers who receive subsidy payments will lose all or part of their subsidies if they plow grasslands that have remained intact for at least 20 years. However farmers who drain wetlands or plow grasslands are still eligible for crop insurance benefits. Due to budget cuts, farm subsidies could be

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greatly reduced or eliminated in the upcoming farm bill. If this happens, farmers will use crop insurance as their primary source of risk management. If congress decides to eliminate farm subsidies it must link Swampbuster and Sodbuster provisions to federal crop insurance eligibility. If this does not happen millions of acres of grasslands and wetlands will be converted to farm land. This will have a devastating impact on waterfowl populations. It will also cost society billions of dollars as a result of the cost of reduced water quality, increased soil erosion and increased flood damage. The farm bill is currently being debated in congress and your voice should be heard. To contact your legislators in support of CRP and the Swampbuster and Sodbuster provisions of the farm bill go to www.contactingthecongress.org. Budget cuts are needed to balance the federal budget but it does not make sense to cut programs like CRP, Swampbuster and Sodbuster that enhance our environment while also saving taxpayer dollars.

G UN D OG P HOTOGRAPHY PAMELA O. K ADLEC

• Dogs in training and dogs being tested at field trials and hunt tests. • Private sittings at your place, at a hunt test, or in Edgefield, SC, (Birds provided) • Gun dog portraits. • Pet and wildlife photography. • Great gift idea for all gun dog owners. • Call for your appointment today. • Shipping free on all orders.

Just Ducky Kennel & Spaniel Training Academy Edgefield, SC 29824 803- 637-2007 • cell 803-341-0541 www.boykinspaniel.com • www.justducky.photoreflect.com wETLaNDs

Waterfowl Update

SCDNR WMA 2011-12 Waterfowl Harvest Survey

he waterfowl harvest on South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) wildlife management areas (WMA) for the 2011-2012 season totaled 4080 birds. This number was down from the 20102011 waterfowl season harvest total of 6,441. The lower harvest was due to a mild winter, reduced habitat quality and low water levels on many WMA's. Applications for draw hunts will be available in September from SCDNR. The table below gives you a good idea of the most common species of ducks that are harvested on the different SCDNR WMA's. Don't forget to apply in September.

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mallard Project Update

The SCWA mallard release project is off to a great start for 2012. This year project cooperators will release approximately 40,000 mallards across South Carolina. Banding data shows that 50% of by Doug Gardner.com these ducks are harvested away from the properties where they were released providing hunting opportunity for duck hunters across the state. SCWA only recommends the release of Frost Waterfowl mallards due to their superior genetic quality and health certification. The SCWA program continues to work with landowners to create waterfowl habitat. Since 1994 mallard project cooperators have created and enhanced over 20,000 acres of wintering waterfowl habitat. If you are interested in the mallard project contact David Wielicki at the SCWA office at 803-452-6001.

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2012 south carolina Wood Duck Production outlook

new plant growth. During these dry periods wetland vegetation is allowed to reestablish itself. When rainfall returns and floods these wetlands an abundance of moist soil seeds and aquatic insects that are important to wintering and breeding ducks become available. Decaying plant matter and phytoplankton blooms provide food for an abundance of aquatic insects. These aquatic insects are rich in protein and fat and provide quality nutrition to nesting ducks which is essential for egg production. These aquatic insects are also the primary food source for growing ducklings.

Wood duck and other waterfowl populations have always declined by Doug Gardner.com during periods of drought. When water returns wood duck populations will rebound. This year wintering wood duck numbers in South Carolina will depend on the quality of wintering habitat and weather. One thing is certain; an abundance of rainfall will be needed to reverse the current drought.

by Doug Gardner.com

outh Carolina and Atlantic Flyway Wood Duck production will be down for 2012. Moderate to extreme drought conditions across South Carolina, the Southeast and Atlantic states has greatly reduced the quantity and quality of wetlands available for nesting wood ducks. Low water levels in beaver swamps, Carolina bays and other freshwater wetlands will greatly reduce wood duck nesting effort and brood survival for the 2012 nesting season. It is important to note that although drought reduces the amount and quality of nesting and wintering wetland habitat available to waterfowl, dry periods are essential to keeping wetlands productive for waterfowl and other species. During dry periods wetland soils are allowed to dry out and oxidize releasing an abundance of nutrients for

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now Hiring!

We are currently recruiting new volunteers for our local chapter committees to serve in various positions including the following: chapter chairman Banquet chairman sponsor chairman ticket/membership chairman Wood Duck chairman Youth chairman

if you are interested in participating on your local scWa committee please contact the local chairman or me. if you would likestart a new chapter please feel free to contact me as well. mac Bagnal 803-452-6001 803-938-3145 mbagnal@scwa.org

You are a member of scWa, but how about some of your buddies?

You know scWa is a quality organization, your recommendation is the best advertising we have. so, pass this membership application to a buddy and help grow scWa along with perpetuating our waterfowl heritage. Just fill out the membership form below and mail it to: SCWA, 9833 Old River Rd. Pinewood, SC 29125

itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to join!

Please sign me up as a member!

$10 Woodie membership (up to 16 years of age) Pin & decal

________________________________________________________________ Name ________________________________________________________________ Address

$25 regular membership SCWA magazine & decal

________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip

$50 contributing membership SCWA magazine, decal & hat pin.

$100 Donor membership SCWA magazine, donor decal, hat & hat pin $250 sponsor membership SCWA sponsor gift, hat, hat pin, magazine, sponsor decal, local chapter banquets couples ticket, & invitation to local sponsor events.

________________________________________________________________ County Telephone (Home) (Work)

$10 Woodie Membership $100 Donor Membership $25 Regular Membership $250 Sponsor Membership $50 Contributing Membership Amount Enclosed: $__________________

for more information call us at (803)

__Visa __ MasterCard __American Express__Discover

452-6001 or check out our website at www.scwa.org.

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(#____________________________________) Expiration Date____

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SCWA Chapter News CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT

BY DIRECTOR MAC BAGNAL

summer – no time to stop Working!

e are gearing up for a great summer at Camp Woodie. Our chapter volunteers are once again helping to make this summer the best summer possible. They have accomplished this in several different ways. Most chapters sell cups at their events and use that money to send local youth to camp. Our Four Holes Chapter raised enough to send five local kids this summer. We have several chapters doing golf tournaments and using that money to send kids to camp. Our Georgetown chapter is sending 15 kids to camp this summer from the money raised at their annual Marlowe Golf Tournament. Just because our Fundraising season is over don’t mean that our chapters just sit idle. They are hosting sponsor events, kid days, skeet shoots, planning event dates, lining up caterers and working on business plans to make their local event be the best it can be. We are entering the “Down Time” for our chapters, but we are going to need everyone’s help to make the next banquet season the best it can be starting in August with the Midlands event in Columbia on August 10th. 2 01 2 – 2 0 13 C ha pter E ven ts

We also have a new Goose Creek chapter scheduled for August 25th. As of the last meeting I attended they already had 15 paid sponsors which is huge for their first year and still have three more months to prepare and raise additional funds for their inaugural event. If you are in the area for any of our events please feel free to come and attend. Please try to get involved in your local chapter and help us perpetuate our waterfowl heritage. If you are interested, please call me at 803-4526001. Thanks again for all of the hard work of our committee members, sponsors, donors and everyone who helps us here at SCWA. Thanks, Mac Bagnal SCWA Industry Sponsors

Agridrain Cypress Knee Chufa Proline Remington Shady Grove Kennels Sportsman’s Warehouse Hevi-Shot Columbia Sportswear Federal Premium

www.agridrain.com www.cypruskneechufa.com www.prolineboots.com www.remington.com www.shadygrovekennels.com www.sportmanswarehouse.com www.hevishot.com www.columbia.com www.federalpremium.com

800-232-4742 252-539-4434 800-334-4612 336-548-8560 803-892-5797 803-731-3000 541- 367-3522

As of June 25th, 2012

08/10/12 Midlands Conservation Dinner – Seawell’s Banquet Center 08/25/12 Berkeley Kick Off Event - Moncks Corner Railroad Depot 08/25/12 Goose Creek Conservation Dinner – Immaculate Conception Church 08/25/12 Summerville Conservation Dinner – Dorchester Senior Center 09/20/12 Greater Piedmont Conservation Dinner - Baxter Hood Center 09/21/12 Anderson Conservation Dinner 09/28/12 Spartanburg Conservation Dinner - CCC Family Room 10/06/12 Kingstree Conservation Dinner - Recreational Department 10/11/12 Greater Wateree Conservation Dinner - Camden Shrine Club 10/13/12 Clarendon Conservation Dinner - The Cypress Center 10/20/12 Berkeley Conservation Dinner - Shrine Club 10/25/12 Laurens Conservation Dinner - Lakeside Country Club 10/26/12 Charleston Conservation Dinner - The Lighthouse on the Creek 11/03/12 Francis Marion Conservation Dinner - SiMT Building 11/08/12 Sumter Conservation Dinner - Sumter County American Legion 11/15/12 Georgetown Conservation Dinner - National Guard Armory 11/16/12 “Fowl” 1st Season Kick Off Dinner & Auction - SCWA Wildlife Ed. Center 11/29/12 Greenville Conservation Dinner - St. George Greek Orthodox 11/30/12 Horry Conservation Dinner – The Boathouse 12/07/12 “Fowl” 2nd Season Kick Off Dinner & Auction - SCWA Wildlife Ed Center 12/08/12 Barnwell Conservation Dinner - National Guard Armory 01/19/13 Walterboro Conservation Dinner - National Guard Armory 01/25/13 Black Creek Conservation Dinner - Prestwood Country Club 01/26/13 Orangeburg Conservation Dinner - The Garden Room 02/01/13 Newberry Conservation Dinner - Newberry Shrine Club 02/15-16 Sportsman’s Ball - Duck Shuck - Omar Shrine Center in Mt Pleasant 03/01/13 Pee Dee / Marlboro Conservation Dinner - Community Center TBD: Beaufort Conservation Dinner, Greenwood Conservation Dinner, Four Holes Conservation Dinner, CSRA Conservation Dinner, Leadership Meeting

For further information, please call Mac Bagnal, Chapter Developement Director at (803) 452-6001 ext.108 or Jennifer McNeely, Coordina tor ext.109 or visit o ur web site at www.scwa. org waTErFowL 10 1 wETLaNDs

Banquets finish strong!

Pee Dee Marlboro Committee

Our 2011 – 2012 Fundraising season finished off strong with our last two events held in Holly Hill and Bennettsville being huge successes. Thanks again to the committee members, sponsors, donors and members who make all of our functions across South Carolina a success. Without their support our organization would not be possible! Our Pee Dee chapter had the first event in over eight years on March 23rd thanks in part to Mr. Jimmy Jones, father of long time and well known Camp Director Brad Jones. Despite not being present for quite some time, the people in the community welcomed SCWA back into their town showing their support with over 300 people in attendance that helped raise over $30k and net over $10k for Camp Woodie and our conservation efforts. I can’t thank Jimmy and his committee enough for a job well done and of course, Brad himself was their working hard

CHAPTER EVENTS

Four Holes Committee

to promote Camp Woodie and SCWA which he has such a passion for. As a matter of fact, Brad will be attending camp each week this summer to do a snake presentation for the children. On April 14th our Four Holes chapter officially ended the season with its annual banquet at the Utopia Club in Holly Hill. They had 300 people in attendance that joined together to raise over $35k and net over $14K for Camp Woodie and our conservation efforts. Once again, we want to thank Kevin Weatherford and his committee for their hard work and determination which ultimately spelled success for their chapter! All of our chapters are working hard to continue our mission here at SCWA and we are looking forward to a great 2012 – 2013 fundraising season starting with our Midlands chapter annual banquet on August 10th. Please come join us!

In Memory Of Bubba Hightower

We are sad to report the SCWA family has lost one of its greatest supporters, SCWA Life Member, William "Bubba" Cooper Hightower. Bubba was one of the best liked people in the Lowcountry. Everyone knew Bubba. He was a dedicated husband and father and an avid duck hunter and golfer. During the early years of SCWA Bubba was instrumental in establishing the Berkeley chapter of SCWA as the number one chapter for several years. As chapter sponsor chairman his sponsor programs had over 100 sponsors during each year of his leadership. Bubba and Billy Cato would get in the truck and ride for three days each year visiting people and collecting sponsor checks. Nobody could say no to Bubba when he came asking for support for SCWA. In the entire history of SCWA we have never had a more devoted Sponsor chairman. His strong fund raising efforts were critical to the early success of SCWA's programs. SCWA would like to extend our condolences to Bubba's wife Libby and his entire family. He will be greatly missed by the entire SCWA family.

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camp Leopold....continued

making this world a better place for future generations. We are waiting on you! Don’t let your child or class miss out on this amazing outdoor adventure! Visit the Camp Leopold web site at www.wildlifeedcenter.org to sign up for a teacher workshop or Camp Leopold session. If you have any questions about our program or

oPEration GamE tHiEf

booking your class for a 2.5 or 1 day field trip please contact me at 803-600-8977 or email: epaul@scwa.org. Ed Paul Director of camp Woodie "summer Program" & camp Leopold "school Year Program" office: 803-452-6001 ext 106 cell: 803-600-8977

Rep ort Violators. ..

1-800-922-5431

OR DIAL

# OGT

DO YOUR PART TO PROTECT SOUTH CAROLINA’S NATURAL RESOURCES. waTErFowL 12 wETLaNDs

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My first hunt with Jim Riley was an elk/mule deer hunt and besides filling my tags, I had a great time and made great friends. Since booking more hunts through Into the Wild I have the utmost confidence that he can help me make the right choice saving time and money by making one phone call to Jim, trusting his vast experience and knowledge. – Tom C., Kentucky Saw five bucks today over 180″, 2 pushing 200″, two stalks made but got busted. Unbelievable country and mammoth mule deer, I’m in Heaven! – John N., Montana ITWA is my go to source for my next hunting adventure! Jim knows the latest hotspots. I have hunted from Argentina to Africa using his knowledge as my guide! – Ryan M., Iowa ITW-1-Page-Flyer.indd 1

2/7/12 4:09 PM

Wood Duck Nesting Program

scWa Wood Duck Production Project Update

he SCWA wood duck production project was initiated in 1987. Since that time over 21,000 wood duck nest boxes have been distributed and installed across South Carolina and over 875,000 wood ducks have hatched from SCWA nest boxes. SCWA would like to send a special thanks to three corporations who have assisted SCWA by providing low cost materials to construct 250 wood duck nest box units for 2012. Marshall Air Systems provided reduced cost metal and the free use of a computerized laser cutting machine to produce 250 predator guards. Culp Lumber provided 250 treated 4x4 posts while A&K Mulch provided cypress lumber at half price. This year SCWA will employ two wildlife technicians who will be installing and maintaining wood duck nest boxes across South Carolina. Nest box maintenance and installations will begin in July. SCWA staff will focus on maintaining larger wood duck projects (15 nest boxes

Wood Duck Project Volunteers Making a Difference

or more) which produce more ducks per dollar of effort. Due to the high cost of fuel, labor and equipment we are encouraging more landowners help fund project maintenance or to maintain their own wood duck nest boxes. If you are interested in having SCWA install or maintain wood duck nest box units please contact the SCWA office at 803-452-6001.

proper installation and maintenance of the nest boxes. SCWA is looking for more wood duck nest box project volunteers who are willing to make a difference for wood duck populations. If you are In 2009, Bob Lynch and Don Cooper interested in starting a volunteer nest box project installed 41 SCWA wood duck nest boxes along give us a call at the SCWA office. the Savannah River Drainage near Jackson, SC. With a little coaching from SCWA biologists these two duck production volunteers went to work to create a very productive nest box project that just keeps getting better every year. Wood duck production has climbed from 117 ducklings in 2009 to 192 ducklings hatched in 2011. In addition, these nest boxes are producing prothonotary warblers, Carolina wrens, tufted titmice, screech owls and hooded mergansers. Bob and Don donate their time and equipment to make a difference for wood duck populations in their own area and they have a great time doing it. SCWA and our local Central Savannah River Chapter provided the wood duck nest box units and SCWA biologists provided Bob and Don with the technical advice needed to ensure the waTErFowL 16 wETLaNDs

by David wielicki, scwa Executive Director/waterfowl Biologist

Waterfowl Ecology and Management Duck Use Days

WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT

This waterfowl biology term is defined as the number of days in which one mallard can feed on an acre of a particular habitat type, or the number of mallards which can be fed for one day on the seeds or grains provided in each type of habitat. Here are some numbers for different types of habitat: flooded Habitat type Duck Use Days Per acre Bottomland Hardwoods (70% red oaks) 234 Moist soil wetland vegetation 1,387 Harvested soybean field 121 Harvested corn field 970 Japanese Millet 3,293 Unharvested Grain (corn, rice, sorghum) 17,000 plus Unharvested Chufa 17,000 plus

As you can see unharvested grain and chufa provide the highest number of duck use days. Acorns, moist soil seeds and grain provide the bulk of carbohydrates needed for wintering waterfowl. During cold weather mallards and other duck species will seek these high carbohydrate foods to meet their energy needs. However, it is important to note that mallards and other ducks also consume a significant number of aquatic insects during the wintering period. These insects contain a high percentage of protein and fat which is important for a healthy diet. Flooded moist soil wetlands and bottomland hardwoods provide more aquatic insects than flooded grain fields. When designing a waterfowl management plan for a particular piece of property it is important to have a diversity of habitats in order to meet the nutritional requirements of wintering waterfowl. Flooded grain fields help to meet carbohydrate needs but moist soil and bottomland hardwood wetlands should also be part of any sound waterfowl management plan. Ducks can't live on grain alone. If you need help creating or improving your waterfowl habitat contact SCWA.

by Doug Gardner.com

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Carolina WaterFowler Guide Service

Duck Hunt Central North Carolina

Ronoake Rapids Lake Morning and Afternoon Hunts Mon., -Wed., -Thurs. Sharon Harris Lake Morning and Afternoon Hunts Tues.,-Fri.,-Sat.

$150 Per Person –

( Min. Four People, Max. Ten People) Breakfast served in the Blind

Call Darrell McAuly Office-910-423-8853 Home-910-486-0241 Mobile-910-263-3499

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ACTION! Where The Central & Mississippi Flyways End, and the Gulf of Mexico Begins! $300

Experience the Best Duck Hunting in Louisiana, ”Private Marsh Hunting, No Pressure, 2 per Blind”. Fees include Lodging, 3 Meals a day (You Know how Good That Cajun Food is), Guided Boat Transportation to and from the Blinds, Decoys, Pirogues. Caring of Game, Gun Cleaning Equipment, Rods and Reels for PM Fishing and fully Equipped Dog Kennels!

per Person, per Day! 3 Day Hunt

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Cell: 985.637.2404, Eves: 985.594.7476, Day: 985.594.9936, Lodge: 985.594.2681 waTErFowL 18

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$10,000 - $20,999 SCANA Blanchard Machinery Co. C. N. Brown Plastics & Chemicals, Inc. Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. Super Sod $5,000 - $9,999 North Shore at Lake Marion Remington Arms Company, Inc. Sportsman’s Warehouse $2,500 - $4,999 AAA Well Drilling, Inc. Adam Jackson Dick’s Sporting Goods Enterprise Car Sales Nucor Steel – Darlington Numzaan Safaris Piggly Wiggly of Sumter Shi-Awela Safaris Tideland Utilities, Inc. Waste Management, Inc.

$1,000 - $2,499 Billy’s Lawn and Garden Boone Hall Plantation Buck’s Building Supply, LLC Carolina Fresh Farms – Mount Pleasant Carolina Fresh Farms – Rock Hill Carolina Paint & Body Carolina Pole, Inc. Carrol Josey Charles R. Snow CJ’s Convenience Store CMA Financial Services Coastal Pond Solutions D & S Heating & Cooling Dilmar Oil Co., Inc. Dorchester Logistics, Inc. Duraclean Systems, Inc. Exit Realty First Citizens Bank - Summerton George O. Brittle Greg Myers Guns-N-Things J. C. Witherspoon, Jr., Inc. J. M. Lawhon Jack Oliver Pools & Spas Kent Porth Nature Photography L & S Farms

Linda Bush Martin Marietta Mattress Express McLain & Lee, LLC Port Royal Gun & Pawn Principal Financial Group Prothro Chevrolet Real Art - Helen Bone Rhodia, Inc. Shady Grove Kennels Steelwater Gun Safes The Alpine Restaurant The Wm. Powell Co./Starflo Corp. Trash Gurl Tyler Brothers Weeks Department Store

$500 - $999 A & S Auto Sales Absolute Home Services American Forest Management Anderson Brothers Bank Atlantic Game & Tackle ATP Gun Shop B & B Body Shop Black River Hunt Club Bobby Martin Brent and Carson Cogdill Carlton Wall Carolina Orthopedic Specialists Carter Construction Charles McFaddin Circle M Farms Coastal Electric Cooperative Complete Lawn Service Conway Auto Parts Crossroads Archery Darrell J. McAuly David Harrelson David Stanley Doc's Gun Exchange Eastern Electric Eastern Sales Co. Estes Specialized Farmers Telephone Coop. Frank Feltham Franklin Gandy Fred Holseberg Glasscock Co, Inc. Glenn A. Durant Gregg Senn Grice Hunt H & D Supply Haier America Refrigerators Co., LTD Harry’s Equipment Center waTErFowL 19

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Hemingway Wood Forest Products Hill Plumbing & Electric Co., Inc. Holcim, Inc. Holly Hill Services Indigo Gun Club Jason Dandridge Jennifer Mixon Jeremy Wall Jesse & Jennifer Weeks Jim Hudson Lexus KELPRO King Feed LLC LaFarge Cement Lamar Kennedy Landscapes by MEW Larry Avins Libby Williams Limehouse & Sons, Inc. Manning IGA Mark Ward McCutcheon's Welding Michael Knight Micky Finn’s Mid Carolina Pipe & Maintenance Mitch Johnson Construction Co., Inc. Norman Wilcox Palmetto Rural Telephone Co-op, Inc Pigweed Plantation Rance Boozer Ray Clepper Boating Renn Tech Graphics Republic Services Riverbend Sportsman’s Resort Robert Bowers Robert E. Mead Rocks Pond, Inc. Russell Hightower Ryan Martin Schmoyer & Co., LLC, CPA’s Silver Lakes Plantation Southern Welders Supply Sparrow & Kennedy Tractor Steven C. Gamble Stevie Thompson The Tobacco Market Thomas Auto & Towing Triangle Construction Co. Unlimited Electric Co. W. P. Law, Inc. Waste-Pro

W W W. d o u g g a r d n e r . C o M

$21,000 - $30,000 Defender Services, Inc.

Corporate Sponsors

Corporate Sponsors as of 6/1/12

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For over 30 years, Doug and Mary Sonnier have been helping hunters enjoy some of the nation’s finest waterfowling. From this experience has grown Doug’s Hunting Lodge, a full-service camp that’s sure to satisfy even the most seasoned hunter. Spanning thousands of acres of prime habitat, Doug’s prairies and marshflats are strategically spread throughout the heart of America’s greatest wintering grounds. When the birds move, Doug’s hunters move with them, led by the best guide staff in the State of Louisiana. Whether it’s a fun hunt with family and friends or a corporate excursion with big business on the line, Doug’s Hunting Lodge can make your next outing your most exciting and memorable. Hundreds of serious wingshooters throughout the nation make their annual pilgrimages here to experience some of the world’s best hunting and hospitality. We hope you’ll join us.

337-536-7902 or 1-800-888-0960 email: dougs@net-connect.net website: www.dougshuntinglodge.com

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c amP W ooDiE 2012 U PDatE

ED PAUL - CAMP DIRECTOR

CAMP WOODIE

H OME V ISIT S PECIAL

The program works like this: a person or family serves as a host to their friends and their kids that are interested in learning more about Camp Woodie. I will come to the host house to explain the activities and goals behind Camp Woodie. All questions will be answered and a slide show will be presented. Contact Camp Woodie. 803-452-6001

For more information on Camp Woodie call the office at (803) 452-6001 or visit our website at www.scwa.org.

South Carolina Waterfowl Association please reserve space at Camp Woodie for:

Camper’s name __________________________________male_____female_____ age Week of Choice ___________________________________ Parent’s Name Address

State/zip

Payment type (circle one):

Check

Visa

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expiration date Name on Card________________________________credit card # Mail this form to: SCWA Camp Woodie, 9833 Old River Road, Pinewood, SC 29125 Fax: (803) 452-6032 PH: (803) 452-6001 web site: www.scwa.org waTErFowL 22 wETLaNDs

camP DatEs 2012

Week 1 - June 3 - June 7 - Level 1 - 8-11 Week 2 - June 10 -June 14 - Level 1 - 8-11 Week 3 - June 17 - June 21 - Level 2 - 12-16 Week 4 - June 24 - June 28 - Level 1 - 8-11 Week 5 - July 1 - July 5 Level 1 - 12-16 Week 6 - July 8 - July 12 - Level 2 - 12-16 Week 7 - July 15 - July 19 Level 1 - 8-11 Week 8 - July 22 - July 26 Level 1 - 8-11 Week 9 - July 29 - August 2 - Level 2 - 12-16 Level 1 - $420 - Level 2 - $575 - All Weeks are Co-ed!

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by Doug Gardner.com

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NEWS

canada Drought monitors

Accumulated Precipitation (National) September 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012

< 25 mm 25 - 50 mm 50 - 75 mm 75 - 100 mm 100 - 150 mm 150 - 200 mm 200 - 300 mm 300 - 400 mm 400 - 500 mm 500 - 600 mm 600 - 700 mm 700 - 800 mm 800 - 900 mm 900 - 1000 mm 1000 - 1250 mm 1250 - 1500 mm 1500 - 2000 mm > 2000 mm Extent of Agricultural Land

Produced using near real-time data that has undergone initial quality control. The map may not be accurate for all regions due to data availability and data errors.

Prepared by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s National Agroclimate Information Service (NAIS). Data provided through partnership with Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and many Provincial agencies.

Created: 06/12/12 www.agr.gc.ca/drought

Home school student Winner of 2012 sc Jr. Duck stamp art contest

Female mallard drawing by Lilian AluriLilian Aluri, a high school student from Aluri Home School of Columbia, SC, won “Best of Show” in South Carolina’s 2012 Junior Duck Stamp Contest with her pencil and tortillon drawing of a female mallard. On January 19, more than 300 entries created by students in grades K- 12 from all over the state were judged in the 2012 South Carolina Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Sponsored by South Carolina Ducks Unlimited, SEWE partnered with SCDNR and USFWS this year to assume the coordination of the South Carolina Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest, a federal contest with a big prize: a commemorated special edition U.S. stamp. Lilian Aluri, a 15 year old high school student, won “Best of Show” in the 2012 South Carolina Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest with her pencil and tortillon drawing of a female Mallard, titled “Searching for a Snack.” Aluri’s work will go on to represent South Carolina in the 2012 National Junior Duck Stamp Contest later this year, where it will compete with winning entrants from all 50 states to become the 2013 collective Federal Junior Duck Stamp. Based on the national program created by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Junior Duck Stamp Art

Contest is a dynamic educational program using conservation and design principles to teach wetland habitat and waterfowl biology to children, K-12. Open to public, private, and home-schooled South Carolina students, participants competed in four grade groups (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12) to create visually compelling and biologically accurate drawings or paintings of eligible North American waterfowl species. Previously managed by SCDNR, the SC Junior Duck Stamp program became at risk of being discontinued due to budget cuts, and other sources of funding had to be found. To ensure the program’s continuation, SEWE partnered with SCDNR to assume the administration. Ducks Unlimited, the world leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation, came on as the sponsor helping to keep the program available to more than 710,000 students in South Carolina. Article contributed by Southeastern Wildlife Exposition / Published by The Columbia Star

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conservation compliance: a Key component of the farm Bill

As the next Farm Bill is developed, a core issue will be inclusion of conservation compliance language, according to the Wildlife Management institute. First established in the 1980’s, conservation compliance is the application of a set of minimum conservation practices that farmers must implement on sensitive lands in order to participate in some federal farm subsidy programs. Between 1985 and 1996, the federal crop insurance program required conservation compliance before providing funds to farmers. However, in the 1996 Farm Bill it was dropped as a requirement from the crop insurance program to attract more producers to participate. Conservation compliance was then tied to the direct payment subsidies to farmers that were initiated in the 1996 Farm Bill. During this Farm Bill debate, direct payments to producers are almost certain to be eliminated in an effort to help rein in the federal deficit. If this happens, crop insurance will very likely become the centerpiece of the farm safety net for the immediate future. With this shift, a fierce debate is likely to occur over the reattachment of insurance payments to conservation compliance. Many major crop commodity groups have stated their opposition to reattaching conservation compliance to federal crop insurance stating that the additional requirements will result in lower participation in the insurance program. On the other hand, those in the conservation community point out that this drop in participation is unlikely to be much of an issue as over 80 percent of producers are currently enrolled in the federal crop insurance program. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that subsidizing crop insurance could cost taxpayers as much as $90 billion over

Pittman-robertson Wildlife restoration act funds Expected to increase for 2012 fiscal Year

In the 2011 fiscal year the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources received $5,260,829 from the Federal Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act Fund. $3,647,647 went to support SCDNR wildlife restoration and management efforts and $1,613,182 was earmarked for SCDNR hunter education programs. This money comes directly from sportsmen and women through the collection of Federal excise taxes collected by the federal government on firearms, ammunitions, archery equipment and arrow components. Each state is allocated funds based on the land area of the state and the number of licensed hunters. Tax collections over the past year were up 14% which will increase the availability of wildlife conservation funding for 2012.

the next ten years. With such a large investment in these subsidies, conservation groups argue that taxpayers should receive the environmental benefits associated with requiring conservation compliance. There is not much argument that conservation compliance has been an important conservation tool since its inception. It is estimated that conservation compliance reduces soil erosion by nearly 300 million tons each year and has saved thousands of acres of ecologically important wetlands from conversion to other uses. The debate over whether and how it will be included in federal farm subsidies will unfold in coming months as members of Congress release draft Farm Bill legislation. (pmr) Article provided by the Wildlife Management Institute

in memory of John manning Harper, Jr. - 84

BY DAVID J. WIELICKI

I am very sad to report that my good friend John M. Harper, Jr. passed away on May 24, 2012. John was a good friend, hunting companion and mentor and will be greatly missed by the entire SCWA family. John was a true gentleman and a great outdoorsman. I spent many days in the duck blind with John Harper and enjoyed every minute of our fellowship in the outdoors. John had a great respect for his fellow man and for god's creation. He was a joy to spend time with. John was a past Board member of SCWA, a life member and a major supporter of SCWA conservation and education programs for 25 years. The entire SCWA family wishes to extend our condolences to his wife Clyde Virginia Douglass Harper and the entire family. A donation to SCWA was received in memory of John Manning Harper, Jr. from Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Perry, Jr.

John Harper, Jr. one of my favorite hunting companions, on the boat ride back to the lodge, the smile says everything about the great time we had duck hunting that day.

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Delta Praises Decision to increase funding to Breeding Grounds

NEWS

Increasing funding for waterfowl conservation on the prairie breeding grounds is critical to the long-term future of duck hunting. Bismarck, N.D.—Delta Waterfowl applauds the recent decision by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (MBCC) to increase the percentage of duck stamp dollars going to the prairie breeding grounds for habitat conservation in 2012. The commission's decision calls for an increase of the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund (MBCF) dollars for the prairie pothole states (Region 6 and Region 3). The majority of increased funding will be used for taking perpetual voluntary wetland and grassland easements, particularly in North Dakota and South Dakota, which attract the vast majority of ducks nesting annually in the United States. "This is a historic decision, spearheaded by director Dan Ashe of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and he deserves enormous praise for his vision and leadership on this issue," said John Devney, director of U.S policy for Delta Waterfowl, which for years has publically supported increased funding to the prairie breeding grounds. "In an era of tight budgets and scare resources, director Ashe followed the science and made the best decision for the future of ducks and duck hunters everywhere. We applaud this move wholeheartedly." Long recognized as North America's "duck factory", the grasslands of the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) produce roughly 50 percent of the continent's ducks on an average year and up to 70 percent when water and grass are abundant, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The commission's decision will reallocate upwards of 70 percent (nearly $30 million) of the MBCF to breeding grounds, with roughly $20 million going to North Dakota and South Dakota. In 2011, the PPR states received $17 million. The MBCF receives revenues from federal duck stamp sales, important duties on guns and ammunition, among several other sources. Devney says increasing funding for waterfowl conservation on the prairie breeding grounds is critical to the long-term future of duck hunting. "The duck factory is in trouble," said Devney. "The wetland and grassland resources here are at greater risk than they have been in decades. Every region in the country has pressing needs, but these are duck stamp dollars, and right now the greatest need for ducks is on the breeding grounds." Devney says roughly 6.2 million acres of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts will expire in September nationwide, and few expect those acres to be renewed, thanks in large part to high commodity prices, high land values and higher cash rents. "CRP habitat, particularly in the Dakotas and parts of Montana, has been a boon for prairie-nesting ducks, but those acres are disappearing more and more

every year, which makes the funding reallocation to the breeding grounds all the more important," said Devney. North Dakota currently has 2.5 million CRP acres (down from more than 3 million), but contracts on roughly 800,000 acres will expire in September. In South Dakota, contracts on 200,000 acres will expire this year as well, dropping its total CRP allotment to 900,000 acres. "When you factor in all the native prairie we're also losing in the Dakotas each year, the amount of grassland habitat loss in the duck factory is staggering," said Devney, noting an estimated 50,000 acres of native prairie in South Dakota is broken each year for agricultural production. "The rich wetland base of the Dakotas is also at risk. There's a burgeoning interest in tiling and draining as producers look for increased tillable acreage and higher yields." The good news is that demand for landowner easements across the PPR remains high, including "the best of the best duck habitat" in the Dakotas the USFWS is targeting. Said one USFWS official, "We still have a sizeable waiting list of willing landowners. I hope demand stays high. I believe it will. But there's no getting around the fact there are a lot of economic forces working against duck conservation on the breeding grounds." Delta Waterfowl Scientific Director Dr. Frank Rohwer, who is also a professor at Louisiana State University's School of Renewable Natural Resources, says increased investments on the prairies are important to waterfowlers across the U.S. "The science is clear," said Dr. Rohwer, who regularly hunts Louisiana's coastal marshes. "The greatest biological need for habitat conservation is on the breeding grounds. If we don't protect key habitats on the prairies, our ability to raise ducks for hunters everywhere will be greatly diminished." Devney says Delta Waterfowl supports increased funding to the breeding grounds beyond 2012. He says that effort could be bolstered by increasing the price of the federal duck stamp. The stamp, required by all hunters who hunt migratory birds, has cost $15 for the past two decades—the longest period without an increase since the stamp's inception in 1934.

President Obama's latest budget proposal would increase the price to $25 in 2013, the same proposal made by former President George W. Bush in 2008, and which Congress declined. "Inflation has greatly diminished the purchasing power since the last duck stamp increase in 1991," said Devney. "An increase would greatly improve our efforts to preserve critical duck-nesting habitat for years to come. Delta Waterfowl supports the increase because it's the best investment in habitat conservation available for ducks and duck hunters alike."

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85% crP acceptance rate Leads to nearly 4 million acres of Habitat

Pheasants Forever concerned about massive habitat losses in Northern Plains

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will accept 3.9 million acres offered under the 43rd Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up. During the extended five-week signup, the Department received nearly 48,000 offers on more than 4.5 million acres of land, demonstrating demand for CRP as our nation’s most successful voluntary program for conserving land and improving our soil, water, air and wildlife habitat resources. USDA selected offers for enrollment based on an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) comprised of five environmental factors plus cost. The five environmental factors are: (1) wildlife enhancement, (2) water quality, (3) soil erosion, (4) enduring benefits, and (5) air quality. The minimal acceptable EBI level for this sign-up was 209. The average rental rate per acre for this sign-up is $51.24. “On one hand, we are pleased to see such a substantial number of offers from this spring’s CRP general signup, considering external factors such as record high land values and commodity prices,” said Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs. Nomsen added, “On the other hand, we are concerned about the significant decline of CRP acres across the Northern Plains states. In total, the Northern Plains will lose in excess of one million acres of CRP through the 2012 re-enrollment process. The continued loss of CRP from this region will have far reaching wildlife and environmental ramifications. These acres represent America’s pheasant and duck factories, as well as the starting point for the Mississippi and Missouri River watersheds impacting water quality all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.” While Pheasants Forever is concerned about the current status of CRP, Nomsen did address opportunities to work toward in the coming months. “Recent USDA announcements for new CRP initiatives focusing on 750,000 acres of highly erodible, or HEL lands, and for 1 million acres of targeted CRP buffer practices may be very helpful to address resource concerns from areas experiencing loss of overall CRP. In addition, Congress can address these habitat and natural

resource concerns by quickly passing a 2012 Farm Bill with a strong overall conservation title including CRP, and new policies like the Sodsaver provisions that will help protect valuable native prairie grasslands.” CRP is a voluntary program designed to help farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers protect their environmentally sensitive land. Eligible landowners receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland throughout the duration of 10 to 15 year contracts. CRP has a 25-year legacy of successfully protecting the nation's natural resources through voluntary participation, while providing significant economic and environmental benefits to rural communities across the United States. Under CRP, farmers and ranchers plant grasses and trees in crop fields and along streams or rivers. The plantings prevent soil and nutrients from washing into waterways, reduce soil erosion that may otherwise contribute to poor air and water quality, and provide valuable habitat for wildlife. Plant cover established on the acreage accepted into the CRP will reduce nutrient and sediment runoff in our nation’s rivers and streams. In 2011, as a result of CRP, nitrogen and phosphorous losses from farm fields were reduced by 623 million pounds and 124 million pounds respectively. The CRP has restored more than two million acres of wetlands and associated buffers and reduces soil erosion by more than 300 million tons per year. CRP also provides $1.8 billion annually to landowners—dollars that make their way into local economies, supporting small businesses and creating jobs. In addition, CRP is the largest private lands carbon sequestration program in the country. By placing vulnerable cropland into conservation, CRP sequesters carbon in plants and soil, and reduces both fuel and fertilizer usage. In 2010, CRP resulted in carbon sequestration equal to taking almost 10 million cars off the road.

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cholera Kills thousands of Waterfowl in Klamath NEWS

An outbreak of avian cholera has killed 10,000 to 15,000 ducks and geese in the [http://www.fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges/] Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge complex, reports the Wildlife Management Institute. Most of the affected species are snow and Ross’ geese, pintail ducks, and coots. While cholera outbreaks are not unusual and are not significant in populations exceeding 2 million birds, this is the worst die-off in the last 10 to 15 years, caused largely by not having enough water to provide adequate wetland habitat for the number of birds that move through the region. President Theodore Roosevelt established the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in 1908, largely as a result of market hunting of birds in the region. The Clear Lake, Upper Klamath, Tule Lake, Bear Valley and Klamath Marsh Refuges were established over the next 70 years. The area is known as a critical point for migrating waterfowl along the Pacific Flyway - at least half of all waterfowl and 80 percent of the pintails that winter in California spend several weeks in the spring improving body condition for breeding and continued migration. The Klamath Basin has been a hotbed in the debate over water use for many years. Because the Refuges do not have a legislated purpose under the[http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name =Klamath+Project] Klamath Restoration Project, the delivery of water through project infrastructure is a low priority. As a result, Refuges receive only what water remains after it is allocated for agriculture and for maintaining adequate water levels for endangered fish. With lower than normal rain and snowfall through this past winter, the Refuges had not had water released to them since December, flooding less than half of the Lower Klamath NWR’s 31,000 acres of marsh. “We were about 50 percent of normal of what we would hope to have for wetlands flooded at this time of year,” commented Ron Cole, Refuge Manager for the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in an interview with National Public Radio. “That concentrated the birds. When they are concentrated they tend to spread the disease more quickly.” Significant rainfall in March eased the dry conditions and the Refuge received some of its water allocation, but only enough to flood about 4,000 more acres. Historically, the Klamath Basin in Northern California and Southern Oregon had an estimated 350,000 acres of wetlands. In 1905, the Klamath Restoration Project was initiated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to convert the lakes and wetlands in the area for agricultural purposes. Today there is less than 25 percent of the historic wetland acreage in the region and the conflict over using water resources has escalated in recent years. In 2010, the [http://klamathrestoration.gov/home] Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA) and Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA) were signed by over 30 partner agencies and organizations in an effort to

develop solutions to the constant conflict over water allocations. The goals of the KBRA are to restore and sustain natural fish production and provide for full participation in ocean and river harvest opportunities of fish species throughout the Klamath Basin; establish reliable water and power supplies which sustain agricultural uses, communities, and National Wildlife Refuges; and contribute to the public welfare and the sustainability of all Klamath Basin communities. There are numerous recommendations within the agreement including the removal of four privately owned dams on the Klamath River. Some components of the agreement can be initiated administratively including impact analyses by management agencies. In mid-2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released their review “[http://www.fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges/KBRA%20Effects%20to%20Refuges%20Final%20 Report.pdf] Effects of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement to Lower Klamath, Tule Lake and Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuges.” The assessment shows a general improvement in wetlands acreage and waterfowl use, particular for the Lower Klamath NWR, should the KBRA be implemented. In addition, the U.S. Department of Interior released a [http://klamathrestoration.gov/sites/klamathrestoration.gov/files/DDDD .SDOR.Full.1.24.12.pdf] Draft Klamath Overview Report and [http://klamathrestoration.gov/sites/klamathrestoration.g ov/files/FINAL%20March%202012%20Klamath%20Peer% 20Review.pdf] peer review of the overview in recent months. According to their analysis, the removal of the four dams on the Klamath River would create more than 4,600 jobs in the basin, including hundreds of jobs in fishing and agriculture, while restoring historical habitat for salmon, steelhead and other fish and wildlife. However, Congress must act to fully authorize the agreements and so far they have not done so. In November 2011, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA-1) introduced the [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgibin/query/z?c112:H.R.3398:] Klamath Basin Economic Recovery Act (H.R. 3398 and S. 1851) that would approve and implement both the KBRA and the KHSA. The bill also authorizes the U.S. Department of Interior to take the necessary steps to move the agreement forward, changes or establishes federal policy to assist implementation of the agreements, and establishes a process to plan for and implement dam removal. “The reports tell us that removal of the dams has the potential to support thousands of additional jobs in the Klamath Basin, including new fishing and recreational opportunities, while providing increased water delivery certainty to Basin farmers and wildlife refuges and would increase the harvest opportunity for salmon and steelhead in the river,” commented Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “We will continue our collaboration with states,

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tribes and local communities to finalize the scientific studies and environmental analysis, and we will continue to work with Congress on legislation that would authorize a decision to be made.â&#x20AC;? Dependable water allocations are essential to maintaining the critical migratory bird resources in the Klamath Basin. But with ongoing battles over final implementation of potential solutions such as the KBRA and KHSA continuing the unpredictable water flows, it is likely that more situations like the current avian cholera outbreak will occur in low water years. "Securing a guaranteed water delivery to refuge wetlands will require federal legislation, and must be done in a way that does not impact deliveries to agricultural lands or needed water for listed fish species. Not an easy task," noted Bill Gaines, president of the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA). "But the wetlands on the Klamath Refuge Complex provide some of the most important waterfowl habitat in North America. We must do all possible to secure this habitat a reliable annual water supply." (jas) Article provided by the Wildlife Management Institute

conservation Efforts Benefit from record 2011 Excise taxes

UP 27% IN FOURTH QUARTER . . . Wildlife conservation efforts got a boost in 2011 thanks to excise taxes paid by America's firearms and ammunition industry. Excise tax obligations for firearms and ammunition manufacturers were up 27 percent in the fourth quarter and up 14 percent for the 2011 calendar year when compared to the same periods the previous year. Obligations for the full 2011 calendar year were the highest for a calendar year to date. Excise tax collections are a key economic indicator for the industry. These 10 to 11 percent excise tax dollars, collected since 1937 under the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, are specifically designated to be used by state wildlife agencies for conservation. Collectively, purchasers of firearms and ammunition and hunters are the single-largest source of wildlife conservation funding. NSSF members can access full historical quarterly breakouts by category by logging in at [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001qo0uHZP5FsqZcCRMKE FcX3dKD5zOGyfmfPGPlHAT2YA8e1UN9Fm1syT9V0KC 9kKDetZFlQr4ejRvcruK5tqxeGhDId212k8ZdRdWAED3F mtOG_F6jC9zg==]nssf.org/members and clicking "NSSF Industry Research" then "Quarterly FAET/Excise Tax Data." Additional research can be found at: [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001qo0uHZP5FsqOM94LKX vhSjCvLckudhJE2miCcN8TRIEiOsMm1gjS6wF0lrn8roM_4ZJgREFt7p3q11F65k9xYhMt88c6oHdTZjWE38irk dH95ObUWOy6g==]nssf.org/research. waTErFowL 33 6 wETLaNDs

Dickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sporting Goods

Proud Sponsor of The South Carolina Waterfowl Association

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