They Came to Shoot - A History of California Duck Clubs and Wetland Conservation is destined to become a standard work on the long over-due topic of California waterfowl hunting traditions. With about 500 pages, this book will feature a complete listing and basic history of over 3,000 historic duck clubs. Over 100 black and white photos included, most never before published.

All proceeds from the book will benefit California Waterfowl.

Click here to order your pre-sale copy today! Only limited quantities will be available!

Purchase your Federal Duck Stamp securely online through CWA's website. No more waiting in line or driving all over town! Don't forget to include a tax-deductible donation to help us protect your hunting heritage. All donations of more than $50 will receive a FREE gift!

Click here to order your stamps today and to also receive an important message from California Waterfowl's President, John Carlson, Jr.

On Tuesday, the Sacramento Valley Waterfowl Advisory Committee recommended a one week delay for opening public hunting at Sacramento, Delevan, Sutter and Colusa National Wildlife Refuges, as well as Gray Lodge, Upper Butte Basin (Little Dry Creek, Howard Slough and Llano Seco) and Yolo State Wildlife Areas.  Subject to approval of the Director of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), hunting on those public areas will likely begin Saturday, October 29.

Due to both a late planting season and unseasonably cool summer, the Committee, which is composed of the California Rice Commission, local farmers, the Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, expects that less than 50% of the Sacramento Valley rice crop will be harvested by October 22 (opening day for the Balance of the State Zone).  The one week delay in hunting is intended to help keep waterfowl out of unharvested rice fields and reduce crop losses.

Many of the Sacramento Valley refuges and wildlife areas were originally purchased with federal Lea Act monies - funds which were specifically intended to address waterfowl depredation issues.  Portions of these public lands were also purchased with Duck Stamp dollars, while other hunter-generated dollars (e.g. federal Pittman-Robertson Act monies) provide important operation and maintenance funding. 

Hunting delays on Sacramento Valley public areas - some several weeks long - were common from 1950s through the 1970s.  However, in the last 25 years there have only been three years in which a delay was mandated due to crop depredation concerns.

A representative of California Waterfowl attended and spoke at Tuesday's meeting on behalf of public area hunters.