California Waterfowl
eNews

 February 6, 2014

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In This Issue
CWA Member Proxy
CA Drought
Late Season Goose Hunts
Wetland Accomplishments
Buy Safflower Seed, Support CWA
Watergrass Seed Available
Events Calendar 
Feb 8 Madera CWA Dinner 
Feb 21 Tulare CWA Dinner
Feb 21 Tri Valley Prawn & Steak Feed 
Feb 21 San Diego County Banquet 
Feb 22 Yuba/Sutter Banquet
Feb 22 Davis Duck Days Dinner 
Feb 27 Oakdale CWA Banquet 
Feb 28 El Dorado County Banquet 
Feb 28 Hollister CWA Banquet 
 
Corporate Partners 
Loyall 
  
Proline  
  
Federal Black Cloud
  
Kruger Farms
Member Proxy - Meeting of the Members

California Waterfowl will be having the 2014 Meeting of the Members on March 8, 9:00 a.m. at the Ray Lewis Program Center in Roseville. All members are invited and we encourage you to attend and also tour our facility, meet staff and engage with other members.  We will be electing directors and conducting other business that may come before the membership. 

 

The California Waterfowl Bylaws require a minimum number of members present to constitute a quorum. If you cannot attend the meeting, please consider filling out a proxy online.

 

Click here to fill out a proxy today.

California Drought 

Last year was one of the driest on record in California. Following below normal years in 2011 and 2012, 2013 ended with very low levels of storage in reservoirs. As December and then January wore on with no rain, the state and federal water agencies began to realize that the state is in the grip of an historic drought. The Governor declared a state of drought emergency on January 17.

 

As a result of the drought, the federal Central Valley Project said in December that it would not be able to deliver any water to farmers in the San Joaquin Valley. The State Water Project said in January - for the first time in its history - that it would be unable to deliver any water to its contractors in Northern or Southern California. As a result, 17 water districts, mostly in Northern California, face the prospect of running entirely out of water in three to four months. Most water districts throughout the state are calling for voluntary conservation, with some imposing mandatory restrictions on water use.

 

With respect to waterfowl, the drought will mean less water for the refuges and wildlife areas in 2014, including those that fall under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act. Rice farmers estimate that there could be up to 100,000 fewer acres planted in rice this year. Water for rice decomposition may also be significantly curtailed in the fall of 2014. The water crisis in the Klamath National Wildlife Refuges will continue. Nobody knows at this point whether there will be a long-term effect on the Pacific Flyway after the drought has ended.

 

The state and federal governments are working cooperatively to deal with the effects of the drought. Refuge managers and water districts are working overtime to ensure that there is some water for the birds this spring and next fall.

 

The good news, if there is any, is that the ridge of high pressure that was off the coast for months and diverted all the storms to the north has broken down. Storms are finally starting to arrive in February, bringing snow and rain. February and March are usually very wet months, so it is possible that the effects of the drought may be alleviated somewhat. That said, it will not be possible to snow and rain enough to make 2014 even an average year. The reservoirs will still be lower than normal and drought restrictions will continue to apply.

Late Season Goose Hunts

Late White-Fronted and White Goose Seasons in Balance of State and NE Zone
For the third year in a row, hunters will be allowed to shoot white-fronted and white geese after the regular season has ended in the Balance of State zone. The late season is February 15th through February 19th and regular season bag limits and restrictions apply including the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area where the white-fronted goose season is closed.
 
The Northeastern Zone late white goose season will start tomorrow (2/7) and run through March 10th. The Northeastern late white front season is March 6 through March 10.

 

While this five day season provides additional hunting opportunity, another purpose of the late season goose hunt is to lessen potential goose crop depredation on private lands.  Providing hunting opportunities in the late season will help shift geese onto public areas and may also reduce goose population levels. Most goose populations that winter in California are at or above population goals and remain in California through late spring. These hunts were strongly supported by CWA's Regulations and Traditions Committee through its work with DFW and the F&G Commission.

 

Type A and B wildlife areas will not be open to hunting. However, Type C areas in the Department of Fish and Wildlife's North Central Region, as well as some other public lands and waters throughout the Balance of the State Zone that allow waterfowl hunting, may be open. Hunters are advised to check with the land managing agency first.

 

For more information, check out CDFW's Waterfowl Hunting Regulations page.

Wetland Accomplishments

Our Wetland Biologists were busy in 2013! We just finished a preliminary review of our wetland projects for 2013 and the numbers are impressive. We completed 74 projects that benefited almost 23,000 acres! Over $10 million was spent on these projects and 46% of them are on public land. These projects are all across California and will benefit our waterfowl populations and also increase hunter opportunity for generations to come.

 

Go to our Project Map page for more information and highlights.

Safflower Seed Available 
It's Almost Time to Plant Dove Food Plots

March is the perfect month to plant your fall dove food plots for fall dove hunting. California Waterfowl has safflower seed for sale to help you get started.  The seed is perfect for wildlife food plots and is for sale for $0.50 per pound, or $25 for a 50lb sack of treated seed.  Take advantage of spring rains to grow a healthy plot of safflower for next year's dove flight! Typically, seed can be planted at a rate of 25-50lbs per acre.  Support CWA by purchasing your seed from us, call today to arrange delivery or pickup of seed, 916-648-1406, Ext. 101.

Watergrass Seed Available From CWA

California Waterfowl is also offering a watergrass seed for land owners. Our watergrass seed is a high-quality duck food that can be planted and grown in wetlands throughout California. Plant some now and enjoy more ducks in the fall while supporting CWA!

 

California Waterfowl is an award-winning 501(C)(3) nonprofit, hunter-supported conservation organization with a mission to conserve the state's waterfowl, wetlands, and hunting heritage.  In the last 20+ years, we've completed more than 1,170 individual projects to protect, restore, and enhance more than 431,000 acres, providing habitat for millions of birds and animals.  Our Wood Duck Program has hatched more than 655,000 ducklings, while our Banding Programs have marked more than 232,000 birds.  Our Youth and Education Programs have reached more than 275,000 children, young adults, and families to help to create a better understanding of biology, conservation, and outdoor heritage.  All efforts are supported largely by donations and the work of nearly 20,000 dedicated and tireless members and volunteers.

 

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