CWA IS CHARITY NAVIGATOR'S #1 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION NONPROFIT!
YES! California Waterfowl is currently the highest rated charity under "Wildlife Conservation" according to  Charity Navigator! This is on top of our recent four star, 100% rating for financial accountability and transparency.

Click here to learn about CWA's perfect report on Charity Navigator.com.
DEADLINE FOR JANUARY HUNTS IN THE HUNT PROGRAM - DECEMBER 17
Quick, what's the last day you can apply for a waterfowl hunt for the general season in the CWA Hunt Program? You guessed December 17th? You're right!

While it may not seem like we should be thinking about the "end" of the 2016-17 waterfowl season, when it comes to our Hunt Program we, YOU, should. The deadline to apply for all January hunts is December 17th. We have hunts taking place all over the state, including:

BUTTE CREEK FARMS: Located on the western edge of the world famous Butte Sink just two miles East of Colusa, Butte Creek Farms consists of 2,000 acres of flooded rice with only 800 acres hunted. With outstanding views of the Sutter Buttes and beautiful riparian habitat mixed throughout, this is not your average rice club. The hunt will take place in a custom pit blind in a flooded rice field. The entire club is 20ga only and stops hunting at noon. One hunter must be a junior. All blinds are outfitted with new Avian X decoys and transportation near blind is provided.

Check out all of our hunt opportunities, including mobility impaired and veteran hunts, at http://www.calwaterfowl.org/hunt-program-desc

Don't wait, apply TODAY!
CALIFORNIA F&G COMMISSION INITIATES 2017 WATERFOWL REGS PROCESS
The California F&G Commission submitted its notice of intent to amend the waterfowl hunting regulations, allowing for the public to comment on or submit proposed regulatory changes.

CWA attended and spoke at the recent meeting which included discussion of the reduction in the pintail bag limit to one bird for the 2017/18 season, as required under the federal framework for waterfowl. Because the 2016 pintail breeding numbers dropped below the two bird limit threshold and many pintail bypassed the dry Prairie Pothole region for wetter areas to the north, waterfowlers will face a one bird limit next season.

CWA has repeatedly communicated to the USFWS the historical value of pintail to California hunters and the fact that our state's wintering population is by far the largest of any state. We have urged that the current pintail harvest model be modified to allow for a larger daily bag limit (beyond two birds) in good pintail production years.

However, funding and staff for the necessary data collection, analysis and modeling work is limited, while there are other competing waterfowl priorities that the USFWS must also address. It should be noted that a modification of the pintail model to allow for an increase in the bag limit may also increase the likelihood of closed seasons or seasons within seasons in poor pintail production years.

CWA also expressed some concern over a proposal to move more hunt days from the NE Zone regular season for white fronted geese to the late season on mostly private lands because of its impact on public area hunters. This and other proposals will be discussed at CWA's Regulations and Traditions Committee meeting prior to the Commission's final vote on the 2017 waterfowl regulations in April.

CWA also testified at the Commission's meeting in support of allowing the use of GPS tracking collars for hounds, and commended the Department of Fish and Wildlife and Fish and Game Commission for working with the falconry community to reduce the complexity of proposed falconry regulations.
NEED CAMO? DO YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING AT THE CWA STORE
Got a hunter on your holiday shopping list? Check out the CWA store where we have a TON of it. T-shirts, jackets, hats and not to mention our "world famous" merino wool socks! We also have duck straps, blind bags, barware and much, much more

Supplies are limited on our most popular items! Don't delay, order today!
https://co-store.com/cawaterfowl
NEW 2017 JDS CALENDARS NOW AVAILABLE
Support K-12 grade wetland and waterfowl science education in the classroom and in the field. Donate and get a 2017 Junior Duck Stamp calendar today! The calendar features 100 pieces of winning art from K-12 California artists.

Only $10!

Funds go directly to education programming for schools. Calendar donations create educational materials and supplies and assist in running school programs.
 
Order one today. Makes a great gift!
https://www.calwaterfowl.org/DuckStampCalendar 
December 17
Deadline to apply for January Hunts
EVENT CALENDAR
 
December 9
Galt-Lodi "Rib Feed"
January 7
Willows Chapter Dinner
January 12
Bakersfield Ducks, Bucks & Bulls
January 19
Carmel Valley Dinner

CORPORATE PARTNERS 

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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 1,400 individual projects to protect, restore, and enhance more than 490,000 acres, providing habitat for millions of birds and animals.  Our Wood Duck Program has hatched more than 740,000 ducklings, while our Banding Programs have marked nearly 257,000 birds.  Our Youth and Education Programs have reached more than 320,000 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 1,500 dedicated and tireless volunteers.

 

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Conserving California's Waterfowl, Wetlands and Hunting Heritage