By Greg Tracey

Our Board has been asked this question many times here recently. And yes these past few months have proven busy with all types of action. Once again this winter we returned to Annapolis in hopes of gaining additional areas to hunt and eliminate more obstacles. So at this time the Board Of Directors would like to formally announce we have been successful in our proposed legislation to open the largest area to hunt migratory waterfowl in modern times.

The entire Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds along with Fishing Bay, Manokin River, Big Annemessex River and the Kedges Straights in the counties of Dorchester, Somerset and Wicomico have become part of the Offshore Zone. This will allow for a much safer area to gun migratory waterfowl and improve opportunity. We were able through legislation to move the Offshore Zone from the previous defined area which was out past Bloodsworth, South Marsh and Smith Island to a safe and reasonable distance of 400 yards offshore. The newly created zone will be very similar to the existing 800 yard Sea Duck Zone. This moves the area which was out some ten miles in to a shadow of the shoreline. The DNR is putting the final wording together for the hunting guide which will have the exact points which will be necessary when setting up your rig. House Bill 1472 gained 100% bipartisan support in both the Senate and House sides. The cross over version Senate Bill 1043 gained an overwhelming majority as well. Later in the newsletter I will advise on the legislators who had the  instrumental task of pushing this through for us and why it was kept quiet. Again we could not leave out the Western Shore so George Abell, our Region 6 director, did the necessary work to change the remaining shoreline of  St. Mary’s County on the bayfront from 800 to 400 yards. Again House Bill 686 had a perfect record with a unanimous vote in favor. We have some nice events planned for this year much like those described in this newsletter and of course more on the way. Now to address the title of this article.

When the MDWFA was formed into the statewide organization we are today our founding members had a vision to grow with caution and only when we had dedicated, willing volunteers in place. In the past year we have seen more then one of our fellow sportsmen organizations dismantle due to various reasons but each growing into something unsustainable by their current volunteers. As an organization the MDWFA is not money driven. We don’t send out constant reminders for membership donations. It does take a financial obligation to keep us moving and we hope that you feel we earn your donation with the changes we have and will continue to make. We have a very diverse Board who represent all types of waterfowl hunters from all over the state. The most important factor in our decision making is our belief in democracy. As the President it is my job to collect information and present it to the Board for discussion. No one person has a strong hold and every individual opinion is valued. A recent article was written in the Cumberland Times-News which slammed the various national and local conservation organizations (MDWFA included) as not working collectively against the anti-hunting crowd. They claimed trappers aren’t concerned about bowhunters; bowhunters sure don’t care about waterfowlers, waterfowlers are apathetic towards muzzleloader hunters; muzzleloaders don’t give a hoot about trappers. The journalist wrote we are all self-centered groups and we don’t have each others backs. I must admit much of the article was true to a degree.

When the Maryland Fur Trappers were fighting anti-trapping legislation in Annapolis our very own Executive Director, Steve Myers, was on hand to testify against the introduced Bill. Although Sunday bowhunting in Baltimore County failed again in committee, MDWFA was the only organization signed up to testify in its favor. How did Sunday bowhunting in Talbot County come about ? Our very own board members, Butch Chambers and Jack Scanlon, asked for it and with the help of the local delegation worked it through to become law. With the loss of these other hunting rights organizations we will in many ways pick up our efforts on a more broad spectrum. We will reach out and embrace the other organizations and collectively work together as we have done in the past and will continue into the future. In a few weeks we will be asking many of you to renew your membership. What you see here in this newsletter or on the web site are but a few of what goes on behind the scenes with our organization. We are continuing to move forward and need your support. We achieve our goals through will power, desire and hard work. Although we don’t send out constant reminders for membership donations the money we collect is important and our greatest revenue generator. Because our membership has grown over the years the amount of work the Membership Secretary does has grown tremendously and takes many volunteer hours to complete the ongoing duties. With the increased burden we have decided to go to a one time of year renewal which will be in early Fall. Some of you who renew at different times will have an extended period of membership until we can get most of the membership on the new renewal schedule. Many thanks for caring and believing in the Maryland Waterfowler’s Association. Feel free to make suggestions as to what you would like to see happen. We had an overwhelming appeal from the lower shore folks who wanted the change we provided.  Call loud & shoot straight!

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By Greg Tracey

Believe me when I tell you working two Bills in four separate counties takes a lot of time and effort. Just trying to explain what our objectives were to the different legislators and then to legislative services who are the folks who actually write the bills is not the easiest thing to do. During the process of gaining support for the proposed legislation on the lower shore I was introduced to a gentlemen who is an aid to Senator Stoltzfus in Wicomico and Somerset counties and an avid waterfowler.  Emmett Lehman was instrumental in helping MDWFA move the lower shore legislation through the Annapolis process. He became my wingman  and wanted this to pass as much if not more then I did. We bounced questions off one another just so we each had an answer for anything that might come up during the hearings. He personally walked the proposal through the drafting process. You see he and his brothers hunt the Chrisfield area and have always wondered why the zones had been set the way they were. We own a great deal of gratitude to Emmett for his dedication and attention to the process. You see the Bill came into session late and no hearings had been set. I was working in Harford County and received a call at 10:30 am from Emmett telling me they scheduled the hearing for that day at 1 pm. I quickly drove down to Annapolis, pulled out the suit I keep behind the seat and testified at the hearing. Success was ours. I don’t believe in our past we have written any articles on the Legislative Representatives who have helped us make the changes we desired. But it is an election year and we feel they should be recognized for the superior support they provided the average waterfowl hunter. Please support them in their re-election if you feel your hunting rights are important.

St. Mary’s County

Delegate John F. Wood, Jr. District 29A. Delegate Wood took the lead and introduced Bill HB 686
Delegate John L. Bohanan Jr. District 29B. Co-sponsor
Delegate Anthony J. O’Donnell District 29C. Co-sponsor of Bill and helped move through Environmental Matters Committee and has Co-sponsored every piece of legislation MDWFA has ever introduced.
Senator Roy P. Dyson District 29.  Worked both the St. Mary’s and lower shore legislation through all the Senate committees, added an amendment to help us get it through before the session closed in the last days.

Dorchester  & Wicomico Counties

Delegate Adelaide C. Eckardt District 37B. Delegate Eckardt took the lead and introduced HB 1472. Testified in all committees on our behalf. Also introduced Sunday bowhunting legislation.
Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio District 37B Co-sponsor HB 1472
Delegate Rudolph C. Cane District 37A Co-sponsor HB 1472 and a co-sponsor of many of our past introductions.
Senator Richard F. Colburn District 37 Co-sponsor SB 1043

Wicomico  & Somerset Counties

Delegate D. Page Elmore District 38A Co-sponsor HB 1472
Delegate Norman H. Conway District 38B Co-sponsor HB 1472
Delegate James N. Mathias Jr. District 38B Co-sponsor HB 1472
Senator J. Lowell Stoltzfus District 38 sponsor SB 1043 Introduced and took the lead in the lower shore legislation.

We would also like to point out the Representatives who would not extend common delegation courtesy; which means if all the local delegates in a particular county agree on a local matter that only pertains to that particular county the other delegates would allow a courtesy vote.

The non-friendly voters:

Delegate Elizabeth Bobo  Howard County
Delegate Aisha Braveboy Prince Georges County
Delegate Jon Cardin Baltimore County
Delegate Roger Manno Montgomery County
Delegate Dan Morhaim Baltimore County

Perhaps they deserve a word from you to ask them about their actions against our efforts?

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By Aaron Ward

On September 22nd and 23rd the Maryland DNR Wildlife & Heritage Division Wellington office hosted the annual “Wetlands & Wildlife Field Day 2009.” All 4th grade students from Somerset County schools were presented with information on wetland plants, ducks, predators & prey, amphibians & reptiles, deer & fish. Two days of seasonal temperatures made a great backdrop to be out exploring nature.

I was lucky enough to be asked to share a Presentation on ducks.  We covered topics based around my favorite, Wood Ducks.  In our 25 minute segments we discussed migration, drakes vs. hens plumage, duck banding, & habitat.  Near the end of our time the students were able to look inside a Wood Duck box at a successfully hatched nest and one luck student was selected to release a Wood Duck.  To my surprise, the students were very knowledgeable about the topics we discussed and very excited to touch & release a duck.

Thanks go out to Bill McInturff for allowing me to represent the Maryland Waterfowlers Association and Maryland Wood Duck Initiative sharing my love for the outdoors with the kids.

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By Butch Chambers

Last year my grandson, Tate, was 10 years old and he asked to take the hunter's safety course. In July he took and completed the course. Next was learning to handle and shoot a 20ga 11-87 Remington shotgun. We practiced with a thrower at home and spent time shooting at the Talbot Rod and Gun Club.

A couple weeks before youth day we set the thrower up and put Tate in a pit. I angled the targets toward the pit and showed Tate when to stand, get his gun and shoot them.  This turned out to be the best practice for waterfowl shooting. He got the hang of it and hit most of the targets. He said he was ready and I agreed.

Daybreak of youth day finally came, and his dad, a friend and I were with Tate. When the first group of geese came in Tate shot twice killing a goose with his first shot and missing the second. I later asked him why he did not shoot a third shot. He said he was afraid he hit the second goose and didn’t want to be over the limit. I was proud! A few minutes later a small group came in and Tate shot the last one in the group.

Next year my second grandson Quinn, who is now ten wants to try it. He’ll be taking the hunter safety course soon and I can’t wait to get him started.
The future of our sport is in the youth. If you have a chance, take a kid hunting and mentor his development. I sure hope the boys and their dad will take me out hunting when I’m too old to do it myself.

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On December 6, 2009 the Maryland Waterfowlers Association sponsered and held the 2009 Maryland Gundog Championship in the vicinity of Trappe, MD. The winner was Dr. Marston Jones of Cambridge, MD. His Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Rex, pictured right. They ran a great trial and Rex was a most deserving champion.

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by Brent Smith (Hevishot, Sean Mann Outdoors and Mossy Oak prostaffer)

Today’s waterfowlers are blessed with a seemingly endless list of choices in ammunition. With a little homework, it’s not hard to make an educated decision on what shells are best for your hunting.

At the most basic level, the pellets from your shotgun must have enough energy to penetrate and do lethal damage when (or if!) they reach the intended target. Kinetic energy = ½ MV2, where M = mass and V = velocity.  Using this equation, you can see that increasing velocity increases your energy much more than increasing the mass of your pellet does.  This is somewhat deceptive though, because choosing a faster load over a heavier pellet does not necessarily mean you will put more energy on target, because velocity used in this calculation is the velocity at your target, not muzzle velocity.

Heavier (higher mass) pellets will carry velocity better, which means even though they may leave the muzzle of your shotgun slower, they will arrive on target with more velocity than a lighter pellet that starts out travelling faster.  This is the main reason denser pellets such as Hevishot (tungsten based alloy) can be loaded at lower velocities than most steel shot loads that have less mass. 

This same principal can be used when selecting shot size.  With the same muzzle velocity, a larger pellet will hold more energy (and more speed at a distance) than a smaller one will.  So why would you chose a smaller pellet?

More pellets in your pattern gives you a greater chance of hitting your target, plus, the more pellets striking the target, the more chances one of them will hit something vital and the more energy that will be transferred to that target.  It is better to hit the target with two small pellets with lethal energy than one larger pellet also with lethal energy.

Now to translate this all to your personal selection of shotshells, you have to consider your hunting situations. The longer your normal shot is, the higher mass your pellets should be. You can shoot higher velocity loads to counteract a lighter pellet, but today’s shotshells are generally loaded to near maximum safe pressures, so increasing velocity will require shooting less pellets.  

Duck shells are generally shot sizes between 4 and 1 shot, some will shoot a slightly smaller or larger shot also. Hunters who typically shoot 30 yards or further will want a heavier pellet. Example being either a #1, or they may want to shoot a higher density shell such as one of the tungsten based shells.  Goose shells are generally shot sizes between 1 shot and BBB shot, so goose hunters who typically shoot longer distances will want to choose a larger shot size, or again a more dense shot type.

Virtually every manufacturer now markets some type of waterfowl load that is denser than steel.  The first on the market was Bismuth which in addition to being heavier, is also soft like lead, so it isn’t as damaging to older guns. Unfortunately, market price increases in bismuth have virtually priced them out of the market. High density shells will give you more energy on target than the same steel load will, increasing energy, and allowing you to shoot smaller shot size at the same ranges. The downside to these is price. Designer shotshells can be up to twice as expensive as steel, so it comes down to a personal choice for each hunter. The increased performance of these shells often results in fewer shots fired to fill your bag and less cripples (so less follow up shots). It is totally a personal choice. Once you have narrowed down your selection, it is time to pattern your gun. This is the most important step in the process, and it will be covered in my next article.

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(from Tydings Article)

For Butch and Bonnie Chambers it is the Waterfowl Festival’s volunteer spirit that keeps them coming back to help with the event year after year. It is their own volunteer spirit that has earned them a place in the Waterfowl Festival Hall of Fame.

Those selected for the honor have demonstrated at least ten years of significant support for the Festival and have had a major impact on the world of wildlife art or conservation. Working for more than twenty years with countless dedicated volunteers, along with a lot of well trained canines, the Chamberses have been instrumental in staging one of the most popular Festival attractions and contributing to the cause of wildlife conservation and the heritage of waterfowling.

Bonnie and Butch Chambers have been co-chairs of the Festival’s Retriever Demonstrations since the crowd-pleasing event was first held in the early 1980s. Bonnie started out as a volunteer at the Duck Stamps exhibit in 1973, when the Festival was only a couple years old. She also worked as secretary for the organization for a few years in the late 1980s.

When the Talbot Retriever Club was asked to put on an exhibition for visitors, she and Butch took the lead in coordinating the event. With retrievers of their own, both have served as Retriever Club president, vice president and board members over the years.

Butch is recognized as one of the top competitors and judges in the America Field Trial arena. He has judged numerous All-Age stakes and has competed and judged at the national level. They are sponsoring members of the Maryland Waterfowlers Association, Delta Waterfowl and Ducks Unlimited.
Both Bonnie and Butch continue to work with the Talbot Retriever Club to stage the Retriever Demonstrations, where trained canines entertain crowds by splashing into ponds to retrieve dummies thrown from or hidden on shore.

Dog handling holds enough challenges in itself. Staging an event like this presents an array of challenges of a different type, and Bonnie and Butch have taken them all in stride. One of the biggest can be finding an appropriate site. Crowd-friendly ponds are not in great supply, but the team has successfully staged the show at three different ponds over the years as availability of different sites changed.

Weather is another challenge constantly faced at an outdoor event. “As long as people come out to watch, we’ll do it,” Butch Chambers said. “Invariably, Waterfowl Festival is the beginning of winter, but the dogs don’t seem to mind.” He can recall only one or two demonstrations that were canceled due to weather.

In addition to furthering the Waterfowl Festival’s conservation mission through their volunteer efforts, Bonnie and Butch also practice wildlife and habitat conservation close to home. They own tracts of land that are managed as wildlife habitat, and their home sits on a large tree farm in the Conservation Reserve Program.

Their dedication to the Festival, waterfowling and conservation have earned the couple this year’s induction into the Hall of Fame. Bonnie Chambers described herself as amazed when they heard of the honor. “There have been so many people over the years who have done such great things for the Festival,” she said. “It really has been the Talbot Retriever Club. We’re just the people behind the scenes.”

The MDWFA membership would like to Congratulate Butch & Bonnie for the many years of service they have provided.

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How was the season in the lower shore? With all the rain during the year the smartweed and other duck food in the marshes was abundant. Fields were wet at the start and frozen much of the time. Many of us lost a week or two on ducks due to ice but we made it up on the geese in the fields.
All in all it was a good season with birds to eat, friends to hunt with and good dog work. May we all have many more successful seasons.

- Butch Chambers, Region 1 Director

Early season reports from the upper Choptank and Nanticoke Rivers indicated abundant early teal and plentiful woodducks this year. Seaducks seemed to arrive a bit later than usual. However we saw and heard lots of folks blazing away while chasing late season rockfish on the Choptank. in November.

The big news is that Maryland has reduced the required distance offshore gunners need to observe in  lower county waters as well as in parts Wicomico and Somerset counties. This opens  much new area for waterfowl hunters in the lower shore. Thanks to MDWFA and local Delegates Haddaway and Eckardt plus Senator Colburn  for their support.   

Late season was quite good for geese here. An unusually large number of AP geese wintered over in the mid county. This was documented by the mid winter aerial survey Great thanks to our brave DNR flying members Larry Hindman and Bill Harvey.. More than 25, 000 geese were counted in the lower Choptank/Little Choptank  area alone. Early January freeze up limited some  puddle duck shooting on the marshes but did allow late grain harvest on  farms where cutting had been delayed by the very wet  Fall weather. Consecutive heavy snow storms also did not benefit waterfowlers either. Some of us locals got marooned at home for days on end!  However when the weather finally broke, birds poured into thawing fields and unfrozen ponds.

The adjacent  picture shows  last day hunters frolicking  in the snow while freezing. But they are showing off some mallards who decoyed just right. (Photo  by Butch Chambers, our regional chairman.)

-John Scanlon MD, Dorchester County Representative

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Working with the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks and County Councilman Joseph Bartenfelder's Office the MDWFA intervened to prevent a planned licensing of certain county park’s shorelines that have previously been open for the annual public waterfowl blindsiting process while also addressing the situation that led to this planned county closing.

Region 3 also plans to hold a "Meet & Greet Clay Shoot & Swap Meet" like we did last year in the near future. We will release further details once they are worked out and finalized.

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MDWFA partnered with the DNR to hold the Southern Maryland Junior Hunter Field Day. This was held on June 12th from 9am to 4pm at the Izaak Walton League in Waldorf, Md. The event was open to youth ages 8-16.

Our Region 6 Director, George Abell, along with MDWFA volunteers presented "a waterfowl experience." Duck & goose calling instruction along with decoy placement was used. Retriever demonstrations on land and water took place. The youth learned all the different tasks that are involved in hunting waterfowl.

Starting this October the remaining bay front shoreline of St. Mary’s county will have the Offshore Zone yardage reduced from the previous 800 down to 400 yards. This will complete the lower portion of the western shore and when the political climate is more favorable we will work additional shoreline.

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Although it is not an official region we do have an amazing amount of guys from Pennsylvania who are members with many having leases here in Maryland. Many of us who live close enough can take advantage of crossing the Mason Dixon line to hunt the vast farmland still available. So from time to time we try and spotlight opportunities that can benefit our members on each side of the line. We would like to make the membership aware of a new waterfowl store and retriever training service in Pa. This group are long time members of the MDWFA and have seen a need in the York, Lancaster and across the top of central MD for quality dog training help.

by Ronnie Adams

Waterfowl hunting in Maryland is a long standing tradition. It existed here even before European colonization and was practiced by Native Americans who hunted along the shorelines sometimes even using rudimentary decoys fashioned from reeds. In 1612 Captain John Smith in his account of the exploration of the Chesapeake Bay remarked, “In winter there are great plenty of Swans, Cranes gray and white with black wings, Herons, Geese, Ducks . . . Of all those sorts great abundance, and some other strange kinds to us unknown by name.” It has been well documented that the Chesapeake Watershed is a great magnet for waterfowl along their journey. In the case of Boyd v. Schaefer (1945) Justice Melvin writing for the Maryland Court of Appeals over 50 years ago noted, “[d]uck shooting is a traditional Maryland sport, and the Chesapeake Bay has long been famous for the rare advantages which its waters afford.” Words that surely ring out true even today.

I occasionally hear waterfowl hunters question as to why riparian landowners enjoy priority and preferential treatment in establishing blinds and blindsites on Maryland’s public waters. The short answer would be "because it has always been so." But to many it seems unfair; after all the waters are public right? In fact under current Maryland law riparian landowners even enjoy sole and absolute blind rights in Kent and Queen Anne Counties above all others; they have the exclusive right to establish and enjoy blindsites on those public waters!

So what exactly is a riparian anyway? Riparian is an old term that defines the interface area of land bordering a natural body of water (the bank) such as a stream, marsh, river or bay. Thus a riparian is also a legal term often used to decribe one who owns waterfront land.

In Maryland riparian landowners have always been afforded certain rights to the unique situation of their land. During the colonization of Maryland the Lord Proprietor received a land grant from the Crown of England which gave the colony ownership of navigable waters and the land beneath them. These navigable waters are held by the state for the use of the public under what is known as the "Public Trust Doctrine." The Maryland Court of Appeals has found that the State's domain begins at the area beginning from the mean high water line. As mentioned before, riparian holders also have certain rights concerning the waters originating from the English Common Law. English Common Law is the unwritten law generated from commonly held notions, customs and prior judicial decisions carried to and acknowledged in this country from our nascent roots under English rule. It is an elementary foundation of our legal system. Under common law riparian landowners enjoyed acknowledged rights regarding their shorelines and bordering waters. The Maryland High Courts have found that the fundamental common law right of a riparian land owner is the right to access the water from his or her property for, but not limited to fishing, bathing and making certain improvements into the water (i.e. a pier). Although this does not include the right of navigation, as under common law this is deemed a public right (which of course the riparian are a part of and as such also enjoy). They have additional rights also such as the right to claim additional land that is deposited along their shorelines through natural actions (known as accretion). Riparian landowners are also afforded rights by virtue of statue (written) in Maryland, such as having priority in establishing blindsites. Whether granted by common law or statue all riparian rights are considered property rights.

Maryland has long recognized waterfowl hunting preferences towards riparian landowners. It enacted its first statue concerning the regulation of waterfowl blinds in 1860. In 1922 the Maryland General Assembly prohibited others from establishing waterfowl blinds in front of another’s waterfront property without their written permission. In 1927 the General Assembly enacted the subtitled “Water Fowl-Birds and Game.” This established statutory preference for riparian landowners by granting priority in erecting duck blinds off their shores. It provided:

All owners of riparian rights, their lessees or licensees on the waters of this State shall, by virtue of said ownership, be first entitled to make a choice of the ‘set’ or position in front of the property of which they are owners of the riparian rights, lessees or licensees, for the purpose to erect, set or maintain a booby, brush or stake blind or blinds . . . .(a) For the protection of shore owners . . . desiring to locate a blind or blinds on their shore, the purchase of a license as herein provided and the establishment of a stake on which shall be painted the license number and the name of the licensee, such stake not to exceed the lawful distance from shore and be established in the water, when said stake shall be established on or before October 10th, then said stake shall be termed as a blind as hereinafter provided.

In 1970 the General Assembly eliminated the 1st priority for riparian land owners to obtain licenses for blinds and restructured the issuance of duck blind licenses based on acreage of riparian property owned. This law established a prioritization hierarchy in which owners of larger parcels of riparian land were allowed to seek licenses first then followed by owners of smaller parcels of riparian property. Non-riparian property owners were given the third priority. Justice Elyer observed that because the law also provided that blinds had to be spaced a certain number of yards apart, a riparian landowner who, by virtue of the hierarchy for application dates received his license before others, had first choice for the location for his blind.

In 1974 the law was changed again. It became part of the newly established Natural Resource Article and now made distinctions between licenses for stationary blinds and blind sites, and restructured the filing dates for license applications for each. Riparian landowners continued to maintain their advantage through priority over others in obtaining licenses for blind sites so their shorelines could be used for wild waterfowl hunting exclusively by them.

Then in 1999 the prior law was repealed and the General Assembly enacted a new statute that allowed them to “…license their riparian shores (1) [t]o establish offshore stationary blinds or blind sites for hunting wild waterfowl; and (2) [t]o prevent others from licensing the riparian shoreline for the purpose of hunting wild waterfowl offshore.”  In any event it was still a continuation of their long standing priority in the right to establish waterfowl blinds in front of their land before the general public can. As we well know this right of riparian priority of establishing and enjoying waterfowl blinds adjacent to their riparian property on public waters continues to this day.

So now when the topic of "riparain blind rights" on Maryland public waters comes up in conversation among fellow waterfowlers you know a little more about its long history here along with additional insight on why it came to be.

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by Greg Tracey

During last Fall and the Winter you will have noticed that we appeared to be very quiet and it may have seemed that the organization was inactive. In reality we were very busy working the many delegates and senators involved with the legislative changes our membership had asked for. When you try and change that many miles of shoreline in four counties your bound to find someone who does not want the change for some reason or another. We try and keep any major changes out of sight from the general public until we have all the necessary support in place. Our elected officials have a primary duty to serve all the voters in the districts they represent. They do hold the opinions of the folks who contribute to their election campaign in high regard more so then the average guy. It only takes one special friend of an elected official to sway a vote and put a stop to the whole process. The less active the organization seems during these times allows us to operate off certain anti-hunting groups radar. The old saying loose lips sinks ships applies here during certain years.

It takes a ton of work to move legislation and most is behind the scenes. Many visits to Annapolis and hometown offices. We have to speak with the many members of the committees the legislation passes through and we try to do this prior so we know what to expect and so they are informed. Even with all this contact its important to keep it as low profile as possible. So when many of you, especially the new members are asking why did I join? You will find from time to time it will get quiet sort of like the calm before the storm.

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by Larry Hindman
Waterfowl Project Leader
Maryland DNR

For many Maryland waterfowl hunters, Canada geese are the staple of the waterfowl hunting season. Millions of dollars are invested annually in leases, goose decoys, and blinds. Therefore, it is not surprising that the most common question we get from hunters at this time of year is how are the nesting conditions for Atlantic Population (AP) Canada geese? 

Here is what we know right now.  In some areas of eastern Canada, winter was mild and spring came early. Satellite imagery in mid-April showed that the spring snowmelt on the Ungava Peninsula was well advanced. We were optimistic that this would lead to an early spring and favorable breeding habitat conditions for AP geese. However, temperatures stayed cold throughout April and May, and the optimism we had for a bumper production year slipped away. Geese were reported on the Hudson Bay coast in early May but geese were concentrated in the open water of major rivers and nest initiation was delayed. 
           
In early June, biologists visited key nesting areas around Ungava Bay to determine when AP initiated their nests and measure nesting effort. Their ground searches revealed that geese began nesting around May 27 (May 24 is average). Nest initiation was earlier than last year when nesting was delayed by a late snow melt. The crews found fewer nests than in 2009. Average clutch size was 3.8 eggs per nest. Not great, but better than last year when the mean was 3.62 (poor nesting). Overall, nesting conditions are better but at best, it may turn out to be an average nesting year.   

The spring breeding pair survey was completed on June 18. Bill Harvey, Maryland DNR, reports that about 10% of the coastal habitat was covered with snow and ice was extensive on large and medium lakes.  The survey data has not yet been compiled, but the total number of breeding pairs on the Ungava Peninsula is likely to fall between 146,000-154,000 pairs compared to 176,000 in 2009, down about 15% from last spring. The aerial survey crew observed fewer than average number of nonbreeders (e.g., teenagers).  However, the proportion of single geese observed during the survey was slightly above average.  These lone birds are males that are associated with female incubating clutches. This vital rate is a good indicator of nesting effort.  lnuit hunters report that most nests contain about 4 eggs, unlike the larger clutches you would expect when spring is early and the nesting effort is strong.

Other related important waterfowl news centers around the Gulf oil spill. Waterfowl managers have been working trying to determine the scale of the problem, that is, the size of the landscape that could be affected by the spill. They also are determining what the level of immediate impact and some idea of what the impact could be, if things get worse.

Unfortunately, until the oil is contained, we will not know the extent of the problem. In addition, without an idea of the extent and the distribution of the oil, resource managers will not know what the response should be. Oil coming ashore on the coastal marshes generally has been limited to saltwater marshes on the open Gulf, with minimal impact to date on freshwater or brackish areas. However, that could change with flood tides generated by tropical storms or hurricanes.

The spill, while potentially devastating to many marine and wetland wildlife populations, will likely exacerbate the already staggering rates of marsh loss in the Gulf. As the oil comes onshore into the marshes, it may coat and kill the vegetation. Plants and their root systems hold the soils together – loss of root systems causes the soils to become exposed and subject to erosion, thereby increasing the rate of wetland loss. What's important are not only the coastal marsh ponds and bays used by waterfowl, but the wetlands surrounding them that are the foundation of the waterfowl habitat base.

Upwards of 13 million waterfowl may winter along the Gulf Coast in some years. From a waterfowl perspective, it is fortunate the spill didn't occur later in the year, because of the number of birds that are attracted to the area in winter. Species of special concern, given conditions that exist today, would be scaup (bluebills) and redheads, both of which have tended in recent years to raft up in vast flocks in the Gulf of Mexico - in areas that already are contaminated with oil. Likewise, canvasbacks, for instance, spend the winter in wetlands at the mouth of the Mississippi, directly in the path of the oil. If oil is still present this November when those birds arrive, there is high risk of substantial oiling and death. If oil kills their foods (small clams for scaup, marine grasses for redheads), they will be forced to migrate elsewhere with impacts to survival not known nor easily determined.           

Mallards, though in places abundant, are not overly common in many areas of coastal Louisiana. Instead, teal, gadwall and widgeon (the latter two often are grouped as "gray ducks" by Louisiana hunters) are common species, as are ring-necked ducks and pintails in areas.            

Some of the questions being asked of waterfowl managers from Gulf Coast states include - Is it safe or feasible for waterfowl hunting in oil-impacted areas? Is it safe to consume waterfowl that have used oil-impacted habitat? Can waterfowl exposure to oil be reduced with hunting closures? Should those closures be in non-impacted areas to allow birds to concentrate there undisturbed while hunting is allowed to continue (or even encourage) in impacted areas?  What is the relationship between oil-related mortality and hunting mortality … should seasons be reduced/closed to compensate for anticipated oil-related mortality? Can oil exposure be reduced by enhancing additional habitat inland?

These are just a few of the questions being asked regarding the impact of the Gulf spill on waterfowl populations. For now, state and federal agencies are in the midst of the largest Natural Resource Damage Assessment ever undertaken. 

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From time to time we will give the membership an update and every three years we will poll the membership on your feelings toward waterfowl hunting on Sunday. The last poll we conducted showed a 50-50 for/ against with many different reasons stated. Our goal is to work toward Sunday hunting but first we must establish some type of Sunday hunting in each county. The hunting community has a tough job ahead to gain the remaining counties and Baltimore City even with limited bow hunting on private property. We will lend support and supply testimony in favor of any proposed Sunday hunting if it is introduced by an allied conservation organization. We are a long way off but taking the necessary steps to achieve our goals county by county.

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We have a good number of new members in the past year. So its always nice to inform them and allow our long term members to understand the founding members vision of what MDWFA was to become. We setup the organization into regions which we thought would have the most issues in common. Each area would have a Regional Director and be supported by County Representatives. They along with volunteers would govern that particular area making decisions and holding events, promote and represent the organization. Each has the ability to hold county or regional meetings for social or informational purposes. Each region has the opportunity to hold fund raisers and use funding for goals they have set. Just a reminder 100% of all money raised stays here in Maryland to be used for our benefit. All while under the umbrella of the Executive Board. If one area was having an issue they have the entire membership to pull support from. We hope that over time each region will become more close knit as members become familiar with each other and work on common causes. We envisioned social events, dinners, cookouts and calling contests. It is expected that each region is to hold some function during the year. With that being said, we are always in need of volunteers. Ask to do more, get involved even if its just you and a couple buddies. We have positions available for all levels with a built in support system. We have many members who rely on us to keep doing what we do best and others who want more. We are all volunteers and can only do what we can do!

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Editor's Note: If you have any questions, comments, concerns or would like to contribute to the MDWFA's newsletters please contact us via our website.