10 Tips to Prepare Your Dog for Hunting Season

By Gary Koehler, Senior DU Magazine Writer

With hunting season just around the corner, it's important to make sure our retrievers are ready for action. The following is a brief refresher course, per Mike Stewart's instruction, on how you might start readying your dog for what everyone hopes to be a banner hunting season.

Read these 10 Tips!

Share Your Passion for the Outdoors!

Scenes from the outdoors are some of the most priceless memories we cherish as hunters and conservationists. Share your love of nature by sending a free DU E-card to family and friends. You can customize as many messages as you like and spread the DU excitement with others.

We think you'll find the pictures to be worth a thousand words – pass them on!

National News
Congress Extends Key Habitat Programs to Benefit Waterfowl

Regional Report
DU and Partners to Enhance Malmaison WMA in Mississippi

Special Event
Join DU this Weekend at the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest

Know Your Ducks

So, you think your waterfowl IQ is pretty sharp? See if you can identify the name of the waterfowl species with following traits:

• My long, slender body & long, narrow wings have earned me the nickname “greyhound of the air”.
  
  
• I am one of the first ducks to migrate south in the fall and north in the spring.
  
  
• I nest in open areas near seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands located in prairie and tundra habitats.
  
  
• I was once one of the most abundant ducks in North America but have suffered a disturbing decline since the 1950s.
  

Stumped? Click here for the Answer!

Brush up on your Waterfowl IQ in our Waterfowl Gallery!

The Pintail Conservation Initiative

The pintail is among the most graceful and elegant of North America's waterfowl. At one time, more than 10 million nesting pintails dotted the grasslands and boreal forest of Western Canada and the United States. Today, pintails number fewer than 4 million. Learn what DU is doing to support this species and how you can make a difference.

• Read More
  
  
• Make a Tax-Free Contribution
  
  

Flying Pintail Wall Mount

This waterfowl sculpture is cast from an original woodcarving by master carver Sam Nottleman. The Pintail is hand cast painted to capture the details of the bird. Measures 17" x 16" x 9". Bidding for this item closes on Saturday, October 7 at 9 p.m. CDT.

Bid Now!

Bass Pro Shops/Ducks Unlimited 2006 Waterfowl Weekends

Bring a friend to enjoy seminars and activities such as duck and goose calling contests, Dock Dogs competitions, and more. Free admission and free parking. Event dates and activities vary by store locations. Please visit www.basspro.com daily to view special event updates.

Cincinnati, Ohio – Oct. 7-8
Clarksville, Indiana – Oct. 7-8
Sevierville, Tennessee – Oct. 7-8
Bossier City, Oklahoma – Oct. 14-15
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma – Oct. 14-15
Houston, Texas – Oct. 14-15
Dallas, Texas – Oct. 21-22
Memphis, Tennessee – Oct. 21
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – Nov. 3-5
Pearl, Mississippi – Nov. 3-5
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Nov. 4-5
Savannah, Georgia – Nov. 4-5

Fall DU Catalog is Here!

Be sure to check your mailbox for the Fall 2006 issue of the Ducks Unlimited Catalog. Produced, under a license, by Cabela’s, the DU Catalog offers all of your favorite fall items. Shop for home accessories, fall casual wear, automotive accessories and even select hunting gear. When it comes to shopping for DU merchandise, this fall catalog has it all. So shop and support DU all at the same time. Check out all the items on the web at www.ducatalog.com or call 1-800-933-8821 for your free copy.

Grilled Manitoba Marinated Steak

Hunt & Home is a DU volunteer program centered around home parties that introduce exclusive, unique products for wild game cooking. The Grilled Manitoba Marinated Steak, featuring DU seasonings, are the perfect touch to any tail gate party or hunt club gathering. Click here to shop online for sauces and other cooking products.

Directions: Whisk together wine, vinegar and mustard. Pour over steak, cover and refrigerate for 2–4 hours. Remove from marinade, pat dry and liberally season with DU Manitoba Wild Game Seasoning. Place on a well-oiled hot grill and cook to desired doneness.

A side helping of DU Sweet Heat BBQ Sauce made with 12 oz. of beer (we suggest Budwieser) and a little vinegar (follow package directions) compliments this recipe beautifully. Served with a side of Central Flyway rice, you are sure to have one mouth-watering meal!