Spreading Our Wings in the Boreal
An innovative partnership will expand efforts to conserve vital habitat in this important waterfowl breeding area. By Kevin Smith and Fritz Reid, Ph.D.
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Closing Time: Pleasant Surprises
By E. Donnall Thomas, Jr.
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Opening Day Mistakes
Following are some of the most common opening day mistakes committed by waterfowlers, and ways to avoid making them.
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2013 Waterfowl Forecast
The following report provides an overview of the status of habitat conditions and waterfowl populations across key breeding areas in the United States and Canada.
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Cooking: In Praise of Braising
This slow-cooking method is sure to make any duck or goose dish tender and delicious. By Scott Leysath.
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Waterfowler's Notebook: Keeping Legal
The following advice will help waterfowlers stay on the right side of the law this season. By Wade Bourne.
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Understanding Waterfowl: Tracking the Mallard Migration
Research has provided a wealth of new information about mallard movements and habitat preferences. By Luke Naylor and Andrew Raedeke, Ph.D.
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Conservation: Renovating Greentree Reservoirs
Careful management is required to maintain the productivity of these classic waterfowl habitats. By Jody Pagan.
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Duck Numbers Remain Strong, But We Must Be Vigilant
Insights from Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall
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Cooking: Making Marinades and Rubs
If your grilled ducks are dry, bland, and perhaps a bit livery, don't blame the birds.
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The Ultimate Duck Dinner
Preparing the "ultimate" duck dinner can be a daunting task unless the menu is both user-friendly and delicious.
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Field Reports: 2013 Duck Production Outlook
The stage is set for good waterfowl production on many important breeding areas
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Understanding Waterfowl: Drakes and Ganders
A closer look at the fascinating mating strategies of male ducks and geese
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Preventing Hard Mouth
Advance preparation is the best way to keep your retriever from mangling birds
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Preserving Our Prairies
If you live in or have visited the Prairie Pothole Region recently, you have no doubt witnessed how quickly the landscape is changing. And if you haven't visited the Duck Factory lately, well, there is reason for concern.
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DU's Gulf Coast Initiative
Turning the tide of wetland loss in this important waterfowl wintering area
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A 75-Year Partnership with Canadian Friends
Insights from Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall
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Southwestern Sloppy Joes
Mom's classic sandwich recipe is even better with waterfowl and this tangy, savory sauce
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Waterfowler's Notebook: Seven Essential Skills for Waterfowlers
All duck and goose hunting know-how begins with these fundamentals
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Understanding Waterfowl: Seasonal Wetlands and Breeding Ducks
These small, shallow-flooded basins are vital to waterfowl production on the prairies
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A Primer on Moist-Soil Management
Managing seasonal wetlands for seed-producing natural vegetation has many advantages over planting crops
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Ducks in Wild Abundance
Just how good were the good old days? Waterfowl biologists explore how large the fall flight might have been in early America
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New Guns & Gear for 2013
Take a look at our annual selection of the latest shotguns, ammo and accessories for waterfowlers.
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2013 DU Member Photo Contest Honorable Mentions
This year's winners include another stunning collection of waterfowl and hunting images from across the nation
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2013 DU Member Photo Contest
This year's winners include another stunning collection of waterfowl and hunting images from across the nation
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Aaron Fraser Pass Remembered
Aaron Fraser Pass, who lost his battle with cancer in early April, left a rich legacy of fine writing and useful advice on topics pertaining to sporting arms and ammunition.
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Conservation: The Easement Advantage
Conservation easements are a powerful tool for protecting threatened waterfowl habitat on private lands
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Waterfowler's Notebook: Hunting Spring Snows
Expert advice on how to decoy more light geese during the special conservation season
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Understanding Waterfowl: Stopover Country
Wetlands and rivers in America's heartland provide vital migration habitat for millions of waterfowl
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Keep It Simple
The author has learned through experience that good duck hunting doesn't have to be complicated
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Light Goose Dilemma
Despite increased harvests, populations of these Arctic-nesting geese continue to grow
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Cliff or Launch Pad?
Insights from Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall, published in the March/April 2013 issue of Ducks Unlimited Magazine.
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Chile Colorado
Nothing seems to get chili aficionados heated up like a debate over whether to add beans to the pot. To some, chili just isn't chili unless it's bean-free. Others eagerly add beans to the mix, but that can spark further debate over which beans to use.
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Wetlands and Watersheds
The 19th-century explorer and geographer John Wesley Powell defined a watershed as "a bounded hydrologic system, within which all living things are inextricably linked by their common water course and where, as humans settled, simple logic demanded that they become part of a community." Powell wisely recognized that all living things in a watershed, including waterfowl and people, are united by and dependent on its central element—water.
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Waterfowler's Notebook: Patterning Late-Season Ducks
Biology plays a bigger role in duck hunting than most hunters realize. Duck behavior is governed by instincts such as feeding, mating, and surviving. In winter, for example, ducks spend much of their time seeking mates for the spring breeding season and building energy reserves for the coming northbound migration.
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Understanding Waterfowl: Mallards and Their Relatives
Widely distributed across North America, Asia, and Europe, the mallard is the most abundant duck in the northern hemisphere. Mallards are successful because they are adaptable, which allows them to exploit diverse habitats and resources. Mallards are also one of the most prolific breeders in the waterfowl world. In some cases, hen mallards have been observed making up to six nesting attempts in a single breeding season.
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A Brush with Greatness
A wildlife painter by trade and a duck hunter at heart, David Maass has made a waterfowl-hunting pilgrimage to Manitoba's Delta Marsh during each of the past 35 years. The man has seen plenty of ducks, but in his eyes the good old days might be right now.
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A New Plan for Waterfowl
It was 1985, and the continental duck population had fallen to its lowest level in two decades. Of even greater concern was a change in the historical relationship between wetlands and breeding ducks. Winter snowfall and spring rainfall yielded a 93 percent increase in May ponds from 1980 to1985, but duck numbers decreased by 31 percent during the same period. Up until then, pond and duck numbers had moved more or less in lockstep. It appeared that habitat loss had taken its toll, and biologists had new evidence to back the claim.
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A Great Year
In my last column we talked about the prospects of yet another phenomenal waterfowl season, based on the record 2012 count of 48.6 million breeding ducks in the traditionally surveyed area. This fall, we may have had 120 million to 160 million birds migrating down the flyways.
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What's on the Web: January/February
DU's digital features
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December in Stuttgart
A late autumn visit to this waterfowling mecca is always memorable, even when the ducks don't cooperate
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Calling All Geese
Five experts share their secrets for calling Canadas, cacklers, whitefronts, light geese and brant
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Duck Hunting without the Crowds
A sampling of public waterfowling hotspots often overlooked by hunters
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DU's Next 75 Years
The future holds great challenges and opportunities for wetlands and waterfowl conservation
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Conservation: Winning at the Ballot Box
Dedicated funding amendments have bolstered wetland and waterfowl conservation programs in Iowa and several other states
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Retrievers: Remote Control
The ability to direct your retriever with hand signals is invaluable in the field
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Understanding Waterfowl: Story of the Giants
A closer look at the remarkable comeback of the giant Canada goose
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Stuffed Goose Medallions
Roasted garlic adds a sweet, nutty flavor to this
delicious recipe by Scott Leysath.
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What's on the Web: November/December
What' on the Web from November/December DU Magazine.
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Guns of DU
A look back at some of the modern classics selected as DU Guns of the Year
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Going Public
Many of the author's favorite waterfowling memories were made on public lands, open to one and all.
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The Ducks Unlimited Story
Over the past 75 years, generations of DU supporters have worked together to safeguard the future of North America's wetlands and waterfowl
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Cooking: Making a Mixed Grill
This all-purpose grilling recipe is a real crowd-pleaser
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Waterfowler's Notebook: King Can
The canvasback is a symbol of the struggles and triumphs of waterfowl conservation
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Understanding Waterfowl: Drought and Deluge
We can't control the weather, but conserving wetlands and grasslands on the prairies will help ensure the long-term health of duck populations
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Conservation: Gains and Losses
While progress has been made in conserving the nation's wetlands, these vital habitats continue to decline at an alarming rate
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The Future Begins Right Now
Insights from Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall
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2012 Waterfowl Forecast
DU biologists and Magazine staff provide a flyway-by-flyway breakdown of what hunters might expect for the 2012-2013 waterfowl hunting season.
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Chipotle Duck Burgers
These mildly seasoned burgers will be the hit of your next summer cookout
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Understanding Waterfowl: The Amazing Molt
Waterfowl replace all of their feathers with new plumage at least once a year
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Retrievers: Retrieving to Hand
Expert advice to prevent your dog from stopping short or dallying during bird delivery
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Conservation: Nature's Multipurpose Habitats
Wetlands provide a host of benefits in addition to their waterfowl habitat value
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Field Reports: 2012 Duck Production Outlook
Prospects for breeding waterfowl have improved in many areas since last report
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Our Time Capsule
Insights from Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall
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Potholes in Peril
New threats to prairie wetlands could mean big trouble for duck populations
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Five Small Spreads for Ducks
Here's how to make the most of a limited number of decoys in five common waterfowl habitats. Illustrations by Kevin Hand.
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Bayou Bluewings
An unforgettable teal-hunting adventure in the heart of Cajun country
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DU Magazine's Top 10 Covers: Runners-up
DU Magazine Editors selected 10 runners-up following the DU Magazine Cover contest.
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What's on the Web: July/August
New features on ducks.org
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2012 Waterfowl Hunting Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mention entries in the 2012 DU Members Photo Contest
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2012 Retrievers Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mention entries in the 2012 DU Members Photo Contest
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2012 Waterfowl Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mention entries in the 2012 DU Members Photo Contest
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High-Priority Habitats
Following are DU's five highest-priority landscapes, their importance to waterfowl and our efforts to conserve them for present and future generations.
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My Ultimate Duck Blind: Illustrations
After years of trial and error, DU Magazine author Wade Bourne finally built what he believes is the perfect duck blind. Here's how he did it.
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My Ultimate Duck Blind
Following is an overview of our blind, including where we built it, its design and dimensions, the materials we used, our camouflage scheme, and other special features.
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Video: My Ultimate Duck Blind
After years of trial and error, DU Magazine author Wade Bourne finally built what he believes is the perfect duck blind.
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Conservation: Ducks in a Crowded World
Sustaining healthy waterfowl numbers will be a great challenge as the earth's human population grows
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Waterfowler's Notebook: Off-Season Scouting
When is the best time to look for a new duck hunting spot? Anytime you can.
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Cooking: The Perfect Duck Sandwich
Sourdough bread, thinly sliced duck, lots of grilled onions and tangy horseradish sauce are an unbeatable combination. By Scott Leysath.
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Understanding Waterfowl: The Blue-Winged Ducks
Northern shovelers and blue-winged and cinnamon teal are among the most closely related of North America's ducks
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Field Reports: 2012 Spring Habitat Conditions
Breeding habitat conditions vary throghout much of U.S. and Canada. Ducks Unlimited biolgists in these regions have provided a brief overview for each Canadian Province and specific regions in the U.S.
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Our Work Is Never Done
Insights from Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall
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What's on the Web: May/June DU Magazine
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Understanding Waterfowl: The Amazing World of Macroinvertebrates
You don't have to journey to a faraway galaxy to see an amazing world inhabited by "brain-jacking" parasites and monsters with extendable lower lips that can reach out and snatch unsuspecting prey.
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Manitoba Marsh Magic
A waterfowler's pilgrimage to the Canadian Duck Factory and the birthplace of DU's conservation work. By Wade Bourne. Photography By Rick Adair.
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Conservation: Anatomy of a DU Project
A bird's-eye view of the wetland restoration process from beginning to end
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Cooking: Grilled Duck Bites
Prosciutto, mango and jalapeño give this traditional appetizer a tangy, spicy twist. Submitted by Scott Leysath.
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The Big 75
Ducks Unlimited officially turned 75 on January 29, 2012. What a great story!
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Chapter Spotlight: Fort Bragg, California Chapter
Great things sometimes come in small packages. The Fort Bragg, California, DU chapter is a case in point.
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Cooking: Savory Waterfowl Stew
Beat the winter chill with this classic catchall recipe. By Scott Leysath
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Understanding Waterfowl: Duck Digestion
Understanding why and when certain foods are good for waterfowl and how they are digested is an interesting and somewhat complex subject.
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Useful Tools for Waterfowl Hunters
It never hurts to be prepared, and keeping the right gear handy helps.
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Retrievers: Hazards Afield
During the late season, protect your retriever by teaching him to be aware of likely hazards.
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Milestones in Conservation
The slogan for Ducks Unlimited's 75th Anniversary, CONSERVATION FOR GENERATIONS, applies to past, present and future generations alike.
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Five Tactics for Late-Season Ducks
It's late season, when the sport's true diehards are like NFL linemen in the playoffs. Veteran waterfowlers share 5 expert tactics to help successfully end the season.
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Conservation: Waterfowl Energy Demands
Food abundance is presumed to directly or indirectly impact the physiological condition, survival, and even reproduction of waterfowl, which ultimately influences the health of their populations. Why?
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The Road to Success
Ducks Unlimited Inc. will be officially 75 years old on January 29, 2012, and we will be celebrating both our longevity and conservation successes throughout the year.
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DU All-Star Sketches
Below are a few of the sketches submitted by our all-star artists for this year's art package. Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.
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Doug Miller Dedication—Utah
Sept. 2011: DU dedicated a 370-acre wetland restoration project on Farmington Bay WMA in Utah to the late Doug Miller, longtime outdoor television show host and devoted DU volunteer.
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Anthony Rose Family Dedication—Rhode Island
Oct. 2011: A dedication honoring DU Legacy Sponsors Anthony and Kathleen Rose of Wakefield, Rhode Island, was held at the USFWS Visitor's Center in Charlestown.
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Meadow Valley Flowage Dedication—Wisconsin
Jun. 2011: To celebrate DU's 100,000th acre conserved in Wisconsin, supporters of wetland conservation gathered at the 600-acre Meadow Valley Flowage wetland-enhancement project in Juneau County.
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Berg Brothers Dedication—South Dakota
Oct. 2011: The Henning-Berg Game Production Area in South Dakota was dedicated to Bob and Rosemary Berg of Longville, Minnesota, and Rick and Pam Berg of Watertown, South Dakota.
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Kiwani Marsh Dedication—Indiana
Oct. 2011: Glorious weather in northwest Indiana was the backdrop for an October Indiana PRIDE dedication at the Kiwani Marsh.
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Bartels Dedication—Louisiana
Nov. 2011: More than 100 people gathered to celebrate the completion of a $1.2 million coastal restoration project in southeast Louisiana and to dedicate it to Ron and Jackie Bartels.
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Walton Family Foundation Supports New Approach to Conservation Easements
An innovative pilot program funded by the Walton Family Foundation, a DU Platinum Legacy Sponsor, is helping to secure donated conservation easements in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
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DU Project Dedications
A compilation of several DU project dedications to honor the commitments of major DU sponsors.
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All-Stars of Wildlife Art
Throughout its storied history, DU has received important cooperation and support from the wildlife art community. This year, DU marks 75 years and will showcase an all-star cast of premier artists, whose works will be available at fundraising events nationwide.
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DU 2011 Annual Report
An executive summary of DU's financial and conservation achievements during the past year
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The Farm Bill, Ducks and You
The 2012 Farm Bill is scheduled to be reauthorized next year, and depending on the outcome, this single piece of legislation will either positively or negatively impact millions of acres of wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitat across the United States.
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Scientific Waterfowling
Following are interviews with four preeminent waterfowl researchers. We can learn a lot from these experts, not only about how ducks react to their environment, but also how to apply this knowledge for better hunting success.
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The Birth of DU
Excerpted from The Ducks Unlimited Story, which explores original source materials to provide the definitive account not only of DU's founding, but also of how DU's dedicated volunteers created the fundraising engine that made DU the world leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation.
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Close-Range Canadas
Over time, a goose hunter learns to take care of the little things. So we contacted four pros, all well schooled in the ways of the Canada goose, and asked them to share their expertise.
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A Banquet for Ducks
Hunters have long recognized the importance of rice to wintering and migrating waterfowl. Why is rice agriculture so important to dabbling duck populations?
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Story of Survival
As a waterfowl biologist, I am often asked how long ducks and geese live. Well, it all depends.
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Stay the Course through Partnerships
Ducks Unlimited has joined forces with more than 640 conservation, recreation, and historic preservation organizations to demand that necessary spending reductions are done in an equitable and reasonable fashion.
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The Highball Duck Call
Waterfowl hunters should use the highball selectively—at certain times and in certain places. Listen as Wade Bourne gives a few tips on how to use this call more effectively.
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Pay Now, or Pay Later
As we go about setting long-term goals for habitat conservation, we must be realistic about what it will cost and understand that our commitment to conservation cannot outstrip our ability to find it.
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Shotgunner's Guide to Waterfowling
Here's how to consistently hit the most common shots in duck and goose hunting
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Waterfowl Feeding Adaptations
Ducks and geese are well equipped to find food in a variety of habitats
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South Dakota Spectacular
The hunt of a lifetime is the reward for days of hard scouting in this state's prairie pothole country
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Wetlands and the Farm Bill
Your support will be needed to save key agricultural conservation programs in upcoming legislation
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Private Marsh Management
Duck clubs and other private landowners provide vital habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife
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Retrievers: Healthy Choices
Developing a sensible routine will help keep your retriever in top condition
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Field Reports: 2011 Duck Production Outlook
Good to excellent wetland conditions have set the stage for above-average waterfowl production on key breeding areas
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Understanding Waterfowl: Ways of the Wigeon
These fascinating ducks have many characteristics and behaviors that set them apart
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Field Reports: Spring Habitat Conditions
Abundant winter precipitation has set the stage for improved wetland conditions on many key waterfowl breeding areas
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Stewards of the Prairie
Cattle ranchers manage much of this continent's most important waterfowl breeding habitat
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Saving America's Marsh
Coastal wetland loss and degradation are threatening Louisiana's rich hunting and fishing heritage
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Picture Perfect
Stunning images from the winners of our 2nd annual Ducks Unlimited magazine photo contest
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Cut the Deficit, not Conservation
We at Ducks Unlimited are well known for fiscally conservative viewpoints. But we do not intend to sit idly by while programs that make a clear profit for the U.S. taxpayer are slashed under the pretense of getting spending under control.
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2011 Honorable Mention Hunting Entries
Enjoy the Honorable Mention entries from the Waterfowl Hunting category in the 2nd Annual DU Member Photo Contest for 2011.
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2011 Honorable Mention Retriever Entries
Enjoy the Honorable Mention entries from the Retriever category in the 2nd Annual DU Member Photo Contest for 2011.
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2011 Honorable Mention Waterfowl Entries
Enjoy the Honorable Mention entries from the Waterfowl category in the 2nd Annual DU Member Photo Contest for 2011.
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Understanding Waterfowl: Tracking the Black Duck
DU research sheds new light on this prized bird's migration habits
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Retrievers: All in Good Time
Chris Akin of Webb Footed Kennels explains that patience is key a virtue when training a young dog.
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Conservation: Can we save CRP?
Without your help, this important agricultural conservation program faces an uncertain future
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Strategies for Public Land
Waterfowl hunting on public land can be either a dream or a nightmare, as two hunts that I experienced several years ago on a local wildlife management area (WMA) clearly illustrate.
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Secrets to Success
DU has discovered a wealth of new information about what drives duck production on the prairies
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Finding the Right Road
"If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there."
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10 Great Cities for Waterfowlers
Some of the country's greatest waterfowling opportunities are closer than you might think.
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2011 DU Magazine Photo Contest
Ducks Unlimited Magazine accepted entries to its Second Annual DU Member Photo Contest from December 15, 2010, to February 28, 2011. The DU magazine staff judged entries in three categories, with winner and runner-up photos in each category published in the May/June 2011 issue of Ducks Unlimited Magazine.
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Late-Season Boat Maintenance Tips
Duck hunters who use boats in the late season must perform proper maintenance on their rigs to keep them running in subfreezing weather.
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DU Magazine: Leadership Giving Highlights
In each issue, Ducks Unlimited Magazine highlights recent philanthropic happenings of note within the organization.
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Ultimate Duck Calling Challenge
What's the secret to world-class duck callers' success? Gary Koehler sheds some light on these championship techniques.
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Legends of the Call
Gary Koehler profiles some of history's most notable duck and goose call makers.
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7 Deadly Duck Calling Mistakes
Ducks Unlimited interviewed four of North America's best duck callers to find out the most common calling mistakes made by duck hunters and, more importantly, how to correct them.
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Duck Calling Video: The Feeding Chuckle
Wade Bourne demonstrates and explains the feeding chuckle, a sometimes touchy calling technique that takes time to master.
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Redhead Hens: The Parasite Queen
Redhead hens are one of the most common duck species to engage in nest parasitism, laying their eggs in the nests of other hens and leaving their young to be reared by them.
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Advertise with Ducks Unlimited
You can advertise with Ducks Unlimited. We offer advertising opportunities in our Ducks Unlimited magazine and on our Web site through banner advertisements and classified advertisements.
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Ducks Unlimited Magazine: Official Member Magazine
Ducks Unlimited Magazine details the organization's efforts to restore wildlife habitat across North America as well as the recreational value of such environments. Features focus on hunting and fishing opportunities for avid sportsmen and women, technical sporting equipment profiles, buyer's guides, natural history stories and photographic essays.
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Maintain and Modify Your Duck Calls
Gary Koehler advises on the best ways to maintain the quality of your call and make slight tweaks to improve its performance.
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Duck Calling Teamwork
A team calling effort may get you more birds in your bag this season. Gary Koehler shares some teamwork tips from calling pros.
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