Electronic Duck Stamp Reminder, Updates for California Hunters, and New Progress Regarding Discharge of Firearms By-laws in Ontario

Vigorous Duck Production, HunteR3, and other Delta-supported efforts continue across the United States and Canada 

Delta Waterfowl Recognizes Advocates Producing Positive Impacts for Ducks and Duck Hunters: During the third annual Duck Hunters Expo in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, The Duck Hunters Organization recognized members of the conservation and waterfowl community for their clear commitment to protecting the future of waterfowling. These advocates have played an integral role in protecting critical rights, opportunities, and access for waterfowl hunters.

“Delta Waterfowl is proud to honor and recognize each of our award winners this year,” said Cyrus Baird, senior director of government affairs for Delta Waterfowl. “From elected officials and appointed commissioners to our partners in conservation, we are thankful to have such great relationships with individuals across North America who have been able to produce meaningful results on behalf of ducks and duck hunters.”

Click here to read more about the 2024 award winners!

United States

Federal:

Electronic Duck Stamp Reminder: With waterfowl seasons just weeks away, it’s a good time to purchase your 2024-2025 Duck Stamp. After the passage of the Duck Stamp Modernization Act, hunters who purchase their stamp online can simply display it on a smart phone for the entirety of the waterfowl season, including spring snow goose conservation seasons.

This new law eliminates an outdated rule in which Duck Stamps purchased online were valid for a period of 45 days, after which time duck and goose hunters were required to possess the physical Duck Stamp received in the mail. Notably, hunters will still be able to purchase the physical stamp from the U.S. Postal Service and other traditional Duck Stamp vendors.

State:

California Wetlands: Assembly Bill 828—also known as “Sustainable groundwater management: managed wetlands”— is in the final stage of the legislative cycle. This bill adds the term “managed wetlands” to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. In turn, this language prohibits a groundwater sustainability agency from imposing fees upon a managed wetland.

An additional benefit of this bill is the sweeping commitment to the no-net-loss policy for wetlands, ensuring regulatory protections for some of the most sensitive areas in the state. This bill’s hearing was postponed one week and was later heard in the California Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday, Aug. 12. Delta has backed this bill since inception, and we have already submitted multiple support letters to the California legislature.

In addition to these steps, our team also has a live “action alert” on the bill. We will continue to actively support this bill as it makes its way through the final steps of the legislative process and to the governor’s desk.

California Navigable Waters: Senate Bill 1226, “Hunting: navigable waters,” recently passed the California Assembly and has been ordered back to the Senate for engrossing and enrolling (different rounds of proofing to ensure accuracy of the bill amendments and processes). This means that it has passed both houses of the legislature and is on its way to the Governor’s desk.

This bill is critical since under current California law, individuals must stay within the marked boundaries of a river or a refuge in order to hunt, even if the area is flooded over. This bill would allow hunters to access the flooded navigable water as long as they are not trespassing on private property. The other intended “side effect” of this bill is codifying navigable waters as being huntable, making it a great bill for duck hunters, especially those who hunt in rivers, bays, and deltas throughout the state. Our team will continue to fight to see this legislation passed into law and we implore Gov. Newsom to sign SB 1226 into law.

Canada

Provincial:

Ontario, Canada, Municipal Discharge of Firearm By-laws: Municipal discharge of firearm by-laws are one of the greatest threats to waterfowl hunters in Ontario. By-laws seeking to restrict or prohibit shooting are quickly becoming a common agenda item at local council meetings as more and more urban residents are relocating into traditional rural settings and expecting their norms to accompany them. Since our last update, Delta has engaged in another new by-law review, and we continue to keep a pulse on all of the other reviews that have been lingering as well.

Township of Perry: In late July, we were notified that the Township of Perry announced that they were bringing forward proposed amendments to their discharge of firearms by-law. Upon learning about the review, Delta staff connected with township staff to discuss the issue. Through discussion, we learned that the intent of the review was actually to increase access to opportunity rather than to restrict it.

The township’s existing by-law, which has been in instated since Sept. 3, 1960, fully prohibits the discharge of firearms for a three-month stretch each year (June 15 to Sept. 15). This new draft proposes to eliminate the full prohibition and permit the discharge of firearms throughout the year on properties larger than 1.21 hectares (3 acres).

Delta Waterfowl has submitted a letter to the township with our feedback, recommendations, and questions on the proposed by-law. The issue will be further discussed at council later this month, and we will have additional information to share in an upcoming update.

Ontario, Canada, Noise By-laws:

Town of Mono: Late last month, we learned that the Town of Mono, Ontario, was in the process of reviewing their noise by-law to address some continued complaints that the town had been receiving. While the discharge of firearms has not been specifically included in the new draft by-law, there is reasonable concern from local residents that this may be a back-door attempt to further restrict the discharge of firearms in their community (on occasion, municipalities have attempted to restrict hunting and recreational shooting through local noise by-laws (i.e., no shooting of firearms before a specified time)). The Delta team has reached out to Town staff for further clarification. We will have additional information available in an upcoming update.

Delta’s extensive experience and expertise working on local by-laws continues to be a valued resource to municipalities across Ontario. To learn more about our involvement in local by-law reviews, or to let us know about an issue in your area, contact Brian McRae, Delta’s director of government affairs – Canada, at bmcrae@deltawaterfowl.org.

Nova Scotia, Canada, Provincial Review of Hunting Regulations: Late last month, the Honourable Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables for Nova Scotia, announced that his ministry would be conducting a full review of their provincial hunting regulations. While there has not been any explanation (or timeline) for the review at this time, we believe there are several items the ministry could explore to improve access to opportunity for hunting, and hunters, in Nova Scotia. The Delta team has formally written to the minister to request a meeting.