U.S. Policy Updates
UNITED STATES FEDERAL POLICY
Federal policy work with the USFWS, USDA and Congress is a critical opportunity to benefit duck hunters across all four flyways. Working with our federal partners allows Delta Waterfowl to touch on all of our pillars to help provide more ducks over the decoys.
Work to establish $50 million in annual investment for the conservation of the most important and most at risk wetlands in the US Prairie Pothole Region (PPR).
Why this matters: The PPR is the most important area in North America for duck production, and it is the smallest wetlands that are the engine that drives the “duck factory.” A majority of these small wetlands are in agricultural fields and can be perceived by private landowners as and impediment to their annual production. Creating a new annual program will conserve these critical and at-risk wetlands while continuing to allow agricultural use-a win/win for farmers and duck hunters.
Work to establish $25 million in annual investment for post-harvest winter flooding in key wintering areas (LA, AR, MS, TX and CA)
Why this matters: Providing habitat for wintering waterfowl is critical to hunter success. Not only is this habitat needed in areas where hunters will be, but having additional flooded areas for birds to forage and rest helps keep waterfowl in an area and reduces pressure.
Reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund at levels of at least $100 million/year to ensure the National Wildlife Refuge System has adequate funding for deferred maintenance to address habitat management.
Why this matters: The National Wildlife Refuge System is a massive public land system with over 18 million acres in the lower 48. The staffing capacity of the NWRS is currently far below desired levels and inadequate to appropriately address the needs to effectively manage habitat. Delta is working with Congress to authorize the US Fish and Wildlife Service to engage in shared stewardship programs, which would allow refuge managers to work with the private sector around these refuges to address the habitat needs of these areas.
Get congressional authorization to allow USFWS to engage in shared stewardship programs to provide for the utilization of private sector contractors to assist refuge managers in providing enhanced habitat on refuges
Why this matters: In areas where ground-nesting mallards typically experience nest success of less than 10%, Delta Hen Houses consistently boost nest success to 60% and sometimes as high as 80% or even more. Providing federal funding for hen houses and breeding duck conservation provides a larger fall flight of ducks which means more birds in the decoys.
Pass the HEN Act to provide $3.5 million for additional hen houses in the PPR and $3.5 million for breeding duck conservation and management in California.
Why this matters: In areas where ground-nesting mallards typically experience nest success of less than 10%, Delta Hen Houses consistently boost nest success to 60% and sometimes as high as 80% or even more. Providing federal funding for hen houses and breeding duck conservation provides a greater chance of success for waterfowl which means more birds in the decoys.
Seek further expansion of hunting opportunities through the Hunt Fish Rule
Why this matters: The Annual Hunt Fish Rule from the US Fish and Wildlife Service establishes the refuges or refuge units open to hunting and fishing and modifies seasons, species and methods on refuges. Delta has consistently advocated for increased access and opportunity for waterfowl hunters while supporting science-based conservation, including the implementation of an “open unless closed” policy. This would ensure incremental, increased access is provided to waterfowl hunters while also ensuring inviolate sanctuary requirements are maintained.
Find your flyway below to learn about what’s happening across the United States.
Below are the key policy actions Delta Waterfowl is monitoring and engaging in your flyway. These issues affect habitat, access, and hunting opportunity for waterfowlers throughout the region.
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Pacific Flyway
Support hunters against encroachment on hunting areas
Why this matters: As population grows and people continue to move to Arizona, homes and neighborhoods are built further away from population centers. Because of this, hunters may face increased conflict with nonhunters. Delta staff wants to ensure the rights of hunters to pursue game is protected from this increased pressure.
Pass a constitutional right to hunt and fish
Why this matters: In a time when hunting traditions face threats, ensuring outdoorsmen and women have the constitutional right to hunt and fish is more important than ever. This legislation would ensure the preservation of hunting rights in Arizona for generations to come.
Assembly Bill 929 would create a four-year protection from groundwater usage limitations for wetlands.
Why this matters: These protections would allow for wetland habitat managers to follow their historical usage plans, ensuring consistent and predictable habitat for breeding and wintering waterfowl.
Secure the future of Prop 4 funding earmarked for wetlands
Why this matters: Proposition 4, passed in 2024, provided over $800 million for conservation specifically for “fish and wildlife resources and habitats.” Over time, some have sought to repurpose these funds for other uses, and Delta has consistently worked to prevent this reappropriation of fun
Continue to oppose legislation which targets firearms used for waterfowl hunting
Why this matters: In recent years, Washington lawmakers have introduced anti-firearm legislation which has specifically targeted waterfowl hunters, either directly or indirectly. Many of these bills have been defeated by Delta and our conservation partners.
Support the establishment of a new agency to conserve critical grassland habitats.
Why this matters: California grasslands, specifically those in and around Merced County, are some of the most critical and threatened wetlands in the Golden State. Creating a new agency to ensure their conservation is vital for waterfowl hunting and habitat throughout the state.
Ensure funding generated on state wildlife areas remains there to further enhance these public hunting areas.
Why this matters: Currently, funding generated from waterfowl hunting reservation applications and entry passes is turned over to the state’s general revenue. Ensuring that funding remains on the refuges where it was generated creates better funding and management options for these public lands.
Continue to support the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and oppose ballot box biology.
Why this matters: The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation has proven to be the most successful form of wildlife management in the world. This biologically sound approach is sometimes challenged by scientifically barren petition efforts, and Delta will work to oppose these efforts when they’re harmful to ducks and ducks hunters.
Ensure water deliveries continue to be made to the Klamath River from the Oregon side of the border
Why this matters: Water from the Klamath River is used to supply areas like the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges. This ensures good habitat and increased public hunting opportunities in the PNW.
Support 1% for wildlife legislation to benefit waterfowl
Why this matters: Currently, Oregon has a 1.25% transient lodging tax, typically paid by out of state visitors. House Bill 4134 would raise that tax to 2.75%, and Delta is working to ensure the increase can be used for better habitat, more consistent wetlands and increased access.
Continue fighting IP28
Why this matters: Initiative Petition 28 supporters are currently gathering signatures for the November ballot. This initiative, if passed, would “criminalize breeding practices, injuring/killing animals, including for food, hunting, fishing.” It’s not often such brazen anti-hunting attacks are made, but Delta is committed to working with conservation partners to prevent this dangerous, anti-science petition from becoming law.
Establish the Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area
Why this matters: House Bill 93 would establish the Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area, which would create an additional 5,000 acres for hunting around Utah Lake. This would also allow for federal and matching funds to be used for habitat and access enhancements.
Support water deliveries to the Great Salt Lake
Why this matters: Record-low water levels in the Great Salt Lake (GSL) have caused many critical historical wetlands to run dry, creating disturbances in migratory patterns across the Pacific Flyway. House Bill 247 will direct certain tax revenues to be used to support water deliveries to the GSL, providing water to wetlands and creating quality habitat for waterfowl.
Support legislation to study the health of Utah wetlands
Why this matters: House Bill 509 will direct the Department of Natural Resources to create a study committee to oversee the general health of Utah wetlands.
Host first lobby day in Olympia to engage members and volunteers with elected officials
Why this matters: Lobby Days at state capitols allow Delta members, volunteers and staff to meet with legislators to discuss important issues related to waterfowl hunting. Through these meetings, relationships form and lawmakers know and have a better understanding of the voice and position of waterfowl hunters in their state and district.
Continue to oppose legislation which targets firearms used for waterfowl hunting
Why this matters: In recent years, Washington lawmakers have introduced anti-firearm legislation which has specifically targeted waterfowl hunters, either directly or indirectly. Many of these bills have been defeated by Delta and our conservation partners.
Central Flyway
Establish an Outdoor Stewardship Fund to better fund conservation
Why this matters: Funding remains one of the main challenges of conservation agencies across the nation. Establishing a consistent, steady stream of dedicated funding allows conservation agencies to address deferred maintenance and infrastructure needs while also creating adequate and stable budgets for the future.
Provide clarity and structure to waterfowl guides and outfitters
Why this matters: Far too often, hunters hear horror stories from others of waterfowl hunts with guides and outfitters who don’t hold up their end of the bargain. Delta wants to protect hunters who use these services by ensuring states create structure around guiding operations to discourage fly-by-night outfitters and ensure they’re following the law and general safety practices.
Advocate for construction to begin on water control structure on Hackberry Flat WMA
Why this matters: Hackberry Flat WMA in southwest Oklahoma has faced infrastructure and deferred maintenance issues for many years. Delta’s policy team has engaged the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and other partners to address these issues and determine a funding and engineering plan to help ensure the nearly 7,000-acre WMA is accessible and provides quality opportunities for hunters.
Provide clarity and structure to waterfowl guides and outfitters
Why this matters: Far too often, hunters hear horror stories from others of waterfowl hunts with guides and outfitters who don’t hold up their end of the bargain. Delta wants to protect hunters who use these services by ensuring states create structure around guiding operations to discourage fly-by-night outfitters and ensure they’re following the law and general safety practices. Senate Bill 2095 addresses these issues by requiring guides to possess written permission from private landowners to utilize their land.
Atlantic Flyway
Establish Sunday waterfowl hunting
Why this matters: Sunday hunting in Maryland has been prohibited for decades, which means fewer days in the field for waterfowl hunters. House Bill 1063 will repeal that prohibition for nearly all waterfowl hunting, allowing the Department of Natural Resources to create season dates with Sunday hunting.
Continue to work with NCWRC to establish Sunday waterfowl hunting
Why this matters: Like Pennsylvania, legislation was previously passed to allow the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to establish Sunday hunting. Despite this, the WRC has not allowed Sunday hunting for waterfowl. Delta staff has continually advocated on behalf of waterfowl hunters to allow them an extra day on the weekends to spend time in the blind.
Establish Sunday hunting for waterfowl hunters
Why this matters: In 2025, the Pennsylvania Game Commission was given the authority to allow Sunday hunting throughout the commonwealth. Due to the timing of the legislation, migratory bird hunting was not included in the original package of Sunday hunting allowances because season dates had already been published. Delta staff is working with the PGC to ensure the Sunday hunting prohibition is repealed for the 2026-27 hunting season so Pennsylvanians can have an extra day in the field.
Mississippi Flyway
Work toward a stable funding source for the Louisiana Outdoor Forever Program
Why this matters: Funding remains one of the main challenges of conservation agencies across the nation. Establishing a consistent, steady stream of dedicated funding allows conservation agencies to address deferred maintenance and infrastructure needs while also creating adequate and stable budgets for the future.
Work toward a stable funding source for the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund
Why this matters: Funding remains one of the main challenges of conservation agencies across the nation. Establishing a consistent, steady stream of dedicated funding allows conservation agencies to address deferred maintenance and infrastructure needs while also creating adequate and stable budgets for the future.
Work to establish a stable funding source for TWRA
Why this matters: Funding remains one of the main challenges of conservation agencies across the nation. Establishing a consistent, steady stream of dedicated funding allows conservation agencies to address deferred maintenance and infrastructure needs while also creating adequate and stable budgets for the future. Senate Bill 2183 addresses these issues by directing a portion of Tennessee Valley Authority payments to TWRA.
Establish a sandhill crane hunting season
Why this matters: The sandhill crane population in Wisconsin has been thriving for years, and establishing a scientifically sound hunting season is Delta’s key priority this year in the Badger State. Not only are they great table fare and a blast to hunt, but the abundant population has also caused problems for Wisconsin farmers, on that hunters can help to remedy.