Delta Waterfowl Hosts Inaugural ‘Duck Hunters Day’ at California Capitol; Critical Infrastructure Repairs in Louisiana, and More
United States: State
California:
Delta Waterfowl Holds Inaugural ‘Duck Hunters Day’ at State Capitol in Sacramento: On Aug. 18, Delta Waterfowl members from chapters throughout California traveled to Sacramento to meet with state legislators. Joining Delta members were Christopher Hoon, Delta’s senior manager of government affairs for the Pacific Flyway, and Frank Andrade, Delta’s regional director for the state of California. The Delta team met with more than a dozen bipartisan assembly members and senators from districts throughout California, and members discussed priority legislation affecting duck hunters and the importance of waterfowl conservation in the state.
This allowed Delta members to directly participate in democracy, speaking with the lawmakers who make decisions on their behalf. Delta Waterfowl thanks all of our members who came to show their support at the inaugural ‘Duck Hunters Day’ at the capitol. We will be holding the same event next year and strongly encourage the attendance of all California Delta members who want to make their voices heard and impact the future of waterfowl conservation.
Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement Program: Delta’s policy team recently joined the California Waterfowl Association in a sign-on letter in support of Assembly Bill 1169. This legislation would increase the number of outdoor recreation opportunities offered through the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement program.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s SHARE program provides incentives to private landowners to make their property available to the public for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation. The current issue with this program stems from statutory restrictions on the amount that DFW may pay participating landowners. Although the SHARE program was created back in 2003, these payment limitations have not been changed or adjusted for inflation since they were created.
Assembly Bill 1169 would remove the landowner payment limitations and instead allow DFW to determine the appropriate amount to pay each participating landowner, while requiring DFW to contract portions of the work involved with the program to nonprofit conservation groups.
Most recently, this bill passed the Assembly, but, unfortunately, it was recently held under submission in Senate Appropriations. This does not mean that the bill is dead, but it does mean that it will be incrementally more difficult to get it passed.
Suggested Amendments to Sections of California Fish and Game Code: Along with several partners, Delta Waterfowl has been advocating for Assembly Bill 1520, which would make various technical and assorted changes to the Fish and Game Code—including amendments to the state’s duck stamp program to make it more efficient and effective.
The California duck stamp program—which has limited funding derived from the annual sale of duck stamps required for waterfowl hunting—funds habitat, research, and other necessary projects that support waterfowl populations. A significant portion of this conservation work is done by contracting with non-profit conservation groups that have expertise and experience in these areas.
While the duck stamp program benefits from certain statutory exemptions related to state contracting requirements, it does not currently enjoy the exemptions outlined in the Fish and Game code. Specifically, the program lacks the exemption for certain conservation work—such as grading wetlands or planting waterfowl-friendly vegetation—that non-profits, public agencies, and tribes are authorized to perform under Section 1501.5. Without the exemption provided under Section 1501.5, time-sensitive duck stamp habitat projects—on state lands in particular—face higher costs and are subject to significant delays. Assembly Bill 1520 aims to extend the nonprofit contracting exemption under Section 1501.5 to duck stamp projects to improve these processes.
Most recently, this bill has passed the Assembly and is headed to its third and final reading in the Senate. Delta’s team will continue to advocate for this bill as it progresses through its final steps in the legislative process.
Habitat Conservation Fund: Senate Bill 427 is a bill that will help support state public refuges—such as Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, and others—in California. Specifically, the legislative text outlines amendments to the Fish and Game code concerning the Habitat Conservation Fund, originally established by the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990.
The primary provision of this bill is to mandate the indefinite annual transfer of $30 million from the general fund to the Habitat Conservation Fund, continuing the financial support previously set to expire in 2030.
Delta’s policy team signed onto a letter of support for this bill with the California Waterfowl Association and Audubon and is happy to report that SB 427 has passed its final hearing in the Senate and most recently passed out of Assembly Appropriations on a 14-1 vote.
Possible Mute Swan Season: Assembly Bill 764—introduced by the California Waterfowl Association—is a piece of legislation submitted with intention to open a season on mute swans in California. The bill text would amend Section 3801 of the Fish and Game code to include mute swans among the nongame birds that can be taken or possessed without a hunting license, aligning them with existing provisions for other nongame birds, such as the English sparrow and starling.
California is home to large populations of swans throughout the state, but Californians have never had the opportunity to hunt them. Mute swans, in particular, are causing significant damage to crops in the Central Valley, which is the most significant reasoning behind this bill. Delta’s policy team signed onto a joint letter of support with CWA regarding this bill and is happy to announce that it has made its way out of Senate Appropriations and has been ordered to its final reading on the floor.
Louisiana:
White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area Meeting: Delta’s team attended the first public meeting regarding the ambitious $34-million plan to repair the levee system at White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area located in Vermillion Parish. The turnout was excellent, with local hunters, landowners, conservation partners and elected official leaders—including Senator Bob Hensgens, Representative Jacob Landry, and Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Chairman Kevin Sagrera—filling the room to hear updates directly from the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority leadership, including the authority’s president and board director. CPRA is investing $29 million of the total funding through their program, which is a clear sign of the project’s importance.
Work on the levees is already underway and will continue over the next five years. For Delta members, this is more than just a policy supporting infrastructure—it’s a critical step toward protecting and enhancing some of the best public duck hunting and wetland habitats in Louisiana. Stronger levees mean more stable water levels, healthier marshes, and better wintering habitat for ducks, which translates into more birds and better hunting opportunities for years to come.
Kansas:
Kansas Conservation Forever Fund: In Kansas, Delta participated in a key partner meeting to advance the Conservation Forever Fund, a proposed $15 million allocation that could transform conservation and outdoor recreation across the state. Here’s how the funding would be divided and why it matters to Delta’s mission:
- 50% for Working Lands Conservation: To support practices like irrigation efficiency, soil health improvements, native grassland restoration, and voluntary conservation agreements with private landowners. These efforts protect water quality and create migration-friendly stopovers for ducks while keeping working lands productive.
- 25% for Wildlife Conservation: Direct funding for habitat restoration, access expansion, and protection of native wetlands, grasslands, and streams. This could mean more walk-in hunting access and healthier wetlands—a direct benefit to duck hunters.
- 25% for Outdoor Recreation: Enhances public access, environmental education, and recreational infrastructure, including hunting and fishing areas. This ensures more places for Delta members to hunt, fish, and enjoy the outdoors.
This fund represents a forward-thinking investment in both wildlife and the people who care for it. Delta’s involvement helps ensure that waterfowl habitat and hunter access remain a priority as the program takes shape.
Canada: Federal
Canadian Duck Stamp Sales Slide to Second Lowest on Record: Per the Canadian Wildlife Service, there has been a decline of 1.5% or 1,863 duck stamp sales last year compared to the 2023-2024 season. While there were new record lows in Manitoba and Ontario, small increases were recorded in Quebec and Saskatchewan.
Canada: Provincial
Ontario:
Township of Georgian Bay, Discharge of Firearms By-law Update: On Thursday, Aug. 14, the township hosted a public meeting to gather feedback on their recently proposed and updated draft discharge of firearms by-law. The meeting was well attended, with approximately 50 individuals present, either in person or virtually. The draft by-law was heavily scrutinized, as expected, with many citing its only impact as placing further restrictions on the individuals who are already following the rules and that it offers minimal changes curb the problems caused by just a few.
Township staff announced the creation of a short survey to gather further input, which remained open until the end of August. Delta Waterfowl will be meeting with township staff again in the coming weeks when our team will be briefed on the feedback and next steps.
Delta’s team anticipates a revised draft with additional recommendations from The Duck Hunters OrganizationTM to be presented to council late September or early October.
Do you want to stay involved with issues that are threatening the future of waterfowl hunting? Make your voice heard by registering for Delta Waterfowl’s Duck Hunters Action Alert System. Delta Waterfowl’s policy team will send you emails and alerts when issues that impact you arise and provide you with the tools and resources to engage with lawmakers. Text DELTA WATERFOWL to 52886, or click here today to sign up!