Delta Waterfowl’s Summer Issue Details the Science of Waterfowl Survival

Members of The Duck Hunters Organization™ will get an inside look at why research plays such an important role in duck production

The Summer issue of Delta Waterfowl magazine focuses on waterfowl research. For decades, Delta has been at the forefront of sound science, which is critical to the health of waterfowl populations and the future of hunting.

Many of the most accomplished waterfowl scientists and biologists in North America began as Delta technicians or graduate students. Research has always been a central component of Delta’s mission. More than 600 master’s and doctoral students have been supported by The Duck Hunters Organization™, publishing over 950 peer-reviewed studies.

The cover story for the Summer issue highlights many of the research projects led or supported by Delta and its science team, which includes president and chief scientist Dr. Frank Rowher, senior scientist Dr. Todd Arnold, scientific director Dr. Jay VonBank, and field research manager Jacob Bushaw.

Graduate students from across the country are in the field right now, pushing the envelope with waterfowl research that includes a digital portal that could change how managers estimate annual harvest, using drones to estimate brood survival, and understanding raven movements and their reliance on duck eggs as a food source.

What else is in the Summer Issue of Delta Waterfowl magazine?

• NEW Migrations section: Catch up on all the latest news for duck hunters, including a feature story on Louisiana’s black-bellied whistling duck season, how brine shrimp are helping ducks, a sandhill crane season opens in Ontario and Quebec, and more…
  
  
• Traditions is BACK!: We resurrected this retired department that focuses on the duck hunting history, from beautiful carved decoys to obscure rollover boats. If you love large-bore shotguns, make sure you check out Bill Miller’s story about nostalgic 4-bores and punt guns.  
  
  
• First Hunt Reaches 100,000 Milestone: Delta’s First Hunt program has become the largest hunter recruitment initiative in the world, introducing more than 100,000 people to duck hunting thanks to a dedicated group of volunteer mentors. 
  
  
• Predator Management Grows Greenheads: Nearly 120,000 ducks, including mallards and other grassland-nesting dabblers, will be added to the 2026 fall flight due to Delta’s trapping efforts in the prairie pothole region.
  
  
• The Dogs of CANA: Ben Potter is a photographer, filmmaker, and owner of the creative brand CANA Outdoors. He has traveled the country and had the opportunity to hunt waterfowl over a number of unique gun dogs. Most of his favorites did not come from champion bloodlines but are the retrievers of close friends or people he’s met while creating content for brands like Sitka, Yeti, Gunner, and others.

The only way to receive Delta Waterfowl magazine is to join The Duck Hunters Organization™. If you are a member, thank you for your support. The Summer Issue is on the way!

To join Delta Waterfowl, call (888) 987-3695 or visit us online.