Delta Waterfowl’s Winter Issue: Major Refuge Revival and Louisiana’s Legendary Waterfowl Culture
If you’re a member of The Duck Hunters Organization™, Delta’s final magazine of 2025 is headed your way
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — $2.6 billion. That’s the estimated backlog of deferred maintenance for America’s National Wildlife Refuge System, and it matters to you — the North American duck hunter — because these public lands serve as critical assets for the continent’s waterfowl and waterfowl hunters.
In the cover story of the Winter 2025 issue of Delta Waterfowl magazine, Delta’s Paul Wait outlines Restoring Our Refuges, Delta’s new advocacy campaign to secure the funding and action needed to restore refuge health and waterfowl value across the United States. You’ll gain a clear view of what’s causing the decline, how it affects your public-land hunts, and how Delta is working to improve duck hunting.
In the culture-rich spotlight piece, we head to Louisiana, where a shotgun in hand and duck on the menu is fundamentally woven into everyday life. Explore the food, the passion, and the habitat that makes the Pelican State a duck-hunter’s dream, all brought to life by striking images of Wade Shoemaker.
For the goose enthusiasts, “The Call of the Speck” celebrates the white-fronted goose with a photo journey by Gary Kramer that recalls the first time you heard their flight song and felt a decoy spread busted in a hurry. And join Kansas hunter Ron Peach on a late-season cackler hunt as he shares the tactics he’s learned over a lifetime pursuing the clever, long-distance travelers.
Freelance contributor Joe Sigurdson takes you to rural Alaska in “The Heart of Hunting,” recounting his first expedition as a self-taught hunter and the strange mix of exhilaration and humility that comes with a bird in hand up north. From there, Delta Waterfowl travels clear across the continent to Pennsylvania, where Delta Waterfowl staff, volunteers, and partners bring the joys of waterfowl science to special needs students through a one-of-a-kind program.
And if you’ve ever wondered how your pursuit affects populations, check out “Hunt Ducks, Lose the Guilt.” Associate editor Christy Sweigart draws on data from Delta’s new senior scientist Dr. Todd Arnold, an expert in hunting-mortality analysis. If you’ve argued for season closures when breeding numbers drop, prepare to be surprised by what the cold, hard data shows.
As always, this issue carries a full slate of reader-favorite columns including Duck Dogs, Shotgunning, Strategies, Fowling Fundamentals, and Last Pass, designed to sharpen your skills, deepen your understanding, and strengthen your season.
The only way to receive Delta Waterfowl magazine is to join The Duck Hunters Organization™. If you’re already a member, thank you — your Winter 2025 issue arrives soon. If you’re not yet a member, join today and become part of the only magazine created by duck hunters, for duck hunters. Call 1-888-987-3695 or visit www.deltawaterfowl.org/memberships.
Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters OrganizationTM, a leading conservation group working to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit deltawaterfowl.org.
For more information, contact Paul Wait at pwait@deltawaterfowl.org.