Farm Bill Movement, Funding Secured to Protect Critical Wetlands in Manitoba
Delta’s policy team has been on the road supporting conservation across the United States and Canada
United States
Farm Bill Passes House of Representatives
The House of Representatives passed the 2026 Farm Bill on April 30. The Farm Bill is one of the most critical pieces of legislation for conservation, and the largest investment in privately-owned wildlife habitat. Delta’s policy team will continue to monitor Farm Bill progress as the Senate Agriculture Committee works on its version.
California
Grasslands Region Wetlands Support
Recently, Delta's policy team has been advocating for Senate Bill 1108. This legislation establishes the Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy as a new state agency within the California Natural Resources Agency. The new agency is tasked with the protection, conservation, and restoration of the Grassland Ecological Area and the surrounding Grassland Focus Area in Merced County.
The Grasslands region features some of the most critical and threatened wetland habitats anywhere in California. The bill will support putting water on wetlands, which in turn supports migratory waterfowl throughout California and the Pacific Flyway.
Unfortunately, this bill was placed on the Suspense File in Senate Appropriations, an action sometimes taken when a bill has a significant financial impact associated with it. This does not mean that the bill is dead, and our team is working with our partners to ensure this legislation has the best chance of moving forward.
Hunter Fees Directed to Fund Wildlife Areas
Assembly Bill 1987 could lead to more funding for state wildlife areas by ensuring that money generated from certain wildlife areas is properly used to support them. The bill would create the Waterfowl Management Areas Operations and Maintenance Account within the Fish and Game Preservation Fund. All revenues generated from the sale of waterfowl hunting reservation applications and entry passes for Type A and Type B Wildlife Areas will be deposited into this account. These funds are continuously appropriated for the operation, maintenance, and reasonable administrative costs directly related to public hunting programs in these areas.
Delta’s Policy Team is happy to report that this bill unanimously passed its final floor vote in the Assembly and has been transferred to the Senate. It is currently sitting in Senate Rules waiting committee assignment.
Colorado
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commissioners
Recently, Delta joined our partners in Colorado in signing onto a letter in opposition to Gov. Jared Polis’ recent commissioner appointments. Two people the Governor wanted to appoint to the commission have a long history of anti-hunting rhetoric and clearly would not have made wildlife decisions positive for sportsmen and women.
We are happy to report these individuals ultimately rescinded their nominations and were not appointed to the commission. Unfortunately, however, this is another example of Colorado attempting to undermine proper wildlife management practice. Our team will always defend the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and speak up against anti-hunting discourse.
Missouri
KC Metro Chapter Banquet
Delta’s policy team attended the KC Metro Chapter banquet in Harrisonville, Missouri. Chris Daniels attended the banquet on behalf of the Missouri Department of Conservation. While there, Daniels, along with Delta’s Jason Tharpe and Jeff Wardlaw, worked through some requests for Osage Wildlife Management Area that will be funded through Waterfowl Heritage Fund dollars and state committee dollars from Missouri. We now have that request in hand, which totals $30,000 for water structures on the Osage WMA.
Conservation Day in Jefferson City
The Policy Team attended Conservation Day at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. Our team met with legislators and attended the Conservation Day event in the rotunda. Jeff Wardlaw was joined by Delta state committee members for a fish fry at Missouri Department of Conservation headquarters with MDC leadership to review our state committee and chapter goals across Missouri, with a focus on working with the department to improve habitat on WMAs. As a result of that conversation, we were able to confirm that Osage Bottoms WMA and Bay Island WMA will be pilot projects.
Kansas
Non-Resident Wildlife Management Area Regulations
The Kansas Parks and Wildlife Commission met in April and initiated regulations that would require non-residents to be off certain WMAs by 1 p.m. The policy team continues to monitor the Commission's progress on non-resident regulations.
Delta License Plates Signed into Law
Delta’s policy team secured the signing of Senate Bill 403, which authorizes new distinctive Kansas license plates for Delta Waterfowl, Pheasants Forever, and Quail Forever. Plates carry a $25 annual royalty fee in addition to standard plate fees and are scheduled to be available beginning July 1, 2026. Delta’s team has launched marketing efforts to drive plate pre-orders, as Kansas requires a minimum threshold of paid applications before the plate can be produced and issued.
Tennessee
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Funding Bills
Delta’s policy team was following Senate Bill 2183 and House Bill 2138, legislation that would have dedicated 10% of TWRA's annual payments in lieu of taxes to the state's Wildlife Resources Fund and generate an estimated $18 to $20 million per year for TWRA. The legislation was developed in response to TWRA's roughly $30 million in budget shortfalls, driven by flat license sales and inflated operating costs.
The bills did not advance out of the Senate this session. Gov. Bill Lee dedicated $10 million in one-time funding to the agency to help bridge the current gap. We will need to come back next session and work on a sustainable alternative funding model.
Sweetwater Bill
Delta was very successful with the "Sweetwater Bill," House Bill 2017, and Senate Bill 2028. This legislation was prompted by an incident in Sweetwater, Tennessee, where six duck hunters were cited by local police, raising questions about whether a city could restrict otherwise lawful hunting within its limits. The legislation establishes that Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is the primary law enforcement authority for hunting and the discharge of firearms while lawfully hunting and preempts local ordinances that would restrict it.
The bill passed both chambers and was signed by Gov. Lee on April 7.
Mississippi
Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund
The policy team was closely following House Bill 1941, which authorizes the issuance of state bonds for the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. While we sought to establish a recurring funding model for MOSTF, we did not secure a recurring mechanism this session but were able to secure $15 million in one-time funding for the program.
For context, since its establishment in 2022, MOSTF has now awarded more than $37.6 million across 80 conservation and outdoor recreation projects statewide.
Louisiana
SEAFWA Law Enforcement Chiefs Association in New Orleans
Louisiana hosted the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Law Enforcement Chiefs Association meeting in New Orleans this month, with Delta serving as one of the main sponsors thanks to the work of our Louisiana State Committee. Delta’s Justin Higdon and Jeff Wardlaw attended the closing dinner. Wardlaw offered remarks thanking the officers for all they do to protect their states' resources and also shared concerns around funding models and the need to establish recurring, alternative funding mechanisms to adequately support these departments across the states.
Conservation Day at the Capitol
Delta’s policy team held a ‘Conservation Day at the Capitol’ in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Nine volunteers and four Delta employees attended. We were able to speak with several members of the agency and the legislature, and Delta was recognized on the House floor for being present at Conservation Day at the Capitol.
Canada
Conservative Hunting and Angling Caucus Outdoors Symposium and Wild Game Garden Party
Delta Waterfowl’s policy team will be in Ottawa May 31 to June 2 attending the 2026 Conservative Hunting and Angling Caucus Outdoors Symposium and Wild Game Garden Party. This will be the third year for this symposium, which is attended by 75 different hunting and fishing organizations from across Canada, providing an incredible opportunity for networking with like-minded organizations, and Members of Parliament. Delta has attended these events since their inception.
Canadian Wildlife Conservation Partners Update
After officially launching in September 2025, the Canadian Wildlife Conservation Partners is excited to host an inaugural in-person partner meeting early next month. After officially launching with four partners, the CWCP has now grown to 22 partners and four affiliates from across the country.
The meeting will take place June 2 at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, scheduled strategically to coordinate with the Hunting and Angling Outdoor Symposium, where topics of provincial and national importance will be discussed. The Steering Committee, which includes a representative from Delta Waterfowl, is working to finalize an agenda to be circulated to all partners and affiliates in the coming weeks.
Provincial/Local
Alberta
Rural Caucus Breakfast
Delta hosted a breakfast for the Rural Caucus — provincially elected officials from rural ridings — in Edmonton on April 22 and presented our vision for the Shallow Wetlands Incentive Program. We also met with key ministers (Environment/Parks) to update them on our SWIP momentum and success over the past several years.
While staff chose to fund other projects with their ecosystem services grant funds, we were encouraged to re-apply for SWIP Phase One funding this fall. Minister Todd Loewen was briefed on the merits of hunter apprentice licensing, and we agreed to work on a strategy to see it be implemented in fall 2027.
Manitoba
$1.2 Million for 10-Year Contracts to Conserve Shallow Wetlands
The Assiniboine West Watershed District advisory committee approved 45 SWIP projects in April, allocating $1.2 million for 10-year contracts to conserve shallow wetlands. The district continues to improve efficiencies, and the program continues to garner awareness and appreciation amongst the farming community.
New Brunswick
Atlantic Migratory Game Bird Technical Committee Meeting
Delta’s Policy Team participated in the spring Atlantic Migratory Game Bird Technical Committee meeting on April 21. The meeting was well attended, as usual, covering a variety of topics including updates on winter 2026 fieldwork, work planning for summer and fall 2026, meeting reports, enforcement updates, and relevant updates from all government partners and stakeholders. An Atlantic Canada Delta Waterfowl Chapter Meeting will be scheduled soon to allow us the opportunity to provide any/all relevant updates to any chapter volunteers interested in attending.
Ontario
Discharge of Firearms By-law, Township of North Dumfries
The Township of North Dumfries officially passed a motion on April 21 to approve the draft Discharge of Firearms By-law by a vote of 3-2. Concerns of people shooting too close to homes in residential areas ended up being the deciding factor in the vote. The by-law came into effect once passed.
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 emails and alerts when issues that impact you arise, providing you with the tools and resources to engage with lawmakers. Click here to sign up.