Oregon Bill to Increase Conservation Funding, Support for Water Deliveries to the Great Salt Lake, New Hunting Opportunities in Canada

Vigorous Duck Production, HunteR3, and other Delta-supported efforts continue across the United States and Canada

United States

Delta CEO Represents Duck Hunters in Washington D.C.

Jason Tharpe, Delta’s CEO, went to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 13 to testify before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries regarding the state of the National Wildlife Refuge System and Delta's Restoring Our Refuges campaign. During his testimony at this special hearing, Tharpe spoke about the importance of waterfowl hunters to the history of the refuge system and the staffing and deferred maintenance challenges facing refuges today. Tharpe also applauded Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum's order to adopt an "open-unless closed" policy on refuge lands.

Washington's Possession of Firearms in Public Places Where Children May Be Present

Bill SB5098 was recently reactivated in the state of Washington. This bill, which Delta helped prevent from passing last session, would ban the possession of weapons in a variety of state-owned public places where children could be present.

The definition of places where weapons are banned is intentionally vague in this bill, which could have wide-ranging effects on the hunting community and would directly affect waterfowl hunters. One example of this adverse effect would be hunters on a river who use boat ramps. Before and after the hunt, if an individual is at the ramp and has a firearm in their boat or truck, they could be in violation of this proposed law. This bill could also affect hunters using state-owned refuges if authorities deem that children are likely to be present. Additionally, this bill would prevent the possession of firearms at fairgrounds, which could restrict Delta's ability to hold events such as auctions and raffles at these locations.

Delta's Policy Team has joined many of its conservation partners in the state in an opposition letter to this bill. Unfortunately, this legislation is moving quickly. This bill is currently in the Senate Committee on Civil Rights and Judiciary.

1% For Wildlife Legislation in Oregon

Delta's team is pleased to announce that HB4134 was recently introduced in Oregon. This bill will directly support waterfowl habitat in the state. HB4134 increases the state's transient lodging tax and directs the money generated through this tax into a new fund called the "Recovering Oregon's Wildlife Fund Subaccount." This money will be used for a variety of conservation projects, but waterfowl-related projects are directly outlined in the bill's language as one of the main recipients. This bill is currently awaiting a hearing in the House Committee on Revenue. Delta joined a letter of support for this bill with many of its partners in Oregon and will continue to advocate throughout the legislative process.

Delta Opposes Oregon Anti-Hunting Ballot Initiative

Earlier this month, Delta's policy team joined another letter expressing deep concerns regarding the language of Proposed Initiative Petition 28, a citizen-led effort to ban all hunting and fishing in the state of Oregon through a ballot initiative.

The letter made it clear that if IP28 were to pass, it would outlaw all hunting and fishing in Oregon. Additionally, it would become illegal to cause any harm to an animal, which would have effects on agriculture and pest control industries. The proponents of this effort have not been accurately or honestly capturing the full impact of this ballot proposal.

Recent polling has shown that Oregonians overwhelmingly do not support this proposed ballot initiative. Delta is encouraged by this recent data and will continue to work diligently to ensure this issue does not advance.

New Wildlife Management Area Being Sought in Utah

Delta has been closely following HB93, legislation that has the potential to increase public access for all Utah waterfowl hunters. This bill seeks to open a new wildlife management area on the southern side of Utah Lake at a site known as Goshen Bay. Delta's team spoke with the bill sponsor and stakeholders on the ground to ensure the bill language includes a funding mechanism for this WMA, as funding is critical for this type of project, and without it, the new WMA will not be successful.

Delta is pleased to report that this bill has passed the House and is now being transferred to the Senate.

Utah's Great Salt Lake Water Deliveries

Recently, Delta's policy team has been advocating for HB247. This bill was recommended by the Legislative Water Development Commission, which modifies the allocation and use of revenue generated by the brine shrimp tax in Utah. This new modification and the subsequent revenue that it generates will be used to support water deliveries to the Great Salt Lake. The GSL has become increasingly dry over the last decade, which presents serious problems for public health and critical wetland habitats. This bill will not fix all the water issues in the GSL, but it is a step in a positive direction.

This bill has been introduced in the House, and Delta's team is keeping a close eye on it to give it the best chance of success.

Delta License Plates in the Sunflower State

Bill HB2585, which would allow Kansans to purchase a special Delta Waterfowl license plate for their vehicle, has been introduced. If passed, Kansas drivers will join states such as Louisiana and Mississippi in publicly supporting Delta's work through vehicle registrations. Jeff Wardlaw, Delta's senior manager of government affairs, was on hand in the House Committee on Transportation to talk about the bill, while Wichita Chapter volunteer Jordan Ford provided detailed testimony to the committee members about the work Delta and its volunteers do in the state on behalf of ducks and duck hunters.

More Structure in Oklahoma Waterfowl Hunting

Bill SB2069 was recently introduced in Oklahoma, which incorporates federal baiting regulations into state statute with penalties. Currently, these regulations are only in the administrative rules of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. If passed, violators will receive a license revocation of up to 10 years for a first offense. SB2069 also includes a ban on the use of artificial bait such as foam corn kernels.

Bill SB2095 seeks to provide clarity on the operation of guides and outfitters. This has been a consistent focus of Delta's efforts in multiple states to ensure hunters are protected from rogue or "fly-by-night" guides and outfitters. The Policy Team believes providing structure will ensure better hunts for those who use these services.

Mississippi Navigable Water Laws:

Bill HB1593 seeks to amend the navigable water laws in Mississippi. Delta's policy team will continue to intensively monitor this legislation on its impact on hunters and private property owners.

Tennessee Wildlife Funding

Bill SB2183 would increase funding for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and provide a consistent funding source for the department. The Delta Policy Team supports this legislation and will work with legislators to help ensure its passage.

Pennsylvania Sunday Hunting Advocacy

Delta's Policy Team has been engaged with the Pennsylvania Game Commission on the topic of Sunday hunting. Last year, the Pennsylvania General Assembly allowed the PGC to authorize Sunday hunting. By that time, season dates had been set for migratory birds for the upcoming season, so Sunday hunting was not allowed at that time. Recently, the PGC sent out a survey on the topic of Sunday hunting for waterfowl, and Delta will continue to remain engaged and encourage its members and volunteers to provide feedback and support for this change.

Wisconsin Sandhill Crane, Knowles-Nelson Legislation Promoted at Capitol Lobby Day

At the state's capitol, Delta staff and volunteers joined nearly 75 other sportsmen and women from across Wisconsin in early January. The primary focus of Delta's presence was to encourage legislators to establish a sandhill crane hunting season and reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program before its expiration in June. Delta encourages its members and volunteers in the Badger State to call their senator and representative to support the passage of these bills.

Canada

Canadian Wildlife Services, Migratory Game Bird Regulation Proposals

Delta Waterfowl recently announced its support and submitted official comments for several proposals included in a package of regulatory changes proposed by the Canadian Wildlife Service. Many of the proposals in the package mirror Delta's advocacy efforts, driven by feedback from its members.

Highlights include:

1. The delay of the regular goose season in Nova Scotia Zone 2 by a week to allow for its closure to align with the end of duck season.
2. The introduction of a sandhill crane season in parts of Quebec and Ontario.
3. The introduction of a late winter 7-day Canada goose hunt in specific wildlife management units in the southern district of Ontario.
4. An increase to the daily bag limit from 3 to 5 from late September to the end of October for Canada geese in Wildlife Management Unit 65.
5. A signal for proposed tundra swan and mourning dove seasons in the Prairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and a sandhill crane season in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut beginning in 2028.

Ontario, Georgian Bay Township, Discharge of Firearms By-law

Delta's policy team has recently been contacted by Georgian Bay's supervisor of municipal law enforcement to inform the team of her plans to present a revised draft discharge of firearms by-law to council, expected in the coming weeks. Despite not knowing the extent of the changes, Delta was told that her intent was to remove two of the most contentious elements from the draft bylaw, which is in alignment with previous recommendations Delta has offered in previous discussions (minimum acreage requirement, definition of a firearm). Delta's team will be notified once the draft is completed and scheduled to appear before council again.

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!