Waterfowl
- - Working with a Positive
Matthew J. Monda Ph.D., Ephrata Regional Wildlife Biologist
As Washington’s
human population continues to soar - - so do conflicts between
people fish, wildlife, and habitat resources. Each year more
and more of our agency’s people and assets are directed
toward plugging holes in the dike. We fix what’s broke
and protect what we have - - do battle against the societal
forces that are laying siege to our natural resources. We
hear this kind of rhetoric on a daily base. This is an important
part of our agencies work and it sometimes puts us at odds
with human development and other actions that negatively impact
wildlife resources.
Part of
our agency’s mandate includes providing recreation and
managing wildlife harvest. With the diminished demand for
fur, there isn’t much for commercial wildlife harvest
anymore and we are left with recreational harvest on the wildlife
side of our agency. Many of the issues that our Game Division
deals with are too many critters where we don’t want
them (Canada geese in urban areas or elk in the farmlands),
or not enough critters where we do want them (mule deer out
on the range).
We rarely
have the pleasure of working with a positive and even when
we do we often don’t appreciate it enough or may not
even see it right in front of our face. Populations of many
species of waterfowl have been at or near record highs for
the last few years.
The science
behind the data is strong and we have trend data that goes
back to 1955. The mallard is the most common duck shot in
Washington and their continental breeding population is 25%
above the long-term average. Hunters in Washington currently
harvest more than 250,000 mallards per year. In the last couple
of years hunter expectation was high because of the forecasted
large populations, however weather was not always cooperative
in providing high quality hunting. None-the-less the average
waterfowl hunter in Washington harvested nearly 15 ducks for
the season. The highest seasonal success rate ever recorded.
Why are waterfowl populations doing so well? The answers include
an effective infrastructure for management and coordination,
targeted funding, direct benefits from other conservation
efforts such as wetland protection, and of course - - mother
nature.
The infancy
for our Nations conservation efforts began with waterfowl.
Long before the Endangered Species Act of 1973, The Migratory
Bird Treaty Act was ratified in 1918. This treaty set the
foundation for State, Federal, and international coordination
for migratory bird conservation, and necessitated the creation
of Flyway Councils and Technical Committees. Our Pacific Flyway
is a partnership between the Federal Government, 13 states,
4 Canadian provinces, Mexico, and Russia. This infrastructure
has ensured that waterfowl populations are managed very conservatively.
Waterfowl managers have never had much of an allocation problem,
we never have attempted to harvest the last harvest-able duck
- - our partners wouldn’t let us. The federal Migratory
Bird Hunting Stamp Act 1934 established a source of funding
from hunters to support acquisition and management of National
Wildlife Refuges managed primarily for waterfowl. Most states
have followed suit with state duck stamps. Washington’s
stamp was established in 1986 and has contributed more than
$5,000,000 toward protection and enhancement of waterfowl
habitats. These dollars have been very effective at leveraging
additional funds from other partners. Any federal, state,
or local regulations that protect wetlands, directly benefit
waterfowl that depend on these habitats. Many prominent non-governmental
organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Washington Waterfowl
Association, and Audubon Society, have directed tremendous
efforts toward benefits to migratory birds and wetland habitats.
Not the least of these benefits includes educating the public
of the value of these resources and need for conservation.
Last but
far from the least of the factors contributing to the success
of waterfowl management is Mother Nature. Habitats that support
many of our commonly hunted species are highly productive
temporary and seasonal wetlands. Current precipitation patterns
have ensured adequate water in wetlands in important waterfowl
breeding areas. The glaciated pothole area in north central
Washington is one such area. The reproductive biology of many
waterfowl species allows for high production when conditions
are favorable (e.g., large clutch sizes and re-nesting if
early nesting attempts fail.)
Waterfowl
managers have been tremendously effective at protecting the
resource and providing terrific recreational opportunity.
We should all revel in this success and focus on what a positive
accomplishment it has been. Again harvest success this season
will depend on weather patterns and where you hunt, but overall
the most popular waterfowl populations are still very healthy.
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