|
|
|
|||||
|
|
||||
|
I. Introduction – Canadian Waterfowling is Making a Comeback There is a critical need to promote and defend hunting in Canada, and this is a role Delta Waterfowl takes seriously on behalf of Canadian duck hunters. We are pleased and excited to provide this progress report, because 2007 marked the most successful year for the growth of our Waterfowling Initiative in Canada, and marks a turning point for the fortunes of Canadian waterfowlers. We sincerely hope you share our enthusiasm for the progress achieved in 2007, and our aggressive new plans for 2008.
This report begins with a short background explaining why Delta is tackling the hunting issue in Canada. Next, we focus on Delta’s work to promote waterfowling and increase the recruitment of waterfowlers. Delta’s waterfowler recruitment and promotion efforts are rapidly growing across the country. Not only did the number of youth mentored waterfowl hunts nearly double since 2006, Delta and our partners launched several new, groundbreaking recruitment initiatives as well, such as Canada’s first all-ladies duck hunt at Delta Marsh in Manitoba. Delta’s national and local advocacy efforts in 2007 are detailed next and tell a story of more firsts for Canadian hunters. Most notably, Delta Waterfowl took the lead in establishing the first-ever national hunting advocacy network of hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting sports organizations in Canada. This is the first time these groups have brought their combined strength forward nationally, to address key issues facing the future of hunting. The network and individual group efforts combined to register several big wins on issues ranging from a potential ban of semi- automatic firearms for hunting, to the fate of the Canadian Wildlife Service’s Migratory Bird Program. Lastly, Delta’s work to communicate with hunters and to promote waterfowling to non-hunters in Canada is covered in this year’s Hunting Report, with positive media stories about hunting and the roles hunters play in conservation. Delta acknowledges your support and the many partners, members, and volunteers who have made the incredible success detailed in this document possible. To be sure, 2007 was truly a breakthrough year for Canadian waterfowlers and the future of hunting, and with your help, we will achieve even greater successes in 2008. II. Background Waterfowling in Decline
Most of Delta’s waterfowl research and conservation programs are supported by duck hunter dollars and more than 90% of our members are waterfowl hunters. Waterfowl habitat conservation efforts are clearly vital, but the “conservation” of hunting itself is equally important and top of mind among Canadian waterfowlers today. In Canada, there has been a precipitous drop in the number of waterfowl hunters. From a high of more than 500,000 in the late 1970’s, today there are just over 140,000. In Delta’s view, the loss of waterfowl hunters is a critical waterfowl conservation and management issue that must be addressed, because hunters are most likely to tackle the work necessary to sustain waterfowl populations forever. Over the past decade, anti-gun coalitions and animal rights groups have increased their presence and impact in campaigns against all forms of animal use and private gun ownership in Canada. Their campaigns have included lobbying, advertising campaigns and letters to the editor in mainstream media. Moreover, busy, urban Canadians are finding it harder to find opportunities to go afield. Although surveys show many individuals would like to try hunting, there was simply no organized opportunity to be introduced to waterfowl hunting until now. Declining numbers of hunters in Canada have weakened our political voice and sharply limited the priority for waterfowl management among federal and provincial wildlife management agencies. There have been concurrent reductions in the capabilities of Canadian wildlife agencies to conduct vital research and management for waterfowl and to contribute to waterfowl management on the continent. The Solutions Delta is a leader in providing new hunting opportunities for youth and adult women and men, as well as carrying the fight against anti- hunting campaigns on behalf of waterfowl hunters across Canada. A multi-faceted strategy is required to reverse the decline in waterfowl hunter numbers in Canada. In 2003, Delta created a Waterfowling Initiative that is focused on three general tasks:
Delta’s Waterfowling Initiative is still in its initial stages of development and delivery. Nevertheless, the early success and positive response from Canadian waterfowlers has been nothing short of overwhelming. This annual report provides an update on progress made over the past year and also describes our objectives for the future. III. Waterfowler Recruitment – Planting Seedlings and Trees in 2007 A. The Mentored Hunt Concept
Delta Waterfowl recruitment hunts—which include youth and adults— are typically a two-day event. The first day prepares participants for the following day’s hunt. The “training day” involves shotgun shooting instruction, bird identification, conservation education and several other activities depending on the location and preference of event volunteers. Although all participants must have successfully completed a hunter safety course, additional training is provided to ensure maximum opportunity for excellence in safety and shooting skills. The second day is the actual hunt. Participants are paired with mentors. Mentors reinforce safety and waterfowling skills in the field. After the hunt, new recruits learn to clean birds and are given recipes to try at home. Increasingly, we encourage hunt participants to barbeque the day’s bag at the end of the hunt. Getting kids to actually cook the birds, then serve them to the group, and parents, is an experience that leaves a lasting impression on all. Mentored hunts are only possible because of the interest and energy of local volunteers. Provincial hunter safety personnel are the key in providing top-notch training for new recruits. Mentors are comprised of local duck hunters who are keen to pass on their knowledge. Often these volunteers are associated with regional Delta Waterfowl chapters. B. Delta’s Mentored Youth Hunt Program – Growing quickly Working with the Manitoba Wildlife Federation and Manitoba Conservation, Delta launched the first-ever organized youth waterfowler recruitment program in 2000. On that first hunt, we took 13 kids duck hunting. Seven years later, Delta’s Youth Hunting Project has exploded. In 2007, Delta had more than 22 youth hunt events, covering five provinces stretching from Prince Edward Island to British Columbia. This recruitment initiative is now the largest of its in Canada. Since 2006, the hunts increased from 13 to 22 (70% increase) with the number of kids participating increasing from 325 to 453 (40% growth). The new excitement and energy surrounding this program has been incredible. Feedback from the youth participants and adult mentors has been tremendously positive. We are anticipating continued explosive growth in 2008 for the youth mentored hunting program across Canada. Looking Forward - Objectives for the Youth Mentored Hunt Program in 2008:
C. Adult Mentored Duck Hunts - New in 2007 We were pleased and excited to start two new and important recruitment pilot projects in 2007. This past year, with the help of our key partners, we launched two new initiatives to recruit new adults into waterfowl hunting. While our primary focus over the first several years of our recruitment programs has been focused on kids, we have always realized that it would be critical to also create new opportunities for adults to experience waterfowling. Adult recruits create new hunters now, whereas youth recruits do take longer to develop into established waterfowlers. First-ever Ladies Duck Hunt On September 8, 2007 in partnership with the Manitoba Wildlife Federation, and thanks to many volunteer mentors, we held Canada’s inaugural women’s duck hunt at Delta Marsh. This two-day ladies hunt sold out quickly; twenty women participated. The event included a day of skills training, quarterbacked by Reg Wiebe, hunter safety coordinator for the Manitoba Wildlife Federation. The second day was the hunt itself, run by Delta staff and included more one-on-one instruction in the marsh with experienced mentors. The day ended by the women learning to clean—and prepare—the birds they shot. In short, the event couldn’t have gone better. The women raved about the experience, and many reported that they’d definitely hunt waterfowl again. Hunting and non-hunting media covered the event, which resulted in several positive media pieces about Delta and the hunt (one example is included in Appendix I). Women-afield hunting challenges stereotypes and creates immediate media buzz that can generate positive branding for hunting in Canada. We are confident that the women’s hunt, coupled with new events in 2008, will generate many more positive news stories regarding hunting. We are pleased with the early results from this new initiative. Looking Forward- 2008 Ladies Mentored Hunt Objectives:
First-ever University-Affiliated Duck Hunt Long-time Delta supporter and research colleague, Dr. Rick Baydack, of the University of Manitoba, was the driving force that lead to Canada’s first-ever “University Duck Hunt”. Again, Reg Wiebe of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation quarterbacked all of the pre-hunt safety training. Delta Waterfowl staff organized and hosted the hunt at our facilities on Delta Marsh. This breakthrough pilot project was successful with eight university students participating in the hunt. Feedback from all of the students and mentors was highly positive. The positive power of this project cannot be overstated. At a time when the media is suggesting guns and college kids don’t mix, here is a fabulous opportunity to differentiate between crime and legitimate uses of hunting firearms. We chose not to involve the media in 2007 because it was a pilot year. However, we are confident that in 2008 we can generate significant positive media in both the mainstream and sporting media because of the story’s newsworthiness. Moreover, we’ve always believed that there were many prime and natural sources of new hunters in certain University faculties, such as Physical Education and Zoology. Plans are already being made to grow this new initiative in 2008. Looking Forward- 2008 University Mentored Hunt Objectives:
The youth program’s growth in 2007 was certainly directly attributable to the large demand amongst Canadian kids and their parents to participate in youth hunts. However, the addition of two passionate young staffers has also had a tremendous impact. Carly Michie took over Delta’s Youth hunting project in 2006 and ran the program through 2007. Carly brought a passion for the outdoors, exceptional communication skills and a strong work ethic to the program, as evidenced by its growth this year. Delta’s Director of Conservation Programs, Jim Fisher, spent a considerable time in 2007 helping to manage and deliver youth hunts. Cam Meuckon joined Delta’s team in October 2007. Cam is a passionate hunter with University training in Biology and Education. Cam has worked for CWS as a seasonal employee for several years and is no stranger to duck conservation and hunting. This mix of formal education, field experience with waterfowl and a life-long passion for duck hunting makes Cam a strong, new asset to Delta’s Waterfowling Initiative team. IV. National Hunting and Firearms Advocacy
In fall 2006, the Liberal Party of Canada announced an alarming resolution (Resolution 42) aimed at banning the ownership of semi- automatic firearms in Canada. This troublesome event created the impetus for Canada’s first-ever national network of hunting, pro-firearm and trapping groups. Seeing the need for a coordinated strategy to change the Liberal party resolution, Delta’s VP of Policy for Canada, Dr. Bob Bailey, organized a conference call that included many pro-hunting groups in Canada. The outcome was a well-executed and coordinated strategy that put enormous pressure on the Liberal Party, which eventually dropped Resolution 42. Canada’s First-ever Coordinated National Lobby for Hunters, Gun Owners and Animal Users Although still very new and in development, this “working network” of hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting sports organizations has since grown to include 28 different groups representing a combined grassroots membership of more than 500,000 Canadians. Provincial wildlife federations—collectively the largest and most effective hunting advocacy groups in Canada—have participated in “network” conference calls, along with trappers, shooters, firearms industry groups and others. Although still new, it is hard to overstate the significance of this united voice for hunters. Since coming together, the “network” groups have facilitated a number of impressive accomplishments for hunters and the future of hunting. The following is a highlight reel of some recent significant issues that the Network has collectively managed with unprecedented national success:
The above list is only a subset of the issues that the new Network is cooperatively working on. The credit for the early progress and success goes broadly to all the groups that have participated (for a complete list of groups participating in the Network, refer to Appendix IV). From issue to issue, different groups take the lead where there is particular expertise or regional significance. All groups are free to work independently on issues as well. The strength of this working group comes from the coordination of efforts and the strategic, combined lobby that can now be accomplished in Canada for the first time. The future indeed looks brighter for hunting advocacy in this country. V. Regional Advocacy for Waterfowlers – Delta’s Response Team National advocacy is critical for the future of hunting in Canada, but what happens when access to local hunting areas is threatened? In 2002, a group of concerned waterfowl hunters from Prince Edward Island contacted Delta Waterfowl for help. There was a movement afoot to close goose hunting in and around Charlottetown. Conflicts were arising between folks who’d moved into the areas surrounding the city and the local hunters who had been hunting the “now suburban” fields for generations. Delta partnered with these passionate PEI hunters and ultimately lost the fight to keep the contested areas open to hunting. However, this experience caused Delta Waterfowl to develop a strategy and a “Response Team” to better deal with these attacks on access that continue today and will undoubtedly continue in the future as urban sprawl brings more non-hunters into contact with waterfowling near cities. Maintaining hunting in provincial parks is also emerging as a significant issue that will increasingly require the efforts of Delta’s Response Team. Delta’s Response Team had a busy year in British Columbia in 2007 as housing developments continue to encroach on prime goose-hunting areas in the lower mainland. Jack Evans, Senior Wildlife Biologist for the Province of B.C., quarterbacked a successful campaign to defeat a bylaw that would have stopped hunting in and around Langley (see Appendix V for an email detailing the victory—a significant milestone for Canadian waterfowl hunters). Several partners helped with this win, including the B.C. Wildlife Federation, local agricultural producers, the local Delta Waterfowl Chapter in Langley as well as Delta staffer Bob Sopuck. A second access issue has since arisen in B.C., this time in the Squamish area, which Delta is currently involved in (see Appendix VI for a recent letter Delta sent to the Squamish Town Council). We are seeing a growing need for this type of local activism across Canada. Delta’s role in aiding hunters nationally is absolutely critical. Working with our many partners, we’ve established a winning strategy to maintain open access, even in proximity to cities, based on smart activism using proven messages and sound strategy. Delta is also proactively providing political and media training to hunters in key regions of Canada so that when issues arise that threaten hunting, they will be better prepared to wage a successful advocacy and media campaign. Under the leadership of Delta’s VP’s Bob Sopuck and Bob Bailey, Delta Waterfowl developed and piloted a “hunting communications and advocacy workshop” in 2005. Aimed specifically at hunters, the workshop provides hunters with the latest polling information on hunting, tactics and strategies of anti-hunters, key messages (personal choice, food, and conservation), and directions on how to influence the public debates and policy decisions by governments and city councils to ensure favorable decisions result for hunting. We first launched this invaluable workshop with waterfowlers in PEI in 2005 with 50 attendees that included hunters from the Delta chapters, government wildlife staff and hunters from throughout the Maritimes. Delta plans to hold more of these training sessions in B.C., southern Ontario, and elsewhere in 2008. A National PR Campaign for Canadian Hunters The advocacy efforts described above represent Delta’s work in response to specific events and/or opportunities. Intervening at the right time on an issue of importance to the hunting community ensures that Delta’s voice and the voice of the waterfowl hunter will always be heard. Reacting to events and seizing opportunities is important, but equally important are long term, proactive efforts to communicate hunting to society-at-large. Results from public opinion polling show that society’s view of hunters and hunting is more positive than most hunters think. But retaining society’s support for hunting requires constant attention in the face of declining hunter numbers and the ongoing efforts by animal rights groups to disparage hunting. Hunters need to communicate directly to the public about hunting and the values of our hunting heritage. When we do not communicate, the gap is filled by messages from anti- hunters. Hunters are also the best ambassadors for hunting. In 2001, an Ipsos- Reid public opinion poll in Ontario, showed that non- hunters were five times more likely to find hunting acceptable, if they actually knew a hunter. Although as hunters we’ve focused primarily on communicating amongst ourselves, the future of hunting will require equipping hunters with the messages they need to promote and defend hunting as individual hunters, and in well-planned, media coverage of hunting. Delta Waterfowl is committed to executing a national public relations campaign to promote hunting in mainstream media. In 2001, Delta landed our biggest mainstream media victory with a front-page piece in the Globe and Mail that was highly positive. We believe there are many more good stories to tell about hunting that will resonate with urban media and the non- hunting public. In fact, hunting has become more newsworthy today than ever before, and polls show that if hunters are “on message”, the public is inclined to support hunting. From the healthy lifestyles aspects of eating game, to kids cooking the ducks they shot at a youth hunt, to women hunting ducks for the first time, the material for good human interest stories on hunting in Canada is endless. Delta and our partners had a great year in 2007, scoring several wins with mainstream media coverage (see Appendix VII for an example of recent coverage), but we can do much more. Delta is planning a major promotion of hunting in mainstream media in 2008, which we are confident will generate unprecedented media interest in Canadian hunting heritage and outdoor lifestyles. Look for many press releases from Delta Waterfowl on a variety of topics related to hunting in 2008. Hunting in the Sports Section of Your Newspaper? Delta has always believed that the “mainstreaming” of hunting necessitated not only periodic positive media stories on hunting, it would also require regular, standing outdoors sections in Canada’s major newspapers. A partnership in Winnipeg consisting of Sidney I. Robinson (large outdoor retailer), the Manitoba Wildlife Federation and Delta Waterfowl has successfully landed a standing, weekly outdoors column in the Sports section of the Winnipeg Free Press. Delta’s Bob Sopuck is a regular author of the column (see Appendix VIII for a recent example of this outdoors column). We feel this is a critical component to provide a regular “home” for hunters to stay in touch with issues relating to hunting. Also, this column exposes non-hunters who read the sports section to positive and entertaining stories on hunting. Although this type of outdoors column currently exists in some other parts of Canada, it is relatively rare. We have learned what is required to generate these types of outdoor columns. Delta, working with provincial partners, would need to coordinate regional outdoor retailers’ advertisement investment and package it with a column. This creates a win for the newspaper in revenue and a big win for hunting. As Delta grows in Canada, local chapters will again be key in helping with this process. Additionally, Delta is currently in discussion with a large national newspaper regarding the possibility of such a column. VII. A Canada-wide Initiative to encourage Government Agencies to Promote Waterfowl Hunting: expanding hunting opportunities while securing the future of waterfowling This new Delta Waterfowl initiative to encourage government agencies to promote waterfowl hunting will expand hunting opportunities and protect our hunting heritage in legislation. Federal and Provincial-Territorial Governments play a key role in managing hunting opportunities across the country. Governments determine the conservation limits for waterfowl harvest and define the basic boundaries of hunting opportunity in bag limits, seasons and other criteria. Governments also regulate hunter safety training and decide the age at which a citizen may begin to hunt. More recently, some governments have taken a direct role in promoting hunting, such as in Prince Edward Island and British Columbia. This is a good trend for hunting that Delta would like to encourage across the country. Most governments are also expanding hunting opportunities for over-abundant species like white- tailed deer, Canada geese and snow geese, so timing is good to get governments on board with promoting hunting. Delta’s new staffer, Cam Meuckon will conduct a national review of hunting regulations and new opportunities at the federal and provincial-territorial levels of government this year. This information will allow Delta and its many partners to make recommendations for promoting hunting with governments across the country. Some of the key regulations that will comprise our checklist include:
Once we’ve identified the provinces that would benefit from more hunter-friendly regulations, we will work with our partners and Delta chapters to attempt to create policy change within those provincial governments. IX. Calling all Duck Hunters – Delta Needs Your Help Given our early success, we are convinced that Delta and our hunting partners are on the right track toward securing the future of waterfowling and that the goal of achieving an acceptable place and role for the hunter and hunting in Canadian society is obtainable. We are equally certain that Delta’s role in securing waterfowling is simply essential and we have tried to convince you that this work is worth every penny of your investment and every minute of your volunteer time. Delta Waterfowl has broken new ground over the past year on several fronts and we will continue to promote and defend our hunting heritage. That is our promise to you, the duck hunter. Delta will be reaching out to more groups and partners over the coming year to achieve our waterfowling mission. And we will unite the voices of duck hunters with like- minded people wherever possible across Canada. Delta stands open-minded and energized about a positive future for hunting, we have demonstrated remarkable progress on so many fronts, but absolutely require the support of duck hunters like you across the country, to be successful.
Together, we are facing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reverse the erosion of our hunting heritage and to guarantee hunting will continue in Canada for the present, and the next generation. If this work is not done, waterfowling in your area and in our lifetime could disappear. There are plenty of examples in this report where that sad fact is happening today. Delta Waterfowl has outlined our plan to make sure that laws and policies that hurt hunting are removed or changed, and attacks on hunting, hunters and losses of access to hunting areas stops. But your help is the only way we can do it. Please act generously to support this work on your behalf. |
|||||
|
Contact Information | USA Toll Free 888-987-3695 | Canada Toll Free 877-667-5656 | Site Map | Privacy Policy © 2008 Delta Waterfowl Foundation - All Rights Reserved |
|||||
The Delta Waterfowl Foundation has always been proud of our waterfowl-hunting heritage. Throughout our history, a passion for waterfowl hunting remains the force that drives our waterfowl conservation innovation and success. Our vision statement, “To secure the future of waterfowl and waterfowl hunting,” conveys clearly what it means to belong to Delta Waterfowl. 
By the late 1990’s, Delta recognized that securing the future for waterfowling in Canada would require defending the heritage and recruiting new hunters. We also recognized that it would be critical to create new opportunities for kids to experience hunting if we had any chance of recruiting significant numbers of new waterfowlers. Surveys across North America have consistently showed that there are many people who’d like to try hunting, but because of the complexities involved and the lack of mentored opportunities, they simply do not. 
We believe 2007 marked a significant turning point for the fortunes of Canadian hunters and gun owners. The ongoing defense and promotion of hunting in our increasingly urbanized society will require an effective, national advocacy and public relations campaign on behalf of hunters, which, until very recently, had not existed in a substantive form in Canada. 