Second Amendment Sports News

The following is a transcript of a letter sent to us by the US Department of the Interior, regarding the results of a survey on waterfowl populations for the US:

United States Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
Washington, D.C. 20240

Dear Conservation Collegue:

Enclosed you will find this year's video report on the current status of waterfowl populations and habitat conditions, that is produced annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Overall, habitat conditions for breeding ducks in the spring of 2007 were similar or slightly improved, compared to conditions in 2006. Since the spring surveys, wetland water levels have been maintained across most of the prairies and parklands of Canada and the U.S., with some improvements observed.

The total number of estimated breeding ducks was up significantly from last year in the traditional survey area, with northern shovelers, canvasbacks, and redheads reaching all-time highs. Pintails and scaup, however, remained significantly below their long-term averages. In the East, duck numbers were mostly similar to last year. In 2007, most North American goose populations remained abundant, although the production forecast this year varied considerably, depending on spring weather conditions that dictated the onset of nesting activities. Additional details are contained in this video report and in other reports available at our web site, http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/reports/reports.html.

The annual North American waterfowl breeding ground survey samples more than 2.2 million square miles of habitat, including parts of Alaska, Canada, and the north-central and eastern United States. This survey is widely recognized as one of the most comprehensive and reliable wildlife monitoring programs in the world.

We welcome your comments on this video report. If you have any questions about the results of this year's survey, please contact our Division of Migratory Bird Management at (703) 358-1714, or our Office of Public Affairs at (202) 208-5636.

Thank you for your contributions to waterfowl conservation. Your efforts, combined with other conservationists, landowners, agencies, and organizations have helped advance our continent's waterfowl management program.

Sincerely,
Paul R. Schmidt
Assistant Director --Migratory Birds