"For Hunters by Hunters"
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"For Hunters by Hunters" |
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Current News: The President's Corner - September 2009 2009/2010 Waterfowl Season This newsletter contains what most of you have been waiting for. The hunt applications and waivers for the 2009/2010 season. Take a close look at Ron Tobeck’s article, it summarizes the hunt application process and procedures for utilizing our blinds this season. The President's Corner - July 2009 Here it is, July already. It has taken more time than usual to get this newsletter out, but we have some exciting information for everyone in the following pages. We have 2 events happening soon, our Annual Hunter Safety Course scheduled for July 28th and August 1st. Please read Roger Gillingwater’s article. If you know of anyone who is in need of their Hunter Safety Certificate, send them our way. Preserving White Slough - July 2009 The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has allowed hunting on the White Slough Wildlife Area for many years. As a new hunter I remember hunting pheasants during the Junior Hunts. Also, I have hunted waterfowl, quail, rabbits, coyotes, and doves on these properties. My reason for this article is two part: VWF Scholarship Program - July 2009 In an effort to continue to give back to our membership, we are proud to announce our third annual scholarship giveaway program. If you are a Valley Waterfowl member, (or your Parent or Parents are members) and you are enrolled in college, or a senior in high school and are college bound you are eligible to receive a $1000 scholarship. The President's Corner - January 2009 It has been an exciting year at Valley Waterfowl. In March we had a very successful fundraiser dinner, and as a result or your generous support, we were able to lease 2 additional blinds. We had a record number of hunter applications for the 2008/2009 season almost triple the prior year. We were granted hunting privileges for one season at Cougar Wetland, just west of Galt for boys under age 16, first year hunters, and all females. Check out our special Cougar Wetland photo gallery to see the excitement of the Cougar Wetland hunters. Update on Valley Waterfowl Blinds 2008/2009 Season - January 2009 It has been an exciting year at Valley Waterfowl. In March we had a very successful fundraiser dinner, and as a result or your generous support, we were able to lease 2 additional blinds. We had a record number of hunter applications for the 2008/2009 season almost triple the prior year. We were granted hunting privileges for one season at Cougar Wetland, just west of Galt for boys under age 16, first year hunters, and all females. Check out our special Cougar Wetland photo gallery to see the excitement of the Cougar Wetland hunters. The President's Corner - September 2008 Every year at this time (right at September 1) I start looking forward to October. Duck season is just around the corner. We have kept our promise to you, our members, and we have leased four blinds, three that will house 4 hunters, and one that will house 3. With 44 hunt days during the sesason, (not including storm days), we have 660 hunt opportunities for Valley Waterfowl members. Enough said. Read Ron Tobeck’s article carefully, send in your paperwork and enjoy the season. 2008 - 2009 HUNTING INFORMATION September 2008 Once again it is time to prepare for the upcoming waterfowl season. Last year many of you were able to take advantage of the fine hunting opportunities provided by our organization. This year we have again been able to expand our hunt areas, and have added a fourth blind. These four blinds are located on four separate properties. Three of these blinds are four-man blinds and one of them is a three man blind. Once again this year I will be the coordinator of our hunting program. As such, I will manage all hunting applications, storm day requests, and will be the contact person for all information pertaining to Valley Waterfowl blinds. The President's Corner - January 2008 The 2007/2008 Season so far… This year the season started well, but the weather sure did not cooperate until 2008. For a more in depth report on the Valley Waterfowl hunting experience this year, be sure to read Ron Tobeck’s article on Page 4. I want to personally thank Ron for a job well done with hunter applications this year. He has gone way beyond the call of duty to accommodate members this year. He has put in countless hours on the phone, making sure you got a hunt, and we also appreciate the patience of Liz, (Ron’s wife) putting up with all the evenings that they did not spend together. Thank you Liz. MAKING SAFETY THE TOP PRIORITY FOR THE NEW AND VETERAN HUNTERS - January 2008 Roger Gillingwater, Valley Waterfowl Vice President It's obvious that we love the outdoors and the traditions of hunting. The experiences that we have to keep get us going back into the field year after year. This is why we pass on the tradition of hunting to our family and friends. As a person enters into the hunting world they have to pass a hunter safety course before they can receive a hunting license. Some people think the class is a waste of time and don't see the need for the certificate. If anyone looks into the history of hunting they will find that the number of accidents while hunting has dramatically decreased since the hunter safety program has been introduced. The Need for Predator Control There is no place on earth that has not in some way been altered by man, and North American duck habitats are no exception. In the U.S. and Canada, prairies, were once largely treeless grassy areas that were ideal duck nesting habitats. As the Prairies became farmed, tree rows and houses were built, and the once vast prairies were broken into much smaller sections. Trees and man made structures have made the prairies habitable for animals that historically never lived there. Raccoons, skunks, and red foxes existed in very limited numbers prior to European settlement. However the eradication of wolves and coyotes, in combination with new denning sites, and ranching practices have allowed these predator populations to explode. Decoy Spreads Tony Hughes, Committee Member I think I have killed ducks over just about every kind of decoy spread you could think of setting up. I’ve hunted over 1,000 duck decoys in corn fields, 500 duck decoys in a pond, and 300 duck decoys in a reserve or rice field. Other items I have used for spreads have been white paper donut bags, white paper plates, 5 gallon buckets or tires cut in half on grape stakes, or just goose decoys. Early in the season all of this will kill ducks but I have found that the later in the season it really helps to “Decoy down”.
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