ALABAMA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION, INC. (AWA)TM
1346 COUNTY ROAD #11
SCOTTSBORO, ALABAMA 35768
PHONE 256 259-2969
http://www.alabamawaterfowl.org
Summer 2007 Conservation Blog
1100 Mallards banded and released in Alabama over 900 in Jackson County Go to AWA Web Site to Report an AWA Band
Feral Pigs on North Sauty Waterfowl Refuge near Scottsboro Damaging Waterfowl Habitat
2007 Conservation Habitat Seed Wheat is at Dean’s Farm Supply West of Scottsboro on U. S. Highway 72, phone 256 574-1112 at Fraction of Retail Cost.
On Saturday July 21 the Alabama Waterfowl Association (AWA) with help from Boy Scout Troop 79 in New Hope and other volunteers banded and released 1100 Frost Waterfowl Trust Mallards. These were 4 weeks old and should start flying in about 4 to 5 weeks. AWA also released 1000 mature mallards in February, these ducks did nest and recruitment was documented from these mature ducks. Also, mallards have already been seen on the milfoil on the lake near Scottsboro. This waterfowl enhancement project should create more mallards to supplement the other local and migrating ducks to our area. Jackson County is the leader in duck harvest per hunter in the state. Duck hunting and waterfowl watching helps tourism in the state and is a boost to the local economy in many areas of the state. From what I have heard so far, it is likely that we will get another liberal duck season again this year. I do hope all has a safe and great duck season. AWA does not charge a membership, but does accept donations. For every $6 dollars AWA can band and release a duck from your donations, please help us.
Go to AWA Web Site to Report an AWA Band http://alabamawaterfowl.org
To donate please make check and send to:
Alabama Waterfowl Association, Inc.
3928 AL Highway 168
Boaz, Alabama 35956
Feral pigs on North Sauty Waterfowl Refuge near Scottsboro Damaging Waterfowl Habitat. AWA is asking the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to assist in controlling pig problem.
AWA is asking for the ADCNR’s assistance on controlling or eradicating the Feral pigs that are destroying the waterfowl, neo-tropical migrating birds and local wildlife’s habitat. Right now the farmers and landowners are experiencing terrible damage after some of the lowland corn had survived the drought and now the pigs are destroying their corn crops. This is not considering the damage they are doing to the bottomland hardwoods on the refuge. Not only are they affecting the crops on the refuge, the pigs are causing so much damage on some private landowner’s farms that the landowners are losing their share cropping, because the farmers are refusing to plant and lease the land because of damage caused by the pigs to their crops.
North Sauty Waterfowl Refuge is one of the most important over-wintering habitats for both local and migrating waterfowl and neo-tropical migrants of any refuge in the southeast. I would venture to say North Sauty has more waterfowl per acre than any other refuge in the state. Also, unlike many of the other refuges in the state, the private landowners near the refuge, have developed an enormous amount of waterfowl and other wildlife habitat to enjoy watching and hunting the wildlife. As you well know with the mallard and Canada goose enhancement projects by the Alabama Waterfowl Association and other wildlife groups, this area and Jackson County is bringing in much revenue in tourism and hunting to the local economy. So please consider assistance on this very important matter.
I am afraid if something is not done soon, it will be impossible to get anyone to farm some of the critical habitat areas on and adjoining North Sauty Refuge. I know most of the farms around the refuge have encourage hunting and the state has given liberal seasons on the pigs, however it seems this is not keeping in step with the rapid reproduction cycles of the feral pigs.
2007 Conservation Habitat Seed Wheat is at a fraction of Retail Cost.
Dean’s Farm Supply
West of Scottsboro on U. S. Highway 72,
Phone 256 574-1112 at a fraction of Retail Cost.
Better Hurry and get yours.
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/status07/2007%20Duck%20Trend%20Report.pdf