Ducks, Etc… - Connecticut Waterfowl Association

Ducks, Etc…
www.ctwaterfowlers.org
Ducks,
Etc…
Volume 12, Issue 1
Newsletter of the Connecticut Waterfowlers Assoc
President’s Message:
It seems like only yesterday
that we were preparing for the season that has just come to a
close. Now is the time, for some, to continue their passion for
waterfowling by chasing snow geese as they make their way up
into the Canadian Providences, but for most it is a time to store
boats and gear and reflect on the good times they had this past
season. Every season is different and not everyone is better
than the next but those are the main reasons we all enjoy
waterfowling in the first place. Hunting for me is the
anticipation, preparation, and the memories made afield more
than the actual act of harvesting game. Successfully scouting
and in turn trying to figure out if a certain tide, set, or blind
will work is one of the finer principles in all of hunting. When
all your work and preparation come together and produce a
successful hunt –that’s what’s it’s all about. This past season
started slow but came around with good scouting and patience.
Now that most of us are done for the year with ducks it’s time
to give back some to the resource that we so enjoy during the
fall and winter months. One productive way to help out is by
installing and maintaining a wood duck box or two. These
boxes when placed away from surrounding trees and with
predator guards are very successful and have helped propagate
wood duck numbers exponentially over the years. If anyone is
interested in maintaining a box just asks one of our Board
Members or contact me personally and we will arrange a box
and some monitoring instructions. If interested CWA is having
a Wood Duck Box Building Day on March 14-see inside for
details. Another way to help out is by attending the CWA
Annual Dinner being held on April 12, (see insert for info) all
money raised at the dinner is money going directly to wetland
habitat enhancement, creation, and waterfowl studies –here in
Connecticut. Also keep your shooting skills sharp with CWA’s
annual sporting clays on June 20 or come out to one of our dog
training day on May 3rd or August 2nd at Nod Brook. CWA
will also be continuing our Mentoring Program (details inside)
spear-headed by retired Assistant Director of DEEP Wildlife
Greg Chasko. This Program is an all ages mentoring program
specific to waterfowling. CWA had great success with this
program in its inaugural season. CWA is actively seeking
candidates for both mentors and mentees. More information
can be obtained by contacting Greg at gchasko@snet.net and
in the coming newsletters. Remember, anyone can contribute
by renewing your membership or encouraging someone else
conservation minded to also join—all membership revenue is
put back into our wetlands. If anyone would like to volunteer
for the Dinner committee or for any other CWA function, feel
free to contact myself or any other of our Board Members.
Hope to see you at the Aqua-Turf, for our annual dinner, on
April 12th.
Regards,
US Fish and Wildlife Service
CT Junior Duck Stamp Art
Contest for 2015
http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/
Art work submission deadline is March
15, 2015 Send to:
Chris Samor -Connecticut Coordinator
Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program/ CWA
29 Bower Hill Road Oxford, CT 06478
Telephone: 203-888-0352 Email: csamor16@att.net
Judging will take place on March 18th 7pm at
Cabela’s in East Hartford-All are welcome.
Who can participate?

K-12 students attending public, private, or home
schools in the United States and the U.S. Territories
are eligible to enter, so long as they are U.S.
citizens, resident aliens, or nationals. U.S. Citizens
attending schools abroad may enter through their
state of residence.

Any person who has won First Place in the National
Junior Duck Stamp Contest during the preceding
year may not submit an entry in the current year’s
contest.
Attention all Teachers—CWA has Educator
Guides for the JRDS Program—Available to any
Educator interested in getting there class involved
Chris Samor, President
csamor16@att.net
February 2015
Email: csamor16@att.net
CWA Newsletter 1
DEEP Announces Results of 2015 Midwinter Waterfowl Survey
Staff from Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) conducted
the annual Midwinter Waterfowl Survey on January 5th and 6th , 2015. The survey is conducted throughout
the Atlantic Flyway, and is used as an index of long-term wintering waterfowl trends. The Atlantic Flyway
is a bird migration route that generally follows the Atlantic Coast of North America and the Appalachian
Mountains. In Connecticut, the survey is conducted from a helicopter and a census is obtained from the
coast, the three major river systems, and selected inland lakes and reservoirs.
Survey conditions for the 2014 Midwinter Waterfowl Survey were excellent, with extremely cold
weather preceding and during the survey. Large blocks of ice were present on all three of the major rivers
(Thames, Connecticut, Housatonic), most inland waterbodies were frozen, and many coastal marshes were
icebound. The midwinter survey is designed to index wintering waterfowl that have been pushed to the coast
when inland waters freeze.
The total number of ducks observed during the survey was 19,375. This is higher than both the
five-year and 10-year averages. The puddle duck count of 10,141 was twice the recent five-year average of
4,734, and well above the 10-year average of 3,700. The scaup count was the highest since 2011. Scaup were
observed in many areas on the survey, albeit in smaller groups than normal. Scaup wintering numbers in
Connecticut continue to be lower than historical counts. The decline in the continental scaup population
continues to be a concern for biologists nationwide. Habitat changes on the scaup’s breeding grounds may be
a factor in the long-term decline of the population. Atlantic brant numbers were lower than in previous years,
while Canada goose counts were the highest since 1994.
Following a recent trend, many puddle ducks (particularly mallards) were observed in urban
sanctuaries, often associated with supplemental feeding activities. “The Department discourages citizens
from feeding waterfowl for a number of reasons, including increased risk of disease transmission, potential
for poor nutrition, and a clouding of the real issue facing waterfowl and wildlife in general in Connecticut –
loss of suitable habitat,” said Rick Jacobson, Director for the DEEP Wildlife Division. The Department has
published a brochure, “Do Not Feed Waterfowl,” that outlines the potential hazards of feeding waterfowl. It
is available on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/dep/lib/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/game/NoFeedWF.pdf.
Results Connecticut Midwinter Waterfowl Survey 2015
for Major Species
Species
2015
Atlantic Brant
600
Black Duck
4,800
Bufflehead
1,100
Canada Goose
8,000
Canvasback
0
Mallard
4,500
Merganser
900
Mute Swan
500
Long-tailed Duck
500
Common Goldeneye
600
Scaup
3,600
* rounded to nearest hundred
2014
1,100
4,800
1,100
7,600
100
4,300
1,100
600
600
1,000
5,000
5YR avg
1,200
3,300
1,100
4,900
100
2,800
1,100
700
400
700
2,900
CWA Newsletter 2
Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America. Revised and
updated. 2 Volume set
by Guy Baldassarre
From Johns Hopkins University Press:
Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America has been hailed as a classic since the first edition was published
in 1942. A must-have for professional biologists, birders, waterfowl hunters, decoy collectors, and wildlife
managers, this fully revised and updated edition provides definitive information on the continent’s forty-six
species. Maps of both winter and breeding ranges are presented with stunning images by top waterfowl
photographers and the acclaimed
original artwork of Robert W.
(Bob) Hines.
Originally authored by F. H.
Kortright and later revised by
Frank Bellrose, this latest
edition, which has been
meticulously updated by
renowned waterfowl biologist
Guy Baldassarre, continues the
legacy of esteemed authors.
Each species account contains
in-depth sections on: •
identification• distribution•
migration behavior• habitat•
population status• breeding
biology• rearing of young•
recruitment and survival• food
habits and feeding ecology •
molts and plumages•
conservation and management
To facilitate identification, the
species accounts also include
detailed illustrations of wings.
An appendix contains
comparative illustrations of
ducklings, goslings, and cygnets.
This edition of Ducks, Geese,
and Swans consists of two
volumes, printed in full color, and packaged in a slipcase, along with a CD containing references and
additional maps.
Guy Baldassarre was a professor of wildlife ecology at the State University of New York College of
Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse until his death in 2012. He is the coauthor of the textbook
Waterfowl Ecology and Management. Look in the
CWA Newsletter 3
Connecticut Waterfowler's Association
Spring Banquet 2015
Sunday April 12, 2015, Aqua-Turf in Plantsville
Time: 1:00 pm– 6:00pm in the Wagon Room, Limited Seating!
NY Strip Sirloin or Chicken Valdestone, Beer and Wine included
Early bird special: RSVP by March 12 and be entered into special drawing for a custom framed
limited edition print
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
NAMES: ______________________________________________________steak or chicken
GUEST: _______________________________________________________steak or chicken
GUEST: _______________________________________________________ steak or chicken
GUEST: _______________________________________________________ steak or chicken
GUEST: _______________________________________________________ steak or chicken
GUEST: _______________________________________________________ steak or chicken
GUEST: _______________________________________________________ steak or chicken
GUEST: _______________________________________________________ steak or chicken
GUEST: _______________________________________________________ steak or chicken
GUEST: _______________________________________________________ steak or chicken
Ten people per table – Please note whom you want to sit with
NUMBER OF ADULTS_____________
X $45.00 = $ ___________
NUMBER OF CHILDREN (under 12) _____ X $30.00 = $__________
DUES for ____________________________ X $FREE = $__________
TOTAL = $__________
Make check out to CWA and mail by March 12 (Early Bird) or April 7 (last deadline) to:
CWA, PO BOX 74, BOZRAH CT 06334
Tickets will be sent out. Need Full Names.
Or please charge my Credit Card Visa__ MC ____
Credit Card #_______________________________________ 3 digit #______
Expiration Date____________________________
on back of card
Name on Card __________________________________________
Signature____________________________________
(Credit Card customers can also phone in their request to Paul Capotosto (860-848-1879)
CWA Newsletter 4
Long Island Decoy Collectors Association Annual Show
Saturday, March 7, 2015 – IBEW Hall, Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, LI
When the battery was finally banned in the mid-1930s, Great South Bay still held hundreds of thousands of
Broadbill each fall and winter. And the many guides - who had first hunted for the market and then later "took
out parties" of sportsmen and women – still hunted this grand bird. Their big Broadbill rigs had a large cabin
boat to serve as the tender, often an open stool boat to carry and handle just the decoys, and a "scooter"
replaced the battery or sinkbox as the open water blind. Gunners stayed warm on the tender - often around a
stove with a hot mug of coffee or stew - and watched the rig while awaiting their turn in the scooter. The Show
will celebrate this exceptional era in American waterfowling.
The special exhibit will showcase many of the rigs from
the wide open parts of Great South Bay - from Patchogue in the east to Babylon in the west. In addition to decoys
from each rig, our display will include: a couple of boats, gear, memorabilia, and big screens with hundreds of vintage
photographs and even a 90-minute documentary film. If you have or know of any photos, boats, decoys, gear – or
Great South Bay gunners - from that era, please let us know.
Thanks very much!
Craig Kessler
ckesslerducks@gmail.com
516-639-8480
see also www.lidecoycollectors.org
CWA Newsletter 5
Steve Sanford
sjaysanford@gmail.com
518-677-5064
EAR Inc
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Specialized Hearing Systems
And
NYX Sports Eye care systems
March 14, 2015
Blue Bird Box Building Day
Flaherty Field Trial Area
East Windsor: Details pg 2
Authorized dealers
Cody and Wade Stober
77 Scott Hill Road
Lebanon, CT 06249
860-209-0379
Cody
Hearing protection molded to your ears,
prescription eyewear and other devices
available.
Do you have old hunting gear? Why not
donate it to CWA and receive a tax
write-off
Contact Paul Capotosto
pcapotosto@snet.net
CWA Marketplace
Two-Man Layout Boat by Old Guide
with Trailer
2-man layout boat with custom trailer and floor
mats-comes with spray shield in back. Enjoy
shooting divers at close range as you wait in
hiding right on top of the water .
Boat and trailer $1700 contact Chris for more
information 203-888-0352
March 18, 2015
Federal Junior Duck Stamp
Judging @ Cabela’s in East
Hartford 7pm
April 12, 2015
CWA Annual Fund Raiser
Aquaturf, Plantsville, CT
May 3, 2015
CWA Dog Training Event #1
Nod Brook Field Trial
July TBA, 2015
TBD
CWA Hot Dogs start 5:30
August 2, 2015
CWA Dog Training Event #2 Nod
Brook Field Trial
August 29, 2015
CWA Decoy Fun Day Event BRG
Club, Bozrah, Ct
“The Art in Making Decoys”
by Keith Mueller
The price for the “Collectors Limited
Edition” signed and numbered is
$174.95 and the
“Workbook Edition” is $99.95
The cost for shipping each book
including handling and insurance will be
$15.01 for US.
K. J. Holmes Publishing Inc.
C/o James Hunt
9 Stephans Path
Port Jefferson, NY 11777
For Credit Card payments, please call
Jimmy at: (631) 928 5920
Renew your CWA Membership
Today!!!!!
SEE BACK COVER FOR DETAILS
CWA Newsletter 6
Did you get a band during the
seasons? If so send the information
to: pcapotosto@snet.net. We will print
the information here!
1717-46207 Common Eider
Drake, Shot 1/5/15 in
Sandwich Mass., by Lou
Firmender banded on North
Wolf Island, Newfoundland
on 8/21/06
1927-46553 Black Duck Hen
Shot 1/14/15 in Darien CT
by John Fairbairn banded in
Ste Foy Quebec on 8/09/11
1757-29851 Mallard Drake
Shot 1/6/15 in Danbury, CT
by Chris Samor banded in
Vermont on 9/4/12
$10 Reward Band
June 20, 2015
CWA Sporting Clays
FIN, Fur, & Feather
Chaplin, CT
Waterfowl Regs Meeting
BAND RETURNS
1657-14329 Mallard Drake
Shot 1/1/15 in Norwalk, CT
by Chris Samor banded in
Beardmore, Ontario on
7/21/10
Connecticut Waterfowlers Association
Wood Duck Box Building Day
March 14, 2015, Saturday
10:00 am to 3 pm
Lunch Provided
The event will be at the Deerborn barn (shop) at Flaherty Field Trial Area in East Windsor:
Come help CWA build wood duck boxes for Connecticut’s wetlands. Boxes available for your wetland
upon request. CWA has been building an average of 60 boxes each year with half of those boxes being
donated to the State’s wood duck box program and the others being put up by CWA members in areas of
suitable habitat. This is a great workshop for kids to learn and build. All wood is pre-cut –just bring cordless
drills if you have one. Hope to see you there.
Directions:
I-91 North to Exit 44/Route 5 (first exit after you cross over the Dexter Coffin Bridge). Right at the end of
ramp onto Route 5; head south. Travel for about one mile and turn left at the traffic light onto Tromley
Road (across from East Windsor Jr./Sr. High School). Travel about 1.5 miles (you will go past the main
entrance to Flaherty Field Trial Area) to a stop sign at the intersection of Tromley and Route 191 (Phelps
Rd./Scantic Rd.). Turn left onto Route 191. Travel about 0.5 miles. The service entrance road/gated access
to the State property is located on your left at the intersection of Wells Road and Route 191. Follow the
access road in to the barn/shop on the left.
Please bring portable drills and hammers.
Anyone who would like information on blue bird or wood duck eggs and biology, or information on
box plans and maintenance but cannot attend contact Chris Samor at csamor16@att.net
www.ctwaterfowlers.org
"WHEN THE BROADBILL WAS KING ON THE GREAT SOUTH BAY"
A new video to be debuted at the upcoming LIDC show. Longtime members of the South Shore
Waterfowlers Association and Long Island Decoy Collectors Association, Craig Kessler and Steve
Sanford have spent the last year creating an historic documentary video about the great era of
broadbill gunning on the open expanses of Great South Bay. The full video will be debuted at the
upcoming show of the Long Island Decoy Collectors Association on March 7 at the Electricians Hall
located on Motor Parkway in Hauppauge. Show hours are from 9-4. A terrific exhibit featuring
several of the famous big open water rigs that frequented Great South Bay from roughly 1930 -1970
will be on display. Everyone is encouraged to get a sneak preview of the video by logging on to
https://vimeo.com/116558936.
CWA Newsletter 7
P.O. Box 74
Bozrah, CT
06334-0074
www.ctwaterfowlers.org
Connecticut Waterfowl
Association, Inc. is a
section 501-© (3) not for
profit tax exempt U.S.
Corporation.
Place Label Here
Officers
Pres.: Chris Samor
Vice Pres Clinton Herdman
Secretary: Jim Gavin
Treasurer: Paul Capotosto
Check your expiration Date!
Directors
Jack Harder
Milton Sands
David Ellis
Rick Boucher
Dave Proulx
John Pawelec
Laura Pawelec
CCS Representative
Greg Chasko
Honorary Directors
Milan Bull
Keith Mueller
Kenneth Cherry
FFL Dealer
Warren Speh
Framing/ Art Dealer
Framing by Gordon
Gordon Hinz
864 Main Street
S. Glastonbury, CT
860-657-2245
CWA Mission
Statement
To preserve, reclaim, and
enhance wetland and
wildlife habitat in the state
of Connecticut in a manner
that promotes the wise use
of our natural resources
and the progress of our
society.
Don’t forget to renew your membership see form below.
CWA MEMBERSHIP PLEDGE CARD
I would like to renew and/or become a member of the Connecticut Waterfowl
Association, Inc. and to support Connecticut Waterfowl’s unique work to restore
Connecticut’s waterfowl and wildlife populations. Enclosed is my tax-deductible
contribution in the amount of:

$ 15
Wigeon (13 and under)

$ 25
Regular Member

$ 50
Contributing Member

$100
Donor Member

$200
Hen House Sponsor

$500
Marsh Sponsor

$750
Life Member
Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Telephone
E-mail
 Please find enclosed my tax-deductible contribution made payable to the
CWA, PO Box 74, Bozrah, CT 06334-0074
I am willing to volunteer for the following projects: (Check one or more)
Canada Goose Banding with the DEEP
 Decoy Fun Day Show  Wood Duck Box Program  CWA Mentor Program
 Board of Directors  Officer  Regs Meeting Information Booth
 CWA Sporting Clays Shoot  CWA Dog Field Trial Days
CWA Newsletter 8