IN THIS EDITION: -Latest News: Duck Numbers Down—Researchers Blame Dry Conditions -Conservation: Do Your Part—Support Wildlife Legislation in Washington -DU TV Show: The World of Ducks Unlimited From Mexico to the Dakotas -Web Chat: Eukanuba Expert to Host Live Chat Event on DU Web Site -Duck Details: Ruddy Duck -Retriever Tips: Delivery to Hand Part II -Online Poll: DU Events -Waterfowling Tip: Hook Ups -Game and Fish Recipes: Antelope Steak ***LATEST NEWS*** Duck Numbers Down—Researchers Blame Dry Conditions in Key Breeding Areas In its annual report on breeding duck numbers and May habitat conditions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revealed a population decrease in nine of the ten most common duck species. Estimates suggest that despite an 18 percent increase in pond numbers on the breeding grounds, the total number of breeding ducks declined by 14 percent, falling from 42 million birds in 2000 to 36.1 million in 2001. Full Story ***CONSERVATION*** Do Your Part—Support Wildlife Legislation in Washington The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) are two of the most successful federal wildlife habitat conservation programs in U.S. history, conserving millions of acres of critical wildlife habitat. Unfortunately, without your help, they face imminent legislative extinction. Now you can do your part to help CRP and WRP expand and continue by contacting your Congressmen and women. We’ve made it easy for you to let Congress hear your voice; visit the link below and join the thousands of DU members who have already taken a stand for wetlands, wildlife, and future generations. Take action now! ***DU TV SHOW*** The World of Ducks Unlimited From Mexico to the Dakotas Follow Oran Richard and Marc Pierce as they head south of the border to hunt pintails, and then stay tuned as they travel to North Dakota for mallards. Tune in for great waterfowling action on Saturday, July 21st on TNN, 11:30 AM Eastern. To check the schedule for future shows and watch video clips each week, go to: DU TV Show ***DUCK DETAILS*** Ruddy Duck The conformation of the small ruddy duck is distinctive: a short, thick neck, chunky body, stubby wings, and a fan-shaped tail composed of stiff feathers. The male and female are in eclipse (drab) plumage most of the year. Breeding activity of ruddy ducks is centered in the prairie region of North America as well as the Intermountain West. Small numbers also breed in the interior highlands of Mexico, freshwater marshes of Baja California, the southern Rocky Mountains, and the southern Great Plains. Most females do not breed until two years of age. Ruddy duck females lay an average of 8 eggs and construct nests in cattail and bulrush over water. The Pacific coastal states and the western coast of Mexico winter 55% of the ruddy duck population in North America. Roughly 25% winter on the eastern coast and 20 percent in the interior of the continent. Ruddy ducks are thought to travel at night. The average breeding population was about 475,000 ruddy ducks for their principal breeding grounds, 1955-73. Current estimates are unavailable. Ruddy ducks dive to feed on pondweeds, algae, and wild celery; and seeds of sedges, smartweeds, and grasses. They also eat aquatic insects and their larvae, shellfishes, and crustaceans. During the breeding season they feed mainly on invertebrates (primarily chironomid larvae and pupae). For information on other waterfowl species, visit DU’s Waterfowl Gallery. ***WATERFOWLING TIPS*** Hook Ups Thanks to DU member Eddie Jenkins of Shreveport, LA, for this waterfowling tip featured in 161 Waterfowling Secrets. If you’re tired of tying and untying a cold, stiff rope when securing your boat to a blind or tree, try using a snap hook on the end of the ropes that are attached to your hunting boat. Also, by instilling eye hooks on the blind, you can easily hook and unhook the boat when you need to quickly retrieve cripples or when you want to leave for the day. To purchase 161 Waterfowling Secrets ***GAME/FISH RECIPES*** Easy Baked Quail A special thanks to DU member Betty Hrdlicka of Dorchester, NE, for this recipe featured in Wild Feasts Game & Fish Cookbook