IN THIS EDITION: -Latest News: Conservation Groups Unite in Support of Farm Bill Provisions -Web Chat: Retriever Expert to Host Live Chat Event on the DU Web Site -Conservation: Latest Habitat Conditions -Online Poll: Off-Season Practice -DU Media: The World of Ducks Unlimited TV Show Returns -Fundraising News: DU Has Record-Breaking year in 2000 -Waterfowling Tip: On the Side -Retriever Tips: Pup Is Snubbing Land Retrieves -Game and Fish Recipes: Dove Breast Hot Shots -Other News: DU Re-elects President; Elects New Vice President ***LATEST NEWS*** Congressional Action Could Be Watershed for Wildlife A group of leading wildlife and conservation groups has united in support of “Farm Bill” conservation programs currently being evaluated by Congress. On June 6, congressional testimony delivered by Ducks Unlimited represented 40 organizations with a combined membership of ten million individuals. “The current conservation provisions Congress is looking at have created more wildlife habitat than any other federal program. This year will be a watershed year for wildlife—the Farm Bill programs will hopefully be increased or at the very least renewed,” said Scott Sutherland, director of governmental affairs for Ducks Unlimited. Full Story ***WEB CHAT*** Retriever Expert to Host Live Chat Event on the DU Web Site DU is proud to host a live chat with Mike Stewart, the owner and professional trainer of Wildrose Kennels in Oxford, MS. Wildrose Kennels is home to Drake, the official DU Labrador retriever. The chat will take place Thursday, June 21 at 8 P.M. Eastern. Mike will answer all of your questions from training, to picking a puppy, to honing skills. Anyone can participate by logging onto www.ducks.org. Mike is no stranger to the DU Web site. He is currently a contributor to the DU Web site’s Retriever section. Full Story ***CONSERVATION*** Latest Habitat Conditions Habitat conditions are mixed across the breeding grounds. East of a line through central Saskatchewan and the central Dakotas, moisture has been abundant and production is expected to be very good. West of that line it has been extremely dry to the extent that many locations in Alberta, for example, have been declared to be agricultural disaster areas as there isn't enough moisture to produce a grain crop. Overall, the fall flight will not likely increase over last year's, but it will almost certainly have fewer young in western populations than in regions from the center of the continent to the east coast. Production surveys are run in July and will be eagerly anticipated by waterfowl hunters and managers. Full Story ***DU MEDIA*** The World of Ducks Unlimited TV Show Returns The World of Ducks Unlimited is back on The National Network (TNN) this year with all-new shows from some of the finest wingshooting destinations in North America. The show will air Saturday mornings at 11:30 Eastern beginning July 7 (check local listings for times in your area). Full Story ***FUNDRAISING NEWS*** Ducks Unlimited Breaks Membership, Fundraising Records Officials from Ducks Unlimited reported record levels of both members and funds raised to support conservation during the past fiscal year. Full Story ***WATERFOWLING TIPS*** On the Side A special thanks to DU member Chuck Kartak of center City, MN, for this tip featured in 161 Waterfowling Secrets Don’t place your decoys immediately upwind of your blind. Instead, place them slightly to one side so the movements of dogs and hunters won’t be as noticeable when ducks are circling the decoys. More waterfowling tips on the new & improved DU Members Only message boards ***GAME/FISH RECIPES*** Dove Breast Hot Shots A special thanks to DU member Kevin Church of Glenpool, OK, for this recipe featured in Wild Feasts Game & Fish Cookbook Dove breasts, filleted (as many as you like)