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The Whistling Ducks of Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge

10,000 Birds

On a sandbar in the center of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, hundreds of ducks swirled around each other or lay down to take cover against the punishing wind. The waterfowl flock was made up of two very unique looking species: the Fulvous and Black-belled Whistling Ducks. I couldn’t believe it.

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The Duck Stamp and Lack of National Wildlife Refuge Funding

10,000 Birds

The National Wildlife Refuge system is one of America’s greatest treasures. It preserves habitat, protects wildlife. Due to some erroneous numbers thrown about by Duck Stamp advocates, I feel that some explanations are in order. Funds for National Wildlife Refuge land acquisition come from several sources.

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National Wildlife Refuge Trivia:  What is PILT?  

10,000 Birds

National Wildlife Refuges protect critical habitat and provide some of the best birding locations in the United States. Of course, birders can support NWRs by buying federal duck stamps. And, in the case of PILT, it shows how the federal government attempts to be a good neighbor, even if it doesn’t pay taxes.

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Is It So Hard To Understand Why Birders and Wildlife Conservationists Don’t Buy the Duck Stamp?

10,000 Birds

Ring-necked Duck ( Aythya collaris ) photo by Larry Jordan. The Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act , which went into effect seventy-nine years ago on July 1, 1934, authorized the annual issuance of what is popularly known as the Duck Stamp. You don’t have to be a genius to see the folly in this approach to Duck Stamp sales.

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The Duck Stamp and The Wildlife Conservation Stamp Living in Symbiosis?

10,000 Birds

The Mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans 1.

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Duck Numbers And Duck Stamp Sales No Longer Correlate

10,000 Birds

This has resulted in a reduction of the number of duck stamps sold. Sales of duck stamps have funded the preservation of wetlands and other wildlife habitat, which in turn has supported an increase in waterfowl populations. This has benefited both the waterfowl hunters and everyone else who likes ducks and their kin.

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Why Did They Name This Duck the Ring-necked Duck?

10,000 Birds

I’ve heard many people ask “why don’t they call it the Ring-billed Duck?” But if you look closely, you can see the dark violet band around the neck of the male Ring-necked Duck ( Aythya collaris ). Birding Birds diving ducks ducks Ring-necked Duck' Birding Birds diving ducks ducks Ring-necked Duck'

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