Differences between Delta Waterfowl and Ducks Unlimited

[goosewa]

There has been some mention of Delta Waterfowl in this forum before. Would anyone care to shed some light on why he or she prefers joining and donating money to Delta Waterfowl rather than Ducks Unlimited?

Rather than personal prefernce am I missing something?

-Goosewa

[michiduck]

No "rather than" involved for me.

I support both organizations as both do great things for the ducks and their habitat across the continent.

Delta doesn't give you that nice glossy magazine bi-monthly, but they seem to be right down to business without all of the politics that DU sometimes appears to be overwhelmed with, I know of some around the country that are very disappointed with DU for not publically saying they support hunters, but take a look at their magazine if it isn't obvious.

I will continue to support both organizations as they both do great work!

[Neapolis]

I also support both. I like Delta for their suport of the education of our future wildlife biologists.

[BaRtMaN]

Here is the Diff. DU takes all of the money they get and buy up habitat. Delta isnt and doesnt do that because DU is doing a great job of it. Delta is more into getting and keeping kids involved and interested in our sport and the outdoors in general. I am like the others above that give to both because, Without new hunters you can have all of the habitat you want but, no one is gonna enjoy it or know how to use it properly. Children are not only our future but the future of our sport, the outdoors and the ducks too. Teach them young and they will remember for a life time.

Thats the best I can answer I hope I did well.:)

[goosewa]

I agree with you 100%. It is a great Idea and I intend on supporting Delta as well.

I received an E-Mail from waterfowler.com about a free 6 month membership. I ended up signing up to check it out what that site was all about. The biggest problem I found was that I never really was on that site too much. Mostly because I was in here. Well that membership expired a renewal arrived in the mail shortly there after. I think Delta Waterfowl and waterfowler.com have gotten together and offered a special. If I were to send $34 to waterfowler.com I would also get a 1 year membership to Delta as well. I have contemplating on sending in my $34 bucks but before I did I wanted to hear some thoughts from other fowlers first.

Thanks again,
-Goosewa

[Dutchman]

Delta also sends out a magazine. They also are into getting the most production out of the marsh as possible.Rather than buy buy buy, they study study study. The real winners are the ducks. no matter which one you join.

[Linda G.]

All THREE groups in Michigan do a lot for waterfowl. I'm a member of DU, as of this year, finally, because I attended a banquet, and I occasionally help out a good friend of mine who's a chairman. I like what DU is doing, but I also have problems with their mantra that they're primarily conservationists...that comes from all the people that attend a banquet just for the social aspect of it, I guess...but let me tell you, these people may not hunt, but I also never see them out there doing anything (hands-on, get their hands dirty) for conservation, either. They just spend a bunch of money at the banquets every year in the hopes of winning all kinds of toys they'll never use. I don't really understand that, but DU is smart to take advantage of the average American's need to take a gamble on something...no matter what the prize is. Most serious members of DU that I've met are die-hard hunters, and I would think that DU would be proud to say they're an organization that promotes hunting...

I don't know a lot about Delta Waterfowl, except for their predator studies in the Dakotas, which brought to light what DU won't admit to...they're a great group, and I hope they keep up the good work, and make DU see the light, someday...

There's also our own little grass-roots group, the Michigan Duck Hunters Association, which is growing larger every year. This group puts their money where their mouth is, to Michigan's ducks and geese....it's a pity they don't have more of that money...they also support our duck stamp program, which is always great PR for hunters to show anti- and non hunters that we appreciate beauty and believe in conservation...

I'll be doing some writing for MDHA this year...and know several of the board members, would hunt with any one of them any day of the week...

Linda

[Big Frank 25]

Originally posted by Linda G.
All THREE groups in Michigan do a lot for waterfowl.....

.....There's also our own little grass-roots group, the Michigan Duck Hunters Association, which is growing larger every year. This group puts their money where their mouth is, to Michigan's ducks and geese....it's a pity they don't have more of that money...they also support our duck stamp program, which is always great PR for hunters to show anti- and non hunters that we appreciate beauty and believe in conservation...

I'll be doing some writing for MDHA this year...and know several of the board members, would hunt with any one of them any day of the week...

Linda

http://www.midha.org/ is a good place to start if you like to roll up your shirt sleeves and get some dirt under your nails or help out with the many other ways the MDHA helps Michigan ducks!

[lwingwatcher]

I support both but, I think my membership to DU has lapsed right now.

I have to tell you though, I was not too impressed with our local DU a couple of years ago when they held the banquet on the opening day of duck season.

The gloss of those fund raisers fills the coffers from the wallets of social butterflys. Good for the ducks I guess.

It is surprising how little duck hunting gear is "given away" at a banquet.

Delta, actively and openly supports hunters. The first Michigan chapter of Delta, The Great Lakes Chapter, is presently being formed. If you are gonna join, you might wanna consider joining through the local.

[MI Duck Hunter]

I am currently a member of all three. DU Member, Michigan Duck Hunters Assoc. Member in Grand Rapids and Great Lakes Chapter of Delta Waterfowl Chairman.

I see a lot of benefits in being a member of all 3 and I have heard a lot of great reasons to be. DU has a lot of money to spend on wetlands projects and they are very good at spending it where needed. MDHA is a great local group that is very hands on when it comes to improving the waterfowl population with their programs (ie. Duck box program).

Delta Waterfowl, I feel is a great gap filler when it comes to the other two. Having been in existance since 1911 Delta has placed most of their emphasis on the biology of waterfowl and it's habitat. There are only a few Chapters in the U.S. because they have largely worked on a national level. But, with so many waterfowler wanting to gain the benefits locally Chapters have been started in a few states. Chapters are still a new venture for Delta and new things are being learned every day. I feel honored that our State was one that was approved for such a Chapter.

I think in many ways these three groups together enhance the wildlife experiance for all Michiganders.

[Old Hunter]

I belong to both DU and Delta. They both have their own agenda and do for waterfowling in different ways.

[Goldy]

I'm a member of both as well. However, I like Delta's way of doing business a little better. The "Adopt a Pothole" program is a great idea.

[Camo Man]

I belong to both DU and Delta. I believe both have great programs and goals, most of which have been discussed here previously. I know that DU is doing a big multi-year study in Michigan right now on Mallard production. I hope the study convinces them to spend more DU money here in Michigan. If the study shows that most of the ducks harvested here in the State are home grown, then we are wasting a lot of our DU money by sending the very vast majority of it to Canada and other states. Don't get me wrong, I am not against spending a lot of it elsewhere but I believe much of it should be spent here too. And before anyone gets excited by my opinion, I am aware we got a new DU refuge in Michigan this year and that DU has other worthy projucts here to. I am not bashing, just hoping for a different future in Michigan. Also, Michigan, for the most part, especially in the Northern 2/3s of the state, would be an ideal place to start a major preditor management project, as I believe it would do great good here for the ducks and I believe our citizens are into hunting and game management enough to be very accepting of the necessary trapping activities. :)