Updated

July 15, 2008

The Conscience of Waterfowl Conservation

Directory

Our Latest Postings

Editor’s Note: This posting marks a new advance in Madduck’s rapid rise to prominence in the world of waterfowl conservation. We have redesigned the masthead page. We have created a new “blog” category featuring new writers exploring issues and ideas that do not lend themselves to lengthy treatment. We have added a search feature to allow you to easily access articles in our archives. Most importantly, we have added a comment feature, enabling you to comment and discuss our articles and blogs. We hope you participate in these discussions. (Before posting, all comments will be vetted for relevancy and civility. This will cause a brief delay.) Finally, we hope our new, expanded format comes off without a programming glitch. But sometimes problems arise despite our best efforts to make the transition as smooth as possible.  If you encounter any problems, please let us know.

 

When the Data Lies
Why are some biologists telling us this year’s breeding-ground survey data is a lie? Is it because ducks will pay a deadly price for Adaptive Harvest’s inability to correct for a key statistic bereft of meaningful biological truth. By James H. Phillips. Posted July 15, 2008.

A Test of Character
The old adage that character is destiny applies with fervor this year to California waterfowl authorities. The question: Will they spinelessly surrender to political expediency as in the past or acknowledge moral and biological authority? By Howard N. Ellman. Posted July 15, 2008.

The Scaup Enigma
Should we reduce the daily scaup bag limit to one? Biologist Norman Seymour examines the controversy that pits Delta Waterfowl against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Posted July 15, 2008.

Celebrating Circular Logic
Madduck essayist Howard N. Ellman looks at unknown factors that influence waterfowl management and why these defeat efforts to increase the numbers of ducks that wing the length of the continent. Posted May 27, 2008.

Prairie Drought
Biologist Norman Seymour explores the effects of drought has on waterfowl production and why this year’s fall flight will be smaller than last year. Posted May 27, 2008.

The Day The Music Died
Do you describe yourself as a conservationist? What does that mean in today’s society? Madduck editor James H. Phillips exposes the changes over the years in the meaning of waterfowl conservation and why this bodes ill for ducks and duck hunters. Posted May 27, 2008.

Blogs
Art Ladehoff looks at generational differences. Posted May 27, 2008. Justin Phillips gives thanks for a spoonbill or teal. Posted May 27, 2008.

Challenging Ourselves
Does our obsession with bagging a daily limit and killing the maximum number of ducks over the course of a season invite outsiders to meddle in our affairs? How will this affect our future? Dr. Robert D. Brown explores the grim, new realities. Posted Jan. 25, 2008.

California's Fate
Can California waterfowlers preserve their heritage? Dr. John Schulte examines the issues, warning that unless action is quickly taken duck hunting will vanish like the Monterey sardine. Posted Jan. 25, 2008.

Midnight in Mississippi
Who killed the once fabulous duck-hunting around the Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge? Charles S. Potter Jr. identifies the guilty parties. Posted Jan. 25, 2008.

Endangered: Hunteri Waterfowlus
Thirty-one-year-old waterfowler Denton Kelley looks ahead with trepidation to the coming decades. He fears that he will witness the end of duck hunting. Posted Dec. 18, 2007.

The Last Generation?
Twenty-seven-year-old Justin H. Phillips ponders a troubling issue: Where are young duck hunters? Why are they abandoning the sport? Is our tradition dying? Posted Dec. 18, 2007.

I've Walked the Line ... Have You?
Dr. Robert H. Brown asks: Are you a hunter or a shooter? How will your answer affect the future of hunting? Posted Dec. 18, 2007.