DU News

PLAN FOR LOUISIANA DU NEWS AUGUST 2012 SUCCESS

 INCREASE attendance by pre-selling tick- State Chairman’s Corner ets!

 Make a plan for In February we pub- event in both attendance success and set lished our first Louisiana and money. Our State goals for each Ducks Unlimited News. Convention had over event In the column we 500 attendees with gross  RECRUIT NEW launched our State revenue of $232,000. VOLUNTEERS motto, that is; “Ask” - Now is not the time to We work hard today for  HAVE FUN! Ask a friend to become rest on our laurels. The future generations. a committee member, heart of our fundraising Ask a friend to attend an will take place between “Bring the Wood” and event with you; Ask for now and the end of No- “Finish Strong”. A word from 2 a contribution for an vember. I would like to We have a real opportu- Dale Hall event, be it cash, ser- remind you of the Saints nity in Louisiana to gen- 2012 LA DU 3 vices, etc. run for the Super Bowl erate over 2 million dol- Convention As we start the second in 2009. Coach Sean lars in Grass Roots in- Conservation 4 Summary half of the year and the Payton challenged his come. I hope that we Wildlife & 5 heart of our fundraising team to “Finish Strong”. can “Finish Strong” for Fisheries season, I am pleased to Many of us remember the Ducks. I am looking awards DU report that we are hav- the start of the play-offs forward to seeing you all Stamp Money ing a banner 75th year in 2009 when Reggie at events during the Fall Event 6-8 List for Ducks Unlimited of Bush lead the team out year. Louisiana as well as a of the tunnel against the Cat Island 9 Project banner year for Ducks Cardinals carry- Sincerely, Wanted Chap- 10 Unlimited on a National ing a baseball bat, the ters in LA basis. We started our theme was “Bring the fundraising year with Wood”. I see no harm Robert Garrity State Chairman 2012 extremely successful in stealing a good idea.

events in Donaldsonville, As we get into the heart Baker and White Castle. of our fundraising sea- Shortly thereafter, son, I am asking each Abbeville had a record and every one of you to LOUISIANA DU NEWS AUGUST 2012 PAGE 2

Conservation for Generations by Dale Hall, CEO - Ducks Unlimited to enjoy our passionate pursuit, there must be healthy habitats. In 1934, when the Depression had

more people in bread lines and westward caravans

than were employed, duck hunters lobbied Con- gress to require them to pay to go hunting! This was followed in 1937 by hunters and firearm and ammunition industries lobbying for a tax on these items used solely for conservation. This law is still in place today and supports state fish and wildlife

agencies. Also in 1937, Ducks Unlimited Incorpo-

rated and Ducks Unlimited Canada were born. With DUC as the original mechanism to deliver projects on the ground in Canada, our partnership

has been long and rich with science-based decisions

and volunteer-driven passion. Until the 1980s, all DU’s work was done in Canada. Then science un- veiled the importance of migratory and wintering habitat. DUI has continued its partnership with DUC to conserve valuable nesting grounds, but has expanded to include projects in all 50 states. This year marks a very special time for We are rapidly closing in on 13 million acres con- Ducks Unlimited. On Jan. 29, 1937, the More served in North America, with a target of 750 mil- Game Birds in America organization transitioned lion to 1 billion more acres conserved in Canada’s into what would become the greatest wetland and boreal forests. What an accomplishment to cele- waterfowl habitat conservation organization in the brate! But as we and our numerous partners cele- world! Throughout this year, we will be celebrating brate these great successes, we must not rest on our 75th anniversary, and we have a great deal to our accomplishments. According to the U.S. Fish celebrate. and Wildlife Service, we still lose more acres than From our beginnings in Manitoba at Big Grass we are able to conserve each year in the U.S., and Marsh with a project impacting 100,000 acres, to across North America the pressures to convert our current partnership with the Pew Charitable valuable waterfowl habitat to other uses is greater Trusts to conserve 1 billion acres in the vast boreal than ever. forests, our work has been based on the simple principle of cooperation with others. During DU’s Our challenges are great, but with the continued first years, struggling farmers were DU’s best part- dedication of our volunteers, members and staff , ners; the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression Ducks Unlimited WILL NOT FAIL! I look forward were in full swing and significant acres of wetlands to seeing as many of you as possible over the next were being converted to farmland. The partnership 12 months as we celebrate 75 years of phenomenal with farmers was based on “water on the ground, accomplishment. ducks in the air,” and immediately elevated DU’s status as a group of people who wanted to roll up their sleeves and solve problems. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, The very first volunteers to answer the call were DUCKS UNLIMITED! hunters. Hunters know that to have enough ducks

https://www.facebook.com/louisianadu LOUISIANA DU NEWS AUGUST 2012 PAGE 3 2012 State Convention

The New Orleans Hilton Monte and Melinda Brown, Top 100 awards. The gala Riverside was the site of the 2012 State Convention Co- event on Saturday night cele- 2012 Louisiana Ducks Unlim- Chairman, their Convention brated the 75th Anniversary ited State Convention on Committee and the New of Ducks Unlimited with July 19-21. Almost 500 atten- Orleans committee did a many unique items for live dees were on hand for this great job this year! and silent auction as well as year’s exciting event. The Friday night’s Road-Kill com- one of the largest raffles setup of the convention al- petition was once again a ever held at State Conven- lowed attendees to easily highlight of the convention. tion. The Cat Island Project move from the registration LA DU didn’t allow the rainy print which was commis- area, to the meeting rooms, weather to stop us from go- sioned by DU President, to the hospitality area. Sev- ing out and enjoying the feast John Newman and DU State eral vendors were set up in that makes us the best fed Chairman, Robert Garrity the hospitality area to allow people in the state. Chap- was unveiled at the live auc- easy access to shopping for ters competed for their shot tion. This beautiful work of your chapter event or your- at Killa Dilla. The New Or- art is now available for chap- self. leans chapter was the hands ter fundraising. “A hungry Early arrivals on Thursday down winner with their beer Please mark your calendars night were treated to a re- battered, bacon wrapped for July 18-20, 2013. We are dog hunts

ception hosted by 2012 shrimp, onions and peppers returning to Lafayette for best”

LADU State Chairman, on a skewer. 2013 State Chairman Lee Trevino Robert Garrity and his wife Saturday at the Awards Stephen Gauthier’s State Debra. Their suite provided Luncheon several chapters Convention. It promises to a lovely location for people state wide received awards. be another great time to get to gather and visit. Special LA DU was successful again together with old friends, thanks goes out to Debbie in 2011 with five chapters make some new friends and for all of her hard work on receiving President’s Elite get pumped up for fall fund- this year’s convention. and five chapters receiving raising. Louisiana DU Recognized Nationally

Below are the national rankings for LA DU in several Total New Feather Society Pledges- key areas: Ranked 6th @ 6 Total Greenwings- Ranked 8th @ 1,604 Total Event Income- Ranked 5th @ $1,766,175 Percent Net/Net to Gross- Ranked 7th @ 59% Major Donor Income over Life Sponsor- Ranked Total Members- Ranked 10th @ 16,600 6th @ $1,388,480 Total Sponsors- Ranked 5th @ 1,433 Most New Life Sponsors- Ranked 1st @ 40 new

Are Bronze Sponsors part of your goals? Every Sponsor equals one acre of habitat. LOUISIANA DU NEWS AUGUST 2012 PAGE 4

Louisiana Conservation Summary

recently completed work on the Saskatche- projects on Lake Ophelia wan breeding grounds National Wildlife Refuge, most important to Louisi- on Sherburne, Buckhorn, ana’s waterfowl. Bayou Pierre and Pointe- Louisiana provides some aux-Chenes wildlife man- of the most crucial habitat

agement areas and on for wintering waterfowl Louisiana provides conti- White Lake Wetlands on the continent, but re- nentally significant winter- Conservation Area. Our cent DU-supported re- ing habitat for waterfowl work in the public policy search suggests waterfowl each year. DU’s mission in arena continues to ex- carrying capacity has been Louisiana is to ensure suf- pand. Specifically, DU sup- severely compromised by ficient habitat is available ports the RESTORE Act, the loss of more than 1.2 to meet the life-cycle which would direct 80 million acres of coastal needs of migrating and percent of penalties from marsh and thousands of wintering waterfowl as the 2010 Deepwater Ho- acres of rice agriculture. well as resident popula- rizon Oil Spill towards DU has been working tions of mottled ducks, Gulf Coast and Mississippi hard for more than 25 whistling ducks and wood River Delta restoration. years in Louisiana, and we ducks. These habitats also DU also continues to pro- will continue to strive to provide significant benefits vide leadership on issues secure these habitats for to other wildlife, fisheries and programs such as the future generations of wa- and people. North American Wet- terfowl and waterfowlers. DU’s conservation staff lands Conservation Act had another outstanding and the Federal Duck year in fiscal year 2012, Stamp program. DU’s conserving more than partnership with the Lou- 22,000 acres of wetlands isiana Coastal Protection and associated habitats in and Restoration Authority Louisiana and bringing to- has resulted in funding for tal conservation accom- the St. Louis Canal fresh- plishments in the state to water introduction project 380,000 acres, 125,000 in Lafourche Parish, while acres of which are in the Louisiana’s state grant coastal zone. On public contribution of more than lands, DU has on-going or $300,000 supported DU’s

https://www.facebook.com/louisianadu LOUISIANA DU NEWS AUGUST 2012 PAGE 5

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission awards Ducks Unlimited $1 million State grant funding conserves vital waterfowl habitat

wing their way to Louisi- stated,” said DU Canada’s ana each year,” said DU Director of International Director of Conservation Partnerships Pat Kehoe. Programs Jerry Holden. “Individual state contribu- “As approximately 35 per- tions are combined with cent of the ducks har- other state contributions, vested in Louisiana come matched dollar for dollar from Saskatchewan, in- by DU Inc. and DU Can- BATON ROUGE, La. – vesting Louisiana’s dollars ada, and then used as July 9, 2012 – In a July 2 in this geography clearly match for North Ameri- meeting, the Louisiana provides the greatest re- can Wetlands Conserva- Wildlife and Fisheries turn for the state’s water- tion Act grants.” Commission awarded fowl hunters.” Ducks Unlimited 100 per- DU was able to leverage cent of the available State The Association of Fish the 2011-2012 Louisiana Grants Program funding and Wildlife (AFWA) state grant contribution of for the next three years. State Grants Program is $643,796 to secure a total "Nature is not a This commitment brings funded through hunting investment of more than place to visit. It Louisiana’s cumulative license sales. The distribu- $3.2 million for conserva- contribution for habitat is HOME!” tion of available funding is tion of important breeding conservation on Canadian decided by each state’s habitats . breeding grounds impor- wildlife agency commission tant to Louisiana’s water- following a request for fowl to more than $10 With this new three-year funding proposals. Louisi- million. commitment, Louisiana ana has been participating will contribute $1 million, in the program since 1964, which will be leveraged a “Ducks Unlimited is very longer than any other minimum of four times to pleased to see the Louisi- state. yield at least $4 million for ana Wildlife and Fisheries waterfowl habitat conser- Commission continue a “The importance of state vation in Saskatchewan. ! long and storied history of grants contributions to making wise investments Canadian habitat conser- in waterfowl habitat im- vation and restoration portant to the birds that projects cannot be over-

https://www.facebook.com/louisianadu LOUISIANA DU NEWS AUGUST 2012 PAGE 6 2012 LA DU Fall Events

Chapter Name Chapter City Type Date Contact Number Location Cajun Crowley S 8/22/12 Kaye Beasley 337‐789‐6690 LSU Ag Center Shreveport Shreveport S 8/23/12 Archer Frierson 318‐465‐6314 Petroleum Club Church Point/ Rayne Rayne S 9/5/12 Jarrod Gardiner 337‐344‐9640 Chief Roy's New Orleans New Orleans S 9/10/12 Mike Benge 504‐583‐7821 Yacht Club Upper Lafourche Thibodaux S 9/11/12 Nick Lichenstein 985‐232‐2922 Rapides Pineville D 9/11/12 Linda Branton 318‐481‐9055 Pineville Community Center Lafayette Lafayette S 9/12/12 Brian Billeaud 337‐654‐6478 River Oaks New Iberia New Iberia S 9/13/12 Greg Mullen 337‐519‐6928 Guggenheim Bldg. Gueydan Gueydan D 9/13/12 Scott Hair 337‐247‐4762 Gueydan Community Center Cameron Parish Grand Lake D 9/15/12 Greg Wicke 337‐312‐7500 Grand Lake Fireman Center Jeanerette Jeanerette S 9/18/12 Garland 337‐884‐3668 Avery Island (Marsh House) Shreveport Shreveport D 9/18/12 Richard Candler 318‐207‐2700 Riverview Hall Opelousas Opelousas D 9/19/12 Kevin Doucet 337‐945‐0286 Opelousas Civic Center Lake Arthur Lake Arthur D 9/20/12 Jacob David 337‐329‐0004 Lake Arthur Comm. Center Natchitoches Natchitoches S 9/25/12 Billy Gray 318‐773‐1128 Exchange Bank Slidell Slidell D 9/26/12 Dennis Lanigan 985‐640‐6582 Carencro Carencro S 9/26/12 Ellis Guilbeau 337‐277‐7695 Jefferson St. Café Corney Lake Bernice D 9/27/12 William Colvin 318‐254‐9206 Bernice Civic Center Desoto Parish Mansfield D 9/27/12 Rusty Hays 318‐423‐8838 David Means 4‐H Building

West Monroe West Monroe D 9/27/12 Scott Moore 318‐348‐7410 West Monroe Convention Cen‐ Cajun Crowley D 10/3/12 Kaye Beasley 337‐789‐6690 Rice Festival Bldg. Jackson Parish Jonesboro D 10/4/12 Phillip Thomas 318‐243‐4916 Advance Country Club Natchitoches Natchitoches D 10/9/12 Robert Dupre 318‐652‐1138 Natchitoches Event Center DU of Montegut Montegut D 10/9/12 Marcia Ellender 985‐709‐1721 Lions Club Westbank Harvey D 10/10/12 Mark Callais 504‐343‐1763 Four Columns New Orleans New Orleans D 10/11/12 Mike Benge 504‐583‐7821 Hilton Riverside Lincoln Parish Ruston S 10/11/12 John Denny 318‐245‐5603 Rabb's Steak & Spirits Westlake Westlake D 10/11/12 David Lebato 337‐532‐4294 Manigan Center St. Martin Parish St. Martin D 10/11/12 Chris Guilbeaux 225‐715‐3191 Poche's Country Club

D– General Membership Banquet S– Sponsors Banquet

For up to date event listings, please visit the state website at http://la.ducks.org LOUISIANA DU NEWS AUGUST 2012 PAGE 7 2012 LA DU Fall Events

Chapter Name Chapter City Type Date Contact Number Location Alexandria Alexandria D 10/11/12 Chris Naalbanian 337‐229‐3979 Riverfront Center Jeff Davis Jennings D 10/17/12 James Romero 337‐224‐6562 Jeff Davis Multi Purpose Bldg Mandeville/ Cov‐ Mandeville / ington Covington D 10/18/12 Madison Burris 985‐264‐4772 Castine Center Morgan City Morgan City D 10/18/12 Charley Roy 985‐397‐1230 Concordia Ferriday D 10/18/12 Pat Galloway 318‐336‐5258 Concordia Comm Center New Iberia New Iberia D 10/18/12 Greg Mullen 337‐519‐6928 Cyr Gates Community Center Red River Coushatta D 10/19/12 Donald Horton 318‐471‐6660 Coushatta Country Club Church Point/ Church Point/ Rayne Rayne D 10/23/12 Jarrod Gardiner 337‐344‐9640 Rayne, LA Carencro Carencro D 10/24/12 Ellis Guilbeau 337‐277‐7695 Carencro Community Center Tangipohoa Hammond D 10/24/12 Corey Dufreche 985‐969‐2990 DU of Terrebonne Houma S 10/24/12 Bret Cuneo 985‐381‐6865 St. Bernard St. Bernard D 10/25/12 Donald Picou 504‐915‐7666 Sulphur Sulphur D 10/25/12 George Vincent 337‐527‐5266 West Cal Arena‐ Sulphur Lincoln Parish Ruston D 10/25/12 Ryan Kilpatrick 318‐232‐7472 Ruston Civic Center Winn Parish Winnfield D 10/25/12 Mike Tinnerello 318‐355‐6453 Pine Ridge Country Club Vernon Parish Leesville D 10/30/12 Matt Koury 337‐397‐0504 Forestry Festival Bldg. Eunice Eunice D Oct‐TBA Willie Burgeron 337‐466‐1299 Northwest Community Ctr Claiborne Parish Haynesville D 11/1/12 Aleida Schut 318‐548‐2794 Claiborne Parish Fair Barn Baton Rouge Baton Rouge D 11/1/12 Michael Patterson 225‐572‐4070 DU of Terrebonne Houma D 11/1/12 Jeff DeBlieux 985‐855‐9619 Jeanerette Jeanerette D 11/7/12 Garland Lemaire 337‐884‐3668 West St. Mary's Civic Center Upper Lafourche Thibodaux D 11/7/12 Nick Lichenstein 985‐232‐2922 Jefferson Parish Metairie D 11/8/12 Hank Johnston 504‐737‐1203 Lafayette Lafayette D 11/8/12 Beau Phares 337‐962‐2128 Heymann Center Pecan Island Pecan Island D 11/9/12 Derrick Davis 337‐534‐7999 Pecan Island Avoyelles Parish Marksville D 11/15/12 Steven Marcotte 318‐201‐7014 Casino Rapides Pineville S Nov Linda Branton 318‐481‐9055 Evangeline Parish Ville Plate D Nov Patrick Fontenot South Lafrouche Galliano D Nov Grady Galiano 985‐637‐9177 St. Francisville St. Francisville D Dec Ken Jones 225‐933‐2700

D– General Membership Banquet S– Sponsors Banquet

Are Bronze Sponsors part of your goals? Every Sponsor equals one acre of habitat. LOUISIANA DU NEWS AUGUST 2012 PAGE 8 Louisiana Ducks Unlimited– Cat Island Project

The “Cat Island Project” print was commissioned by DU President John Newman and DU State Chairman, Robert Garrity and was unveiled at the 2012 Louisiana DU State Convention in New Or- leans, LA. These prints are now available for sale with a portion of the proceeds going towards the restoration of the Cat Islands, a nesting habitat of the Brown Pelican.

In 1998, the Cat Islands were over 40 acres. Today, they are less than one acre. This Brown Pelican nesting habitat is quickly disappearing. Scientific data tells us these islands will be gone by the end of this year. With no plans to rebuild the Cat Islands and the slow pace of settlements associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the is- lands future appears bleak. Something must be done.

Artist Edition: Each print is numbered and individually signed by Michael Hunt and Wildlife Photographer P.J. Hahn. Limited to 2000 prints $95 each.

Governor’s Edition: Numbered and Hand signed by Governor Bobby Jindal, Wildlife Photographer P.J. Hahn and Artist Michael Hunt. Limited to 100 prints at $950 each.

NOLA Fine Art 3823 Spencer Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 371-8300 or Order online www.NolaFineArt.com/the-cat-island-project-home/

Are Bronze Sponsors part of your goals? Every Sponsor equals one acre of habitat. WANTED: DUCKS UNLIMITED CHAPTERS

Just as the ducks need us to Bastrop Derrick Davis help provide adequate habi- Office: (337)504-5629 Columbia tat for their migration, LA Cell: (337) 534-7999 DU needs chapters in the Denham Springs [email protected] following areas: Franklin Jason McKey

Gonzales Office: (225)665-2603 If you know anyone or have Kinder Cell: (225)788-6444 friends in these areas please [email protected] contact the state chairman Oakdale or your local Regional Rayville Megan Moss Director. Office: (318)590-9901 Winnsboro Cell: (318) 548-2906 [email protected]

Ducks Unlimited - Preserving Louisiana’s Waterfowl Hunting Heritage

Our Mission: Ducks Unlimited con- serves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North Robert Garrity Jr. America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. 240 Garden Rd River Ridge, LA 70123 Our Vision: Wetlands sufficient to fill Fax: (504) 738-1140 the skies with waterfowl today, tomor- Office: (504) 738-1111 row and forever.

Thank you for all that you do for the DUCKS!!