Page 12 - Waterfowl

Foreword Missouri’s Natural Treasures
Those of us who are fortunate enough to live in Missouri and enjoy the natural treasures of the state we call home have wonderful memories of the outdoors. Some of my fondest memories are of duck hunting with my father on the ponds and rivers near our home in Springfield. Some of those splendid mornings were so cold I thought I would freeze. And I loved every minute of it!
In my experience there is very little, except maybe catching a big bass, that can compare to crouching in a frigid blind at sunrise, next to my son, John Paul, talking to
a flock of Mallards high overhead, watching them wheel in the early rays of sunshine
to lock on the decoys, as our black lab shivers at our feet. It all seems such a part of the natural order for us. There is no hint of the time and money contributed by many people to make the moment so. During these marvelous times, it just doesn’t always occur to me that ducks and geese haven’t always been here in the numbers we enjoy today. To be honest, I often have assumed that the high numbers of waterfowl and the spectacular hunting we are experiencing today will last forever.
But, in fact, there have been times when the future of waterfowl in Missouri, throughout the Mississippi Flyway, and across North America was anything but secure. Had it not been for farsighted organizations like Ducks Unlimited and the Design for Conservation, mandated by Missouri citizens in the mid-1970s, we might not have the high populations of ducks and geese and the superb waterfowling we enjoy today in our state. The Missouri Department of Conservation has made huge contributions to the preservation of waterfowl habitat in the state, ensuring that our legacy is alive and well and that the future is bright.
In this book, you will read about vital programs that safeguard wetlands and other critical waterfowl habitat and the legacy of our sport. But, increased funding alone did not ensure this success. Rather, the state’s conservation traditions have long been foremost in the hearts and minds of Missourians. Our strong outdoor heritage was the true foundation for the policy and funding successes.
10 Waterfowl Hunting and Wetland Conservation in Missouri