| Philosophies | Current Waterfowl Projects and Issues | Webless Migratory Game Birds |
(Editors note: waterfowl includes ducks and geese and webless migratory game birds includes doves, rails, sandhill cranes, snipe, woodcock and crows)
In the course of fulfilling its mission, the Central Flyway Council (CFC) has demonstrated its philosophies annually by words and actions backed by dollars. The post-World War II years brought many challenges, not the least of which was to just figure out how best to conduct business and build communications links across North America. During this decade, the number of waterfowl hunters increased, and by 1960, drought in the prairies sent duck populations to a low level.
The CFC adopted their first management plan in 1957. But it was not until the late 1960's that innovative ideas were initiated. By 1970, the High Plains Mallard Management Unit for duck harvest management was being formed and a new system being adopted for establishing the duck daily bag limit called the Point System. The CFC funded their first formal, joint project in 1973 when 10 states contributed $150 each to a study of mallard sex ratios (the number of males per female). Between 1975-78, they contributed over $54,000 to goose banding projects in the Arctic. Since then, the CFC has contributed funds for projects related to goose research and management, duck recruitment, non-toxic shot educational efforts, intensive management of small areas, dove research and computer modeling efforts. Through 2000, the CFC has spent over $900,000 on their own projects and in cooperation with other entities on larger projects.
Through its involvement in issues and projects and a steady philosophy associated with improving the status of migratory birds, the Central Flyway Council continues to exert significant, positive influence on migratory bird management in North America. Many examples are illustrated in the pages associated with this introduction.