Santa Fe Chapter of Delta Waterfowl

09/01/2026

The time has come — 2026 breeding population survey results are out!

According to the USFWS Annual Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, this year's estimated breeding duck population is 33.44 million, a 2% decline from last year and 6% below the long-term average dating back to 1955. The report shows that while dabbling duck populations have decreased, diving duck populations have increased over the past year.

Total pond counts increased 14% from 2025, notably 29% in Canada; however, U.S. wetlands were down 10%.

Get Delta's full review of the USFWS's report here: https://deltawaterfowl.org/whats-new/news/delta-waterfowl-reports-usfws-annual-waterfowl-survey-estimates-3344-million-ducks/.

The Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey and the Waterfowl Status Report are the result of a collaborative effort conducted annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canadian Wildlife Service, and the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils.

This report is presented by our friends at Jahpoo.

08/31/2026

The entire Delta Waterfowl team mourns the loss of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Wildlife Officer David Taylor, who is believed to have died while helping residents escape the Railroad South Fire in Oklahoma.

Officer Taylor was going door to door alongside local emergency crews when he entered a burning structure to help a resident evacuate. His final actions embodied extraordinary courage, selflessness and devotion to duty.

A U.S. Navy veteran and Navy reservist, Officer Taylor dedicated his life to serving his country, protecting our nation’s wildlife and helping others. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues throughout the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

His service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Learn more: https://www.doi.gov/node/67776

08/15/2026

🎟️ TODAY’S THE DAY! 🦆

We’re selling tickets at the North Central Florida Outdoor Expo, but if you can’t make it out in person, you can still get in on the fun online!

💵 Tickets:
• 1 ticket — $20
• A Chris Wingspan — $100 😂🙌

Venmo Stacy using the link below and please include your first & last name + phone number so we can contact you if you win!

🏆 Winner will be drawn TODAY at 4 PM!

And if you’re coming to the Expo, make sure you stop by our booth, check out our custom 100 Proof Saloon x Delta Waterfowl ECO Cooler, and follow our page for a chance to win it! 🧊🦆

Every dollar we raise today through tickets, donations, and merchandise goes right back to our chapter to help us continue supporting waterfowl conservation and our local community.

Come say hi, grab some merch, and help us make a difference! 💚

📲 Stacy’s Venmo linked below!

08/15/2026

🎟️ TODAY’S THE DAY! 🦆

We’re selling tickets at the North Central Florida Outdoor Expo, but if you can’t make it out in person, you can still get in on the fun online!

💵 Tickets:
• 1 ticket — $20
• A Chris Wingspan — $100 😂🙌

Venmo Stacy using the link below and please include your first & last name + phone number so we can contact you if you win!

🏆 Winner will be drawn TODAY at 4 PM!

And if you’re coming to the Expo, make sure you stop by our booth, check out our custom 100 Proof Saloon x Delta Waterfowl ECO Cooler, and follow our page for a chance to win it! 🧊🦆

Every dollar we raise today through tickets, donations, and merchandise goes right back to our chapter to help us continue supporting waterfowl conservation and our local community.

Come say hi, grab some merch, and help us make a difference! 💚

📲 Stacy’s Venmo linked below!

08/06/2026

Over the past two weeks, many of you have been following the discussion surrounding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's review of drainage tile setbacks on protected wetland easements in the Prairie Pothole Region.

Thousands of duck hunters have spoken up because they care deeply about the future of these wetlands. We appreciate every hunter who has taken the time to make their voice heard.

Delta Waterfowl has been engaged from the very beginning.

Since this issue first surfaced, Delta has:

• Worked directly with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service leadership, the Department of the Interior and members of Congress.

• Helped unite 31 hunting and conservation organizations representing millions of hunters and conservationists in support of protecting wetland easements.

• Mobilized 220 Delta chapters across 44 states to demonstrate nationwide support for these critical wetlands.

• Engaged state legislative leaders through the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses.

• Submitted Delta Waterfowl's official comments into the public record.

Delta’s responsibility is to ensure that science, conservation expertise, and the voice of duck hunters are heard by the people making decisions that affect ducks and duck habitat. Throughout this process, that has remained the focus of our policy team.

It is the work Delta has done for more than a century—and it remains our commitment today.

Delta Waterfowl CEO Jason Tharpe has prepared a message explaining the issue, why these easements matter to duck hunters, what Delta has been doing on your behalf, and where the process goes from here.
We encourage you to read the complete letter.

https://deltawaterfowl.org/whats-new/news/delta-waterfowl-outlines-recent-work-on-behalf-of-wetlands-and-duck-hunters/

Thank you to every hunter who has stood up for prairie wetlands. Protecting ducks takes all of us, and Delta is proud to stand alongside the hunters, chapters, and conservation organizations working toward that shared goal.

08/06/2026

Four duck orgs urge lawmakers and the Department of the Interior to uphold drainage practices near wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region: https://trib.al/OXwolKW

07/17/2026