The Spring issue of California Waterfowl will soon be landing in members’ mailboxes. Not a member? Not a problem. Join now by clicking here, and you’ll be on the list to get future issues as long as you remain a member. Then email Editor Julie Do at jdo@calwaterfowl.org to get this issue mailed to you as well.

Here are some of the highlights of the Spring issue:

California Wood Duck Report. This year marks a significant milestone for the California Wood Duck Program: The millionth duckling will have hatched from our program's nest boxes! In 2023, hundreds of volunteers maintained and monitored 4,659 nest boxes and helped hatch 25,970 ducklings. Click here to read the report.

2023 Waterfowler's Hall of Fame. This issue profiles the four people the California Fish and Game Commission honored in 2023: Albert Seeno Jr., Beth Huning, Dan Connelly and Joe Fleskes.

Gun modifications (print issue only). Now is the perfect time to start any gun-tweaking projects to make sure things run smoothly come opening day. Shotgun expert Phil Bourjaily dives into the list of different shotgun modifications and explains whether he thinks they’re worth the effort and cost or not.

Advocacy, presented by Federal Premium Ammunition. Vice President of Advocacy Mark Hennelly goes over CWA's latest advocacy efforts, including: updates on the CWA-backed AB 828, which would provide certain managed wetlands a three-year exemption from much of the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act; our latest efforts to get the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to update the pintail harvest strategy; our concerns about biodegradable wads; and the appointment of Darius Anderson to the California Fish and Game Commission.

Off-season projects (print issue only). To make the off-season go by faster, why not try your hand at a few new projects? Author M.D. Johnson offers his tips for hunting pigeons over decoys, painting your own shotgun or building a bird strap.

California Forever. Flannery Associates/California Forever wants a new city of 400,000 residents to be built on the western edge of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. But is that really the best idea? John Garamendi, Representative for California’s 8th Congressional District, takes a closer look at how this city would affect residents of the Delta, nearby communities and the surrounding wildlife.

Duck Camp (print issue only). Author Daniel Mollet hadn't hunted ducks in nearly 20 years. But eager to get back into it, he decided to attend CWA's Duck Camp, aimed at helping newer hunters learn the ropes of duck hunting and getting them comfortable enough to head out into the marsh by themselves. Mollet describes his experience and takeaways from camp.

As always, you'll find our Cuisine column, Hunter Health and much more.